Air-Fryer Scrapple: A Tasty, Quick Treat

Scrapple is a traditional American food that originated in Pennsylvania and is often described as a type of pork-based meatloaf or sausage patty. It is typically made from pork scraps, cornmeal, and various spices. The mush is then formed into a loaf, cooked until solidified, and sliced into individual servings. It is known for its crispy exterior and soft, savory interior. While scrapple is usually pan-fried, it can also be cooked in an air fryer, yielding a crispy and delicious result.

How to make crispy scrapple in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Scrapple
• Cooking spray (optional)

Utensils

• Air fryer
• Cutting board
• Knife

Method

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 375–400°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.

While the air fryer is preheating, cut the scrapple into slices. The slices should be around 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, and you should end up with about 8–14 slices from a 1-pound brick of scrapple.

Next, place the scrapple slices in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not touching. You may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.

Cook the scrapple for 8–19 minutes at 375–400°F (190°C). Flip the slices halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning. The scrapple is done when it is golden brown and crispy.

Once the scrapple is cooked to your desired level of crispiness, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool for a minute or two before serving.

Tips

• You can spray the scrapple slices with cooking oil before placing them in the air fryer for enhanced crispiness.
• Avoid flipping the scrapple too early, as it is very loose and fragile before it crisps up.
• If you prefer thicker slices of scrapple, increase the cooking time to ensure it cooks through and becomes crispy.
• There is no need to grease the air fryer before cooking scrapple, as it has a high enough fat content.
• If you are cooking thicker slices, you may need to increase the cooking time to 15–20 minutes.
• You do not need to preheat the air fryer before cooking scrapple.

Serving Suggestions

Scrapple can be served as a breakfast meat, similar to bacon, sausage, or turkey bacon. It goes well with eggs, toast, pancakes, or as part of a breakfast sandwich. It can also be served with traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dips like apple butter, jelly, or maple syrup.

How to prepare scrapple for the air fryer

Scrapple is a traditional American food that originated in Pennsylvania and is popular in the Dutch and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. It is made from pork scraps combined with cornmeal and spices. Typically, it is formed into a loaf, cooked until solidified, and then sliced and pan-fried until golden brown.

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes. This ensures that the scrapple will start cooking immediately, helping to achieve a crispy texture.

Step 2: Slice the Scrapple

Cut the scrapple into slices of your desired thickness. Slices that are around 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick work well. You can also cut the scrapple into scrapple fries if you prefer. The thinner the slices, the crispier the scrapple will be.

Step 3: Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket

Place the scrapple slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they aren't touching. This allows for even cooking and helps to avoid overcrowding.

Step 4: Air Fry

Set the air fryer temperature to 400 degrees F and cook the scrapple for 8-10 minutes. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on your desired level of crispiness and the thickness of your slices.

Step 5: Flip and Cook the Other Side

After the initial cooking time, flip the scrapple slices over and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes. This ensures even browning and crispness on both sides.

Step 6: Check for Doneness

Keep an eye on the scrapple during the last few minutes of cooking. When done, the scrapple should be golden brown and crispy. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model.

Step 7: Serve

Once the scrapple is cooked to your desired level of crispiness, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool for a minute or two. Then, serve it hot with your favorite breakfast sides, such as eggs, toast, or pancakes.

Tips for Making Crispy Scrapple in the Air Fryer:

• Preheat the air fryer to ensure immediate cooking and a crispy texture.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Place the slices in a single layer with space between them for even cooking.
• Lightly spray or brush the scrapple slices with cooking oil before air frying to enhance crispiness.
• Flip the slices halfway through the cooking time to achieve even browning and crispness on both sides.
• Keep an eye on the scrapple during the last few minutes of cooking, as cooking times may vary depending on slice thickness and your air fryer model.
• Remove the scrapple from the air fryer when it reaches your desired level of crispiness.
• Serve with condiments like ketchup, maple syrup, or apple butter.
• Experiment with seasonings: before air frying, you can season the scrapple slices with herbs, spices, or seasoning blends to add extra flavor.

By following these steps and tips, you can enjoy perfectly crispy and delicious scrapple prepared in your air fryer!

Air fryer temperature and timing

The ideal temperature for cooking scrapple in an air fryer is 375°F to 400°F (190°C). The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the scrapple slices and your preference for crispiness.

