Roasting Tomatillos In An Air Fryer: Quick And Easy!

Roasting tomatillos in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare the Mexican husk tomatoes. The process is simple: first, clean and wash the tomatillos, then place them in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for around 10 minutes. The result is a beautifully roasted, moist, and sweet-tart flavour that can be used in salsas, on salads, or as a topping for anything that needs a little acid and sweetness.

How to roast tomatillos in an air fryer

Roasting tomatillos in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare this ingredient, which can be used in a variety of dishes, from salsa to salads. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to roast tomatillos in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Tomatillos

Start by removing the papery outer shell, or husk, from the tomatillos. Give them a good rinse under running water to wash away any dirt or residue. You can choose to chop the tomatillos into medium-sized pieces, or leave them whole, depending on your preference and the recipe you are following. If you are chopping them, a medium tomatillo can be cut into eighths by first halving, then quartering, and then cutting into eighths.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to between 350°F to 400°F. Please refer to your specific recipe for the optimal temperature and cooking time.

Step 3: Place Tomatillos in the Air Fryer

Place the prepared tomatillos in the air fryer basket. If you are following a salsa recipe, you may also add other ingredients such as peppers, onions, and garlic at this stage. For a simple roast, you can just place the tomatillos in a single layer in the basket.

Step 4: Cook the Tomatillos

Cook the tomatillos for the recommended time, usually around 10 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer and the quantity of tomatillos you are cooking. Tomatillos are known to release a lot of liquid during cooking, so be mindful of this when checking on them.

Step 5: Serve or Store

Once the tomatillos are roasted to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer. You can serve them immediately as a side dish or use them in your chosen recipe. Roasted tomatillos can also be stored in the refrigerator for a few days.

Roasted tomatillos are a versatile ingredient that can enhance the flavor of many dishes. They are a great option for those who want a quick, healthy, and tasty addition to their meals. Enjoy experimenting with this air-fried ingredient!

How to make salsa with roasted tomatillos

Ingredients

• 6 tomatillos
• 1/2 jalapeño or serrano pepper, halved (optional)
• 1/2 small sweet onion, cut into wedges
• 3 cloves of garlic, unpeeled
• 2 teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup of fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 tablespoons of lime juice
• Salt to taste

Instructions

• Preheat your air fryer to between 380°F and 400°F.
• Remove the papery outer shells from the tomatillos and rinse them.
• Halve the tomatillos and peppers, and place them skin-side down in the air fryer basket along with the onion and garlic.
• Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil and toss to coat.
• Cook in the air fryer for 10 to 12 minutes, or until lightly browned.
• Transfer the vegetables to a wire rack to cool for about 15 minutes.
• Peel the garlic cloves and discard the skins.
• Transfer the vegetables and garlic to a food processor or blender.
• Add the cilantro, lime juice, and salt to taste.
• Pulse until the mixture reaches your desired consistency.
• Serve at room temperature or chill before serving if you prefer your salsa cold.

Tips

• If you don't have an air fryer, you can roast the vegetables in the oven. It will likely take a little longer, so keep checking them after the first 10 minutes.
• If you like your salsa spicy, you can leave the seeds in the peppers or add extra peppers.
• If you're using a blender, you may need to scrape down the sides to ensure everything is blended evenly.
• This salsa will keep in the fridge for up to 10 days if you don't add salt. Adding salt will make it last for a few days.

Air fryer settings for roasting tomatillos

Roasting tomatillos in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare them for use in salsas, dips, and toppings. Here are the steps to follow, along with some useful tips to get the best results.

Preparation

First, remove the papery outer shell (or husk) from the tomatillos and rinse them thoroughly. You can chop the tomatillos into medium pieces, or leave them whole depending on your preference. If chopping, a medium tomatillo can be cut into eighths by first halving, then quartering, and then cutting into eighths.

Air Fryer Settings

Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. The higher the temperature, the quicker the cooking time, but be careful not to burn the tomatillos. Place the tomatillos in the air fryer basket in a single layer to ensure even cooking. If using a heatproof pan, place the pan in the air fryer basket.

Cooking Time

Cook the tomatillos for around 10 minutes at 400°F. Check on them a couple of times during cooking to ensure they are not burning. You will know they are done when they are lightly browned and have a roasted appearance.

Tips

• Line the air fryer tray with parchment paper to prevent mess.
• Tomatillos can be quite sticky, so it is a good idea to have a bowl for scraps to avoid getting stuck to your kitchen counters.
• Roasting tomatillos in an air fryer can be messier than in a conventional oven due to the release of liquid, so be sure to check the location of the vents in your air fryer and use a basket that can collect the liquid.
• If you are using an oven, the roasting process will likely take longer, so keep checking after the initial 10 minutes until the edges are golden.

