Air-Fried Prawn Crackers: A Healthy Crunchy Delight

Prawn crackers are a popular snack in Southeast Asian cuisine, often served alongside meals in restaurants or bought pre-made from grocery stores. Traditionally, they are deep-fried, but this article will explore whether they can be made in an air fryer – a healthier, more convenient alternative.

How to make prawn crackers in an air fryer

Prawn crackers are a popular snack in Southeast Asian cuisine, often served alongside meals or as a garnish. Traditionally, they are deep-fried, but an air fryer can be used to achieve the same crispy texture with less oil and mess. Here is a step-by-step guide to making prawn crackers in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

• Prawn crackers (uncooked)
• Oil (vegetable, olive, or avocado)
• Sweet chili sauce or vinegar dipping sauce (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F (198-200°C).
• While the air fryer is preheating, lay out your uncooked prawn crackers on a flat surface. If they are large, you may need to cook them in batches.
• Lightly coat each prawn cracker with oil. Use a pastry brush or spray bottle to ensure an even, thin layer of oil.
• Place the oiled prawn crackers in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap.
• Cook the prawn crackers for 2-5 minutes at 390-400°F (198-200°C). Keep a close eye on them as they cook quickly and can burn easily.
• Once the crackers have puffed up and turned a light golden colour, remove them from the air fryer.
• Allow the prawn crackers to cool for a minute or two before serving. They will continue to crisp up as they cool.
• Enjoy your prawn crackers as a snack or side dish. You can serve them with a dipping sauce, such as sweet chili sauce or a vinegar-based dip.

Tips:

• Choose a high-heat oil like olive or avocado oil, which can withstand the air fryer's high temperatures without smoking.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure proper circulation of hot air and even cooking.
• Monitor the cooking process closely as prawn crackers can burn quickly.
• If your air fryer doesn't distribute heat evenly, shake the basket or use tongs to flip the crackers halfway through cooking.
• If you have a large quantity of prawn crackers, cook them in batches to maintain their quality and consistency.

Now you can enjoy your favourite prawn crackers with less oil and mess!

The ingredients required

Making prawn crackers in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying them, as it requires significantly less oil. The crackers are also just as tasty and crispy as their deep-fried counterparts.

• Prawn Crackers (Uncooked): These are the main ingredient and can be found in Asian markets or specialty stores. They come in hard, translucent discs or chips that will puff up when cooked, resulting in a light and airy texture with a subtle seafood flavour.
• Oil: A small amount of oil is needed to help the crackers crisp up and achieve the desired golden colour. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or another high-heat oil. You can also use a cooking spray or vegetable oil for a more traditional deep-fried taste.
• Sweet Chilli Sauce (Optional): A sweet chilli sauce can be the perfect dipping companion for your prawn crackers, adding a tangy and slightly spicy kick.
• Vinegar Dipping Sauce (Optional): For those who prefer a tangy dip, a simple vinegar-based sauce with a dash of sugar and chilli flakes can be a great pairing with the prawn crackers.

Other Ingredients and Variations:

While the above ingredients are essential, there are also some variations and additional ingredients you can consider:

• Cassava Crackers: If you want a vegetarian or vegan option, you can use cassava crackers instead of prawn crackers. These are made from cassava flour, tapioca flour, spices, and sometimes chillies.
• Seasonings: You can experiment with various seasonings to add extra flavour to your prawn crackers. A light sprinkle of chilli powder, pepper, or other spices can enhance the taste of your snack.
• Salt: A small amount of salt can be added to the oil or seasoning mix to enhance the flavour of the prawn crackers.
• Other Flavours: Traditional prawn crackers are flavoured with prawn meat, but you can also find variations like crab, fish, squid, and other vegetarian versions.

Step-by-step process

Ingredients:

• Prawn crackers (uncooked)
• Cooking spray or vegetable oil/olive oil/avocado oil

Method:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

• Preheat your air fryer to 390°F/198°C or 400°F/200°C.
• This ensures that the prawn crackers will start to cook and puff up as soon as they are placed in the basket.

