Air Fryer Blackening: A Healthy, Smoke-Free Way To Blacken

Air fryers are a great way to cook food with a crispy, browned exterior and a juicy, tender interior. They are especially useful for achieving that perfect blackened effect on meat and fish. Blackening is a cooking technique that originated in Cajun and Creole cuisine, and it involves coating food with a blend of spices and herbs, such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper, before cooking it at a high temperature until a dark crust forms. This technique can easily be achieved using an air fryer, which circulates hot air around the food to create a crispy exterior while retaining moisture and flavour.

Blackened salmon in an air fryer

Blackened salmon is a cooking technique that is very popular in Cajun cuisine. It is not just about having charred food but about deep colours and flavours. Blackened dishes usually have a bit of heat, but not enough to be overwhelming. The heat from ingredients such as cayenne brings out the other ingredients and creates a deep, bold flavour profile.

Ingredients

• 6-8oz fresh salmon fillets
• Smoked paprika
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Cumin
• Ground mustard
• Oregano
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cayenne
• Olive oil

Method

• Combine the smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, ground mustard, oregano, salt, pepper, and a pinch of cayenne.
• Add a little olive oil to the salmon fillets and then generously apply the rub.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
• Place the salmon fillets in the basket or tray (middle tray position) and set to "air fry" for 8-10 minutes. For salmon fillets smaller than 8oz, it may be a minute or two less. For thicker, larger salmon fillets, it may need a minute or two more. The key is to get an internal temperature of 145°F. Use an instant-read food thermometer to check the thickest part of the salmon for doneness.
• When the salmon is done, remove it to a plate and let it sit for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Tips

• Always preheat your air fryer.
• It is best to use fresh salmon fillets for the best results. If using frozen fillets, run them under cold water for a minute to defrost as best as possible before applying the seasoning.
• You can store your cooked blackened salmon fillets in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen in freezer bags. Make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible from the bags before placing them in the freezer.

Blackened chicken in an air fryer

Blackened chicken is a versatile, flavorful dish that can be cooked in an air fryer. The chicken is coated in a spice rub and cooked over high heat to form a dark crust while remaining tender and juicy on the inside.

Ingredients

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• Cooking oil (e.g. canola, vegetable, grapeseed, avocado oil)
• Lemon juice
• Blackening/Cajun seasoning (paprika, salt, dried thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, dried oregano, sugar, cayenne powder)
• Non-stick cooking spray or oil for the air fryer basket

Method

• Combine blackening seasoning with cooking oil or melted butter.
• Coat the chicken in the seasoning-fat mixture. You can cook it right away or marinate it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
• Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove any surface moisture. This will help the spice mixture stick better.
• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
• Spray the grates of the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or brush with oil.
• Add the chicken to the air fryer and cook without turning for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips

• You can use mayonnaise instead of oil or butter to coat the chicken in spices. It helps to tenderize the meat and keep it juicy.
• If using large chicken breasts, slice them lengthwise to make them thinner. This will help them cook more quickly and evenly, and it will give you more surface area for seasoning.
• You can reduce the amount of cayenne pepper or omit it completely if you prefer your chicken less spicy.
• This blackened chicken can be served on its own or over rice, pasta, polenta, or mashed potatoes.

Preheat your air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is a simple process, but it's important to know when to do it and how long for. Preheating is not always necessary, but it can speed up cooking time and make your food crispier. If you want to preheat your air fryer, here's what you need to do:

Firstly, turn on your air fryer and ensure it's clean, plugged in, and ready to use. If you're unsure, consult your air fryer's manual for guidance. Some air fryers have a preheat button, so if yours does, simply press it, set the temperature, and enter the cooking time. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat button, that's no problem! Just set the temperature to your desired cooking temperature (usually around 400 °F or 204 °C) and let it heat up for 3 to 5 minutes.

The size of your air fryer will determine how long it takes to preheat. Smaller air fryers will preheat faster than larger ones. As a rule of thumb, smaller air fryers can preheat in 2 to 3 minutes, while larger ones may need up to 4 or 5 minutes. Most air fryers will preheat to 400 °F in 3 to 5 minutes.

