Cody Casey
Spam is a beloved food product, especially among Hawaiians and Asians, and can be cooked in an air fryer. It is an easy and fast way to cook up a local Hawaiian classic without the need for excess oil. The salty, savoury, and sweet luncheon meat is versatile and can be served in many different ways. It can be made into a sandwich, wrapped with rice in seaweed as musubi, or eaten handheld. Cooking Spam in an air fryer is much easier and faster as you can cook several slices at once.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook time | 8-12 minutes |
| Temperature | 380-400°F |
| Oil required | No |
| Number of slices | 6-12, ideally 8 |
| Slice thickness | 0.5 inches |
| Flip time | 5-7 minutes |
| Sauce application | 2 minutes before the end of cooking |
| Marinade | Brown sugar and shoyu |
| Marinade time | 10-15 minutes |
| Serving suggestions | Musubi, sandwich, salad, with pan-fried potatoes, or rice and egg |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your food cooks evenly and that you're not placing food in a cold metal basket. Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to set a timer for preheating, or it may have a quick heat-up function.
To preheat your air fryer to 400°F, start by pressing the power button. Then, set the temperature to 400°F. If your air fryer has a timer, you may need to set the timer as well to let it preheat. The preheat time can be added to your cook time. For example, if you want to cook your food for 5 minutes with 2 minutes of preheat, set the timer to 7 minutes, and place your food in once the timer counts down.
It can take up to 2-3 minutes to reach 400°F, so be patient and allow your air fryer to heat up completely before adding your food. This will ensure that your Spam cooks evenly and has a nice crispy texture.
Once your air fryer has preheated to 400°F, you can proceed with cooking your Spam. Place the Spam slices in a single layer along the bottom of the air fryer basket and cook according to your desired recipe.
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Cut Spam into 8 slices
To cut Spam into 8 slices, first lay the Spam on its side and cut it in half, then cut each half in half again to create 8 equally-sized slices. The slices should be cut as evenly as possible so that they cook at the same rate. You can also cut the Spam into slightly thicker slices and then cut these into fries.
If you are marinating the Spam, it is best to do this after you have cut it into slices. Place the slices in a shallow pan and cover with your chosen marinade. Allow the Spam to marinate for 10-15 minutes. You can also coat the slices with seasonings before cooking.
If you are cooking the Spam in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the Spam slices in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer, ensuring they are not overlapping. Depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of the slices, cook the Spam for 8-12 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through. For extra crispiness, air fry for an additional 1-2 minutes.
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Marinate the slices
Marinating your Spam slices before air frying is a great way to enhance their flavour and achieve a slightly caramelized exterior. There are several ways to marinate your Spam slices, and you can experiment with different ingredients and spices to find your favourite combination. Here are some detailed instructions and ideas to get you started:
Soy Sauce and Brown Sugar Marinade:
This classic combination of soy sauce and brown sugar will give your Spam slices a savoury and slightly sweet flavour. Start by slicing your Spam into even pieces, about 1/4 inch thick. You can cut them into traditional slices or get creative and cut them into "fries" for a fun twist. Place the Spam slices in a shallow pan or bowl. In a separate container, mix together soy sauce and brown sugar. You can adjust the amounts of each ingredient to your taste preferences, but a good starting point is a ratio of 1:3, with one part soy sauce and three parts brown sugar. Pour the marinade over the Spam slices, ensuring that all pieces are coated evenly. Allow the Spam to marinate for at least a few minutes, but for even more intense flavour, you can let it sit for up to 15 minutes.
Spicy Marinade:
If you prefer a little kick to your Spam, try a spicy marinade. In a shallow pan or bowl, place your Spam slices and set aside. In a separate container, mix together a blend of spices such as cayenne pepper, chili powder, onion powder, or paprika. You can also add a small amount of oil, such as sesame oil, to help the spices adhere to the meat. Another option is to use a combination of honey and sriracha for a sweet and spicy glaze. Coat the Spam slices generously with the spice mixture and let them marinate for a few minutes before air frying.
Teriyaki Sauce Marinade:
For an Asian-inspired twist, try marinating your Spam slices in teriyaki sauce. Teriyaki sauce is a perfect balance of sweet and savoury, with a hint of ginger and garlic. Simply brush the teriyaki sauce onto the Spam slices generously, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Let the Spam marinate for a few minutes, or even overnight in the refrigerator if you're planning ahead. The longer it sits, the more intense the flavour will be.
Creative Combinations:
Don't be afraid to get creative with your marinades! You can experiment with other sauces and spices to find unique flavour profiles. For example, try using coconut aminos or tamari as a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce. Or, if you prefer a less sweet option, you can omit the brown sugar or substitute it with honey or maple syrup. You can also add fresh or dried herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, or basil, to your marinade for an herby flavour. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to mix and match ingredients to find your perfect combination.
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Arrange the slices in a single layer
Arranging the slices in a single layer is an important step in cooking Spam in an air fryer. This ensures that the hot air can circulate properly, cooking the Spam slices evenly and achieving the desired crispiness.
When placing the Spam in the air fryer basket, make sure the slices are spread out and not overlapping. This is especially important if you are cooking several pieces at once, as Spam can be cooked without any excess oil, and the slices need to be arranged in a way that allows the hot air to reach all surfaces.
To ensure even cooking, it is recommended to flip the Spam slices halfway through the cooking time. This helps to achieve an even golden brown colour on all sides and prevents the slices from burning. Depending on your desired level of crispiness, you can adjust the cooking time accordingly, adding an extra minute or two for a crispier texture.
The single-layer arrangement of the Spam slices is crucial for achieving the best results in terms of texture and flavour. By allowing the hot air to circulate freely, the slices cook evenly and develop a crispy, golden exterior while remaining juicy and savoury on the inside. This technique transforms this humble pantry staple into a delicious treat that can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes.
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Serve with a variety of sides
Air fryer SPAM is a versatile dish that can be served in many different ways. It can be served with rice and nori to create katsu musubi, or with white rice and a fried egg. You can also wrap it with rice and dried seaweed, with or without egg, with sauce or furikake, to make a convenient handheld snack or meal. For a more substantial meal, roll up your SPAM with sliced carrots, chopped cucumber, eggs, pickled radish, and sauteed spinach in nori seaweed sheets to make a futomaki roll.
SPAM is also great in fried rice, along with scrambled eggs and frozen vegetables. You can even add it to ramen or an egg noodle soup for a heartier dish. If you're looking for something more handheld, try making a SPAM sandwich with scrambled eggs or a fried egg, or serve it over rice with vegetables such as cucumber, avocado, green onion, nori, and furikake.
For a fun and crispy side dish, cut your SPAM into "fries" and air fry them until they're super crispy. These SPAM fries can be served with a variety of sides, such as sweet potato fries, pickle fries, or taro fries. You can even bread them to make chicken-fried pork fries! Serve these fries with a dipping sauce like spicy mayonnaise, ranch, or plain ketchup for added flavor.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving SPAM cooked in an air fryer. Get creative and enjoy this salty, savory, and versatile dish!
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cook Spam in an air fryer.
Cooking Spam in an air fryer typically takes around 10 minutes.
It is recommended to cook Spam in an air fryer at 400°F.
To make Spam crispy in an air fryer, cut the Spam into even slices and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Preheat the air fryer and flip the Spam slices halfway through the cooking time.
Yes, you can add spices, seasonings, or sauces to Spam before air frying. For example, you can marinate the Spam in soy sauce and brown sugar, or sprinkle garlic powder or paprika on the slices before cooking.
