Lasagna In The Air Fryer: A Tasty, Crispy Treat?

Air fryers are a convenient way to make lasagna, a dish that traditionally takes a long time to cook. Air fryers cut down the cooking time by almost half, making it possible to enjoy this comfort food on busy weeknights. The air fryer also helps achieve a golden-brown cheesy top and a crispy texture.

The process of making lasagna in an air fryer is similar to the traditional method, with layers of pasta, meat sauce, white sauce, and cheese. The key difference is that the air fryer requires a heatproof baking tin or dish that fits into the air fryer basket, leaving space for air circulation.

The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the air fryer model, but on average, it takes around 30 minutes to cook lasagna in an air fryer. It is recommended to cover the dish with foil during cooking to prevent excessive browning.

You can customise your air fryer lasagna with different ingredients and seasonings. For a vegetarian option, you can replace the meat with sautéed vegetables, and for a gluten-free version, you can use gluten-free lasagna noodles.

Lasagna sheets vs. other pasta shapes

Lasagna sheets are wide, flat sheets of pasta, usually rectangular, that are layered with sauce, cheese, vegetables, and/or meat to create a classic Italian-American casserole. The sheets can be sold dried or fresh, and are typically made with durum wheat semolina flour and water, with eggs sometimes added for fresh pasta dough. Lasagna sheets are unique in their wide, flat shape, and while other pasta shapes can be used as a substitute, it will transform the dish into a layered pasta bake with a different texture.

Fresh lasagna sheets are preferred by some as they cook more quickly and don't require pre-soaking or boiling. However, dried lasagna sheets are more convenient and readily available in most supermarkets. Dried lasagna sheets should be boiled for 7-9 minutes before using, while fresh sheets can be used directly.

Other types of pasta shapes fall into categories such as smaller pasta shapes ("macaroni"), long ribbon-cut pastas ("spaghetti"), and tube-shaped pastas ("extruded pasta"). Smaller pasta shapes, such as orecchiette, rotini, and penne, are ideal for thick, chunky sauces or baked dishes. Long ribbon-cut pastas like fettuccine and tagliatelle go well with pesto or tomato-based sauces. Tube-shaped pastas, including manicotti and ziti, are versatile and can be used in baked dishes or pasta salads.

Pre-made vs. homemade sauce

Lasagna is a classic comfort food and a crowd-pleaser. While making lasagna from scratch is a rewarding experience, using store-bought ingredients can save time and effort without compromising on taste. Here's a comparison between pre-made and homemade sauce to help you decide which route to take when making lasagna in an air fryer.

Pre-made Sauce

Using pre-made sauce is a convenient option when preparing lasagna. It saves time, as you don't need to simmer the sauce for hours to develop rich, deep flavours. Simply choose a good-quality store-bought marinara sauce that you enjoy, and you're good to go. Look for well-seasoned sauces with plenty of flavour to elevate your lasagna.

Homemade Sauce

Making your own sauce allows you to customise the flavours and adjust the seasoning to your taste. It's a great option if you want to add a personal touch to your lasagna or accommodate specific dietary preferences or restrictions. You can control the ingredients, ensuring they are of your preferred quality and freshness.

Both options have their advantages. Pre-made sauce is convenient and time-saving, while homemade sauce offers customisation and the satisfaction of creating something from scratch. Ultimately, the decision depends on your personal preference, time constraints, and the level of customisation you desire.

Vegetarian lasagna

Air fryers are a fantastic way to make lasagna, and it's even possible to make a vegetarian version! This method is quicker and easier than the traditional oven method, and you'll still get that delicious crispy topping and soft, flavourful interior.

Ingredients

• Fresh lasagna sheets or no-boil lasagna noodles
• Spinach
• Ricotta cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Butter
• Flour
• Milk
• Nutmeg
• Lemon zest
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil

Method

Step 1: Prepare the Spinach and Ricotta Filling

Finely chop the spinach and place it in a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and leave it to stand so that the salt draws out the moisture. Then, place the spinach in a clean linen towel and wring out the excess liquid. Place the spinach in a bowl and stir in the ricotta, garlic, and herb cream cheese, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the White Sauce (Béchamel)

Melt the butter in a large saucepan until it is foaming. Whisk in the flour to make a paste (roux) and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring all the while. Gradually add the milk, whisking it in until it is incorporated into the sauce. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook until it thickens enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. Stir in the zest, freshly grated nutmeg, and Parmesan. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Assemble the Lasagna

Grease a 7-inch square loose-bottomed baking pan with cooking spray (or use an air fryer cake barrel or anything of a similar size that fits). Cover the base with foil or plastic wrap to avoid any leaks. Add a ladleful of white sauce to the prepared pan and spread it out. Cover with lasagna sheets, cutting them to fit as needed. Add some white sauce where the sheets overlap each other.

Spread a layer of the spinach and ricotta filling over the pasta and sprinkle with mozzarella. Add some white sauce and top with more lasagna sheets. Repeat until you have used up all of the filling.

Top with a final layer of lasagna noodles and spoon over the remaining white sauce. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan and season with pepper and freshly grated nutmeg. Pierce with a skewer or knife in a few places to allow steam to escape and avoid the noodles "buckling".

