Air-Frying Cucumbers: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can put cucumbers in the air fryer! In fact, air-fried cucumbers are a delicious, crunchy, and healthy snack that can be served as an appetizer or side dish. They are simple and quick to make, requiring very little oil, and no preheating of the air fryer. You can season them with olive oil, salt, pepper, and spices like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and mustard sauce. The cucumbers are typically sliced into rounds, tossed in the seasoning, and then air-fried until crispy. They can be served with a dip of your choice, such as ranch dressing or tzatziki sauce.

Air fryer cucumber chips

Ingredients

• 1 cucumber, sliced about 1/4" thick
• 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Olive oil spray or any non-stick cooking spray
• Flour
• Egg

Method

• Slice the cucumber. Lay the slices on paper towels to remove moisture from the outsides.
• In a bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. In another bowl, whisk an egg. In a third bowl, pour some flour.
• Dunk each cucumber slice first in the flour, then the egg, and then coat with the breadcrumbs.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray and lay the coated cucumber slices inside in a single layer.
• Cook for about 8-15 minutes, flipping them over halfway through. Remove from the air fryer when they are as crispy as you'd like. You can get them extra crispy by spraying olive oil spray on top, 2 minutes before the cook time is complete.

Tips

• It is best to put food into a hot air fryer basket. Preheat the air fryer before adding the cucumber slices.
• If you want to make dehydrated cucumber chips, you can add garlic powder and onion powder. Slice the cucumber with a mandolin slicer, spray the slices with oil, and dry them in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 6 minutes, flipping them halfway until crispy.
• If you want to make low-carb cucumber chips, you can soak the cucumber slices in vinegar for 15 minutes before cooking. Then, sprinkle on some sea salt and cook as directed until crispy. Season with salt and pepper to taste when done.

Air fryer cucumber fritters

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup – Soy milk/Almond milk
• 1 tsp – Cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp – Onion powder
• 1 tsp – Garlic powder
• 1 tsp – Black pepper
• Cucumber
• Breadcrumbs
• Oil

Method:

• Into the almond milk, add cayenne pepper, onion powder, sea salt, garlic powder, and black pepper powder. Mix everything together.
• Take one piece of cucumber and dip it in the almond milk mixture.
• Coat the cucumber in breadcrumbs.
• In the same manner, prepare all the cucumber pieces in the same way.
• Grease the air fryer with some oil.
• Place the crumbed cucumber pieces.
• Spread some oil on top.
• Set the air fryer mode to 200°C or 350°F.
• Set the timer for 4 minutes.
• Take it out. Serve hot.

Tips:

• Before cutting the cucumber, thoroughly clean it using clean water, then cut both ends of the cucumber and scrub the surface a little, and remove the ends and again wash it. Give gentle pressure when rinsing.
• Buy firm cucumbers with a deep, glossy green color, without any dents or blemishes. Press lightly all over and examine its firmness. Always purchase cucumbers that are firm and look fresh.
• For 5 minutes at 360°F, close up the Air Fryer and cook the fritters, flipping them halfway and then spraying with spray halfway.

Storage:

Cucumber fritters are best made fresh as they become soft if kept for too long. However, you can store the almond mixture for up to four days in an airtight container.

Air fryer cucumbers with ranch seasoning and dip

Ingredients

• 2 medium-sized cucumbers
• Olive oil spray
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Ranch seasoning
• Dip of your choice (Ranch dressing or Tzatziki sauce)

Optional Ingredients

• 1 cup of milk or buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 1 cup of Panko plain or flavored breadcrumbs
• 1/3 cup of fried chicken flour mix or flour with salt
• 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese

Instructions

• Thinly slice the cucumbers into even rounds, leaving the skin on.
• Pat the cucumber slices dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
• In a bowl, combine salt, garlic powder, paprika, and ranch seasoning.
• Place the cucumber slices on a plate or baking sheet. Lightly spray with olive oil spray and sprinkle the seasoning mix over the slices.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for about 5 minutes.
• Place the seasoned cucumber slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap.
• Cook the cucumbers at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or 380°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time, until they are golden brown and crispy.
• Serve with your chosen dip and enjoy!