It's important to note that not all foods require preheating. In fact, certain foods are better cooked without preheating your air fryer. These include delicate foods like shrimp, garlic, or tomatoes, thick cuts of meat, and dishes that require a long cooking time, such as a whole chicken or a baked potato. Additionally, if you're making baked goods that don't require preheating an oven, you likely don't need to preheat your air fryer either. Always refer to your air fryer's manual for specific instructions and recommendations.

Now that you know how to preheat your air fryer, you can use it to cook a variety of delicious dishes, from crispy fried chicken to fluffy cakes!

Air fryer cooking times

Air fryers are a great way to cook food without the mess and oil intensity of deep frying. They are also much faster than conventional ovens. When adapting oven recipes for the air fryer, it is generally recommended to reduce the temperature by 25°F (-4°C) and the cooking time by 20-30%. However, it is important to keep in mind that optimal cooking times and temperatures can vary depending on the type of air fryer, the size and thickness of the food, and personal texture and doneness preferences.

• Chicken: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F and cook for 7-10 minutes without turning. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Salmon: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon. The salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
• Catfish: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and cook for a total of 20-22 minutes, flipping the fish halfway through.
• Vegetables: Cook at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, depending on the type of vegetable.
• Butternut Squash (cubed) and Sweet Potatoes (cubed): Cook for 4-5 minutes per side.

Air fryer chicken recipes

Air Fryer Blackened Chicken

This is a versatile chicken recipe that gives the chicken a dark crust while keeping it tender and juicy. It's perfect for meal prep and can be served on its own or over a salad, pasta, or rice.

Ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• Cooking oil (canola, vegetable, grapeseed, or avocado oil)
• Lemon juice
• Blackening/Cajun seasoning (paprika, salt, dried thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, dried oregano, sugar, and cayenne powder)

Instructions:

• Combine blackening seasoning with a cooking fat (like oil or melted butter).
• Coat the chicken on all sides with the seasoning-fat mixture. You can cook it right away or marinate it in the refrigerator for up to a day.
• Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
• Brush the grates of the air fryer basket with cooking oil or melted butter.
• Add the chicken to the air fryer and cook without turning for 7 to 10 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

This is a simple, juicy, and flavorful chicken breast recipe that's perfect for a quick and healthy meal.

Ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Smoked paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Brown sugar
• Cornstarch
• Avocado oil

Instructions:

• Cut the chicken breasts into thin, flat pieces.
• In a bowl, toss the chicken with the spices and avocado oil until well coated.
• Preheat your air fryer to 415°F.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space for air to circulate.
• Air fry the chicken for 10 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Air Fryer Chicken Thigh Schnitzel

A delicious and healthier alternative to traditional schnitzel, this recipe uses chicken thighs for more flavor and cooks them in the air fryer for a lower-calorie, oil-free, and grease-free dish.

Ingredients:

• Chicken thighs
• Breadcrumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper
• Egg
• Flour

Instructions:

• Combine breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
• In a separate bowl, beat an egg.
• Pat the chicken thighs dry and season with salt and pepper.
• Dip each chicken thigh first in the flour, then in the egg, and finally in the breadcrumb mixture.
• Preheat your air fryer to 380°F.
• Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Air Fryer BBQ Cheddar-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

A delicious and indulgent dish, these chicken breasts are stuffed with cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce, and bacon bits, and wrapped in bacon for a tasty and crispy treat.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts
• Cheddar cheese, shredded
• Barbecue sauce
• Bacon, chopped

Instructions:

• Cut a pocket into each chicken breast.
• Stuff each pocket with cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce, and bacon bits.
• Wrap each chicken breast with bacon.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
• Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Air Fryer Honey-Cajun Chicken Thighs

A flavorful and spicy dish, these chicken thighs are marinated in buttermilk and hot sauce, then coated in a flour mixture with Cajun seasoning, paprika, and cayenne pepper.

Ingredients:

• Chicken thighs
• Buttermilk
• Hot sauce
• Flour
• Cajun seasoning
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

• Combine buttermilk and hot sauce in a bowl.
• Marinate the chicken thighs in the buttermilk mixture for at least 30 minutes.
• In a separate bowl, combine flour, Cajun seasoning, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
• Dredge the chicken thighs in the flour mixture.
• Preheat your air fryer to 380°F.
• Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Frequently asked questions