Kebabs In The Air Fryer: A Tasty, Healthy Treat?

Kebabs are a delicious and easy meal to make, but can they be cooked in an air fryer? The answer is yes! Chicken kebabs are a popular option for air frying, and can be served with a range of sides, including rice, potatoes, salad, or in a wrap. When preparing chicken kebabs for the air fryer, it is recommended to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces and marinated for at least 15 minutes, or ideally a few hours for maximum flavour. If using wooden skewers, it is important to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent burning.

Chicken kebab ingredients

Chicken kebabs can be cooked in an air fryer, and they are a fresh, wholesome, and delicious meal. Here is a list of ingredients for making chicken kebabs in an air fryer:

• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Cut into uniform-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Marinade: This can vary based on preference, but a common option is a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, chilli powder, and honey. Other options include lemon juice, tomato paste, olive oil, salt, yogurt, coriander, and chilli flakes. Marinate the chicken for at least 15 minutes, or ideally, a few hours for more flavour.
• Vegetables: Peppers, onions, zucchini, and potatoes are all popular choices to add to chicken kebabs. Chop the veggies into uniform-sized pieces, about an inch in size, to ensure even cooking.
• Skewers: Metal or wooden skewers can be used. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning.
• Oil or cooking spray: Used to lightly brush or spray the chicken skewers, promoting browning and preventing sticking in the air fryer.

Optional Ingredients:

• Garlic herb butter: Brush the cooked chicken kebabs with garlic herb butter for extra flavour.
• Coal: Adding a piece of coal to the air fryer can give the chicken kebabs a smoky BBQ flavour.

Marinating the chicken

Chicken kebabs can be cooked in an air fryer, and marinating the chicken is a crucial step in infusing it with flavour. Here is a guide to help you achieve delicious, juicy, and tender chicken kebabs.

Choosing the Right Chicken

Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts for your kebabs. Chicken thighs are juicier and more flavourful, and they hold up better with acidic marinades. However, if you prefer chicken breasts, go for it! Just cut the chicken into uniform-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes or strips, to ensure even cooking.

Preparing the Marinade

There are various marinade options for your chicken kebabs, and you can choose one that suits your taste preferences. Here are some popular options:

• A blend of yogurt, lemon, garlic, olive oil, and spices.
• A mixture of honey, soy sauce, vegetable oil, and ground black pepper.
• A combination of lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, turmeric, fresh dill, and other spices.
• A sauce made from mixing soy sauce, garlic, ginger, chilli powder, and honey.

Now, it's time to combine the chicken and the marinade! Place the chicken pieces in a glass container with a lid or a plastic bag inside another container to catch any leaks. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well-coated.

If you're using wooden or bamboo skewers, now is the time to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Soaking the skewers is not necessary if you're using metal skewers.

After the chicken has been marinated, it's ready to be assembled on the skewers. Thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece for proper air circulation. If you're using vegetables like onions, peppers, or zucchini, alternate them with the chicken for a colourful and flavourful kebab.

For the best results, marinate the chicken for at least 15-20 minutes. However, if you have the time, it's ideal to let the chicken marinate for a few hours or even overnight to fully infuse it with flavour.

Preparing the skewers

Soaking the Skewers

If you are using wooden or bamboo skewers, it is recommended to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the ingredients. This step helps prevent the skewers from burning in the air fryer, especially when cooking at higher temperatures.

Choosing the Meat

For juicy and tender kebabs, opt for a protein with a good amount of fat, ideally between 15-20%. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a popular choice for their lean and tender qualities. However, you can also use chicken breasts, chicken pieces, ground chicken, or even substitute the chicken for beef, lamb, or pork.

Preparing the Meat

Cut the chosen meat into uniform-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Trim any large bits of fat to maintain a consistent size and texture. If you have the time, cutting the meat ahead of time and storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator can help tenderize the meat and enhance its flavour.

Marinating

Place the meat in a bowl or container and pour your desired marinade over it. You can use a simple mixture of yogurt or buttermilk, spices, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and minced garlic. Alternatively, you can get creative with other ingredients like soy sauce, oyster sauce, teriyaki sauce, or even brown sugar BBQ sauce. Cover the container and place it in the refrigerator to marinate. For the best flavour, it is recommended to marinate the meat for at least 15-20 minutes, or ideally, a few hours or overnight.

