Air Fryer Skewers: A Tasty, Healthy Treat?

Yes, it is possible to cook skewers in an air fryer. The air fryer is a versatile appliance that can cook skewers to juicy perfection, with a crispy exterior and a tender, flavourful interior. Chicken skewers are a popular option, but you can also load up your skewers with veggies or even smoke rice using the air fryer. The key to successful skewer cooking in an air fryer is to ensure even cooking by spacing out the food items on the skewer and in the air fryer basket, and to prevent burning by soaking wooden skewers before use.

Soak wooden skewers to prevent burning

Yes, you can cook skewers in an air fryer! Chicken skewers are a popular option, but you can also cook vegetable skewers.

To cook skewers in an air fryer, it is recommended that you soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning. You can then preheat your air fryer for about 5 minutes at the recommended temperature for your recipe. It is important to ensure that your skewers fit in your air fryer before you begin.

After preheating, thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers evenly, leaving a little space between each piece to allow for proper air circulation. Lightly brush the chicken skewers with oil or cooking spray to promote browning and prevent sticking to the air fryer basket.

Arrange the chicken skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can hinder airflow and result in uneven cooking. If necessary, flip the chicken skewers halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning on all sides. If your air fryer has a rotating basket, take advantage of it for even cooking.

To add a smokey taste to your skewers, turn off the air fryer and leave it open so the skewers stop cooking. Add a piece of coal to an open flame and cook it until it is white all over. Transfer the coal to a piece of foil shaped into a small bowl and place it in the air fryer. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil onto the coal so it starts smoking and seal the air fryer shut. Leave it covered for about 10 minutes, then serve.

Marinate chicken for flavour and tenderness

Marinating chicken before cooking it in an air fryer is a great way to infuse it with flavour and make it more tender. The best cuts of chicken for air fryer skewers are boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which should be cut into uniform-sized pieces. This cut of chicken is lean and will be tender when cooked in the air fryer.

There are many different types of marinades, but they are typically made with an acidic liquid base, such as vinegar, wine, fruit juices, buttermilk, or yogurt. Marinades also usually include ingredients like garlic, ginger, onion, herbs, spices, and oil, which add flavour to the chicken.

Some popular marinade combinations include:

• Cilantro lime
• Garlic ginger
• Smokey BBQ with garlic and smoked paprika
• Honey mustard
• Orange 5-spice
• Apple cider vinegar and olive oil
• Hot chile paste, ground ginger, onion powder, sugar, and soy sauce
• Lemon juice and yoghurt
• Balsamic vinegar, minced onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, paprika, rosemary, parsley, chilli powder, and oregano

It is recommended that you marinate chicken for at least 15-20 minutes, but for the best results, you should leave it for a few hours. You can also marinate chicken overnight.

Preheat the air fryer for even cooking

Preheating your air fryer is a good idea if you want your food to be crispy. It is also useful if you want to speed up the cooking time, as it will take about two to three minutes off the average cooking time. Preheating circulates super-hot air around the air fryer, so your food will start to cook right away. It also helps to remove moisture from the surface of your food, giving it a golden-brown, crispy finish.

However, preheating is not always necessary. If you are cooking something delicate, like shrimp, or something that will be cooking for a long period, such as a whole chicken or a baked potato, you may not want to preheat your air fryer. This is because preheating the air fryer will have the cooking process start out at a higher temperature, which may burn or dry out your food.

If you do decide to preheat your air fryer, the process is simple. First, check your air fryer's manual to ensure that your model can handle preheating and to find any specific preheating guidance. Then, make sure all removable parts are clean and dry and inserted into the unit. If your air fryer has a preheat setting, you can select this and then program your cook time, allowing the unit to automatically preheat. If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, you can manually preheat it by selecting the air fry setting and setting the temperature called for in your recipe. Most models will preheat in about three minutes, but larger and oven-style air fryers may need five minutes.

Oil the skewers to prevent sticking

If you're making chicken skewers in an air fryer, it's important to lightly oil the skewers to prevent sticking. This will also help to promote browning. Use a cooking spray or brush the chicken skewers with oil to achieve this.

Before you begin cooking, it's also a good idea to ensure your skewers fit in your air fryer. If your air fryer didn't come with skewers, you can purchase some that fit. It's also important to soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning in the air fryer.

When you're ready to cook, place the skewer holder inside the air fryer basket and lay the chicken and veggie skewers on top. You can also spray them with cooking spray. Cook for 7-9 minutes, turning the skewers over halfway through the cooking time. The skewers are done when the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius.

Chicken skewers are a great option for the air fryer, as the chicken comes out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Flip and rotate the skewers for even browning

To ensure even browning on all sides, it is important to flip and rotate the skewers during the cooking process. This can be done halfway through the cooking time. If your air fryer has a rotating basket, this can be used to help with even cooking. It is also important to ensure that the skewers are not overcrowded in the air fryer basket, as this can hinder airflow and result in uneven cooking.

To prepare the skewers for even browning, there are a few steps to follow. Firstly, if you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning in the air fryer. Next, thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers evenly, leaving a little space between each piece to allow for proper air circulation. Then, lightly brush the chicken skewers with oil or cooking spray to promote browning and prevent sticking to the air fryer basket.

If you are cooking chicken skewers, it is important to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius. This can be checked using a meat thermometer.

Frequently asked questions