Air-Fried Coffee: Roasting Beans With An Air Fryer

Roasting coffee beans at home is a great way to ensure a custom cup of coffee. While most people are familiar with grinding coffee beans, roasting them is less common. However, it is not as complicated as it may seem. The process starts with sourcing unroasted coffee beans, which are raw beans that appear green in colour before they are heat-processed and take on a traditional brown hue. These beans can be found at specialty stores or ordered online.

When it comes to roasting, there are a few stages to keep in mind. Firstly, the beans need to be dried out as they contain a small percentage of moisture. In an air fryer, they will begin to dry and turn yellow. Once completely dried, chemical changes occur, and the beans will take on a brown colour while emitting scents reminiscent of grass, hay, and toasted bread. This is when the flavours start to develop, and you can control the level of roast you want to achieve.

Air fryers are a great option for roasting coffee beans because they use convection heat, allowing for more even heating. The circulating air and smaller chamber size ensure a more uniform roast, and the beans stay fresher since they are roasted in smaller batches. However, it is important to note that different air fryer models may yield varying results, and modifications may be necessary for optimal coffee roasting.

Overall, roasting coffee beans in an air fryer is a fun and easy way to customise your coffee experience at home. With some practice, you'll be able to create the perfect cup of coffee that suits your taste preferences.

Pros and cons of using an air fryer to roast coffee

Air fryers are a popular alternative to traditional coffee roasting methods. They are easy to use, energy-efficient, and cost-effective. However, they may not be suitable for everyone, especially professional roasters. Here is a detailed list of the pros and cons of using an air fryer to roast coffee.

Pros

• Energy efficiency: Air fryers are designed to be highly energy-efficient, making them a good option in the context of the global energy crisis.
• Cost-effectiveness: Air fryers are cost-effective, especially for home roasters who don't want to invest in specialist equipment.
• Ease of use: Air fryers are easy to use and clean, making them a convenient option for coffee roasting.
• Small batch roasting: The compact size of an air fryer chamber allows for roasting in smaller, more manageable batches, which helps keep the beans fresher.
• Control over roast level: Air fryers allow you to control the level of roast, from light to medium to deep roasts, by adjusting the temperature and timing.
• Even heating: The circulating air in an air fryer ensures even heating, resulting in a more consistent roast.

Cons

• Limited control: Air fryers offer less control over roast parameters compared to professional equipment. Timing and visual inspection are not as accurate, requiring constant monitoring to prevent burning.
• Dark roasts are challenging: While air fryers can achieve dark roasts, it can be tricky as the process may remove the oil from the beans, causing them to go bad quickly.
• Flavour compromise: Using an air fryer that is also used for cooking food may compromise the flavour of the roast due to the aromas and flavours permeating the beans during the roasting process.
• Inadequate for professionals: Air fryers are better suited for small-batch home roasters rather than professionals, as they lack the flexibility, control, and accuracy needed for specialised roasting.
• Chaff and smoke management: Chaff from the coffee beans can get into the air fryer's fan and burner, potentially causing damage. Additionally, smoke management during the roasting process can be challenging.
• Hot spots: Air fryers may have "hot spots" in the oven chamber, resulting in uneven roasting, and opening the door to address this issue can lead to heat loss.

How to roast coffee beans in an air fryer

Roasting coffee beans in an air fryer is a great way to ensure a custom cup of coffee. It gives you control over the level of roast, and the circulating air makes for an even heating process. Plus, air fryers are energy-efficient, easy to use, and clean. Here's a step-by-step guide to roasting coffee beans in your air fryer:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to around 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Most air fryers preheat in about five minutes. This step ensures an evenly heated chamber, helping the beans to dry out and begin roasting sooner.

Step 2: Prepare the Coffee Beans

Spread the beans in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Ensure they are not piled on top of each other for even roasting. The amount of beans you use will depend on the size of your air fryer, but it's best to roast in smaller batches to ensure freshness and manageability.

Step 3: Start Roasting

Place the basket of beans into the preheated air fryer. Keep a close eye on them, as burning can happen fast. Shake the basket every 90 seconds to prevent the beans from burning. The time it takes to roast will depend on your desired level of roast and the specific model of your air fryer, but in general, the first crack will occur around five minutes into the roasting process.

Step 4: Monitor the Roast Level

For a light roast, stop the roasting process after the first crack. The beans will have a golden-brown color at this point. For a medium roast, look for a dark brown hue, and for a deep roast, continue until the beans are black. Remember that every air fryer is different, so it's better to measure color and listen for the cracking sound rather than relying solely on time.

Step 5: Cool and Rest the Beans

Once you've reached your desired roast level, remove the beans from the air fryer and spread them out in a single layer to cool. Leave them uncovered for at least 24 hours to allow them to release any gases before grinding.

Step 6: Store and Enjoy

Store your freshly roasted beans in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for up to two weeks, and you can now enjoy your custom roast!

Tips and Considerations:

• Air fryer roasting works best for light or medium roasts. While dark roasts are possible, they can be tricky to achieve, and the removal of oil from the beans may cause them to go bad quickly.
• Air fryers that are regularly used for cooking may compromise the flavour of the roast due to aroma and flavour permeation.
• Air frying gives less control over roast parameters, so you'll need to monitor the beans closely throughout the process.
• Chaff from the beans can come off during roasting and get into the air fryer components, so be cautious and alert.

Roasting coffee beans in an air fryer is an easy and fun way to customise your coffee experience. With some practice and experimentation, you'll be able to perfect your roasting technique and enjoy fresh, delicious coffee exactly how you like it.

