Air Fryer Soup: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used to make a variety of dishes, including soup. While it may not be possible to cook all types of soup in an air fryer, there are several soup variations that can be made in this handy appliance. Air fryer soup is a great option for those seeking a quick, convenient, and healthy meal, as it requires minimal preparation and less cleanup than traditional stovetop soups.

Air fryer soup recipes

Air fryer soup is a great base recipe that can be adapted to suit your personal taste preferences. It is loaded with fresh veggies and can be served as an appetizer or a main dish. The air fryer makes it super easy to prepare, with minimal time and effort.

Recipe

• Preparation: Peel and chop the vegetables (apart from the tomatoes) and place them in a large bowl. Add a tablespoon of olive oil, a pinch of sea salt, and a pinch of ground black pepper to the vegetables and toss well so they are evenly coated.
• Air-frying: Once you have preheated the air fryer to 400F/200C, place the veggies in the air fryer basket, putting the tomatoes on top, cut side up. Set the air fryer to cook for 20 minutes at 400F/200C. Stir halfway through cooking.
• Blending: While the vegetables are roasting, gently warm the stock on the stovetop. Once the vegetables are tender, remove them from the air fryer and place them into a blender. Add the warm stock and blend on high power for a minute or two until you have a smooth consistency.
• Serving: Finish the soup with freshly ground pepper and fresh basil before serving. You can also add a splash of heavy cream if you want to make it more indulgent.

Variations:

You can easily adapt this recipe to suit your taste. Here are some variations:

• Creamy soup: For a natural creaminess, blend roasted peppers into the soup. You can also add some single cream, reduced-fat crème fraîche, or grated Parmesan cheese.
• Curry soup: Add a little curry powder and blend with some coconut milk.
• Spicy: Add some red chilli flakes while cooking or sprinkle them on top before serving.
• Vegetables: Feel free to use any vegetable you have on hand, like zucchini, leeks, potatoes, pumpkin, or broccoli.
• Protein boost: Add some cooked chicken, seared tofu, chickpeas, or beef meatballs to make it a fuller meal.

Storage:

You can store any leftover air fryer soup in an airtight container, and it will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge. You can also freeze it in freezer bags and defrost it at room temperature when needed.

Air fryer soup ingredients

Air fryer soup is a flexible dish that can be adapted to suit your taste preferences. The basic recipe involves roasting vegetables in an air fryer, blending them with stock, and seasoning to taste. Here are some ingredients you can use to make a delicious air fryer soup:

Vegetables

The great thing about air fryer soup is that you can use almost any vegetable you have on hand. Common choices include tomatoes, peppers, carrots, onions, and garlic. But you can also experiment with cauliflower, courgette (zucchini), sweet potato, butternut squash, or even chickpeas for added creaminess. If you're looking for extra flavour, try roasting your vegetables with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar.

Stock

Stock is essential to add depth of flavour and create a smooth soup. Vegetable stock will make your soup vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free. However, you can also use chicken or beef stock for a heartier flavour.

Seasonings

Seasonings are key to elevating your soup's flavour. Try dried herbs like basil or oregano, or an Italian seasoning blend. For a Mediterranean aroma, add oregano, thyme, paprika, and black pepper. If you want some heat, cayenne pepper, chilli flakes, or red pepper flakes are great options. Alternatively, go for a smoky flavour with chipotle or smoked paprika, or add aromatic herbs like rosemary and sage.

Dairy

For a creamier soup, consider adding some dairy. Heavy cream or whipping cream will give your soup a rich, indulgent texture. Alternatively, try reduced-fat crème fraîche or some grated Parmesan cheese—a little goes a long way due to its strong flavour.

