Air Fryer Artichoke: A Healthy, Tasty Treat?

Air fryer artichokes are a simple and delicious dish that can be served as an appetizer, side, or snack. They are also a great way to cook artichokes if you're short on time, as they take significantly less time than cooking them in the oven. In this article, we will explore the steps to prepare and cook artichokes in an air fryer, as well as some tips and tricks to ensure they turn out perfectly.

How to pick out a good artichoke

Yes, you can cook artichokes in an air fryer! But how do you pick out a good artichoke?

First, look for an artichoke with deep green, glossy leaves that are tightly packed together. The leaves should be vibrant and, ideally, a little hairy. If the artichoke has a few brown bits on the tips of the leaves, that's okay—it will just add flavour when cooked.

Next, give the artichoke a gentle squeeze. A fresh artichoke will feel heavy for its size and make a slight squeaking sound. If it feels spongy or soft, it's too old.

Artichokes are best in spring (March and April) and autumn, so try to buy them in season.

How to prepare artichokes for the air fryer

Preparing artichokes for the air fryer is simple! Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, you will need to trim the artichokes. Start by plucking off the bottom outer leaves of the artichoke, near the stem. Depending on the size of the artichoke, you will likely need to remove around 6-8 leaves. Then, cut off the bottom of the stem and trim off the top of the artichoke. You can cut off the top half-inch, or for more precision, trim off the top third of the artichoke.

Next, you will need to trim the tips of the leaves. The tips can be a little prickly, so it is important to cut off the top quarter to half an inch of each leaf. Use a serrated knife or kitchen shears for this step.

Now, cut the artichoke in half, working from the stem up through the top of the artichoke. You may want to use a large, sharp knife for this step.

The next step is to remove the choke, which is the fuzzy centre of the artichoke. Use a spoon to scrape out the fuzzy parts and everything in the middle that aren't the leaves.

Artichokes will brown quickly after being cut, so as soon as you have finished prepping, rub all around the cut edges with a lemon wedge to prevent browning.

Finally, before placing the artichokes in the air fryer, you can add some flavour! Drizzle the cut sides with olive oil, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You could also add some lemon juice for extra flavour and to further prevent browning.

Now your artichokes are ready for the air fryer!

How long to cook artichokes in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook artichokes in an air fryer! The cooking time will depend on the size of your artichokes and the air fryer you own.

If you decide not to preheat your air fryer, add 2-3 minutes to the overall cooking time. For medium-sized artichokes, 12 minutes is a good starting point. Check if they are done by peeling off the outer leaves – if they come off easily, they are ready. For large artichokes, increase the cooking time to 17-20 minutes.

How to Cook Artichokes in an Air Fryer:

First, prep the artichokes by rinsing them and removing some of the outer leaves. Cut off the stems and the tips of the artichokes. You can also trim the tips off all the leaves, as they can be pointed and prickly. Then, cut the artichokes in half.

Next, remove the choke (the tiny, pointy fibers in the center of the artichoke heart) using a spoon or knife. Squeeze lemon juice over the cut sides of the artichokes to prevent them from turning brown.

Drizzle the artichokes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder. Place the artichokes in the air fryer basket, cut-side down, and cook at 340-350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-12 minutes. Flip them over and cook for an additional 2-4 minutes, or until they are tender.

Once they are done, remove the artichokes from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. You can sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top, if desired. Serve with a dipping sauce, such as garlic aioli, melted butter, or mayonnaise.

Enjoy your delicious and healthy air-fried artichokes!

What to serve with air-fried artichokes

Air-fried artichokes are a delicious appetizer or side dish that can be served with a variety of dips and sauces. Here are some ideas for what to serve with them:

Dips and Sauces

Artichokes are often served with a dipping sauce, and there are many options to choose from. Some popular choices include garlic aioli, whipped feta dip, ranch dressing, blue cheese dip, alioli, or simply melted butter or mayonnaise. You can also get creative and make your own dip using ingredients like garlic, black pepper, dill, paprika, and lemon juice.

Main Courses

Air-fried artichokes make a great side dish for a variety of main courses. They go well with chicken dishes, such as orange chicken wings or baked brie. You can also serve them with a sandwich, pizza, or pasta. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, try serving them with a vegetarian mezze platter or a lettuce salad with feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and a white balsamic vinaigrette.

Appetizers

If you're serving air-fried artichokes as an appetizer, you can pair them with other appetizers such as baked brie, orange chicken wings, ham & jalapeno air fryer pinwheels, or air fryer sticky chicken wings.

Drinks

While not a food, it's worth noting that artichokes go well with a variety of drinks. If you're serving alcohol, a crisp white wine or a light beer would pair nicely with air-fried artichokes. For non-alcoholic options, consider offering lemonade, iced tea, or a refreshing herbal tea.

Desserts

For dessert, consider something light and refreshing to follow the rich flavors of the artichokes. Some options could include a fruit-based dessert, such as a berry cobbler or a lemon tart, or a creamy option like a panna cotta or crème brûlée.

Remember, air-fried artichokes are quite versatile, so feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations of flavors and dishes!

How to eat artichokes

Artichokes can be intimidating to cook and eat, but they are not difficult to prepare. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to eat them:

Preparation

Artichokes can be boiled, grilled, braised, steamed, or stuffed and baked. However, steaming is the best method as boiling can waterlog them, and dry heat can dry them out.

To prepare artichokes for steaming, start by cutting off the stems so that they stand upright in the steamer basket. Then, slice off the top inch or so of the petals to create a flat top and reveal the yellow interior. This will remove most of the thorns from the tips of the leaves. If any thorns remain, simply snip them off with kitchen shears.

Next, drizzle the top of the artichoke with olive oil and insert a garlic clove into the center. Sprinkle with salt and squeeze some lemon juice over it. Place the artichoke face-up in the steamer basket and steam for about 45 minutes.

Eating

Artichokes can be eaten hot or cold. Start by pulling off one petal or leaf from the base of the artichoke. Dip the white, fleshy end of the leaf into a sauce or melted butter, then pull it through your teeth to scrape away and eat the soft, pulpy portion. Discard the remaining part of the leaf.

Continue pulling off and eating the leaves one at a time. As you progress towards the center, the leaves will become more tender, and the edible portions will get larger.

Eventually, you will reach the hairy choke, which is the undeveloped flower in the center. Do not eat this—it will be unpleasant and may even choke you! Instead, use a spoon or teaspoon to scrape away and discard the choke.

What remains is the artichoke heart, which is considered the best part. Cut into it with a knife and fork and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions