Air Fryer Souvlaki: A Quick, Easy, And Healthy Treat

Souvlaki is a Greek dish that traditionally consists of meat or vegetables cooked on a skewer. While it is usually made with chicken, pork, or lamb, there are many ways to make this dish your own. You can cook souvlaki on a BBQ grill or in an air fryer, which is a quick, healthy, and delicious option.

Chicken souvlaki cooking time and temperature

Chicken souvlaki is a Greek dish made with chicken, pork, or lamb that's marinated and grilled and served with pita bread, tzatziki sauce, tomato, onions, and sometimes fries. It is a popular street snack in Greece and can be made easily at home.

To make chicken souvlaki in an air fryer, start by washing and patting dry the chicken with a clean paper towel. Cut the chicken thighs into 2-inch bite-sized pieces. Next, prepare the marinade by mixing olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon zest, dried oregano, garlic seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and stir until the chicken is completely coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for the best results.

While the chicken is marinating, soak the bamboo or wooden skewers in water to prevent them from burning during cooking. Thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a gap at both ends. Place the skewers in the air fryer basket, brush over any remaining marinade, and add the chips in between each skewer. Lightly spray with oil.

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes. Place the skewers on a rack and air fry for 10 minutes, flipping them over halfway through. The ideal temperature for chicken is 165°F (74°C) in the centre, so use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked through.

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skewers and serve with pita bread, tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, onions, and a Greek salad.

Marinating chicken

Chicken souvlaki is a Greek dish that involves marinated chicken cooked on skewers and served in a wrap or with salad. The chicken is usually marinated for at least 30 minutes, but preferably for a couple of hours or overnight.

Ingredients

For the marinade, you will need:

• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Oregano
• Garlic
• Salt
• Pepper
• White wine (optional)
• Bay leaves
• Paprika
• Rosemary
• Honey (optional)
• Lemon zest (optional)

Method

To make the marinade, add all the ingredients to a small food processor and pulse until well combined. Place the chicken in a large bowl, add the bay leaves, and pour the marinade over the chicken. Toss to combine, ensuring the chicken is well coated. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably for 2 hours or overnight.

While the chicken is marinating, soak some wooden skewers in water for 30-45 minutes to prevent them from burning during cooking.

When the chicken is ready, thread the pieces onto the skewers, leaving a gap at both ends. Place the skewers in the air fryer and cook at 200C/400F for 10-15 minutes, turning once or twice, until the chicken is lightly charred on the outside and the internal temperature reaches 74-75°C/165-167°F.

Serving

Chicken souvlaki can be served on its own or in a pita wrap with tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, onions, and sometimes fries. It can also be served with a Greek salad or other sides such as Greek potato salad, lemon potatoes, or orzo pasta salad.

Preparing skewers

Firstly, decide on your choice of meat. Chicken, pork, and lamb are all popular options for souvlaki. Cut your chosen meat into bite-sized pieces, aiming for cubes of roughly 2 inches in size. If you're using chicken, you can use either chicken thighs or breasts, but keep in mind that breasts will cook faster. For pork, opt for a fattier cut like pork butt or shoulder, or go for a leaner option like pork tenderloin or pork loin.

Next, prepare your marinade. In a bowl, combine extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, garlic cloves, salt, and dried oregano. You can also add other herbs like rosemary for extra flavour. Give the ingredients a good whisk to combine them evenly. Then, add the meat cubes to the bowl and toss until the meat is well coated. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator to marinate. The minimum marinating time is about 30 minutes, but for the best results, leave it for 2 to 4 hours or even overnight. If you're short on time, you can cook the souvlaki right away without marinating, but this will impact the flavour.

While the meat is marinating, prepare your skewers. You can use either wooden or metal skewers, but if you're using wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in water first to prevent them from burning during cooking. Cut or snap the skewers to fit your air fryer if needed—20cm or 8" skewers are a good size for most air fryers.

Once the meat has finished marinating, it's time to thread it onto the skewers. Leave a gap at both ends of the skewer and ensure the pieces are compact to keep them juicy. You should be able to fit about eight skewers' worth of meat.

Now your skewers are ready for the air fryer! Place them in the basket, brush over any excess marinade, and you're ready to cook.

Greek-style side dishes

Yes, you can cook souvlaki in an air fryer! Souvlaki is a Greek dish that typically consists of meat or vegetables cooked on a skewer. Chicken souvlaki is a popular variety, and it can be made in an air fryer by marinating and threading chicken onto skewers and then cooking in the air fryer at 400°F / 204°C for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Now, onto the sides! Greek side dishes are an important part of the meal and often include vegetables, rice, fritters, and croquettes. Here are some Greek-style side dishes that would pair well with air fryer souvlaki:

Greek Potato Hash

This dish combines crispy potatoes with creamy feta and tangy lemon. It is a quick and simple dish that can be served as a main course or as a side. To make it, simply boil potatoes until they are soft and tender, drain them, and then fry them in olive oil until they are browned and crispy. The addition of feta and lemon brings a salty and tangy flavour to the dish.

Greek Green Beans with Feta

Green beans are another popular ingredient in Greek cuisine, and they can be prepared in a variety of ways. One option is to cook them with feta, creating a salty and creamy dish.

Greek Salad

A Greek salad is a classic side dish that typically includes tomatoes, onions, and lettuce. To make it more of a salsa, you can finely dice the ingredients. A simple dressing of extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar, seasoned with salt and pepper, can be used. Instead of oregano, which is typically added to a Greek salad, you can use dill to complement the oregano-heavy chicken souvlaki.

Tzatziki Sauce with Pita Bread

Tzatziki is a traditional Greek sauce made with yoghurt, garlic, herbs, and lemon juice. It is often served with pita bread, which can be briefly pan-fried to warm it up. This combination is a perfect low-carb or keto side to the chicken souvlaki.

Pork souvlaki alternatives

Souvlaki is a Greek specialty made with tender cuts of meat and vegetables cooked on skewers. While pork is the traditional meat used in souvlaki, chicken, beef, or lamb are also commonly used as alternatives. For a vegetarian option, you can use marinated vegetables such as mushrooms, peppers, onions, eggplant, and zucchini.

If you're specifically looking for a meat alternative to pork souvlaki, here are some options:

Chicken Souvlaki

Chicken souvlaki is a popular alternative to pork souvlaki. To make chicken souvlaki, cut chicken thighs or breasts into bite-sized pieces, about 2-inch cubes. Marinate the chicken in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and other spices. You can also add vegetables such as onions and bell peppers to the skewers for added color and flavor. Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but preferably longer (up to overnight) for more intense flavor. Thread the chicken onto skewers, leaving a gap at both ends, and place in the air fryer at 400°F / 204°C for 15 minutes, turning once. The chicken souvlaki is cooked when it is lightly charred on the outside and the internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C.

Lamb Souvlaki

Lamb souvlaki is another option for a pork alternative. To make lamb souvlaki, cut lamb tenderloin into 1-inch cubes. Marinate the lamb in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and other spices. Thread the marinated lamb onto skewers and cook on a hot grill or grill pan over medium-high heat for about 10-15 minutes, turning frequently, until the lamb is no longer pink in the center. The internal temperature should reach at least 145°F / 63°C.

Beef Souvlaki

Beef souvlaki is also a possibility, with a similar preparation method to lamb or chicken souvlaki. Cut beef into 1-inch cubes and marinate in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and other spices. Thread the beef onto skewers and cook on a grill or grill pan until the beef is cooked to your desired doneness.

Frequently asked questions