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

Ramen is a popular dish that can be cooked in a variety of ways, and with the growing popularity of air fryers, people are now wondering if it is possible to cook ramen in an air fryer. The answer is yes, it is possible to cook ramen in an air fryer, and there are several recipes available online that provide instructions on how to do so. Some recipes call for boiling the noodles first before air-frying them, while others suggest cooking the noodles directly in the air fryer. Additionally, there are various ingredients that can be added to the ramen to enhance its flavor, such as vegetables, chicken, and seasonings.

Ramen noodle stir fry

Ingredients

You will need three main ingredients: ramen noodles, vegetables, and a protein source.

For the ramen noodles, you can use a prepackaged ramen block, or around 3 ounces of noodles. It is recommended to use medium-thick noodles, as flat or super-thin noodles may burn or cook unevenly.

For the vegetables, you can use fresh or frozen options. Frozen stir-fry vegetable mixes are convenient, but you can also use fresh vegetables of your choice. Some tasty vegetable ideas include:

• Bell peppers
• Onions
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Mushrooms

For protein, chicken is a popular choice and works well with the other ingredients. You can use frozen, precooked chicken breast strips, or cook your own chicken separately before adding it to the air fryer. If you prefer, you can also use other proteins such as steak, pork, ground beef, tofu, or any other meat substitute.

Seasoning

You can season your ramen noodle stir fry according to your taste preferences. If using a prepackaged ramen, it usually comes with a small seasoning packet that you can use. You can also add your own seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, curry powder, ground coriander, cumin, paprika, or chili powder. A simple stir-fry sauce can be made by mixing chicken broth, low-sodium soy sauce, honey, toasted sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes.

Cooking Instructions

First, cook the ramen noodles separately. You can boil them on a stovetop or in a microwave. If boiling, add them to a pan of salted water and cook until al-dente. Drain the water and let the noodles dry for around 30-40 minutes.

If using frozen vegetables and chicken, place them in the air fryer basket and season to taste. You can also add a light mist of oil to help the seasoning adhere. Cook at 370 degrees Fahrenheit or 188 degrees Celsius for 8-10 minutes, or until the ingredients are tender and crispy to your liking.

Once the vegetables and chicken are cooked, combine them with the cooked ramen noodles in a bowl. You can add any additional seasonings or sauces at this point and stir everything together. If you want the noodles to be crispier, place the mixture back into the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 204 degrees Celsius.

Serving

Garnish your ramen noodle stir fry with ingredients like sesame seeds, peanuts, cilantro, green onions, sriracha, or sweet chili sauce. This dish can be served immediately and also stores well in an airtight container for 3-5 days.

Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and seasonings to create your own unique ramen noodle stir fry!

Ramen toppings

Traditional Toppings

Traditional toppings include tender, melt-in-your-mouth chashu pork belly slices, a soft-boiled egg with a custardy, creamy yolk, and aromatic la-yu chilli oil. Other toppings are narutomaki fish cake, bamboo shoots, long green onion, chopped scallion, and bean sprouts.

Vegetarian Toppings

Vegetarian toppings include wood ear mushrooms (kikurage), which have a delicate taste and crunchy texture, and menma (fermented bamboo shoots), which have a slightly sweet and savoury flavour.

Other Topping Ideas

Other toppings you can try are steamed broccoli, kimchi grilled cheese on rye, spam, nori, canned tuna, chicken, and assorted cheeses. You can also add green onion, kimchi, and a fried egg to your ramen. If you're making a ramen noodle stir fry in an air fryer, you can add sesame seeds, peanuts, cilantro, green onions, sriracha, and sweet chilli sauce.

Ramen with frozen foods

Ramen noodle stir fry is a quick, easy, and budget-friendly recipe that can be made in an air fryer. It is a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit individual tastes and dietary preferences. Here is a guide on how to make ramen with frozen foods using an air fryer:

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients:

• Ramen noodles (e.g., Top Ramen or Maruchan instant packet ramen)
• Frozen vegetables (e.g., stir-fry vegetable mix)
• Frozen protein (e.g., chicken breast strips, or alternatives such as steak, pork, ground beef, or tofu)
• Seasonings of your choice (e.g., French fry seasoning, taco seasoning, or the seasoning packet that comes with the ramen)
• Cooking oil spray (optional)

Cooking the Ramen Noodles

Before preparing the ramen in the air fryer, the ramen noodles should be cooked separately. You can cook them on a stovetop or in the microwave.

To cook on the stovetop, boil water in a pot and cook the ramen according to the package directions. Drain the water when the noodles are done.