Step 4: Cook the Lasagna in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F/ 180°C for 5 minutes. Lower the heat to 275°F/135°C, then place the lasagna in the air fryer basket and cook for 30 minutes. Increase the heat setting to 320°F/160°C and cook for a further 15-20 minutes or until the lasagna is golden on top, easily pierced with a knife, and registers 165°F/75°C on an instant-read thermometer.

Let the lasagna stand for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. If you have used a loose-bottomed pan, you can carefully remove the lasagna to show off the pretty layering.

Tips and Tricks

• You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days.
• Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
• You can also freeze the lasagna for up to three months.
• To freeze, assemble and cool the lasagna but don't air fry it. Cover with a lid and freeze.
• Cook from frozen in the air fryer following the same method, adding extra time as needed.
• You can also cook frozen lasagna in the oven at 350°F/180°C for 50 minutes to an hour.
• To avoid spills, don't overfill your dish when assembling the lasagna.
• Make sure the foil is tightly wrapped or clipped to the dish, otherwise, the circulating air will cause it to come off.
• Different air fryer models vary in the way they cook, so keep an eye on your lasagna while it cooks to make sure the top is not browning too much.

Variations

You can easily adapt this recipe to make it vegan. Here are some ideas for variations:

• Use tofu ricotta instead of regular ricotta.
• Substitute dairy products with plant-based alternatives, such as dairy-free mozzarella.
• Use a vegan meat substitute or extra vegetables.

Air fryer vegetarian lasagna is a delicious and convenient option for a weeknight dinner or a fancy meal for entertaining. It's quicker and easier than the traditional oven method, and you can easily adapt the recipe to suit your tastes and dietary needs. Enjoy!

Spinach and ricotta lasagna

Ingredients

• Spinach
• Ricotta cheese
• Lasagna sheets (fresh or dried)
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Butter
• Flour
• Milk
• Nutmeg
• Lemon zest
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic powder

Method

• Prepare the spinach and ricotta filling: Finely chop the spinach and place it in a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and leave it to stand so that the salt draws out the moisture. Place the spinach in a clean linen towel and wring out the spinach to remove the liquid. Place the spinach in a bowl and stir in the ricotta, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
• Prepare the white sauce (Béchamel): Melt the butter in a large saucepan until it is foaming. Whisk in the flour to make a paste and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring all the while. Gradually add the milk, whisking it in, until it is incorporated into the sauce. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook until it thickens enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. Stir in the lemon zest, nutmeg, and Parmesan cheese. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
• Assemble the lasagna: Mist a 7-inch square loose-bottom baking pan with cooking spray (or use an air fryer cake barrel or anything of a similar size that fits). Cover the base with foil or plastic wrap to avoid any leaks. Add a ladleful of white sauce to the prepared pan and spread it out. Cover with lasagna sheets, cutting them to fit as needed. Add some white sauce where the sheets overlap each other. Spread a layer of the spinach and ricotta filling over the pasta and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Add some white sauce and top with more lasagna sheets. Repeat until you have used up all of the filling. Top with a final layer of lasagna noodles and spoon over the remaining white sauce. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan and season with pepper and freshly grated nutmeg. Pierce with a skewer or knife in a few places to allow steam to escape and avoid the noodles from buckling.
• Cook the lasagna in the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F/ 180°C for 5 minutes. Lower the heat to 275°F /135°C, place the lasagna in the air fryer basket, and cook for 30 minutes. Increase the heat setting to 320°F / 160°C and cook for a further 15-20 minutes or until the lasagna is golden on top, easily pierced with a knife, and registers 165°F / 75°C on an instant-read thermometer. Let the lasagna stand for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Tips

• If you are in a hurry, you can use store-bought lasagna sauce instead of making your own.
• This spinach and ricotta lasagna does not contain tomato sauce, but you can add marinara sauce if you like.
• To store leftovers, let the lasagna cool down and then place it in the refrigerator in a suitable container for up to three days.
• To reheat, use the microwave for 2-3 minutes, ensuring the lasagna is hot all the way through.

Reheating lasagna

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Always start with a preheated air fryer. Set the temperature to between 325ºF and 375ºF. This usually takes just a few minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Lasagna

Place the lasagna in a loaf pan or a heatproof baking tin that fits into your air fryer basket. Cover the lasagna with aluminium foil to keep all the moisture inside. If you are reheating a single slice, you can use the toothpick trick from the microwave method to keep the foil from touching the cheese.

Step 3: Air Fry

Check the lasagna after 10 minutes to see if the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and glossy. You're looking for an internal temperature of 165ºF, so keep cooking in 5-minute increments until you reach the final temperature. If you like your lasagna with a crispy top layer, remove the foil during the last 2 to 3 minutes of cooking.

Step 4: Serve

Once the lasagna reaches the desired temperature and texture, carefully remove it from the air fryer. Allow the lasagna to cool for 1 to 3 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• If you are reheating frozen lasagna, it is best to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. But if you don't have time, you can still reheat it straight from frozen—just be prepared to wait longer for it to warm up.
• If you are worried that the cheese is burning, cover the lasagna with foil, making sure it is wrapped tightly and secured so it doesn't blow off.
• If you want to avoid the lasagna drying out, add a splash of water to create steam and prevent the cheese from melting into the basket.

Other Methods:

If you don't have an air fryer, you can also reheat lasagna in the microwave or the oven.

Frequently asked questions