Lasagna Air-Fryer Style: A Tasty Experiment

Lasagna is a classic comfort food and a family favourite. But it can be time-consuming to make. The good news is that you can make it in an air fryer, and it's quicker and easier than the traditional oven method. You'll get the same delicious layers of pasta, meat sauce, creamy white sauce and cheese, but with the added bonus of a crispy top layer.

Lasagna in an air fryer is quicker than in an oven

Lasagna is a well-loved comfort food, perfect for family dinners or when you're looking for something to warm you up. Traditionally, it's made in an oven, but using an air fryer has its advantages.

One of the biggest benefits of making lasagna in an air fryer is the reduced cooking time. When you bake lasagna in the oven, it usually takes at least an hour. However, with an air fryer, you can cut that time down to about 30 minutes, making it a great option for a weeknight dinner.

The shorter cooking time doesn't mean compromising on taste or quality. Air-fried lasagna still has the classic layers of soft pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy white sauce, all topped with gooey melted cheese. It's just as delicious as its oven-baked counterpart, if not more so!

In addition to the time savings, air frying can also be more cost-effective. Warming up an air fryer uses less energy than heating a whole oven, so you're saving money on your utility bills too.

If you're short on time or want to free up your oven for other dishes, using an air fryer for lasagna is a great solution. It's quicker, just as tasty, and won't break the bank. So, the next time you're craving lasagna, give your air fryer a try!

You can make vegetarian lasagna in an air fryer

Yes, you can make vegetarian lasagna in an air fryer. Here's a recipe for spinach and ricotta lasagna that serves as a great vegetarian meal and is easy enough for a weekday yet fancy enough for entertaining.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (250g) ricotta cheese
• 5.2 oz (150g) garlic and herb cream cheese (Boursin)
• 10 ½ oz (300g) fresh spinach
• 4 tbsp grated Parmesan
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 lemon, zest only
• ⅓ cup (75g) unsalted butter
• ½ cup (65g) flour, plain/all-purpose
• 3 cups (720ml) semi-skimmed milk
• 1 lemon, zest only (optional)
• 6 tbsp grated Parmesan
• Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
• Freshly ground black pepper, a few turns of the mill
• 9-12 fresh lasagna sheets (or no-boil noodles), as needed
• 1 ½ cups (185g) shredded mozzarella
• 1 tbsp grated Parmesan
• Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
• Pinch ground pepper

Steps:

Prepare the spinach ricotta filling:

Finely chop the spinach and place it in a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and leave it to stand so that the salt draws out the moisture. Then, place the spinach in a clean linen towel and wring out the spinach to remove the liquid. Place the spinach in a bowl and stir in the ricotta, garlic and herb cream cheese, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

Prepare the white sauce (béchamel):

Melt the butter in a large saucepan until it is foaming. Whisk in the flour to make a paste (roux) and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring all the while. Gradually add the milk, whisking it in, until it is incorporated into the sauce. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook until it thickens enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. Stir in the zest, freshly grated nutmeg, and Parmesan. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Assemble the lasagna:

Mist a 7-inch square loose-bottomed baking pan with cooking spray (or use an air fryer cake barrel or anything of a similar size that fits). Cover the base with foil or plastic wrap to avoid any leaks. Add a ladleful of white sauce to the prepared pan and spread it out. Cover with lasagna sheets, cutting them to fit as needed. Add some white sauce where the sheets overlap each other. Spread a layer of the filling over the pasta and sprinkle with the mozzarella. Add some white sauce and top with more lasagna sheets. Repeat until you have used up all of the filling.

Top with a final layer of lasagna noodles and spoon over the remaining white sauce. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan and season with pepper and freshly grated nutmeg. Pierce with a skewer or knife in a few places to allow steam to escape and avoid the noodles “buckling”.

Cook lasagna in the air fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F/ 180°C for 5 minutes. Lower the heat to 275°F /135°C, then place the lasagna in the air fryer basket and cook for 30 minutes. Increase the heat setting to 320°F / 160°C and cook for a further 15-20 minutes or until the lasagna is golden on top, easily pierced with a knife, and registers 165°F / 75°C on an instant-read thermometer.