Air fryer settings for roasting coffee

Air fryers are a great way to roast coffee beans, especially for small-batch home roasters. Here are some settings and tips to achieve the perfect roast:

Preheating

Preheating your air fryer is essential. Set your air fryer to a temperature of 375°Fahrenheit (200°Celsius) and allow it to preheat for about five minutes. This ensures an evenly heated chamber, which is crucial for consistent roasting.

Bean Preparation

Spread your coffee beans in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not piled on top of each other. Coffee beans expand during roasting, so avoid overcrowding the basket. The ideal amount is about 50g or 1/2 cup of beans.

Roasting Time and Temperature

The roasting time will depend on your desired roast level, whether light, medium, or dark. For light roasts, 5-7 minutes is sufficient, while darker roasts will require 12-15 minutes. Set your air fryer to 400°Fahrenheit (200°Celsius) for roasting.

Agitation and Monitoring

Throughout the roasting process, it is important to agitate the beans regularly to ensure even roasting and prevent burning. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to shake the basket every 90 seconds. Keep a close eye on the beans, as air fryers can cause them to burn quickly.

First Crack

Listen for the first crack, which indicates that the roasting stage has begun. For a lighter roast, stop the process shortly after the first crack, when the beans have reached a golden brown colour. For a medium roast, aim for a medium/dark brown hue, and for a deep roast, continue until the beans are black.

Cooling and Storage

Once roasted to your desired level, remove the beans from the air fryer and let them cool. Allow the beans to sit uncovered for at least 24 hours to release any gases before grinding. Store your roasted beans in an airtight container and consume within two weeks for maximum freshness.

Additional Considerations

• Each air fryer model is unique, so adjust the roasting time accordingly.
• Avoid adding oil when roasting, as it can interfere with the process and affect the taste.
• Experiment with different types of coffee beans and roasting times to find your perfect roast.

Air fryer models that are suitable for roasting coffee

Air fryers are a popular alternative to traditional roasting methods, as they are energy-efficient, easy to use, and can produce small batches of roasted coffee. While air frying coffee is a viable option, it is important to note that it may not be suitable for professional roasters as it offers less control over the roasting process and can alter the flavour of the coffee beans.

Ninja Foodi Air Fryer/Pressure Cooker Model

This air fryer has been used by coffee enthusiasts to roast coffee beans. It is recommended to run the air fryer on the "air crisp" setting at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important to shake the air fryer basket regularly, especially during the first 5 minutes of roasting, to ensure even roasting and prevent the beans from burning. This model may require better ventilation as it can produce smoke during the roasting process.

Maxxkon 13.5-litre "Space Capsule" Air Fryer

The Maxxkon air fryer is a large-capacity air fryer that cooks food evenly and quickly. It has a rotisserie function, which can be useful for roasting coffee beans. However, precise temperature control may be challenging as the dial is manual and not digital.

Kogan Air Fryer with Rotisserie Cage

The Kogan Air Fryer is another option for roasting coffee beans. It comes with a rotisserie cage that allows for even roasting. However, temperature control and ventilation can be issues with this model.

Cosori Brand, 30L, 31.7 Quart, CS130AO Model

The Cosori air fryer is a toaster oven model that comes with a rotisserie spit. It can be paired with an inexpensive metal mesh wire drum sold separately online. While this model produces even roasts, it has some drawbacks, including limited heat range and difficulty in judging the roast level.

Oster Super Fryer 10L

The Oster Super Fryer is a 10-litre air fryer that can be used for roasting coffee beans. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer to the highest temperature and use the highest temperature setting for roasting. Filling the tray with a single layer of beans and ensuring even distribution can help improve roasting results.

When using any of these air fryer models for roasting coffee, it is important to follow the general guidelines for roasting coffee beans in an air fryer, such as preheating the air fryer, shaking the basket regularly, and adjusting roasting times based on the desired roast level.

Air fryer coffee roasting vs other methods

Air fryer coffee roasting is a recent alternative to traditional methods, which has gained popularity due to the energy crisis. It involves using convection heat to roast coffee beans, which is similar to how a standard fan oven works.

Pros

• Air fryers are highly energy-efficient, making them ideal for home roasting, especially given the current global energy situation.
• They are easy to use and clean, and coffee roasters can experiment with timings to achieve flexible roast profiles.
• They are a great short-term investment for beginners as they are relatively inexpensive.
• They are quicker than other methods, with roasting taking between 5 and 15 minutes, depending on the desired roast.
• The petite size of an air fryer chamber requires roasting in smaller batches, keeping the beans fresher and more of a made-to-order basis for better-tasting coffee.
• The circulating air makes it a more even heating process.
• You have complete control over the level of roast you give the beans.

Cons

• Air frying gives roasters less control over roast parameters, and they will have to keep a close eye on the beans for the entirety of the roast as they can burn quickly.
• Air frying can remove the oil from within the beans, which may cause them to go bad very quickly, especially for dark roasts.
• An air fryer used to cook food may compromise the flavour of the roast coffee as the aromas and flavours may permeate the beans during the roast, altering the final flavour.
• Air fryers are probably not the best fit for professional or experienced roasters as they were not designed to roast coffee and are unable to provide the flexibility, control, or accuracy needed to make roasted coffee shine.
• Chaff can come off the coffee and get into the fan, which might be bad for the machine.
• It is difficult to manage hot spots in the oven chamber, and opening and closing the door loses heat and affects the roast.
• The taste of the roast may be affected by other foods cooked in the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions