Air-Fryer Chilli: Spicy, Quick, And Easy!

Air fryers are a convenient and healthy way to cook your favourite foods, and you may be surprised to learn that you can also use them to make chilli. Whether you're a fan of chilli con carne or crispy chilli beef, your air fryer can help you whip up a delicious and nutritious meal in no time. So, if you're looking for a quick and easy way to enjoy this spicy dish, read on to find out more about using your air fryer to create the perfect chilli.

Air fryer chilli con carne ingredients

Air fryer chilli con carne is a quick, easy, and delicious meal that can be cooked in under 30 minutes. It's a great option for busy weeknights when you don't have time to cook a chilli on the hob. Here are the ingredients you'll need:

Ingredients:

• Minced Beef: Lean minced beef is best for the air fryer to prevent excess fat from accumulating. You can also control the fat content by using minced chicken or turkey instead.
• Vegetables: Onion, garlic, and carrots are commonly used. Chop the vegetables into small pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Beans: Kidney beans are traditional for chilli con carne, but you can also use baked beans, black beans, or pinto beans.
• Sauce: You can use a store-bought chilli con carne sauce or make your own by blending tomatoes, spices, and herbs.
• Spices and Seasonings: Salt, pepper, mixed herbs, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (for extra heat), chilli powder, cumin, and coriander are popular choices.
• Olive Oil: A small amount of olive oil can be added to the onions to prevent them from crisping too much during cooking.

Optional Ingredients:

• Red Wine: Adds depth of flavour to the dish.
• Tomato Puree: Can be mixed with spices and stock to enhance the sauce.
• Beef Stock: Keeps the chilli moist and prevents it from drying out in the air fryer.
• Henderson's Relish: A unique flavour enhancer, but skip it if you're not from Sheffield, UK.

Cooking Instructions:

For cooking instructions and serving suggestions, refer to the sources provided.

Can you cook mince in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook mince in an air fryer. It is a straightforward process and can be used for a variety of dishes. For example, mince cooked in an air fryer can be used for chilli con carne, spaghetti Bolognese, or cottage pie.

To cook mince in an air fryer, simply place the desired amount of mince into the air fryer basket, along with any extras such as onions or carrots. You don't need to add any oil. After the air fryer is done, give the contents a quick stir and it will be ready in a few minutes.

One advantage of cooking mince in an air fryer is that you don't need to continuously stir it, as you would when cooking on a stovetop. Additionally, you can use the cooked mince in the same way as you would if you had cooked it in a pan. For instance, you can transfer the mince to a silicone pan and add sauce, cheese, or cooked pasta to make a complete meal.

If you're looking to make chilli con carne with your air-fried mince, here's a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• Minced beef (lean mince is preferable to avoid excess fat)
• Carrots (chopped into small pieces)
• Onion
• Kidney beans (canned and drained)
• Chilli con carne sauce (canned or homemade)
• Seasonings to taste (e.g. salt, pepper, mixed herbs, smoked paprika)

Instructions:

• Place the mince, chopped onion, and carrots into the air fryer basket and air fry for 6 minutes at 180°C/360°F.
• Stir the contents and cook for an additional 3 minutes at the same temperature.
• Transfer the cooked mince and vegetables to a deep silicone container.
• Add the kidney beans, chilli con carne sauce, and your desired seasonings to the container and stir well.
• Place the silicone container back into the air fryer and cook for 8 minutes at 180°C/360°F, or until it is piping hot.
• Serve with your choice of sides, such as rice, baked potatoes, or tortilla chips.

Can you put sauce in an air fryer?

Yes, you can put sauce in an air fryer, but it needs to be in a separate container, or you'll have a big mess to clean up. This is because the sauce is liquid, and the air fryer requires something solid, like a silicone pan, to hold it.

You can make your own sauce to put in the air fryer, or you can use a store-bought sauce. If you're making chilli, for example, you can use a can of chilli con carne sauce, or make your own.

If you're cooking chicken wings, you can make your own buffalo sauce by combining melted butter and hot sauce. Or, you can use a store-bought buffalo sauce and add more butter for a milder sauce, or more hot sauce for a hotter sauce.

You can also cook frozen food in an air fryer, and it will taste delicious and be super crispy.

How to cook chilli in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook chilli in an air fryer. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to cook chilli con carne in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

• Minced beef
• Chilli sauce
• Kidney beans
• Chopped tomatoes
• Mixed herbs
• Cayenne pepper (optional)
• Smoked paprika
• Olive oil
• Onion
• Carrot
• Seasoning (salt, pepper, coriander, cumin, etc.)
• Beef stock
• Tomato puree

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 360°F.
• Place the mince into the air fryer basket and spread it out.
• Peel and dice the onion, carrot, and any other vegetables you wish to include. Add them to the air fryer basket.
• Drizzle olive oil over the ingredients and cook for 6 minutes at 180°C/360°F.
• Stir the ingredients and cook for an additional 3 minutes at the same temperature.
• Transfer the cooked mince and vegetables to a deep silicone container.
• Add the remaining ingredients, including the beans, chopped tomatoes, and seasonings.
• Give the mixture a good stir.
• Place the silicone container carefully back into the air fryer basket and cook for a further 8 minutes at 180°C/360°F.
• Check that the chilli is piping hot before serving.

Tips:

• You can make the chilli hotter by adding more cayenne pepper or chilli powder.
• If you want to add corn, use frozen sweet corn for the best flavour.
• This dish can be served with boiled rice, salad, or tortilla chips.

Storage and Reheating:

• Chilli con carne can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
• To reheat, preheat the air fryer to 350-400°F and heat the chilli for 3-4 minutes.

Enjoy your delicious and easy air-fried chilli con carne!

What to serve chilli con carne with

Chilli con carne is a dish with a lot of possible side dishes and toppings. Here are some ideas for what to serve with chilli con carne:

Carbs

• Rice (wholegrain, white, or instant pot brown rice)
• Flatbreads or pita bread
• Tacos (soft)
• Cornbread or cornbread muffins
• Baked potatoes
• Tortilla chips or corn chips
• Bread rolls
• Hot dogs
• Pasta

Toppings

• Sour cream or yoghurt
• Cheese (grated)
• Fresh chillies
• Jalapeno peppers
• Spring onions or sliced red onions
• Lime
• Avocado (sliced or made into guacamole)
• Salsa
• Cherry tomatoes
• Sweetcorn
• Worcestershire sauce
• Salad

Other sides

• Tomato and avocado salsa
• Nachos
• Beans (kidney, black, butter, cannellini, or pinto)

Frequently asked questions