Air Fryer Kebabs: A Tasty, Healthy Treat?

Kebabs are a popular dish, but can you make them in an air fryer? The answer is yes! You can make delicious, juicy, and tender chicken kebabs in an air fryer with a variety of different marinades and ingredients.

Choosing the right skewers

Skewer Material:

• Wooden Skewers: If you opt for wooden skewers, it is crucial to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before use. Soaking prevents the skewers from burning in the air fryer. Ensure you use food-grade wooden skewers, which are designed for cooking.
• Metal Skewers: Metal skewers, such as stainless steel or bamboo skewers, are also suitable for air frying. They are less likely to burn than wooden skewers and do not require soaking. Metal skewers are reusable and often have a sharper point for easier piercing.

Skewer Size:

• Skewer Length: Choose skewers that fit comfortably inside your air fryer. Measure the dimensions of your air fryer basket to ensure the skewers are not too long. If necessary, you can trim the skewers to the appropriate length.
• Skewer Thickness: Select skewers with a thickness that can withstand the weight of the food items you plan to thread onto them. Thicker skewers are generally better for heartier items like meat and vegetables, while thinner skewers can be used for lighter options.

Skewer Shape:

• Flat or Round: Skewers come in various shapes, including flat and round options. Flat skewers provide more surface area for food to grip onto, making them ideal for slippery items like mushrooms or tofu. Round skewers are more common and suitable for most ingredients.
• Single or Double Prong: You can choose between single-prong skewers, which have one pointed end, or double-prong skewers, which have two parallel prongs. Double-prong skewers can prevent food from spinning when threading or turning, making them a good option for items that are challenging to skewer.

When choosing skewers, always ensure they are intended for cooking purposes and made from food-safe materials. Additionally, consider buying skewers that are reusable and easy to clean, making them more environmentally friendly and convenient for future use.

Marinating the chicken

Choosing the Right Chicken

The type of chicken you choose can impact the flavour and texture of your kebabs. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are often recommended over chicken breasts as they are juicier, more flavourful, and hold up better in an acidic marinade. Chicken thighs are also less likely to dry out during cooking.

Preparing the Chicken

Before marinating, trim any excess fat and gristle from the chicken thighs. You can use kitchen shears or a knife for this step. Then, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, around 1-inch cubes or 2-inch pieces, depending on your preference.

Creating the Marinade

There are endless possibilities for creating a delicious marinade for your chicken kebabs. Here are some common ingredients used:

• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Lemon juice
• Yogurt
• Soy sauce or tamari
• Honey or maple syrup
• Garlic (freshly minced or powder)
• Ginger (freshly grated or paste)
• Spices (e.g., cumin, paprika, red pepper flakes, onion powder, turmeric, cayenne pepper, coriander, etc.)
• Dijon mustard
• Fresh herbs (e.g., chopped parsley or dill)

Simply combine your chosen ingredients in a bowl and mix well. You can adjust the quantities to suit your taste preferences and experiment with different combinations to find your favourite flavour profile.

Place the chicken pieces into a glass container or a plastic bag inside another container (in case of leaks). Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Cover the container or seal the bag, and place it in the refrigerator.

For optimal flavour, it is recommended to marinate the chicken for at least 15-20 minutes, or even a few hours if time allows. However, if you're short on time, you can still achieve delicious results with a shorter marination period. Some recipes suggest marinating overnight or for up to 24 hours for the most intense flavour infusion.

Skewer Preparation

If you plan to use wooden skewers, it is essential to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning in the air fryer. Metal skewers are also an option and are ideal for grilling as they won't catch fire.

Threading the Chicken

After the chicken has finished marinating, it's time to assemble the kebabs. Thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece to allow for even cooking. You can alternate chicken pieces with vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or onion for added flavour and colour.

Cooking the Kebabs

Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually around 350-400°F. Lightly spray the skewers with oil or cooking spray to promote browning and prevent sticking. Place the skewers in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded.

Cook the kebabs for 6-9 minutes, then turn the skewers over and cook for an additional 6-9 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F when it is done.

Serving Suggestions

These juicy air-fried chicken kebabs go well with various side dishes. Try serving them with rice (white, yellow, or jasmine), potatoes, a green salad, pasta salad, or roasted vegetables. For a Middle Eastern or Mediterranean twist, serve with homemade tzatziki, hummus, naan bread, or pita bread.

Enjoy your delicious, tender, and flavourful chicken kebabs, made right in your air fryer!

Preparing the vegetables

Once you have cut your vegetables, place them in a bowl with the chicken and stir everything together until the marinade coats the veggies. This may seem a little dry at first, but keep mixing, and soon all the veggies will be nicely seasoned and shiny. You can let the chicken and veggies marinate together in the fridge for up to 24 hours, or use them right away.

When you are ready to assemble your skewers, you can either alternate between a piece of chicken and a piece of vegetable or just skewer the chicken by itself. Be sure to leave some space between each piece to allow for even cooking. If you are using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before adding the veggies and chicken to prevent them from burning.

Threading the skewers

Firstly, ensure that you have the right skewers for your air fryer. You can use either wooden or metal skewers, but they need to fit inside your air fryer with the lid closed. If they are too long, trim them with scissors. If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading to prevent them from burning.

Now you are ready to start threading! Cut your chosen ingredients—chicken, vegetables, or both—into evenly-sized pieces, around 1-inch in size. This will ensure they cook evenly. If you are using chicken, it is best to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts. Thread the pieces onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece. If you are using both chicken and vegetables, you can alternate between the two. Try not to push the pieces too close together, as this will allow them to cook more evenly.

Once you have threaded your skewers, lightly spray or brush them with oil or cooking spray. This will help them brown and prevent sticking. Place the skewers in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded, and cook according to your chosen recipe. You may need to cook the kebabs in batches.

Cooking the kebabs

Ingredients

You can use either chicken thighs or chicken breasts for your kebabs. Thighs are preferable as they have more fat and are less likely to dry out. However, if you are watching your fat intake, chicken breast is a good option.

For the marinade, you can use a combination of olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried herbs, and spices such as onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. You can also add a bit of sweetness with ketchup or honey.

If you want to add vegetables to your kebabs, red peppers, zucchini, and red onions are great options. These vegetables are flavourful and quick to cook. You can also add onions and peppers for some extra colour and flavour.

Preparing the Kebabs

Start by cutting your skewers to fit your air fryer if needed. Soak the skewers in water for about 15-30 minutes to prevent them from burning.

Cut your chicken and vegetables into evenly sized pieces, about 1-2 inches in size. This will help ensure even cooking.

Combine the chicken and vegetables in a large mixing bowl and add the marinade. Mix well, making sure that everything is coated. You can marinate for as little as 15 minutes or up to overnight for maximum flavour.

Skewer the chicken and vegetables onto the sticks, leaving a little space between each piece for proper air circulation. You can use about 3-4 chicken pieces per stick, alternating with the vegetables.

Preheat your air fryer to between 350-400°F. Spray the basket with oil and place the skewers inside in a single layer. You may need to cook the kebabs in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Cook for 12-20 minutes, turning the skewers over halfway through to ensure even cooking. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F when it is done.

Serving the Kebabs

These kebabs can be served as a wrap in pita bread or with a side of yellow rice, vermicelli rice, or a fresh salad. You can also serve them with a dipping sauce such as toum, a Middle Eastern garlic sauce, or a tahini-based sauce.

Frequently asked questions