Air-Fried Sushi: Is It Possible?

Air-fried sushi is a modern twist on the traditional Japanese dish. It involves preparing sushi using an air fryer instead of the usual methods such as grilling or deep-frying. The ingredients remain the same – vinegared rice, seafood or vegetables, and nori seaweed sheets – but the air fryer reduces the oil used, making it a healthier alternative. The process involves assembling the ingredients on a bamboo mat, coating the roll with panko breadcrumbs, and air frying for 10-15 minutes. The result is a crispy exterior with a tender, flavoursome filling.

Air-fried sushi benefits

Air-fried sushi is a modern take on the traditional Japanese dish, made possible by the recent innovation of air fryers. This cooking method uses hot air circulation to cook food, resulting in several benefits for sushi enthusiasts.

Healthier Alternative

One of the main advantages of air-fried sushi is its health benefits. Air fryers require significantly less oil than traditional frying methods, reducing the calorie and fat content of the dish. This makes air-fried sushi a great option for those conscious of their weight or maintaining a healthy diet.

Convenience and Time-Saving

Air fryers offer a convenient way to prepare sushi at home, eliminating the need for deep-frying, which can be messy and time-consuming. They also cook food faster than conventional methods, making them ideal for busy individuals seeking a quick, tasty meal.

Versatility and Customisation

Air-fried sushi allows for experimentation with different ingredients and flavours. You can create unique rolls with various toppings or sauces, expanding the possibilities beyond traditional methods.

Easy Reheating

In addition to cooking sushi from scratch, air fryers are excellent for reheating leftover sushi. They preserve the delicate taste and texture, maintaining a crispy outer layer while keeping the filling juicy and flavourful.

Efficiency

Air fryers are highly efficient, delivering crispy and evenly heated food. They strike a perfect balance, avoiding the downsides of microwaves, which can make food mushy, and ovens, which can take longer to cook.

Reduced Kitchen Smells

Air fryers are also advantageous as they reduce lingering kitchen smells associated with cooking sushi using other methods.

Tips for Optimal Results

To ensure the best results when air-frying sushi:

• Use fresh sushi rolls as frozen sushi may turn out soggy.
• Lightly coat the sushi with oil to achieve a crispy exterior without using too much oil, which can lead to sogginess.
• Preheat the air fryer for even cooking and the desired texture.
• Flip the sushi halfway through cooking to ensure even crispiness on both sides.
• Experiment with toppings like sesame seeds or panko breadcrumbs.
• Avoid toppings with mayonnaise-based sauces or cream cheese, as they may become runny or oily when cooked in an air fryer.

In conclusion, air-fried sushi offers a range of benefits, including health, convenience, versatility, and efficiency. It is an excellent option for those seeking a tasty, crispy sushi experience with reduced oil and calories.

Reheating sushi in an air fryer

Air fryers are a fantastic, healthy alternative to microwaves and ovens when it comes to reheating food. They can deliver crispy and evenly heated food without drying it out, and are much quicker than an oven.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to around 360F (182C) and let it heat up for about 3-4 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare your sushi

Lay out your sushi on a plate and lightly mist it with water or cooking spray to prevent it from drying out.

Step 3: Arrange in the basket

Place the sushi rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Reheat for about 6-8 minutes, checking midway through to ensure even heating. The exact time will depend on the type and size of the sushi pieces.

Once done, carefully remove the sushi from the basket and let it cool for a minute before serving.

Additional tips

If you're a fan of smoky flavours, you can add a small element of that flavour by using a smoke infuser or smoke gun. You could also serve your sushi with a light barbecue dipping sauce.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Overcrowding the basket: this will lead to uneven reheating and can ruin your sushi.
• Using a high temperature: this can dry out your sushi and make it too crispy.
• Reheating for too long: monitor the time closely as the goal is to reheat, not cook your sushi.

Air fryer sushi bowl

Sushi bowls are a beautiful mix of rice, fish, and vegetables. They are healthy and tasty, and can be served as an appetizer or main course. This guide will take you through the steps to make your own air fryer sushi bowl at home.

