Air-Fryer Pepperoni: A Quick, Crispy Treat?

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a variety of foods, including frozen fries, chicken tenders, and even your favourite snack—pepperoni! Air-fried pepperoni chips are a delicious low-carb, keto, gluten-free, and sugar-free snack that can be made in just a few minutes. With an air fryer, you can turn pepperoni slices into crispy meat chips, perfect for dipping or even as a replacement for croutons in a salad. So, if you're looking for a quick and easy snack, air-fried pepperoni chips are definitely worth trying!

Air fryer pepperoni chips recipe

Air fryer pepperoni chips are a perfect low-carb snack. They are easy to make and require only one ingredient—pepperoni! You can use your air fryer to turn pepperoni slices into crispy meat chips. They are great on their own or as a tool for your favourite dip. Here is a simple recipe to make air fryer pepperoni chips.

Ingredients:

Pepperoni

Method:

Firstly, spritz the air fryer basket with non-stick spray. Then, place the pepperoni slices in the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and only slightly overlapping if necessary. You will likely need to work in batches to cook all the pepperoni. Air fry at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 minutes. You can also cook at 360 degrees for 8 minutes or for 5 minutes if using a Ninja Foodi.

Once the pepperoni chips are cooked, remove them from the basket and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain the grease. Place another paper towel on top to soak up any remaining grease. The chips will crisp up even more as they cool. You can serve them hot or store them in an airtight container until ready to serve. They are best served immediately, so it is not recommended to make too many in advance.

You can also sprinkle on some oregano, Italian seasoning, or red pepper flakes for extra flavour. These pepperoni chips go well with dips such as spinach and artichoke, chive and onion cream cheese, or ranch dressing. Enjoy!

How to serve air fryer pepperoni

Air fryer pepperoni chips are a great snack that can be made in just a few simple steps. Firstly, spritz the air fryer basket with non-stick spray. Then, place the pepperoni slices in the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with only slight overlaps. Depending on the air fryer model, cook the pepperoni chips for 5 to 8 minutes at 360-390 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once cooked, use tongs to transfer the pepperoni chips to a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess grease. Place another paper towel on top to soak up any remaining grease. The chips will continue to crisp up as they cool. Serve the pepperoni chips immediately for the best taste and texture. They can be enjoyed on their own as a keto-friendly snack or paired with your favourite dip, such as spinach and artichoke, chive and onion cream cheese, or ranch dressing.

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days, although they may start to lose their crispness over time. It is recommended to reheat the chips before serving again to restore some of the crispness.

Note that all air fryers cook differently, so cooking times may vary, and it is always a good idea to test the recipe in your specific air fryer and adjust the timing as needed.

Air fryer temperature and time

The temperature and time for cooking pepperoni in an air fryer depend on the thickness of the pepperoni slices and the desired crispiness. It is recommended to use pre-sliced thin pepperoni, as thicker slices may take longer to cook and may not get as crispy. If you are using thin pepperoni slices, set your air fryer to around 390-400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 4-8 minutes. If you prefer your pepperoni chips well done, you can cook them for up to 10 minutes.

It is important to arrange the pepperoni slices in a single layer on the air fryer rack or basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the pepperoni in batches. It is also recommended to use a non-stick spray on the air fryer tray or basket to prevent sticking.

Keep in mind that different air fryer models may cook at slightly different rates, so it is important to keep an eye on your pepperoni chips during the cooking process to prevent overcooking or burning. You can also adjust the cooking time based on your desired level of crispiness.

Once the pepperoni chips are done, carefully remove them from the air fryer and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to cool and drain any excess grease. You can then serve them as a delicious low-carb snack or use them as a topping for salads, soups, or cheese platters.

Air fryer alternatives

Yes, you can cook pepperoni in an air fryer. Air fryer pepperoni chips are a popular snack, and recipes for them are widely available.

Air fryers are small, convection ovens that cook food with little to no oil. They are marketed as a healthier alternative to deep-fat frying or pan-frying methods. Air fryers are also energy efficient, with an average running cost of around 17p per day.

If you are looking for alternatives to an air fryer, you could consider the following:

• Oven: A conventional oven can be used to make crispy pepperoni chips, as evidenced by the availability of oven-based recipes. However, this method may not be as fast or energy-efficient as an air fryer.
• Microwave: One user reported crisping up pepperoni in between two paper towels in the microwave, which turned out great.
• Stovetop: You could potentially use a stove, though one user reported that their air fryer smoked less than a stovetop method.

If you are looking for alternatives to an air fryer for more general use, you could consider other kitchen appliances such as:

• Toaster Ovens: Some toaster ovens have air fryer functions, such as the Ninja Foodi, which has a powerful air fryer function and does not take up much counter space. The Breville Smart Oven is another toaster oven with an impressive air fryer function, but it is quite large.
• Basket-style Air Fryers: These are suitable for making batches of food for two to four people. The Ninja basket-style air fryer is a popular choice.

Air fryer pepperoni chips nutritional information

Air fryer pepperoni chips are a popular low-carb snack that can be made in a matter of minutes. The nutritional content of this snack food depends on the ingredients used, but here is an example of the nutritional information for a serving of 15 pieces of air fryer pepperoni chips:

Nutritional Information for Air Fryer Pepperoni Chips:

• Calories: 148-150kcal
• Protein: 5-7g
• Fat: 13-14g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Cholesterol: 32mg
• Sodium: 520-528mg
• Potassium: 84mg
• Vitamin C: 0.2mg
• Calcium: 7mg
• Iron: 0.5mg

It is important to note that the cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the air fryer model. Most recipes recommend cooking the pepperoni chips for 5-8 minutes at 360-380 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also suggested to use already sliced pepperoni packages for this recipe and to place the pepperoni slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary.

Additionally, to remove excess grease, it is recommended to place the cooked pepperoni chips on a paper towel-lined plate and blot with another paper towel. These pepperoni chips can be served hot or at room temperature and are often paired with dips such as chive and onion cream cheese, ranch dressing, or spinach and artichoke dip. They can also be used as a replacement for croutons in a salad.

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