Air-Fryer Tempura: Can You Make It?

Tempura is a popular Japanese dish that involves dipping seafood, meat, or vegetables in a batter made from egg yolks, flour, and cold water, and then deep-frying it in hot oil. The dish is usually served as a side with a dipping sauce. But can you make it in an air fryer?

The short answer is yes. Air-frying tempura is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, and you can use the same batter recipe. However, some adjustments are needed to get the same light and crispy texture. One user recommends using a batter that is not too liquidy and then dusting the food with flour before placing it in the air fryer. Another user suggests freezing the battered food before placing it in the air fryer to prevent the batter from dripping off.

Air Fryer Tempura Batter Tips

The Right Temperature

The ideal temperature for cooking tempura in an air fryer is 400 degrees Fahrenheit. However, some recipes suggest cooking at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, while others recommend going as high as 400 degrees Fahrenheit for a crispier batter.

The Right Vegetables and Proteins

The best vegetables for air fryer tempura are broccoli, mushrooms, bell peppers, lotus roots, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, zucchini, and squash. These vegetables hold up well to air frying and come out crispy and flavorful. For proteins, shrimp is the most common, but you can also use other seafood like squid.

The Right Batter Consistency

The key to successful tempura batter in an air fryer is to ensure it is not too thin. A thin batter will fly off the food or drip down to the bottom of the basket when the air starts circulating. To prevent this, make a batter that is thick enough to coat the food without being too liquidy. You can also dip the battered food in flour to create a breaded exterior that still has batter underneath.

Vegetable Preparation

Before battering your vegetables, cut them into pieces no thicker than 1/4 inch to ensure they cook through by the time the batter is done frying. Use a kitchen towel or paper towels to dry your vegetables thoroughly before battering and frying, as this will help ensure a crispier tempura.

Seasonings and Spices

In addition to salt and black pepper, you can use garlic powder, onion powder, shiso leaves, or fresh herbs to season your tempura batter.

Dipping Sauces

Tempura is typically served with a dipping sauce called tentsuyu, made from soy sauce and other ingredients. Other popular dipping sauces include sesame oil, sweet and sour sauce, teriyaki sauce, honey garlic sauce, lemon juice and olive oil, Japanese mayonnaise, and chili-garlic paste.

Air Fryer Tempura Vegetables

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour, separated into halves
• 2 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled, deveined, and head removed
• 1 sweet potato or other vegetables of your choice
• Vegetable oil spray
• Dipping sauce (optional)

Optional ingredients for added flavour:

• Sake
• Salt
• Sesame seeds
• Ground ginger
• Shredded coconut

Steps:

• Peel the sweet potato (or other vegetable) and slice it into rounds no thicker than 1/4 inch.
• Soak the root veggies in water to wash off excess starch while you prep the other ingredients.
• (Optional) Make shallow slices crosswise along the underside of the shrimp. Using your fingers, stretch out the shrimp so that it lies straight instead of curled. This is a traditional step for shrimp tempura, but you can skip it if you don't mind the curled shape.
• (Optional) Soak the prepped shrimp in sake to remove any fishy smells before cooking.
• Make the tempura batter by mixing water, mayonnaise, and 1/2 cup of flour in a bowl.
• In a separate bowl, mix salt and the remaining 1/2 cup of flour.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Dip your chosen fillings into the wet batter.
• Take the battered shrimp or vegetables and dip them into the dry flour/salt mix. Add more flour as needed to lightly coat the outside. This flour coating will help prevent the food from sticking to each other or the air fryer basket.
• Place the tempura into the preheated air fryer basket, ensuring you don't overcrowd the basket. You will likely need to cook in batches.
• Spray with canola oil or vegetable oil spray and air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Shrimp tempura will take around 8 minutes, while root vegetables will take around 10 minutes.
• Serve hot with tempura dipping sauce (store-bought or homemade) and rice, or as a side dish to noodle dishes or bento boxes.

Tips:

• When choosing vegetables, root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and lotus root are common. You can also use various types of squash, bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, or shiitake mushrooms.
• To get the best batter, some people recommend using carbonated water, ice-cold water, or even Japanese mayonnaise to help emulsify the oils and prevent sogginess.
• If you're using an instant pot, you can try batch deep-frying the tempura first to get the batter to bind, then freeze and finish cooking in the air fryer.
• If your batter is too thin, try using slightly less liquid or adding a few drops of lemon juice and baking powder to the wet batter.

