Air-Frying Orzo: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Method

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance, and for good reason—they're versatile, convenient, and can cook a variety of dishes, including orzo. Orzo is a rice-shaped pasta that is easy to prepare and can be used in a variety of recipes, from salads to main courses. With an air fryer, you can cook orzo to a perfect al dente texture, unlocking a nutty flavour that adds depth to your dish. In this article, we'll explore the ins and outs of cooking orzo in an air fryer, providing tips and tricks for a delicious and hassle-free experience.

Air Fryer Orzo with Shrimp and Chorizo

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• Butter
• Salt
• Paprika
• Chili flakes
• Minced garlic
• Onion
• Minced chorizo
• Dry orzo pasta
• Cherry tomatoes
• Wine
• Vegetable broth
• Shrimp/prawns
• Parsley
• Bread

Method

Firstly, add olive oil and butter to the air fryer basket or a suitable container that fits in your air fryer. Heat this for two minutes at 200°C /400°F, or until the butter melts. Next, stir in the salt, paprika, chili flakes, minced garlic, onion, and minced chorizo. Cook this for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chorizo is crisp.

Now, add the dry orzo pasta and cherry tomatoes. Combine this mixture and cook for a further 2 minutes to toast the orzo. Then, stir in the wine and vegetable broth. Cook this for 15 minutes, stirring once or twice. The orzo should now be al dente, cooked but with a bit of a bite to it.

Finally, stir in the shrimp, ensuring they are mostly covered by the pasta. Cook for 5 minutes or until the shrimp is cooked through. The shrimp will turn from grey to orange-pink when cooked.

Serving Suggestions and Tips

Garnish with plenty of chopped parsley and serve with some crusty bread. If you are using frozen prawns/shrimp, you can quickly defrost them by soaking them in water. You can also replace the chorizo with spicy Italian sausage. Simply remove the casing and crumble the sausage meat before using. This dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.

If you want to try a vegetarian option, you can make an Air Fryer Grilled Vegetable Orzo Salad. This recipe includes grape or cherry tomatoes, peppers, onion, salt, basil or mint leaves, and mozzarella or feta cheese.

Air Fryer Grilled Vegetable Orzo Salad

Air-frying orzo is a quick and easy way to cook this rice-shaped pasta, and it can be done in less than 30 minutes. This makes it a great option for a weeknight meal or a summer side dish. One option for an orzo recipe is Air Fryer Grilled Vegetable Orzo Salad, which is a healthy pasta salad loaded with veggies and a tangy Italian dressing.

To make this salad, cook the orzo pasta according to the package instructions, being careful not to overcook it. Drain and rinse the orzo with cold water to remove the extra starch and prevent clumping. In a large mixing bowl, add chopped tomatoes, garlic, onion, bell peppers, zucchini, olive oil, salt, pepper, basil, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine. You can also add in vegan mozzarella cheese or goat cheese, or feta cheese.

Pour the vegetable mixture into the basket of your air fryer and cook at 360-370 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the number of vegetables. The vegetables should look charred and perfect. Whisk the ingredients for the dressing: dijon mustard, olive oil, lime juice, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and a little maple syrup. Mix the cooked orzo, grilled vegetables, cheese, and spring mix together. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and serve cold.

You can make this salad a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator to serve at barbecues or with meals.

Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Orzo

Ingredients:

• Chicken meatballs
• Orzo pasta
• Cream
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic
• Fresh oregano
• Tangy dijon mustard
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Meat thermometer (optional)

Instructions:

• Prepare the chicken meatballs according to your preferred recipe. You can add various ingredients like fresh sage, thyme, garlic, or spinach to enhance the flavour. Form the meatballs and bake them with a drizzle of olive oil to promote browning.
• While the meatballs are baking, start preparing the orzo on the stovetop. Sauté the garlic, add the broth, and deglaze the pan. Bring it to a low boil.
• Add the dry orzo pasta to the pan. You can also add other ingredients like cherry tomatoes, onion, or vegetables of your choice. Stir and cook until the orzo is al dente, meaning it has a bit of a bite to it.
• In a separate pan, make the creamy sauce by adding cream, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
• Place the cooked meatballs on top of the sauce, ensuring they are fully covered. Simmer until the meatballs are cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to check that they have reached an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
• Once the meatballs are done, remove them from the air fryer and set them aside.
• To serve, spoon a generous portion of the creamy orzo into a bowl and top it with the cooked meatballs. Drizzle some extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle extra parmesan cheese on top, if desired.

Enjoy your delicious Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Orzo!

Toasting the orzo for extra flavour

To toast the orzo, start by melting some butter in a skillet over low-medium heat. Then, add the uncooked orzo and mix well to coat the pasta in the butter. Keep stirring continuously for around 4 minutes, until the pasta is lightly golden brown. You can also add olive oil to the pan, as well as onion, and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the onions are soft and caramelized. Then, add the orzo and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing it to lightly toast.

Once the orzo is toasted, you can add water or stock, using a ratio of 1 cup of orzo to 2 cups of liquid. Let the mixture simmer until all the broth is gone. You can use vegetable stock, which adds extra flavour. Alternatively, you can add wine and vegetable broth after toasting the orzo, and cook for around 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

This extra step of toasting the orzo will enhance the flavour of your dish and is well worth the effort.

Air fryer or oven-baked meatballs

Yes, you can cook orzo in an air fryer. One such recipe is Air Fryer Orzo with Shrimp and Chorizo.

Now, for the meatballs. If you're looking for a quick, easy, and mess-free meal, air fryer or oven-baked meatballs are a great option. They're versatile, as they can be made with various types of ground meat, such as beef, pork, lamb, or chicken, and served with different sauces and side dishes. Here's a step-by-step guide to making delicious meatballs in your air fryer or oven:

Ingredients:

• Ground meat of your choice (beef, pork, lamb, or chicken)
• Breadcrumbs (regular or panko)
• Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
• Garlic powder
• Eggs
• Milk or water
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Onion powder (optional)
• Italian seasoning (optional)
• Diced vegetables (onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini) – optional

Instructions:

Air Fryer Method:

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C). If you're using an oven, preheat it to the same temperature.

In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients except the meat. Mix well, then add the meat and mix gently until everything is combined.

Wet your hands and shape the mixture into meatballs of uniform size, about 16-24 meatballs depending on your preference. Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket or on an oven-safe baking sheet, leaving space between them to ensure even cooking.

Cook the meatballs for about 10-14 minutes, shaking the basket or tray halfway through to ensure even browning. The meatballs are done when they are browned and have an internal temperature of 160°F-165°F.

Let the meatballs rest for 3-5 minutes before serving. They can be served with marinara sauce, pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, or in a sandwich.

Oven-Baked Method:

Follow the same steps as above for preparing the meatballs. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).

Place the meatballs on an oven-safe baking sheet and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and browned. As with the air fryer method, let the meatballs rest for a few minutes before serving.

Tips:

• Use a meat thermometer to check if the meatballs are done. Insert it into the center of a meatball to ensure it has reached the safe internal temperature mentioned above.
• For extra flavor, you can coat the meatballs in sauce before cooking or add diced vegetables to the mixture.
• If you're making a large batch, you can freeze the uncooked meatballs and cook them directly from frozen, increasing the cooking time by a few minutes.

Enjoy your juicy, tender meatballs!

Frequently asked questions