Air Fryer Wood Plank: Is It Possible?

Cooking with a wood plank, especially cedar, is a great way to impart a subtle smoky, woody flavour to your food. It is often used for cooking salmon, where the plank also provides a barrier to prevent the fish from sticking to the grill grates. The question is, can you put a wood plank in an air fryer? The answer is yes, but with some precautions. Firstly, always check your user manual to ensure it is safe for your specific model. Secondly, soak the wood plank in water for at least an hour before use to prevent it from catching fire and to create steam that infuses a distinctive flavour into your food. Thirdly, ensure the plank fits your air fryer basket; you may need to trim it to size. With these simple steps, you can enjoy the unique flavour of wood plank cooking right in your air fryer!

Soak the plank for at least an hour

Soaking the cedar plank is an essential step in preparing your wood plank for use in an air fryer. By soaking the plank, you can achieve multiple objectives that will enhance the flavour and texture of your cooked food, as well as ensure safety during the cooking process.

Firstly, soaking the plank for an hour or more prevents it from catching fire in the air fryer. This is a crucial safety measure, as a dry plank is more likely to ignite and cause a fire hazard. The moisture from soaking helps to mitigate this risk.

Secondly, the act of soaking the plank contributes to the distinctive smoky flavour that is sought after in cedar plank cooking. As the plank heats up during cooking, the moisture from the soaking process creates steam, infusing your food with the unique cedar aroma. This steaming effect also helps to keep your food moist, resulting in tender and flaky salmon or juicy pork chops.

When soaking the cedar plank, you can use a large bowl, your sink, or even the basket of your air fryer, provided there are no electrical parts in it. Ensure that the plank is fully submerged by weighing it down with a small bowl or plate. After soaking, remember to pat the plank dry with a clean towel before placing it in the air fryer.

It is important to note that the soaking time for an air fryer cedar plank is significantly shorter than for a grill. An hour-long soak is sufficient for an air fryer, whereas a grill may require up to four hours of soaking time. This difference is due to the absence of direct flames in the air fryer, reducing the risk of the plank burning.

Check your air fryer size

Before you attempt to cook with a wooden plank in your air fryer, it is important to check that the plank fits in your air fryer basket. You may need to trim the plank or buy one designed for your fryer's size.

Most cedar planks are ready-made, so you will need to check the measurements against your air fryer basket. It might be hard to get the exact size, but it is possible. You can also look for a way to customise the plank to your air fryer's size. Make sure there are no splinters on the sides; if there are, use sandpaper to give it a smooth finish before putting it in the air fryer.

If you are using a cedar plank to cook salmon, it is important to note that the basket of the air fryer can be a great place to soak the plank. Just be sure that there are no electrical parts in the basket. You can also soak the plank in a large bowl or the sink. Weigh the plank down with a small bowl or plate to keep it fully submerged.

Use skin-on salmon fillets

Firstly, check your air fryer's user manual to ensure it is safe to use a wooden plank in your specific model. If it is safe to do so, follow these steps:

• Soak the wooden plank in water for at least an hour before cooking. This will prevent it from catching fire in the air fryer and will also add steam, infusing the fish with a distinctive cedar aroma.
• While the plank is soaking, prepare the salmon fillets. Pat them dry with a paper towel and drizzle with olive oil, ensuring an even coating.
• Season the salmon fillets. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper, and lemon zest if desired. You can also add fresh herbs such as dill or parsley.
• Place the seasoned salmon fillets skin-side down on the soaked plank.
• Set your air fryer to 375-390 degrees Fahrenheit and preheat for 3-5 minutes.
• Place the plank with the salmon into the basket of your air fryer and set the cook time for 10-12 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked to your liking. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the salmon fillets.
• Once cooked, carefully remove the plank from the air fryer and use a spatula to lift the salmon fillets off, leaving the skin behind.
• Serve immediately with your choice of sides and garnishes.

Some additional tips for cooking skin-on salmon fillets in an air fryer:

• Always use a skin-on salmon fillet as the skin will act as a barrier between the wood and the flesh, preventing the fish from sticking to the plank.
• Preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking.
• Monitor the temperature of the salmon using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C) when fully cooked.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Ensure there is space between each fillet to allow for proper air circulation.
• Season the salmon just before cooking to prevent drawing out too much moisture.
• Serve the salmon immediately after cooking as it will be at its peak flavour and texture.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is a good idea for several reasons. Firstly, it can speed up the cooking time by a couple of minutes, which may be worth it for you. Secondly, preheating can help make your food extra crispy—it gets the hot air moving before you start cooking, resulting in evenly toasted food. This is especially useful when cooking fried chicken, french fries, potato chips, tortilla chips, wings, or baking cakes, donuts, and cookies.

To preheat your air fryer, start by turning it on and ensuring that everything is clean, plugged in, and ready to go. If there's a preheat button, simply hit that, set the temperature, and enter the cooking time. The air fryer will alert you when it has reached the desired temperature. If there is no preheat button, heat the air fryer to 400 °F (204 °C) for 3 to 5 minutes before adding any food.

Some recipes and air fryer manuals may recommend preheating, so it's always a good idea to check these before you start cooking. It's also important to note that preheating may not be suitable for thick cuts of meat, as the outside will burn before the inside is cooked. In this case, it's better to place the meat in the air fryer before turning it on.

Monitor the temperature

When cooking with a wood plank in an air fryer, it is crucial to monitor the temperature to ensure optimal cooking results and prevent safety hazards. Here are some detailed instructions and considerations for monitoring the temperature:

Firstly, always refer to your air fryer's user manual to understand the recommended temperature settings and any specific guidelines provided by the manufacturer. Different models may have varying instructions, so it's important to consult the manual first.

When cooking with a wood plank, such as a cedar plank, it is essential to preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature before placing the plank inside. This helps ensure even cooking and allows the plank to heat up gradually. The preheat temperature can vary depending on the recipe and the type of food you are preparing. For example, when cooking cedar plank salmon, a common preheat temperature is around 375-380° F (190°C).

Once the air fryer is preheated, carefully place the seasoned food onto the wood plank and set the cooking time. The cooking temperature and duration will depend on the specific recipe and the type of food. For instance, salmon is typically cooked at a temperature of around 375-400° F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes or until it flakes easily with a fork. It's important to note that cooking times may vary based on the thickness of the food item, so adjustments may be necessary.

Throughout the cooking process, use an instant-read thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of the food. This is crucial to ensure that your dish is cooked to the appropriate temperature and doneness. For example, according to the FDA, salmon should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145° F. By regularly checking the temperature, you can prevent overcooking or undercooking your food.

Additionally, pay attention to any signs of smoking or overheating during the cooking process. While some smoking is expected when using a wood plank, excessive smoking may indicate an issue. Keep your kitchen well-ventilated by opening windows or ensuring proper aeration to manage the smoke.

Finally, always exercise caution when handling the air fryer and the wood plank during and after cooking. Use oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands from the heat, and avoid touching any hot surfaces. Allow the air fryer and the wood plank to cool down completely before handling or cleaning them.

Frequently asked questions