Air-Fryer Spinach: A Healthy, Crispy Treat?

Yes, you can cook spinach in an air fryer. If you put spinach in an air fryer without any precautions, you will likely get crispy spinach chips. This is because the air fryer heating element works similarly to a broiler, crisping up the spinach or kale underneath. To prevent this, you can use a lid or aluminium foil. You can also use the crisping tray that comes with the air fryer as a slotted lid to prevent the spinach from flying around.

Air fryer spinach recipe and ingredients

Air-fried spinach is a quick, easy, and healthy snack or side dish. You can make it crispy or soft, and it only takes a few minutes to cook. Here's a step-by-step guide to making delicious air-fried spinach, along with some recipe variations to try.

Ingredients:

• Fresh spinach (about 10 oz/300 g)
• Olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil spray
• Butter (optional)
• Salt (garlic salt or regular salt)
• Pepper
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, garam masala, chili flakes)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Lemon juice (optional)

Instructions:

Crispy Spinach Chips:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
• Wash and dry the spinach leaves thoroughly. The drier the leaves, the crispier they will become.
• Place the spinach leaves in a bowl and lightly spray or drizzle with oil.
• Sprinkle a pinch of salt and any other desired seasonings over the leaves. Remember, you can always add more later, so it's best to start with a light touch.
• Place the spinach in the air fryer basket. You can layer the leaves, but avoid making the layers too thick.
• Air fry for about 6-10 minutes, depending on your air fryer and desired crispness. Keep an eye on it, as it can burn quickly.
• Once done, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired.

Soft, Buttered Spinach:

• Preheat your air fryer to 360°F.
• Rinse about 10 oz of fresh spinach leaves and gently squeeze out the excess water.
• Place the spinach in an air fryer cake pan. Add butter (about 2 tsp) and your desired seasonings (e.g. garlic powder, salt, and pepper).
• Cook for about 3 minutes, then stir.
• If you prefer softer spinach, add another minute of cooking time.

Variations:

• Keto Creamed Spinach: Combine spinach, onion, garlic, cream cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Air fry for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and air fry for another 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted and browned.
• Sea Salt and Lime Spinach Chips: Combine olive oil, sea salt, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Add a pinch of chili powder for extra spice.
• You can also experiment with different types of greens, such as kale or Swiss chard.

Enjoy your air-fried spinach as a tasty and nutritious snack or side dish!

How to cook spinach in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Fresh spinach leaves
• Olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil spray
• Sea salt
• Parmesan (optional)
• Lemon juice (optional)

Utensils

• Air fryer
• Air fryer cake pan (optional)
• Paper towels (optional)

Method

• Wash the spinach leaves.
• If you want crispier spinach, lay the leaves on some paper towels and gently pat them dry.
• Place the spinach in the air fryer basket.
• Spray the spinach with oil.
• Sprinkle sea salt over the spinach.
• Put the basket in the air fryer and cook at 350°F for 6-8 minutes.
• Toss the spinach after 3 minutes so that it cooks evenly.
• If you prefer softer spinach, add an extra minute of cooking time.
• If desired, sprinkle parmesan and/or lemon juice over the spinach before serving.

Air fryer spinach as a healthy snack

Air fryer spinach is a tasty, healthy snack that can be whipped up in minutes. It's a great way to get your veggie fix and is packed with vitamins and nutrients. Plus, it's a fun and flavourful way to eat your greens!

Ingredients

To make air fryer spinach, you'll need the following:

• Fresh spinach leaves
• Olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil spray
• Salt (preferably sea salt or garlic sea salt)
• Parmesan (optional)
• Lemon juice (optional)

Method

Here's a step-by-step guide to making air fryer spinach:

• Wash and dry your spinach leaves. The drier the leaves are, the crispier they will become. You can use paper towels to gently absorb any excess water.
• Place the spinach leaves in a large bowl.
• Lightly spray or coat the spinach with oil. It's important not to use too much oil, as this can make the spinach soggy.
• Lightly season the spinach with salt. Remember, you can always add more later, so it's better to start with a small amount.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (or 360°F if you prefer a higher temperature).
• Place the spinach in the air fryer basket. You can add multiple layers of leaves, but don't make them too thick.
• Cook the spinach for 6-8 minutes. For some air fryers, 10 minutes may be needed. Keep an eye on the spinach, as you don't want it to burn.
• Once cooked, carefully remove the air fryer basket and sprinkle with parmesan and lemon juice (if desired).
• Serve and enjoy!

Tips

• If you're concerned about the spinach flying around in the air fryer, you can use a crisping tray or a trivet to hold the spinach down.
• You can also add other seasonings like cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or chilli flakes for an extra kick.
• If you're making a larger batch, you may need to cook the spinach in batches to ensure even cooking.
• If you're not a fan of crispy spinach, you can also use the air fryer to make wilted, tender spinach. Simply cook the spinach with butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for a few minutes until it reaches your desired texture.

So, there you have it! Air fryer spinach is a quick, easy, and delicious way to enjoy your greens. It's a healthy snack option that's both nutritious and flavourful. Happy frying!

Reheating and storing air fryer spinach

If you have leftover air fryer spinach, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can also store it in the freezer for at least a month.

When you're ready to reheat your spinach, you can use the air fryer, a cast-iron skillet, the oven, or the microwave. Here are some instructions for each method:

Air Fryer:

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Put the spinach in a cake barrel and cover it with foil, or use a baking basket with a lid. Heat for one to two minutes, or until warm, and stir before serving.

Cast-iron skillet:

Preheat a cast-iron skillet to medium and add a little bit of oil. Add the spinach and stir continuously until warm.

Oven:

Place the spinach in a baking dish, cover with foil, and preheat the oven to 375°F. Heat for three to four minutes or until warm.

Microwave:

Place the spinach in a microwave-safe dish and heat for 30-second intervals, checking each time to see if the spinach is warm.

Now you can enjoy your air fryer spinach again!

Air fryer spinach chips

Ingredients:

• Fresh spinach leaves
• Olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil spray
• Sea salt
• Parmesan (optional)
• Lemon juice (optional)

Method:

• Wash and dry your spinach leaves. The drier the leaves are, the crispier they will get, so try to get as much water out as possible.
• Place the spinach leaves in a large bowl and spray with oil. Make sure the leaves are coated, but don't use too much oil, as this will weigh them down.
• Sprinkle sea salt over the leaves and toss the bowl until the seasoning is evenly distributed.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
• Place the spinach leaves in the air fryer basket. You can layer the leaves, but don't make the layers too thick.
• Air fry for 6-8 minutes, tossing halfway through.
• If desired, sprinkle with parmesan and a squeeze of lemon juice once cooked.

Tips:

• Depending on your air fryer, you may need to flip the spinach chips during cooking to ensure even cooking.
• If you want to add more flavour, you can season with cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
• For a Mexican twist, add a squeeze of lime juice and a pinch of chilli powder.

Frequently asked questions