Air-Fried Camembert: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a quick and convenient way to cook food, and they can also be used to cook Camembert to gooey, melty perfection. The cooking time will depend on the air fryer model, but on average, it takes around 8 to 12 minutes to achieve the perfect gooey texture. You can flavour your Camembert with herbs, garlic, honey, or balsamic glaze, and serve it with bread, crackers, or crudités for dipping.

How to prepare the camembert for air frying

Preparing camembert for air frying is a simple process. First, you'll need to remove any plastic wrapping or packaging from the cheese, keeping it in its wooden base if it has one. If your camembert doesn't come in a wooden box, you can place it in a small oven-proof dish or on a piece of baking/parchment paper.

Next, you'll want to season the camembert. You can make small incisions or cuts in the top of the cheese, creating a cross shape, and insert flavourful ingredients such as garlic cloves, rosemary, or thyme. You can also drizzle the camembert with olive oil, honey, or even white wine to enhance its flavour.

Once you've prepared and seasoned the cheese, it's ready to be placed into the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for a couple of minutes, and then put the camembert inside. The cooking time will depend on your air fryer, but on average, it should take around 8 to 12 minutes for the camembert to reach a perfect gooey, melted consistency.

While the cheese is cooking, you can prepare any side dishes or dippers you'd like to serve with it. Warm, crusty bread, baguette slices, breadsticks, crackers, and crudités like carrot, cucumber, or bell pepper strips all go well with the melted camembert. You can also serve it with sweet or savoury condiments, such as cranberry sauce, chutney, or honey.

What temperature to cook camembert at

Air fryers are similar to ovens, so the temperature and cooking time may vary depending on the model. However, most sources recommend cooking Camembert at 180°C for 10 minutes.

Some recipes suggest preheating the air fryer for a couple of minutes, while others claim that preheating is unnecessary. If you are serving the Camembert with slices of baguette, you can put them in the air fryer for the last couple of minutes to heat through.

The cooking time will depend on the size of the Camembert round and the material of the camembert baker. A standard 250g round is ideal for air frying and will typically take 12-15 minutes to be warmed through and develop a golden brown crust. If your Camembert wheel is larger than 250g, you may need to add a bit of time. If you are using a camembert baker, the time will depend on the material; for example, a ceramic baker will need extra time.

How long to cook camembert for

The cooking time for camembert in an air fryer varies depending on the size of the camembert round and the model of the air fryer. A standard 250g round of camembert will take 12-15 minutes to cook in an air fryer at 350°F/180°C. It is recommended to start checking the camembert after 10 minutes to ensure it doesn't overcook. If you are using a different model of air fryer, such as the Ninja air fryer, it may take slightly less time, around 8 to 10 minutes. It is suggested to check the camembert from 8 minutes onwards to ensure it reaches your desired level of meltiness.

If you are cooking more than one camembert at a time, you may need to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time. Similarly, if you are using a camembert baker, you may need to increase the cooking time by a few minutes to account for the extra time it takes for the heat to penetrate the baker.

To test if the camembert is ready, insert a knife into the top of the cheese. If it goes through easily with little resistance, the camembert is ready to be served.

What to serve with air-fried camembert

Air-fried Camembert is a delicious treat and is even better when served with a variety of dips and sides. The cooking time for this dish is usually around 10 minutes at 180°C, and it is best served straight away.

For a simple option, serve the air-fried Camembert with a warm baguette, crusty bread, or breadsticks. You can also dip vegetables into the melted cheese, such as carrot sticks, bell pepper strips, cucumber, or broccoli.

If you want to get a little more creative, try making some rosemary crackers to dip into the Camembert. You can make these yourself by mixing flour, water, and oil, and then adding rosemary. You could also serve the Camembert with a side of chutney, such as red onion chutney or Christmas chutney, or a balsamic glaze.

For a heartier meal, serve the Camembert with cured meats, gammon, or even pigs in blankets. If you want something sweet, try drizzling honey on top of the Camembert before cooking, or serve it with apple slices on the side.

What type of camembert to use

When it comes to choosing the right Camembert for your air fryer, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it is recommended to use a whole wheel of Camembert, as wedges tend to melt and ooze everywhere. A standard 250g/8oz round is ideal for air frying, as it fits nicely into most air fryers and provides a good surface area for crisping.

Secondly, it is best to choose a Camembert that comes in a wooden box or base. This is because the wooden container helps to contain the melting cheese and makes for easier preparation and serving. If your Camembert doesn't come in a wooden box, don't worry—simply place the cheese in a small oven-proof dish or ramekin, or even on a piece of baking/parchment paper.

In terms of the cheese itself, it is important to select a Camembert with a rind. The rind helps to hold the cheese together as it melts, creating a crispy exterior and preventing it from melting all over your air fryer. It is also edible, so you don't need to worry about removing it before cooking.

Lastly, consider the flavour and intensity of the Camembert. Camembert has a more intense flavour than similar cheeses like Brie, with deeper earthy notes. If you prefer a milder, creamier flavour, you may want to opt for Brie instead. However, if you enjoy the distinctive taste of Camembert, feel free to choose a stronger or milder variety according to your taste preferences.

Frequently asked questions