Ingredients

• Rice: Jasmine or Sushi Rice
• Sauces: Japanese Mayonnaise, Soy Sauce, or Sriracha Sauce
• Vegetables: English Cucumbers, Avocado, Water Chestnuts, Carrots, Beans, Snap Peas, Radishes, and Lemons.
• Protein: Fish: Choose from salmon, eel, squid, halibut, tuna, or even crab meat.

Method

• Start by cooking the rice. If you have an Instant Pot, make Jasmine or Sushi Rice and let it cool down slightly.
• Slice all of your vegetables.
• Season your salmon (or other protein) with salt and black pepper. Preheat your Air Fryer to 400 degrees F, and air fry for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the salmon is done to your liking.
• Build your bowl: Add the rice, vegetables, and salmon, then drizzle with the sauce.
• Plate, serve, and enjoy!

Tips

You can make some components of your sushi bowl beforehand to save time, such as the rice and slicing the vegetables.

Storage

The sushi bowl, once assembled, can be stored in the refrigerator for about a day. Place the ingredients into an airtight container and store them in the fridge.

Air fryer sushi bake

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of sushi rice
• Nori sheets
• Tempura shrimp
• Avocado
• Spicy mayo
• Flour
• Egg
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Oil

Method

• Use a sushi rolling mat and put some plastic wrap on it so your sushi won't stick.
• Place your nori sheet with the rough side facing up.
• With wet hands, grab your sushi rice and press down onto the nori sheet to cover it completely with a thin and even layer.
• Flip over the sheet so the rice is now on the bottom.
• Place your tempura shrimp in a straight line, then add the avocado and spicy mayo.
• Roll the sushi with the mat and press down firmly.
• Dip the sushi in flour, then egg, and then panko.
• Lightly coat the sushi with oil or spray oil.
• Air fry for 5 minutes at 400°F or until golden brown and crispy.
• Slice with a sharp knife into 8 pieces.

Tips

• Use fresh sushi—avoid using frozen sushi as it may turn out soggy.
• Preheat the air fryer for even cooking and achieving the desired texture.
• Flip the sushi halfway through cooking to ensure even crispiness.
• Experiment with different toppings such as sesame seeds or panko breadcrumbs.
• Avoid using mayonnaise-based sauces or cream cheese as toppings, as they may become runny or oily when cooked in the air fryer.

Variations

You can also try making a vegan version of this recipe by replacing the tempura shrimp with other ingredients such as roasted sweet potato, vegan cream cheese, cucumber strips, or air fryer tofu.

Air fryer sushi rolls

Ingredients

• Sushi rice
• Nori seaweed sheets
• Tempura shrimp
• Avocado
• Spicy mayo
• Flour
• Egg
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Soy sauce
• Wasabi

Method

• Use a sushi rolling mat and put some plastic wrap on it so your sushi won't stick.
• Place your nori sheet with the rough side facing up.
• With wet hands, grab your sushi rice and press down onto the nori sheet to cover it completely with a thin and even layer.
• Flip over the sheet so the rice is now on the bottom.
• Place your tempura shrimp in a straight line, then add the avocado and spicy mayo.
• Roll the sushi with the mat and press down firmly.
• Dip the sushi in flour, then egg, and then panko.
• Air fry for 5 minutes at 400°F or 10 minutes at 390°F.
• Slice the sushi with a sharp knife into 8 pieces.

Tips

• Use fresh sushi, as frozen sushi may turn out soggy and not as crispy.
• Lightly coat the sushi with oil before cooking to achieve a crispier texture.
• Preheat the air fryer for even cooking and to achieve the desired texture.
• Flip the sushi halfway through cooking to ensure even crispiness.
• Experiment with different toppings such as sesame seeds or panko breadcrumbs.
• Avoid using mayonnaise-based sauces or cream cheese as toppings, as they may turn out runny or oily.

Frequently asked questions