Let the lasagna stand for at least 10 minutes. If you have used a loose-bottomed pan, you can carefully remove the lasagna to show off the pretty layering before slicing and serving with a salad and garlic dough balls.

Tips:

• You can store any leftovers, once cooled, in the refrigerator in a suitable container for up to three days.
• Leftover lasagna is best reheated in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. Make sure it is hot all the way through before serving.
• To freeze the whole lasagna, assemble and cool but don’t air fry. Cover with a lid and freeze for up to a month. Cook from frozen in the air fryer following the same method, adding extra time as needed.
• You can also cook frozen lasagna in the oven at 350°F /180°C for 50 minutes to an hour.

Enjoy your delicious vegetarian lasagna!

You can make chicken or turkey lasagna in an air fryer

Yes, you can make chicken or turkey lasagna in an air fryer. Here's a recipe for you to try:

Ingredients:

• Ground chicken or turkey
• Marinara sauce
• Ricotta cheese
• Eggs
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• No-boil lasagna noodles
• Fresh basil
• Mozzarella cheese

Method:

• Cook the ground chicken or turkey in a skillet over medium heat. Break the meat into crumbles and drain any excess fat.
• In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta, egg, parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Spray a baking dish with cooking spray.
• Add a layer of the meat sauce to the dish, followed by a layer of lasagna noodles.
• Spread a layer of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then add some torn basil leaves.
• Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
• Repeat the layers until you have a top layer of noodles, then add the remaining sauce and mozzarella.
• Preheat your air fryer to 360°F for 5 minutes.
• Place the lasagna dish in the air fryer basket and cook for 25-30 minutes.
• Cover the dish with foil and continue cooking for 20 minutes at 280°F.
• Let the lasagna stand for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

You can also experiment with different types of cheese, vegetables, and seasonings to customize your lasagna. Enjoy!

You can make a Mexican-inspired lasagna in an air fryer

Yes, you can make a Mexican-inspired lasagna in an air fryer. This is a great way to change up your Taco Tuesdays and is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

Ingredients

You will need:

• Ground beef
• Enchilada sauce
• Flour tortillas
• Refried beans
• Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a Mexican blend)
• Sour cream
• Green onions
• Tomatoes
• Taco seasoning
• Olive oil

Method

• Preheat your air fryer oven to 325°.
• Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until it is no longer pink, then drain.
• Stir in the taco seasoning.
• Grease a baking dish that fits in your air fryer with olive oil.
• Layer the enchilada sauce, tortillas, beans, meat mixture, and cheese in the dish, repeating until you end with a layer of cheese.
• Bake in the air fryer for about 45 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
• Let the lasagna stand for 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving.

Tips

• You can add corn, black beans, or crushed Doritos on top for a nice crunch.
• This recipe can be made ahead of time and frozen for up to three months.
• You can also use chicken, turkey, or pork instead of beef.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can make this recipe in the oven at 350° for about an hour.

You can make gluten-free lasagna in an air fryer

Yes, you can make gluten-free lasagna in an air fryer. This cooking method is quicker and easier than traditional lasagna, and you can still achieve that classic, comforting flavor.

To make gluten-free lasagna in an air fryer, you'll need to use gluten-free lasagna noodles. There are many brands that make lasagna sheets from alternative ingredients like rice flour, corn flour, or almond flour. Simply replace the wheat noodles in your favorite recipe with gluten-free lasagna sheets.

In addition to gluten-free noodles, it's important to ensure that all other ingredients used are also gluten-free, such as the cheeses, spices, and sauce. For the sauce, opt for a gluten-free marinara or make your own from scratch.

When assembling your lasagna, start with a layer of sauce to prevent the noodles from sticking to the dish. You can also lightly grease the dish with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Follow the cooking instructions in your chosen recipe, and keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model. Be sure to monitor the lasagna as it cooks to avoid overcooking.

With these simple swaps, you can easily enjoy a tasty gluten-free lasagna that doesn't compromise on taste or texture!

Frequently asked questions