Threading the Skewers

After the meat has finished marinating, it's time to thread it onto the skewers. If you are using wooden or bamboo skewers, ensure they have been properly soaked beforehand. Thread the marinated meat pieces evenly onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece to allow for proper air circulation. If desired, you can also add vegetables like onions, peppers, zucchini, or pineapple chunks between the meat pieces for added flavour and texture.

Oiling the Skewers

Lightly brush the assembled skewers with oil or cooking spray. This step helps promote browning and prevents the skewers from sticking to the air fryer basket. It also adds a bit of shine and flavour to the final dish.

Cooking the kebabs

Kebabs are a great dish to cook in an air fryer, and they can be made in a variety of ways with different meats and vegetables. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking kebabs in an air fryer:

Preparation:

Before you begin, ensure that your skewers fit in your air fryer. If you are using wooden or bamboo skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning. If you are using metal skewers, you can skip this step.

Ingredients:

For the kebabs, you will need:

• Chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces (boneless and skinless)
• Vegetables such as onions, peppers, zucchini, and pineapple (cut into uniform-sized pieces)
• Oil or cooking spray
• Salt, pepper, and other spices
• Lemon juice, garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, teriyaki sauce, or other marinades

Marinating:

In a bowl, combine the chicken with your choice of marinade ingredients such as yogurt, buttermilk, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and spices. Mix well to coat the chicken pieces evenly. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to overnight for maximum flavour infusion.

Threading:

After the chicken has finished marinating, thread the pieces onto the skewers evenly, leaving a little space between each piece for proper air circulation. If you are using vegetables, thread them onto the skewers as well.

Cooking:

Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature for your recipe, usually around 190-200˚C. Lightly brush the chicken skewers with oil or cooking spray to promote browning and prevent sticking. Place the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.

Cook the kebabs for 7-9 minutes, turning them over halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning. If your air fryer has a rotating basket, use it for more even cooking. The kebabs are done when the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165˚C.

Serving:

Serve the kebabs hot with your choice of sides. Some options include rice, potatoes, salad, pita bread, flatbreads, hummus, tzatziki, or your favourite sauces. Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

Kebabs are a great dish to serve to a crowd, and they can be easily customised to suit different tastes and dietary requirements. Here are some serving suggestions for kebabs cooked in an air fryer:

Sides and Salads

Kebabs cooked in an air fryer can be served with a variety of side dishes and salads. Some options include a Greek Chickpea Salad, Mediterranean Red Lentil Pasta Salad, Spinach Strawberry Caprese Salad, Beet and Feta Salad with walnuts, or a simple green salad. If you prefer starchier sides, try Mediterranean Yellow Rice, Air Fryer Sliced Potatoes, or No-Milk Biscuits made with vegan butter. For a low-carb option, cauliflower rice is a great choice.

Dipping Sauces

Kebabs cooked in an air fryer can also be served with a variety of dipping sauces. Some popular options include tzatziki, ranch dip, dill aioli, or BBQ sauce. If you're looking for something with a bit of a kick, try a spicy ranch or a zesty dill aioli.

Wrap Them in Pita Bread

Another way to serve kebabs is to take the pieces off the skewer and wrap them in pita bread with lettuce and ranch or tzatziki. This creates a hearty and satisfying meal, perfect for those who want a more filling option.

Customise with Different Proteins and Vegetables

The beauty of kebabs is that they can be easily customised to suit different tastes and dietary requirements. If you're serving a crowd, consider offering a variety of protein options, such as chicken, beef, pork, lamb, or shrimp. For vegetarians or vegans, thread chunks of colourful vegetables onto the skewers, such as zucchini, bell peppers, red onions, mushrooms, or even fruit for a touch of sweetness.

Don't Forget the Marinade

A good marinade can take your kebabs to the next level. Try marinating your protein of choice in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, chilli powder, honey, olive oil, red wine vinegar, or fresh herbs. For maximum flavour, allow the kebabs to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight if you have the time.

Frequently asked questions