Tips

• For a dairy-free and egg-free version, coat the cucumber slices in a flour and salt mixture, dip them in a flour/water batter, and then coat them with Panko breadcrumbs and spices.
• If you want to bread your cucumbers, you can follow the steps below:

• Set up three bowls: one with a flour and salt mixture, one with a whisked egg and milk, and one with breadcrumbs and seasonings.
• Toss the cucumber slices in the flour mixture to coat them.
• Dip each cucumber slice in the egg wash.
• Toss the cucumbers in the breadcrumb mixture, place them into a greased air fryer basket, and lightly spray with oil.

Air fryer cucumbers as a healthy snack

Air-fried cucumbers are a delicious, crunchy, and nutritious snack that can be served as an appetizer or side dish. They are also a great way to use up any leftover cucumber slices.

Ingredients:

You will need the following basic ingredients:

• Cucumber: Either 1 English cucumber or 2 Lebanese/Persian cucumbers.
• Flour: Tapioca flour or regular all-purpose flour.
• Egg: To help the crumbs stick to the cucumbers.
• Breadcrumbs: Use Panko, Italian breadcrumbs, regular, or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
• Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Oil: Olive oil, or any other vegan oil of your choice.

Instructions:

• Wash and slice the cucumbers: Wash the cucumbers and pat them dry with a kitchen cloth. Slice them into rounds or thick slices, leaving the skin on.
• Prepare the coating: In one bowl, add a whisked egg. In another bowl, add the flour. In a third bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and seasonings.
• Coat the cucumbers: Toss the cucumber slices in the flour to coat them, then dip them in the egg wash, and finally, toss them in the breadcrumb mixture.
• Air fry: Place the coated cucumber slices in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not crowded together. Lightly spray with oil and air fry at 180°C/350°F for 15 minutes. You can also bake them in the oven at the same temperature for the same amount of time, flipping them halfway through.
• Serve: Air fryer cucumbers are best served immediately as they will slowly lose their crispness. You can serve them with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing or tzatziki sauce.

Tips:

• Do not crowd the air fryer basket: Space out the cucumber slices to allow hot air to circulate and ensure even crisping.
• Leave the skin on: The skin helps the cucumbers hold their shape and prevents them from becoming too watery.
• Dry the cucumbers: Make sure the cucumbers are dried thoroughly after washing to ensure crispness.
• Store leftovers: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but they will slowly lose their crispness.

Air fryer cucumbers are a unique and tasty snack that is sure to impress. They are a great alternative to traditional deep-fried snacks, as they use very little oil and are healthier. So, the next time you are looking for a crunchy and nutritious snack, give air fryer cucumbers a try!

Air fryer cucumbers: breading and seasoning

Breading

If you're looking to make breaded cucumber slices in the air fryer, there are a few simple steps to follow. First, prepare your cucumbers by slicing them into rounds about 1cm or 1/4-inch thick, leaving the skin on. Set up three bowls: one with whisked egg, one with flour (tapioca, regular, or gluten-free flour all work), and one with breadcrumbs and seasonings of your choice. You can use Italian breadcrumbs, Panko, or regular breadcrumbs, depending on your preference.

Now, it's time to bread the cucumbers. Toss the cucumber slices in flour, then dip them in the egg wash, and finally, toss them in the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure to coat them well. Once they're breaded, place them into a greased air fryer basket, lightly spray them with oil, and they're ready to be air-fried!

Seasoning

When it comes to seasoning your air fryer cucumbers, you have a variety of options to choose from. Here are some popular choices:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Italian seasoning
• Paprika
• Ranch seasoning
• Red chili powder
• Turmeric powder

You can also get creative and experiment with other seasonings like dill, Parmesan cheese, cayenne pepper, or chili powder.

Cooking Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 180°C/350°F or 390°F, depending on the recipe you follow. Place the breaded cucumber slices in the air fryer basket, making sure they're not overcrowded, and air fry for about 15 minutes. For oven baking, you can bake them at the same temperature for 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy air fryer cucumbers that are perfect for snacking or serving as an appetizer. Enjoy them with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing or Tzatziki sauce.

Frequently asked questions