Spam In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Spam is a beloved food product, especially among Hawaiians and Asians, and can be served in many different ways. It was introduced to Hawaii during World War II as a fast and easy way to feed soldiers and has since become a staple in Hawaiian cooking. You can cook it in a pan or in an air fryer. Cooking spam in an air fryer is much easier and faster as you can cook several slices at once without the need for excess oil. It turns out super crispy and delicious.

Spam musubi: a Hawaiian snack made with rice, furikake, nori seaweed, and spam

Spam musubi is a popular snack native to Hawaii. It is made by wrapping marinated cooked spam and rice in nori (seaweed). The rice is typically seasoned with furikake, a Japanese seaweed seasoning. The spam is often glazed with a teriyaki-style sauce.

To make this delicious snack, start by cooking the rice. While the rice is cooking, slice the spam lengthwise into 7-10 pieces and marinate in a sauce made from sugar, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Heat oil in a skillet and cook the spam slices until lightly browned. Cut the nori sheets in half and lay them on a flat surface. Place a rice press in the centre of a sheet and press rice inside. Top with a slice of spam and remove the press. Wrap the nori around the rice and spam, sealing the edges with a small amount of water. Serve warm or chilled.

You can also make spam musubi using a special musubi mold. Cut the nori to your desired width and lay it on a clean surface. Place the mold over the centre of the nori and add a base layer of rice, using the press to make it even. Add the spam slice and carefully lift the outer mold. Wrap the nori around the stack and serve.

If you don't have a mold, you can use your hands to form rice balls or use a clean, empty spam can as a mold. Line the can with cling wrap and scoop rice inside, using a spoon to flatten it out. Top with a slice of spam and lift out of the can using the cling wrap. Centre a nori sheet over the spam and wrap it around the stack.

Spam musubi can also be made in an air fryer. Slice the spam into 8 equal pieces and marinate in a mixture of brown sugar and shoyu. Place the slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Serve as desired.

Marinade: a quick marinade can be made with brown sugar and shoyu (Japanese soy sauce)

Spam is a beloved food product, especially among Hawaiians and Asians, and it can be cooked in an air fryer. It is an easy and fast way to prepare this classic Hawaiian dish.

A quick and easy marinade can be made with brown sugar and shoyu (Japanese soy sauce). This marinade will give the Spam a smoky and sweet flavour, similar to honey-baked ham. The brown sugar and shoyu should be mixed in a shallow pan, and the Spam slices placed in the sauce to marinate for 10-15 minutes.

After marinating, the Spam slices can be placed in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cooked for 10 minutes at 400°F, flipping the slices halfway through. The cooking time can be increased slightly for crispier results.

Spam cooked in an air fryer can be served in many different ways. It can be served with rice and nori to create katsu musubi, or with white rice and a fried egg. It can also be chopped up for a salad, paired with pan-fried potatoes, or used in a sandwich.

Temperature and timing: air fry spam at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through

Air-frying is a great way to cook spam, and it only takes a few minutes to get it crispy and delicious. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect temperature and timing for air-fried spam:

Temperature: 400°F

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. This temperature will take your spam from a humble pantry staple to a crispy, golden treat. It is the secret to achieving those amazing crispy edges that make cooked spam so delicious. It is important to allow your air fryer to preheat properly before adding the spam slices. This ensures even cooking and the perfect texture.

Timing: 10 minutes, flipping halfway through

Once your air fryer has preheated to 400°F, you're ready to cook your spam. Place the spam slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Set the timer for 10 minutes. Flipping the spam slices halfway through, or at the 5-minute mark, is crucial to ensuring even browning and cooking on all sides.

Depending on your desired level of crispiness, you can increase the cooking time slightly. For a crispier texture, add a minute or two to the total cooking time. However, keep a close eye on the spam to avoid overcooking or burning.

Tips for Perfect Timing and Temperature

• Always preheat your air fryer to 400°F before adding the spam slices.
• Cut the spam into even slices to ensure uniform cooking.
• Arrange the spam slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket for proper air circulation.
• Flip the spam slices halfway through the cooking time.
• For crispier spam, increase the cooking time by a minute or two, monitoring closely to avoid overcooking.

By following these temperature and timing guidelines, you'll achieve perfectly cooked spam with a delightful crispy exterior and juicy interior.

Serving suggestions: serve spam with rice and a fried egg, or chop it up for a salad, or with pan-fried potatoes

Spam is a popular dish in Hawaii and Korea, where it is often served with eggs and rice. To make this dish, marinate cubed or sliced spam in a mixture of soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, and garlic powder. Fry the spam in a pan with vegetable oil for 2-3 minutes until slightly crispy. Then, pour in the marinade and stir for another 2 minutes or until the spam is coated in a glossy sauce.

In a separate pan, scramble your eggs. For a traditional Hawaiian-style breakfast, serve the spam and eggs with white rice. You can also add ketchup or hot sauce on the side.

Another option is to pair your air-fried spam with pan-fried potatoes. To make this dish, cut the spam into cubes and fry them in a skillet with potatoes, peppers, and onions. You can also add bacon drippings for extra flavor. Serve this dish with a fried egg on top and a sprinkle of shredded cheese and black pepper.

Finally, your air-fried spam can be chopped up and added to a salad. For a simple salad, combine chopped spam with hard-boiled eggs, celery, sweet pickle relish, minced onion, and mayonnaise.

Seasoning: add spices or seasonings to taste, with a touch of oil so the herbs stick

Seasoning is a great way to elevate your spam dish and make it your own. After slicing your spam into equal pieces, you can add your desired spices and seasonings. A touch of oil will help the herbs stick to the surface of the meat.

There are many ways to season your spam, and you can get creative with it. For a simple option, you can use garlic powder or paprika. You could also brush your spam with a honey and sriracha mix for a sweet and spicy kick. If you're feeling adventurous, coat your spam with teriyaki sauce for an Asian-inspired twist.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different spices and sauces to find your favourite flavour combinations. You can also try marinating your spam before cooking, as mentioned in some recipes. A marinade of brown sugar and shoyu (Japanese soy sauce) can add a smoky and sweet flavour to your dish.

Remember, the key to successful seasoning is to ensure the herbs stick to the meat, so don't skip the oil! You can use any type of oil, such as sesame oil or a cooking spray, to help the seasonings adhere to the surface. This will ensure your spam is packed with flavour.

Frequently asked questions