Step 2: Prepare the Prawn Crackers

• While the air fryer is preheating, take your uncooked prawn crackers and lay them out on a flat surface.
• If you are using a large quantity of crackers, you may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
• Overcrowding can prevent hot air from circulating freely, leading to uneven cooking and puffing.

Step 3: Lightly Coat with Oil (Optional)

• Using a pastry brush or a spray bottle, lightly coat each prawn cracker with oil.
• Ensure a very light coating to avoid making the crackers greasy. You just want enough oil to help them crisp up.
• If you prefer, you can also cook the prawn crackers without oil.

Step 4: Arrange in the Air Fryer

• Place the oiled prawn crackers in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping.
• This allows for even cooking and puffing.
• If your crackers are uncooked and light, it is recommended to add a lid to the air fryer to prevent them from flying around and touching the heating element.

Step 5: Cook the Prawn Crackers

• Cook the prawn crackers for about 2-5 minutes, depending on the size of the crackers and the model of your air fryer.
• Keep a close eye on them, as they will puff up and cook quickly.
• Shake the basket halfway through the cooking time.

Step 6: Check for Doneness

• Remove the crackers from the air fryer once they have puffed up and turned light golden.
• They should be crispy and airy.

Step 7: Serve

• Allow the prawn crackers to cool for a minute or two before serving.
• They can be enjoyed on their own or with a dipping sauce such as sweet chilli sauce or a vinegar-based dip.

Step 8: Repeat (If Cooking in Batches)

If you are cooking in batches, repeat the process with the remaining prawn crackers, ensuring the air fryer is preheated before each batch.

Pros of making prawn crackers in an air fryer

There are several advantages to making prawn crackers in an air fryer. Here are some pros that might make you fall in love with this cooking method:

Healthier Option

Air frying prawn crackers significantly reduces the oil needed to cook them, making them a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-frying method. You still get the crunchy texture and delicious taste without the extra calories and fats from excess oil.

Quick and Easy

Using an air fryer speeds up the cooking process, allowing you to enjoy your prawn crackers in just a few minutes. There's no need to preheat a large amount of oil, and the air fryer does the job efficiently with minimal supervision.

Less Mess

Air frying prawn crackers means you won't have to deal with the splatter and cleanup of deep frying. This simplifies the cooking process, resulting in less mess to clean up afterward.

Even Cooking

The circulating hot air in an air fryer ensures that prawn crackers cook evenly, resulting in a perfectly puffed and crispy snack every time. This uniform cooking method reduces the risk of some crackers being over or undercooked, which can happen with traditional frying methods.

Safety

Cooking with an air fryer is generally safer than using a deep fryer or a pot of hot oil on the stove. There is less risk of burns from oil splatters, making it a safer option, especially in households with children.

Versatility

While prawn crackers are traditionally shrimp-flavored, using an air fryer allows you to experiment with various seasonings and types of crackers. You can explore flavors beyond the traditional, catering to all taste preferences.

Tips for making prawn crackers in an air fryer

• Preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F (198-200°C).
• If you want to make your prawn crackers oil-free, simply add them to the air fryer. If you prefer, you can drizzle half to one teaspoon of vegetable oil or olive oil on the uncooked prawn crackers. Stir it through to coat the crackers before adding them to the air fryer.
• Place the raw prawn crackers in the air fryer basket. It is recommended to add a lid, as uncooked prawn crackers are light and can fly around the air fryer and touch the heating element.
• Cook the prawn crackers for 2-5 minutes, depending on their size. Shake the basket halfway through the cooking time.
• Remove the prawn crackers and let them cool for a couple of minutes, as they will continue to crisp up.
• Serve the prawn crackers with a dipping sauce, such as sweet chilli sauce or a vinegar-based dip.
• If you are cooking a large quantity, it is recommended to cook the prawn crackers in batches rather than overcrowding the air fryer basket, which can prevent hot air from circulating freely.
• If your air fryer does not distribute heat evenly, you may need to shake the basket or use tongs to flip the crackers halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.

Frequently asked questions