Tiffany Haney
Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a variety of dishes, including couscous. Couscous is a tiny type of pasta that is typically prepared on a stovetop with liquid. However, air-frying couscous is a unique and tasty alternative that can add a crispy texture to the dish. This method of preparation allows for the exploration of different flavours and recipes, such as pairing it with roasted vegetables, salmon, or cauliflower.
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What You'll Learn
Air fryer roasted vegetable and chorizo Moroccan couscous
Yes, you can cook couscous in an air fryer. Here is a recipe for Air-Fryer Roasted Vegetable and Chorizo Moroccan Couscous.
Ingredients:
- Chorizo
- Courgettes
- Peppers
- Olive oil
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Cumin
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Pepper
- Lemon zest and juice
- Sultanas
- Pomegranate molasses
- Flaked almonds
Instructions:
- Heat the air fryer to 200 degrees.
- Add the chorizo and cook for 8-10 minutes or until browned. Set aside on kitchen paper to drain.
- In a bowl, add the courgettes, peppers, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, oregano, and thyme. Toss to combine.
- Put the vegetables into the air fryer and cook for 15 minutes at 200 degrees, shaking the basket halfway through.
- In the same bowl, add the couscous, cooked vegetables, cumin, cinnamon, salt, pepper, lemon zest, and juice. Drain the sultanas and add them to the bowl as well. Stir to combine.
- Divide the couscous between two serving dishes. Top with the cooked chorizo.
- Mix the remaining olive oil with the pomegranate molasses and drizzle over the couscous.
- Sprinkle with flaked almonds and serve.
Enjoy your delicious and healthy Air-Fryer Roasted Vegetable and Chorizo Moroccan Couscous!
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Air fryer cauliflower + pesto pearl couscous salad
Yes, you can cook couscous in an air fryer. In fact, some people claim that it is even better when crisped up in the air fryer.
This salad is a flavorful and nutritious dish, perfect as a side or a main. It is vegan-friendly and can be customised with extra vegetables, spices, and nuts.
Ingredients:
- Cauliflower
- Avocado oil
- Chili powder
- Paprika
- Granulated garlic
- Kosher salt
- Pearl couscous
- Chicken or vegetable broth
- Pesto (pre-made or see recipe below)
- Spinach leaves
- Shallots
- Garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
- Tahini
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Fresh herbs (optional)
Pesto Sauce:
- Nutritional yeast (or Parmesan cheese)
- Fresh basil leaves
- Pine nuts
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
Method:
Start by preheating your air fryer to 400ºF for 15 minutes. Prepare the cauliflower florets by drizzling with avocado oil and seasoning with chili powder, paprika, granulated garlic, and salt. Toss gently, then spray the air fryer grates with cooking spray and add the cauliflower in a single layer. Cook for around 8 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the pearl couscous by bringing broth to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the couscous, then lower the heat and simmer until tender (around 15 minutes).
To make the pesto, simply combine all the ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth.
Assemble the salad by laying spinach leaves, shallots, and garbanzo beans in a bowl. Add the pesto to the couscous and mix, then add the roasted cauliflower on top and toss gently.
For extra flavour and texture, you can sprinkle the salad with fresh herbs, toasted sesame seeds, or chopped nuts.
This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Keep the dressing and garbanzo beans separate, tossing them with the salad just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
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Parmesan couscous with zucchini and air fryer salmon
Ingredients:
- Couscous
- Parmesan cheese
- Zucchini
- Salmon
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Basil
- Red pepper flakes
Method:
For the salmon, start by patting your salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Rub each fillet with olive oil and season with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Place the salmon in the air fryer and cook for 7-9 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.
While the salmon is cooking, prepare the couscous. Place the couscous into a heatproof bowl and shake to flatten it out. Heat some stock in the microwave until it boils, then stir in butter, garlic, and salt. Pour the hot stock over the couscous, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and leave to sit for 3 minutes.
In a separate pan, heat some oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then add the zucchini and cook until softened to your preference. Once the couscous is done, add it to the zucchini along with the Parmesan cheese and remove from the heat. Stir until combined.
Divide the couscous into bowls, top with the cooked salmon, and garnish with basil and red pepper flakes.
Tips:
- To store leftovers, place the salmon in a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for later.
- Reheat the salmon low and slow to prevent it from drying out.
- You can also try different seasonings on the salmon, such as lemon pepper or Cajun seasoning.
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Toasted couscous and lemon with cucumbers and feta
Yes, you can cook couscous in an air fryer. In fact, some people claim that couscous is even better when crisped up in an air fryer. One such recipe is toasted couscous and lemon with cucumbers and feta.
To make toasted couscous and lemon with cucumbers and feta in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 c cooked pearl couscous (from 1/2 cup dry)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 12 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
- 1/4 medium cucumber, roughly chopped
- 2 oz feta cheese, broken into large crumbles
- 1 tbsp roughly chopped fresh dill
First, cook the couscous on the hob. Place 1.5 cups of water in a medium pot over high heat and bring it to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the couscous, give it a stir, and reduce the heat to a medium-low simmer. Cook for 12-14 minutes or until the couscous is fluffy and has tripled in volume, adding water if needed.
While the couscous is cooking, prepare the remaining ingredients. Heat the oil in the air fryer, and once it is shimmering, add the shallot and cook until fragrant. Then, add the cherry tomatoes and cook until softened. Once the couscous is done, add it to the air fryer along with the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, cucumber, feta cheese, and dill. Season with salt and pepper, and stir all the ingredients together until combined.
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Oriental flavours with coconut
While an air fryer cannot boil water, you can certainly cook couscous in an air fryer. For an Oriental flavour profile with coconut, you can try the following recipe:
First, preheat your air fryer to 400º for 15 minutes. Prepare your choice of vegetables by cutting them into bite-sized pieces. You can use courgettes and peppers, and cauliflower florets. Drizzle with avocado or olive oil and season with spices like chilli powder, paprika, granulated garlic, cumin, cinnamon, and salt. Toss the vegetables gently to ensure they are evenly coated.
Next, spray the air fryer grates with cooking spray and place the vegetables in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the vegetables in batches. Cook for 8-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the vegetables are charred and tender.
While the vegetables are cooking, prepare the couscous. As an air fryer cannot boil water, you can use coconut milk instead for a denser consistency and an Oriental flavour. For every 1/2 cup of dry couscous, use 2/3 cup of coconut milk. Place the couscous and coconut milk in a foil pan, cover with aluminium foil, and place in the air fryer. Cook for about 20 minutes, stirring a couple of times, until the couscous is cooked through. Let the couscous rest for a couple of minutes after cooking to allow it to absorb the remaining liquid.
Once the vegetables and couscous are cooked, combine them in a large bowl. Add in some lemon zest and juice for a tangy and fresh flavour. Toss everything together and serve! You can also sprinkle some mint and sumac on top for an extra touch of Oriental flavour.
This unique and delicious dish is sure to impress and can be served as a tasty and nutritious main course or side dish.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you cannot cook couscous in an air fryer. Couscous is typically prepared on the stovetop by boiling it in water or broth.
To make air fryer roasted vegetable and chorizo Moroccan couscous, cook the vegetables and chorizo in the air fryer, and prepare the couscous separately on the stovetop.
One recipe that includes air fryer couscous is air fryer cauliflower + pesto pearl couscous salad. First, cook the cauliflower in the air fryer, and prepare the couscous on the stovetop. Then, assemble the salad by layering spinach leaves, shallots, garbanzo beans, and roasted cauliflower, and tossing it with pesto couscous.