Other uses for roasted tomatillos

Roasted tomatillos have a range of uses and can be a versatile ingredient in your cooking. They are known for their acidic sweetness and can be used to elevate the flavour of many dishes. Here are some ideas for using roasted tomatillos:

Salsa

Roasted tomatillo salsa, also known as salsa verde, is a popular and common use for this ingredient. You can make it spicy or mild, chunky or smooth, and customise it with red tomatoes, poblano peppers or jalapenos. It can be used as a dip with tortilla chips, or as a topping for chicken, fish, tacos, nachos, burritos, or any Mexican food.

Sauces

Roasted tomatillos are ideal for making sauces. You can make a simple tomatillo sauce and use it as a soup stock, or add chicken broth and shredded chicken or pork for a thicker sauce to serve with tortillas. You can also use roasted tomatillos as a base for green enchilada sauce or green chilli sauce.

Puree

Roasted tomatillos can be pureed and used in various dishes. Pureed roasted tomatillos can be added to Mexican rice for extra flavour, or used as a base for green enchilada sauce.

Soups

The acidic sweetness of roasted tomatillos works well in soups, especially potato or bean-based soups. You can also add them to any soup stock to give it more flavour.

Salads

Roasted tomatillos can be chopped and used as a salad topping, adding a unique acidic tartness.

Sandwiches

Roasted tomatillos are a great addition to sandwiches, providing a sweet-tart flavour. You can also spread them on sandwiches instead of using mayonnaise or other spreads.

Burritos

As mentioned, roasted tomatillos can be used in burritos, but they can also be the star ingredient in tomatillo burritos. Puree them with chicken broth, simmer in a skillet, add shredded chicken or pork, and serve on tortillas.

Tacos

Chopped roasted tomatillos are a great addition to tacos, or you can make chicken tacos salsa with them.

Freezing

Roasted tomatillos freeze well, so you can always make a big batch and save them for later. Simply allow them to cool, place them in freezer bags, and use them within six months.

There are many ways to use roasted tomatillos, and they can add a unique and delicious flavour to your meals.

Roasted tomatillo salsa ingredients

Roasted tomatillo salsa is a delicious, tangy, and spicy dish that can be made in an air fryer or an oven. The ingredients are simple and can be tweaked to suit your taste. Here is a list of ingredients you will need to make roasted tomatillo salsa:

Tomatillos:

The star of the show! Tomatillos are a type of ground cherry, related to tomatoes but with a unique tangy flavour. They have a bright green skin covered in a sticky coating and a papery husk. You will need to remove the husks and rinse the tomatillos before roasting them. The number of tomatillos you use will depend on the size you can get; for a medium heat, you will need around 12 ounces or 6-8 tomatillos.

Chiles:

You can use jalapenos, serrano peppers, or a combination of both, depending on your preference for spice. Serrano peppers are generally hotter, so if you prefer a milder flavour, stick to jalapenos. You can also leave the seeds in the peppers for extra heat. Roast the peppers with the tomatillos, and don't forget to remove the stems before blending.

Garlic:

Unpeeled garlic cloves can be roasted with the tomatillos and chiles to add a sweet, roasted flavour to the salsa. You can squeeze the roasted garlic out of the cloves before blending, or leave the cloves unpeeled and remove the softened garlic from the peel after roasting.

Onion:

Use a white or yellow onion, chopped into large chunks. Onion adds a savoury depth of flavour to the salsa.

Cilantro:

A small bunch of cilantro will add a refreshing, zesty kick to your salsa. You can chop it and add it to the blender with the onion, or add it whole and pulse until you get your desired consistency.

Lime:

Fresh lime juice will add a bright, tangy flavour to the salsa.

Salt:

A pinch of salt will enhance all the flavours and bring your salsa together. You can also add black pepper if you wish.

Broth:

Using a little chicken or vegetable broth to deglaze the pan is an unusual but effective way to add flavour to your salsa.

Oil:

If you are roasting your ingredients in the oven, you may wish to add a little avocado or another neutral oil to the baking sheet to prevent sticking and add richness.

Water:

If your salsa turns out too thick, you can add water, a tablespoon at a time, to reach your desired consistency.

There you have it! A list of ingredients to make a delicious roasted tomatillo salsa. Remember, you can always adjust the quantities and ingredients to suit your taste. Happy cooking!

Frequently asked questions