Alternatively, for a quicker method, you can cook the ramen in the microwave. Place the ramen in a microwave-safe bowl and add enough water to cover the noodles. Microwave for about 1.5 to 2 minutes, or until the noodles are cooked to your desired doneness. Be sure to drain the water afterward.

Preparing the Frozen Foods in the Air Fryer

Once the ramen noodles are cooked, it's time to prepare the frozen foods in the air fryer. Take your desired amount of frozen vegetables and protein (chicken, tofu, or other alternatives) and layer them in the air fryer basket. Since the protein is already cooked, it is safe for the vegetables and protein to touch and mix together.

Seasoning and Air Frying

You can season the frozen foods before or after air frying, depending on your preference. Add your chosen seasonings to taste.

Place the air fryer basket inside the air fryer and set the temperature to 370 degrees Fahrenheit (or 188 degrees Celsius). Air fry the frozen foods for 8-10 minutes, or until they are tender, cooked through, and crispy to your liking.

Combining and Serving

Once the frozen foods are cooked, combine them with the cooked ramen noodles in a bowl. You can add additional seasonings or sauces at this point, such as sweet chili sauce. Stir everything together, and your ramen with frozen foods is ready to be served!

Optional: Extra Crispiness

If you prefer your ramen stir fry to be crispier, you can follow this optional step. After combining the noodles and other ingredients, place them back into the air fryer basket and spritz them with a little oil. Air fry for 1-2 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (or 204 degrees Celsius) to achieve extra crispiness.

You can also garnish your ramen with ingredients like sesame seeds, peanuts, cilantro, green onions, or sriracha for an enhanced flavor profile.

Storage

This ramen with frozen foods recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. This makes it convenient for meal prep and quick dinners on busy evenings.

Ramen with fresh vegetables

Ramen noodle stir fry is a great recipe for busy evenings when you need a filling, healthy, and tasty meal. It is super budget-friendly, and you only need a few ingredients and 15 minutes to make this recipe in the air fryer!

First, cook the ramen noodles on the stove top. You can also cook the noodles in the microwave if you don't want to use the stovetop. Place the ramen noodles in a microwave-safe bowl, fill the bowl with water until the noodles are covered, and microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds to 2 minutes, or until the noodles are done to your liking.

While the noodles are cooking, prepare your fresh vegetables. You can use any vegetables you like, but some options include carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, peppers, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and green beans. Cut the firm veggies, such as carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower, into fairly small pieces so that they cook evenly in the air fryer.

Once the noodles are cooked, drain the water and set them aside. Now, it's time to cook the vegetables in the air fryer. Arrange the vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd the basket, as this will cause the vegetables to steam instead of brown. Add a light mist of oil to help the seasoning adhere to the vegetables and add your desired seasonings. You can use Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or a mix of Indian spices such as garlic, ginger, curry powder, ground coriander, cumin, paprika, and chili powder.

Air fry the vegetables at 370°F or 188°C for 8-10 minutes, or until they are tender, cooked through, and crispy to your liking. You can also air fry the vegetables at 375°F for 10 to 15 minutes, tossing them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.

Once the vegetables are cooked, combine them with the cooked ramen noodles in a bowl. You can also add some protein, such as chicken, steak, pork, ground beef, or tofu if you prefer a vegetarian option. Finally, serve your ramen with fresh vegetables and enjoy! You can add additional seasonings or sauces, such as soy sauce or sweet chili sauce, to taste.

Ramen with corn starch

Ramen noodle stir fry is a quick, easy, and budget-friendly recipe. While it is possible to cook ramen in an air fryer, it is not the most efficient way to cook noodles.

If you want to make ramen with corn starch in an air fryer, it is recommended that you skip coating the noodles with corn starch. This is because corn starch tends to make a layer on the noodles and remains uncooked in the air fryer. Instead, ensure the noodles have dried completely before air frying. That way, they will remain separate and not become a mess.

• Cook the ramen noodles on the stovetop or in the microwave.
• Prepare your desired toppings and seasonings. You can use frozen or fresh vegetables, chicken, steak, pork, ground beef, tofu, or your favorite meat substitutes.
• Place the cooked noodles and toppings in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry at 370 degrees Fahrenheit or 188 degrees Celsius for 8-10 minutes, or until the ingredients are tender, cooked through, and crispy to your liking.
• Combine everything in a bowl and serve. You can add additional seasonings or sauces at this point.

If you want to add a crunchy texture to your ramen, you can try tossing the toppings in corn starch before air frying. However, keep in mind that the corn starch may not fully cook and remain on the outside, so it might be preferable to use other methods like spraying oil directly onto the ingredients.

Frequently asked questions