Air Fryer Shrimp Tempura

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp
• 1 cup flour
• 2 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise
• 1 sweet potato or other vegetable
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup club soda
• 1/2 tsp ginger stir-in paste
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp sherry
• 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp chopped scallions
• 1 tsp white sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Salt
• Cooking oil spray
• Canola oil spray

Method:

• Prep the shrimp by peeling and deveining them, leaving the tails on. Make shallow slices along the underside of the shrimp and stretch them out so they are straight. This is an optional step but will give your shrimp a more traditional tempura shape. You can also soak the shrimp in sake at this stage to remove any fishy smells.
• Peel and slice your chosen vegetable into rounds no thicker than 1/4 inch. Soak root vegetables in water to wash off excess starch.
• Make the tempura batter by mixing water, mayonnaise, and 1/2 cup of the flour in one bowl. In a separate bowl, mix salt and the remaining flour.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350-400 degrees F.
• Dip the shrimp and vegetables into the wet batter, then into the dry flour/salt mix. The flour coating will prevent the batter from sticking to the air fryer basket and flying off during cooking.
• Place the tempura into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. You will likely need to cook in batches.
• Spray the tempura with canola oil spray and air fry at 350 degrees F. Shrimp tempura will take around 8 minutes, while root vegetables will take around 10 minutes.
• Serve hot with a dipping sauce such as tentsuyu, or try a sweet chilli sauce.

Air Fryer Tempura Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut lengthwise into strips
• 1 teaspoon chicken seasoning blend (preferably Lawry's)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons tapioca flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 egg, separated
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup corn flakes, crushed
• Salt, to taste

Optional Dipping Sauce:

• 1 cup hot sauce or wing sauce of choice
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Pinch of cayenne powder (optional)
• 1 tablespoon blue cheese or ranch dressing

Method:

• Season the chicken pieces by sprinkling them with salt, and rubbing half of the chicken seasoning, half of the garlic powder, and half of the Cajun seasoning mixes into the chicken strips, massaging them with your hands.
• Combine the flour, tapioca flour, baking soda, and the remaining half of each seasoning in a mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre.
• Beat the water and egg yolk together, and pour this mixture into the well. Stir or whisk just until moistened, and then stir in the beaten egg whites and olive oil.
• Set your chicken, batter, and crushed corn flakes out in separate dishes. Take one piece of chicken at a time, and dip it in the batter, followed by the corn flakes.
• Lightly oil a baking sheet and arrange the chicken pieces on it. Roll each piece of chicken on the baking sheet to lightly coat in oil on all sides. Alternatively, spritz each chicken piece lightly with oil from a non-aerosol container.
• Place the chicken in your air fryer basket, leaving some space in between each piece. If it can’t all fit in one layer, you will need to cook in batches. Do not crowd the basket or the chicken will not be crispy.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and set the baking time to 18 minutes.
• Halfway through the cooking time, shake the basket, so that the chicken pieces cook evenly on all sides.
• Once the air fryer chicken tempura is cooked, serve it warm with your favourite dipping sauce.

Tips:

• Don't over-mix the batter, or it will be more bready and chewy, instead of crispy. It’s fine if there are a few lumps.
• You can use the same batter to make veggie tempura (like zucchini, mushroom, or broccoli), great for serving with chicken tempura!
• Sparkling water instead of regular water can create an even lighter tempura batter, so feel free to swap!

Air Fryer Tempura Dipping Sauces

Air Fryer Tempura is a healthier alternative to deep-fried tempura, and you can get creative with the dipping sauces to enhance your culinary experience. Here are some ideas for dipping sauces to elevate your tempura dish:

Traditional Dipping Sauce

The traditional dipping sauce for tempura is called "tentsuyu." It is a simple combination of soy sauce and mirin (sweet rice wine). You can also add grated daikon radish and fresh ginger to enhance the flavour. This sauce is readily available in Japanese markets or can be made from scratch.

Spicy Mayo

If you like a little kick to your tempura, spicy mayonnaise can be a great dipping option. The creaminess of the mayo pairs well with the crispiness of the tempura, while the spice adds an extra layer of flavour.

Ponzu Sauce

Ponzu sauce is another excellent choice for tempura dipping. It is a citrus-based sauce that provides a tangy and refreshing contrast to the crispy tempura. Ponzu sauce is made with soy sauce, citrus juice (usually yuzu), rice vinegar, and other flavourings.

Sweet Chili Sauce

For those who enjoy a touch of sweetness with their tempura, sweet chilli sauce is a perfect choice. It combines sweetness, mild spiciness, and a tangy flavour that complements the delicate taste of tempura.

Curry Powder and Peanut Sauce

If you want to add an Indian twist to your tempura, try dipping it in a combination of curry powder and peanut sauce. The savoury and nutty flavours of peanut sauce, along with the aromatic curry powder, create a unique and delicious experience.

Other Options

You can also experiment with various other sauces, such as wasabi sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or even a bone broth-based dipping sauce. Get creative and explore different flavours to find your favourite combinations.

Frequently asked questions