Making Gravy In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to ovens, reducing cooking time by half and saving energy. They are also versatile, allowing you to cook a range of dishes, including gravy. You can make gravy in an air fryer by collecting meat juices and fat drippings, which are essential for flavour, and then heating them up and adding flour to thicken the mixture. You can also add vegetables, wine, stock, or spices to enhance the flavour of your gravy.

Making gravy in an air fryer with vegetables

Making gravy in an air fryer is a convenient and quick way to prepare a delicious meal. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make gravy in an air fryer with vegetables:

Preparing the Ingredients and Air Fryer

Gather your choice of vegetables, such as onions, carrots, and garlic. You can also add other vegetables like mushrooms or celery to enhance the flavour. Cut the vegetables into small pieces to ensure even cooking.

Preheat your air fryer to around 180°C. The preheating time may vary depending on your air fryer model, so refer to the manufacturer's instructions.

Cooking the Vegetables

Place the cut vegetables in the air fryer basket or tray. Spray or brush some oil onto the vegetables to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking. You can also add herbs and spices like rosemary, thyme, or paprika for extra flavour.

Cook the vegetables at 180°C for about 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of the vegetable pieces and your desired level of doneness. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn.

Making the Gravy

Once the vegetables are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and set them aside.

To make the gravy, sprinkle flour over the cooked vegetables. Return the vegetables with flour to the air fryer and cook for an additional minute at 200°C. This step cooks the flour and helps it absorb the fat from the cooking juices.

Add your choice of liquid, such as chicken or vegetable stock, to the air fryer. You can also use wine, water, or milk for a more flavourful gravy. Stir everything together and cook for another 2-3 minutes to bring the mixture to a coating consistency.

Final Steps

Remove the gravy from the air fryer and pass it through a sieve to ensure a smooth consistency. Transfer the gravy to a small saucepan and reduce it further if needed. Alternatively, you can pour it directly into a sauceboat if the consistency is to your liking.

Your vegetable gravy is now ready to be served! You can adjust the seasoning by adding salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy your delicious and healthy gravy with your favourite meat or vegetarian dish.

Making gravy in an air fryer with meat

Step 1: Prepare the Meat

Start by choosing your meat, such as chicken, turkey, beef, or meatballs. If using a whole chicken or turkey, pat it dry and rub butter or olive oil under the skin. For beef, pat it dry and rub with a mixture of olive oil and your chosen spices. If using meatballs, combine the ground meat with the desired spices and form the mixture into balls.

Step 2: Cook the Meat

Place the meat in the air fryer basket or rack, ensuring it fits properly. Set the air fryer to the appropriate temperature and time based on the type of meat. For example, chicken or turkey is typically cooked at 350-375°F for 30-35 minutes on one side, then flipped and cooked for an additional 20-30 minutes. Beef is often cooked at 180°C for 30 minutes, then the temperature is increased to 200°C for 5-8 minutes. Meatballs are cooked at 380°F/193°C for 8 minutes, then turned and cooked for an additional 2-4 minutes.

Step 3: Prepare the Gravy

While the meat is cooking, you can start making the gravy. If using an air fryer with a drip tray, collect the meat juices in the tray. If your air fryer doesn't have a drip tray, place a sheet of foil at the bottom to collect the juices. You can also add vegetables like onions, carrots, or garlic to the foil to enhance the flavour of the gravy.

Step 4: Thicken the Gravy

Once the meat is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and set it aside to rest. If using an air fryer with a drip tray, pour the collected juices into a saucepan. If you used foil to collect the juices, remove the foil and place it in a saucepan. Add flour to the juices and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. You can also add wine, stock, or water to adjust the consistency to your liking. For a vegan option, use vegan butter and plant-based milk or broth.

Step 5: Serve the Meat with Gravy

Once the gravy has reached your desired consistency, serve it with the cooked meat. Enjoy your delicious meal!

Making gravy in an air fryer with frozen food

Making gravy in an air fryer is a convenient way to cook, and you can certainly do it with frozen food. Here is a step-by-step guide to making gravy in an air fryer with frozen ingredients:

Prepare the Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer. Most recipes recommend cooking at temperatures between 180°C and 200°C. The preheating step is important as it will help evaporate the water from your frozen ingredients, preventing them from becoming mushy.

Choose Your Frozen Ingredients

You can cook a variety of frozen foods in an air fryer, including proteins such as chicken, salmon, shrimp, and pork chops. Frozen appetizers and snacks are also great choices. Just remember to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. For breaded or wrapped foods, fill the basket halfway and shake it halfway through cooking. For open-faced or uncoated foods, place them in a single layer.

Season and Cook Your Ingredients

Before cooking your frozen ingredients, season them with oil, butter, salt, pepper, or your choice of spices. You can also rub your protein of choice with oil and a spice blend. Then, place the ingredients in the air fryer and follow the recommended cooking times and temperatures for your specific protein or vegetable. For example, frozen salmon fillets (about 1.5 inches thick) can be cooked in the air fryer at 400°F for 7-11 minutes. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs will take longer, around 15 minutes on each side at 400°F.