For 1/4-inch slices, cook the scrapple for 8-10 minutes at 375°F (190°C). If you prefer thicker slices, such as 1/2-inch, increase the cooking time to 15-20 minutes at the same temperature. You can also cook scrapple at 400°F for 9 minutes on each side.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model, so keep an eye on the scrapple during the last few minutes of cooking. Additionally, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer for 3-5 minutes before adding the scrapple.

When cooking scrapple in an air fryer, it is best to arrange the slices in a single layer with no overlapping. This ensures even cooking and prevents overcrowding in the air fryer basket. You may need to cook the scrapple in batches if you have a smaller air fryer.

For optimal crispiness, flip the scrapple slices halfway through the cooking time. This will ensure even browning and crispness on both sides.

With these temperature and timing guidelines, you can achieve perfectly cooked scrapple with a crispy exterior and a soft, tender interior.

Tips for making scrapple in the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 375–400°F (190°C) for about 3–5 minutes. This ensures that the scrapple will start cooking immediately and helps to achieve that desired crispy texture.

Slice the scrapple evenly

Cut the scrapple into slices of your desired thickness, typically between 1/4–1/2 inch thick. Slicing the scrapple evenly ensures that it cooks uniformly. If you prefer thinner or thicker slices, adjust your cooking time accordingly.

Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket

Place the scrapple slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they aren't overlapping or touching. This allows for even cooking and helps prevent sticking. Cook in batches if necessary.

Spray with cooking oil

Lightly spray or brush the scrapple slices with cooking oil before placing them in the air fryer. This helps enhance the crispiness of the exterior without the need for excessive oil.

Flip halfway through

Flip the scrapple slices halfway through the cooking time to achieve even browning and crispness on both sides. For most air fryers, this will be after about 10 minutes of cooking.

Check for doneness

Keep an eye on the scrapple during the last few minutes of cooking, as the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the slices and the model of your air fryer. Remove the scrapple from the air fryer when it reaches your desired level of crispiness.

Serve with condiments

Scrapple pairs well with a variety of condiments such as ketchup, maple syrup, or apple butter. Consider offering these on the side for dipping or drizzling.

Experiment with seasonings

Before air-frying, you can season the scrapple slices with herbs, spices, or seasoning blends to add extra flavor to your dish.

Serving suggestions for scrapple

Scrapple is a traditional American food that originated in Pennsylvania and is popular in the Dutch and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. It is made from pork scraps, cornmeal, and spices, and is usually served for breakfast. Here are some serving suggestions for scrapple:

Classic Scrapple Dishes

Scrapple is often sliced and fried until crispy, then served as a breakfast side dish. It can be accompanied by eggs, toast, or a breakfast sandwich. Here are some classic scrapple dishes:

• Apple Cinnamon Scrapple Pancakes: A unique combination of apple cinnamon and scrapple, topped with artisanal maple or spiced apple syrup, and fresh apple slices.
• Scrapple Egg Benedict: A twist on the classic brunch dish, this version includes scrapple, poached egg, and hollandaise sauce.
• Scrapple Breakfast Tacos: A blend of the savory taste of scrapple with classic taco ingredients like avocado, cilantro, tomatoes, and lime juice.
• Scrapple Hash Browns: The traditional meat is paired with hash browns, offering a contrast in textures and flavours.
• Scrapple BLT Sandwich: A classic BLT sandwich with the addition of scrapple. Condiments such as aioli, spicy mustard, sweet chutney, or herb-infused mayo can be used.

Creative Scrapple Combinations

• Scrapple Cornbread Stuffing: A twist on traditional stuffing, combining cornbread and scrapple for a rich and innovative dish.
• Scrapple Pizza: A unique pizza with scrapple as a topping, served with various sauces and creative toppings.
• Scrapple Cheesy Bake: A comforting dish that combines scrapple with melted cheese, served with a crisp salad.
• Scrapple Maple Syrup Drizzle: A generous drizzle of maple syrup over scrapple for a sweet and savoury combination.
• Scrapple Quiche Lorraine: Incorporating scrapple into a quiche Lorraine for a unique twist on the classic dish.
• Scrapple Veggie Stir-Fry: A vibrant dish that combines scrapple with a diverse selection of vegetables and stir-fry sauces.
• Scrapple Sweet Potato Hash: A blend of the savoury taste of scrapple with the sweetness of sweet potatoes, offering a nutritious and satisfying breakfast option.
• Scrapple Apple Fritters: A unique combination of crisp fritters and the flavour of scrapple, served with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup.
• Scrapple Grilled Cheese: A savoury twist on the classic comfort food, combining crispy scrapple with melted cheese and additions like caramelised onions or apple slices.

Frequently asked questions