Air fryer soup serving suggestions

Air fryer soups are incredibly versatile, and can be served as an appetizer or a main dish. They can also be adapted to suit different tastes and dietary requirements. Here are some serving suggestions for your air-fried soup:

As a Starter or Appetizer:

If serving your soup as a starter, consider making a creamy vegetable soup, such as a potato leek or broccoli cheddar soup. These soups are hearty and filling, but not too heavy, making them perfect as a first course. You could also add a pinch of red chilli flakes to give your soup a kick of heat. Serve in small portions with a side of air fryer bread or croutons for dipping.

As a Main Course:

For a more substantial meal, add some protein to your soup, such as cooked chicken, seared tofu, chickpeas, or beef meatballs. You can also experiment with different vegetables to create a unique flavor profile. Try using zucchini, pumpkin, leeks, or broccoli. For a creamy soup, add a splash of heavy cream or milk, but be sure to add dairy products towards the end of the cooking process to prevent curdling.

For a Vegan Option:

Air fryer soup can easily be made vegan by using vegetable stock and omitting any dairy products. Try making a roasted tomato soup, which is delicious served with a vegan pesto and a side of crusty bread or flatbreads. You could even make an air fryer grilled cheese sandwich to dip in your soup!

As a Leftover:

Don't forget that you can also use your air fryer to heat up leftover soup! Simply transfer the soup to an oven-safe container and heat it in your air fryer in short intervals, stirring occasionally. You can also use leftover soup as a pasta sauce, adding an extra splash of stock or water to thin it out if needed.

With these suggestions, you can enjoy a warm and nourishing bowl of air fryer soup that suits your tastes and preferences.

Air fryer soup storage

Air fryer soup can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to three days. It is important to let the soup cool down completely before putting it in the fridge. If you want to keep it for longer, you can transfer it to freezer bags and lay it flat in the freezer.

If you are reheating the soup, you can use an air fryer, which offers several benefits. Firstly, it ensures even heating, eliminating the problem of hot and cold spots that can occur when reheating soup in a microwave. Secondly, an air fryer's gentle and consistent heating process can help maintain the original flavour and texture of the soup, which might be altered when reheating in a microwave or on a stovetop. Thirdly, using an air fryer for reheating is straightforward and hands-off, as you don't need to stir the soup continually. It is also energy-efficient, as it typically heats up quickly and may use less energy compared to a stovetop or oven. Finally, it keeps the kitchen cooler compared to using a stove or oven, which is advantageous during warmer months.

When reheating soup in an air fryer, it is important to use oven mitts to handle the hot container and have a spoon or stirring utensil handy to stir the soup and ensure consistent heat distribution. You can also add some broth, water, or cream to adjust the consistency if the soup has thickened during storage.

Air fryer soup nutritional information

Air fryer soup is a healthy, tasty, and nutritious meal option. It is a flexible recipe that can be adapted to suit different tastes and dietary requirements. The soup is made by roasting vegetables in an air fryer and then blending them with stock. This cooking method imparts a unique smoky flavour to the vegetables and makes the soup creamy without adding dairy.

The nutritional value of air fryer soup will depend on the ingredients used. A basic vegetable soup made in the air fryer with carrots, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and vegetable stock is a good source of vitamins and minerals. It is also low in calories and fat, as the air fryer requires less oil than traditional cooking methods.

The soup can be made vegan by using vegetable stock and omitting any dairy products. For example, single cream, reduced-fat crème fraîche, or grated Parmesan can be added for creaminess, but these can be substituted or omitted to make the soup vegan and dairy-free. The soup can also be made gluten-free by using gluten-free stock.

To increase the protein content of the soup, cooked chicken, seared tofu, chickpeas, or beef meatballs can be added. This makes the soup a more filling and balanced meal. Additionally, different vegetables can be used to add variety and change the flavour profile. For example, zucchini, pumpkin, leeks, or broccoli can be used instead of, or in addition to, the standard vegetables.

Overall, air fryer soup is a nutritious and healthy meal option that can be customised to suit different dietary needs and preferences. It is a quick and easy way to make a tasty soup with minimal preparation and cooking time.

Frequently asked questions