Make the Gravy

To make the gravy in your air fryer, you can use the juices and drippings from your cooked ingredients. If you want to add more flavor, you can cook carrots, onions, or garlic along with your protein. Once your ingredients are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest. Then, sprinkle flour over the drippings and vegetables in the air fryer basket and cook for about a minute at 200°C to cook the flour. Stir to absorb the juices and fat.

Finish and Serve

Add your choice of liquid, such as stock, wine, or water, to the flour mixture in the air fryer and stir to combine. Cook for a further 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the gravy reaches your desired consistency. Pass the gravy through a sieve into a small saucepan if you want to ensure a smooth texture. Serve your gravy alongside your cooked frozen ingredients for a delicious and convenient meal.

So, the next time you're looking for a quick and easy way to make a hearty meal, don't be afraid to reach for your air fryer and experiment with different frozen ingredients and gravy combinations.

Making gravy in an air fryer with a vegan alternative

Making gravy in an air fryer is a convenient and quick way to prepare a tasty addition to your roast dinner. Here is a simple recipe with a vegan alternative, so everyone can enjoy it!

Meat-Based Gravy

Firstly, you will need to cook your meat of choice in the air fryer. For a whole chicken, rub butter under the skin and coat with a dry rub of herbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spray oil into the basket and add any vegetables you wish to include, such as onions, carrots, and garlic. Place the chicken in the basket and cook at 180˚C for 30 minutes, then flip and cook for another 20-30 minutes.

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the basket and let it rest. For the gravy, sprinkle flour over the vegetables and cook at 200˚C for a minute. Add red wine and stock, and cook for a further 2-3 minutes. Pass the mixture through a sieve into a saucepan and reduce to your desired consistency.

Vegan Gravy

For a vegan alternative, you can make a tasty mushroom gravy. Simply replace the meat with mushrooms and follow the same method as above. You can also add some soy sauce or vegan Worcestershire sauce to taste for an extra savory kick.

Tips

• Use a sheet of foil at the bottom of the air fryer to collect the juices—this adds flavor and makes cleaning easier.
• For a tender, flavorful roast, rub the meat with olive oil before adding the spice mix.
• If you are making gravy, it is a good idea to add vegetables to the basket to increase the amount of juices.
• Don't forget to rest your meat before serving, and always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
• For a crispy skin on your meat or mushrooms, ensure they are patted dry before adding any dry rub.

Making gravy in an air fryer with a low-carb alternative

Making gravy in an air fryer is a convenient way to prepare a delicious sauce to accompany your meal. Here is a step-by-step guide to making gravy in an air fryer, with a low-carb option included.

Step 1: Prepare the Meat

The first step is to choose your desired meat. You can opt for a whole chicken or a beef roast. Pat the meat dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. For chicken, you can rub butter under the skin for added flavour and juiciness. For beef, you can apply a light coating of olive oil before adding your preferred spice mix and oil combination.

Step 2: Cook the Meat

Place the meat in the air fryer basket or rack, ensuring it fits properly. Set the air fryer to the desired temperature and cooking time. For chicken, cook at 180˚C for about 30 minutes on each side, or until the skin is crisp and golden brown. For beef, you can start at a higher temperature of 200°C for 5-10 minutes, then reduce to 180°C and cook for about 30 minutes. Adjust the cooking time based on your desired level of doneness.

Step 3: Collect the Juices

Once the meat is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest. Collect the juices that remain in the air fryer basket or rack. These juices will be used to make the gravy. You can also add vegetables like onions, carrots, or garlic to the air fryer while cooking the meat to enhance the flavour of the gravy.

Step 4: Thicken the Gravy

To make the gravy, sprinkle flour over the collected juices and vegetables in the air fryer. Cook at a higher temperature of 200˚C for a minute to cook the flour and absorb the juices. You can also use xanthan gum as a thickening agent, commonly used in low-carb cooking. Add liquid such as wine, stock, or water to the mixture and stir well. Continue cooking for a few minutes until the gravy reaches your desired consistency.

Step 5: Serve the Gravy

Once the gravy is ready, remove it from the air fryer and pass it through a sieve to ensure a smooth texture. Pour the gravy into a sauce boat or saucepan and serve it alongside your meat. Enjoy your delicious, homemade gravy!

Low-Carb Alternative: Air Fryer Biscuits and Gravy

For a low-carb option, try making Air Fryer Biscuits and Gravy. This recipe combines a creamy sausage gravy with fluffy, keto-friendly biscuits. Here's how to make it:

Step 1: Prepare the Gravy

In an air fryer-safe pan, cook bulk breakfast sausage until done. Drain the grease and add cream cheese, heavy cream, water, and pepper to the sausage. Cook until the cream cheese melts and the mixture is well combined.

Step 2: Make the Biscuit Dough

In a mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients such as almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, and salt. Then, mix in wet ingredients like sour cream, eggs, and melted butter to form a dough.

Step 3: Combine and Cook

Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit dough over the gravy in the pan. Air fry at 350˚F for about 15 minutes, or until the gravy is bubbling and the biscuit topping is golden brown.

Now you have two delicious options for making gravy in your air fryer, one with meat and one as a low-carb alternative. Enjoy experimenting with these recipes and adjusting them to your taste preferences!

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