Air Fryer Noodle Cooking: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great way to make healthier, crispy noodles without the oil. While you can't boil noodles in an air fryer, you can air fry boiled noodles or use precooked noodles. Noodles can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container for later use. This is a quick and easy recipe with minimal preparation time.

Boiling noodles in an air fryer

If you want to try boiling noodles in your air fryer, here's a general guide you can follow:

• Take the grate out of the air fryer and put dry pasta in the basket.
• Cover the pasta with water, ensuring there is just enough to submerge the noodles.
• Set the air fryer to a temperature of around 400°F for approximately 15 minutes.
• Check the noodles regularly to avoid overcooking or undercooking.

It is important to note that not all air fryers are the same, and your results may vary depending on the model and size of your air fryer. Additionally, boiling noodles in an air fryer may be less efficient than using a stovetop or a dedicated pasta cooker.

Once your noodles are boiled, you can proceed to air-fry them to add a crispy texture. This can be done by following these steps:

• Drain the boiled noodles and set them aside to dry for about 30-40 minutes.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Place the noodles in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
• Air fry the noodles for 5 minutes, then flip them over.
• Continue air frying for another 3-4 minutes until they reach a golden brown colour.

By following these steps, you can achieve boiled and then fried noodles using your air fryer. However, it is recommended to consider the limitations and potential challenges of boiling noodles in an air fryer compared to more conventional methods.

Air-frying boiled noodles

To begin, you will need to boil your noodles. Add water to a pan, season with salt, and bring to a boil. You can use a variety of noodles, but it is recommended to avoid flat or super-thin noodles, as these may burn or cook unevenly. Medium-thick noodles work best. Add the noodles to the boiling water and cook until al dente, stirring occasionally. Once cooked, drain the water using a fine-mesh colander and set the noodles aside to dry on a plate for 30-40 minutes.

While the noodles are drying, you can prepare your vegetables. Carrots, mushrooms, onions, peppers, and courgettes (zucchini) are all great options to add colour, crunch, and flavour to your dish. You can chop the vegetables beforehand and store them in the fridge until needed.

Once the noodles are completely dry, heat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the noodles in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded, as this will cause them to stick together. Air fry the noodles for 5 minutes, then flip them over and fry for another 3-4 minutes until golden brown.

For added flavour, you can include a vegetable stock and soy sauce or teriyaki sauce. Arrange the noodles and vegetables in the air fryer pan, adding the stock and sauce last. Close the lid and select Mode 7 (Wok), setting the timer for 15 minutes.

Your air-fried boiled noodles are now ready to be served and enjoyed! This recipe allows for a healthier alternative to traditional fried noodles, without compromising on flavour and texture.

Noodle preparation and seasoning

Firstly, it is important to choose the right type of noodles. Medium-thick noodles are recommended, as flat or super-thin noodles may result in uneven frying or burning. Precooked noodles are a good option to save time; egg noodles are a popular choice, but you can also use udon or wholewheat noodles. If you are using dried noodles, these will need to be boiled first.

When boiling dried noodles, add salt to the water to season them. You can also add pepper or Sichuan peppers to the water for extra flavour, although this may only have a minimal effect. Boil the noodles until they are al dente, stirring occasionally, then drain the water and leave the noodles to dry for around 30-40 minutes. It is important that the noodles are completely dry before air frying, or they may stick together and become a mess.

Once your noodles are cooked and dried, you can place them in the air fryer. Ensure the air fryer basket is lined with foil and has an inch gap towards the edges to allow for air circulation. Prick a few holes in the foil and place the noodles in a single layer in the basket. You can add oil to the noodles at this stage if desired, but it is not necessary, as air frying creates a crispy texture without the need for oil.

Air fry the noodles for 5 minutes at 400°F, then flip them over and fry for a further 3-4 minutes until golden brown. You may need to adjust the timing depending on your air fryer and the desired crispiness of the noodles.

For extra flavour, you can add vegetables and a simple soy sauce dressing. Carrots, mushrooms, onions, and courgettes are all great options to add colour, crunch, and flavour to the dish. Vegetable stock can also be added to prevent the noodles from drying out.

Avoiding noodles sticking together

Noodles cooked in an air fryer can be a delicious, quick, and healthy snack or meal. However, noodles can sometimes stick together in the air fryer, creating a mess. Here are some tips to avoid this:

Rinse the Noodles

Give the noodles a quick rinse under cold water after boiling them. This will wash off any excess starch, which is a common cause of sticking.

Use Oil

Toss the noodles with a small amount of oil or cooking spray before placing them in the air fryer. This creates a barrier that reduces stickiness and promotes browning and crispiness.

Avoid Overcrowding

Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Noodles should be arranged in a single layer with sufficient airflow around each noodle to prevent them from sticking together and becoming a mess.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheating the air fryer for about 5 minutes can help achieve a crispier texture more quickly. This ensures that the noodles start cooking immediately, leading to better caramelization and less sticking.

Dry the Noodles

Before placing the noodles in the air fryer, ensure they are properly dried. This will help them cook evenly and reduce the chances of sticking.

Use a Non-Stick Air Fryer

Air fryers with non-stick inserts can help prevent food from sticking. They also make cleanup easier.

Noodle recipes and ingredients

There are several noodle recipes that can be cooked in an air fryer. Here are some recipes and ingredients you can use as a guide:

Chinese Bhel

To make Chinese Bhel, you can use pre-cooked Chinese noodles. For a healthier option, use wholewheat noodles instead of egg noodles to make the recipe vegan. You can also use udon noodles, but note that these are Japanese. Add some vegetables like carrots, mushrooms, onions, and soya beans. For flavour, use vegetable stock and soy sauce or teriyaki sauce. Arrange the ingredients in the pan, close the lid, and set the air fryer to "Mode 7 (Wok)" for 15 minutes.

Chopsuey

For Chopsuey, use medium-thick noodles. Boil the noodles with salt and let them cook until al-dente. Drain the water and let the noodles dry for about 30-40 minutes. Heat the air fryer to 400°F and place the noodles in a single layer. Air fry for 5 minutes, flip them over, and air fry for another 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Ensure the noodles are completely dry before air frying to prevent them from sticking together.

Macaroni and Cheese

For macaroni and cheese, you can use pre-cooked macaroni. Mix the macaroni with marinara sauce, olive or avocado oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese. Cook in the air fryer for 4 minutes at 375°F. Alternatively, you can use leftover spaghetti bolognese and add shredded cheese, breadcrumbs, mixed herbs, and black pepper. Heat in the air fryer for 15 minutes at 170°C.

Spicy Garlic Noodles, Soy Sauce Noodles, Thai Chicken Noodles, and Garlic Prawn Noodles are some other noodle-based recipes that can be adapted for the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions