Air-Fryer Celery: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can cook celery in an air fryer. There are several ways to do this, including air-frying plain celery sticks, or making celeriac fries, or even breaded celery sticks. Air-fried celery is a tasty side dish or snack, and can be served with a dipping sauce. It's also a good accompaniment to chicken. The cooking time varies depending on the temperature of your air fryer and the thickness of the celery pieces, but it should take no longer than 15 minutes.

Celery preparation for air fryer

Ingredients

To prepare celery for the air fryer, you will need:

• Celery
• Olive oil or olive oil spray
• Salt
• Garlic powder (optional)
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. thyme, oregano, Italian herb seasoning)

Steps

Step 1: Prepare the Celery

Start by selecting fresh, unbruised celery stalks that are not soft or soggy. Wash the celery thoroughly under running water, ensuring that any dirt or impurities are removed.

Step 2: Chop the Celery

Use a sharp knife to chop the celery into small pieces or sticks. For celery sticks, cut them into roughly 1-inch thick pieces. If you want to use the celery as an appetizer with dips, you may want to dice it a little smaller, while larger pieces can be used for a side dish.

Step 3: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking and give the celery a crispy texture. Alternatively, you can brush the celery with olive oil or avocado, grapeseed, or coconut oil.

Step 4: Season the Celery

Place the chopped celery into the basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between the pieces. You can then lightly spray or brush the celery with oil and sprinkle on the salt and garlic powder. Add other seasonings of your choice, such as thyme, oregano, or Italian herb seasoning.

Step 5: Air Fry the Celery

Set the air fryer temperature to between 380-400°F (200°C). The cooking time will depend on your desired texture and the model of your air fryer, but on average, it should take between 7-15 minutes. For softer celery, air fry for longer in 2-3 minute intervals.

Step 6: Serve

Use tongs to remove the celery from the air fryer basket as it will be very hot. Serve the celery as a tasty appetizer, snack, or vegetable side dish.

Tips

• For even cooking, ensure that the celery pieces are of roughly similar sizes.
• Give the air fryer basket a shake after the first few minutes of cooking.
• If you prefer more browning on your celery, continue to air fry in 2-minute intervals.
• Air fryer temperatures can vary slightly depending on the model, so adjust the cooking time as needed.
• If making a large batch, work in batches and leave space around the celery to ensure it gets crispy.
• You may need to flip the celery halfway through the cooking process, depending on your air fryer model.

Air fryer temperature and time

Yes, you can put celery in the air fryer. In fact, air-fried celery is a quick, easy, and tasty way to prepare this nutritious vegetable.

When air-frying celery, it's important to preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, which typically ranges from 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature and time will depend on the model of your air fryer, as some run hotter than others, and the thickness of your celery pieces. For most air fryers, set the temperature to 390 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius.

As for time, air-frying celery usually takes between seven and ten minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness. For softer celery, air fry for longer, adding two to three minutes at a time until your desired texture is achieved.

• Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, keeping in mind that temperatures typically range from 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Wash the celery thoroughly and dry it.
• Cut the celery into sticks or pieces that are roughly the same size, about one inch thick. This ensures even cooking.
• Lightly coat the celery with oil, such as olive oil. This helps to achieve a crispy texture and prevents sticking.
• Season the celery with salt and optional seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder for extra flavor.
• Place the celery sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
• Air fry the celery for approximately 8-10 minutes, depending on the desired crispness.
• Shake the basket every few minutes, especially after the first three minutes, to ensure even cooking.
• If you prefer softer celery, continue air frying in 2-3 minute intervals until your desired texture is achieved.
• Serve immediately.

By following these steps and adjusting the temperature and time based on your specific air fryer model and preferences, you can enjoy delicious, crispy, and nutritious air-fried celery as a side dish or snack.

Oil and seasoning

Seasoning is also important to enhance the flavour of the celery. Salt is a must, and garlic powder is a popular choice to add a nice savoury note. You could also add a pinch of herbs such as thyme, oregano, or Italian herb seasoning. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even try powdered horseradish or paprika.

For an extra crispy coating, you can dip the celery in egg and then roll it in a mixture of breadcrumbs, flour, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder before air frying. This will give your celery sticks a delicious, crunchy exterior.

Celery as a side dish

Yes, you can put celery in the air fryer! It makes for a delicious, nutritious, and quick side dish.

To make air-fried celery, start by trimming and chopping celery stalks into 1-inch pieces. You can also cut them into 3-inch pieces if you want to make celery sticks. Next, brush or spray the celery with a thin coat of oil—coconut oil or olive oil work well. You can also dip the celery in egg and coat it with breadcrumbs for a crispier texture. Sprinkle on some salt and, optionally, garlic powder for extra flavor. Place the celery in the air fryer in a single layer, leaving a little space between the pieces to ensure even cooking. Set the air fryer to 380-400°F and cook for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket every few minutes, until the celery reaches your desired level of doneness.

Air-fried celery is a tasty and healthy side dish, with a light sweetness and a bit of crunch. It goes well with sandwiches, salads, or baked potatoes. You can also serve it as an appetizer with a dipping sauce, such as tzatziki or cottage cheese dill dip.

Celery dipping sauces

Air-fried celery makes a great snack, side dish, or appetiser, especially when paired with a tasty dipping sauce. Here are some ideas for dips that go well with celery:

Blue Cheese Dip

This tangy, creamy sauce is a classic pairing with celery. It can be served as a dip for celery sticks or as a centrepiece for a party platter. To make it, mix together soured cream or crème fraîche, mayonnaise, blue cheese, white wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and some seasoning.

Tzatziki

A refreshing and healthy Greek dip, tzatziki is made with Greek yoghurt, cucumber, lemon juice, and garlic. It's quick and easy to make and is perfect for a light, nutritious snack or lunch.

Greek Yogurt Dip

For a healthy and protein-packed dip, try making a dip with Greek yoghurt as the base. You can add fresh herbs like parsley and mint, as well as smoked paprika and lemon zest, to give it a tangy and creamy flavour. This dip goes well with a variety of vegetables, including celery sticks.

Spicy Vegan Mayo

If you're looking for a vegan option, try making a spicy mayo dip to pair with your air-fried celery. This dip goes well with celeriac fries, but it would also be a tasty pairing with celery sticks. Mix together vegan mayonnaise, brown mustard, and horseradish powder to create a spicy and creamy sauce.

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