Tempura Air Fryer: A Tasty, Crispy, Healthy Treat?

Tempura is a popular Japanese dish that involves deep frying seafood, meat, or vegetables that have been dipped in a batter made from egg yolks, flour, and cold water. It is usually served as an appetizer or side dish, and its light and crispy texture makes it a favourite among many. Traditionally, tempura is fried in hot oil, but can you get the same result from using an air fryer?

Air fryer tempura batter

Tempura is a Japanese style of cooking that involves deep frying battered seafood, meat, or vegetables. The traditional method of making tempura involves dipping the desired food item in a batter made from egg yolks, flour, and cold water, and then frying it in hot oil. However, it is possible to achieve a similar result using an air fryer.

To make tempura in an air fryer, start by preparing the tempura batter as you normally would. You can also experiment with different ingredients and seasonings to create your own customized tempura batter. For example, some recipes suggest using carbonated water or ice-cold water, while others recommend adding salt to the batter to make up for the loss of flavor from not deep frying. You can also try using Japanese mayonnaise instead of egg, as it helps emulsify the oils in the batter and prevents it from getting soggy.

Once you have prepared the batter, dip your desired food item into it and place it into the air fryer basket. It is recommended to use a batter that is not too liquidy, and to dust the outside of the battered food with flour to prevent it from sticking to the air fryer basket or each other. Slice any root vegetables to be used into thin pieces, preferably less than 1/4 inch thick, to ensure they cook through properly.

Preheat your air fryer to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit, and then place the battered food inside in a single layer. Cook for 7-10 minutes, or until the tempura is golden brown and crispy. Serve hot with a dipping sauce such as soy sauce or tentsuyu, a traditional Japanese dipping sauce for tempura.

Using an air fryer to make tempura is a quick, easy, and healthier alternative to traditional deep frying. It may not achieve the same level of crispness as a great tempura, but it is still a delicious and convenient way to enjoy this Japanese dish at home.

Air fryer sweet potato tempura

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large sweet potatoes, cut into thin slices
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• Cornstarch
• 1 egg
• Club soda
• Cooking spray

Method

• Mix together the cornstarch, flour, egg, and soda water in a small bowl.
• Dip the sweet potato slices into the batter, shaking off any excess.
• Place the battered sweet potato slices into the panko, coating all sides.
• Place the coated sweet potatoes into the air fryer basket and spray both sides with cooking spray.
• Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 to 10 minutes.
• Plate and serve.

Tips

• For best results, use medium-sized sweet potatoes and slice them into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
• If you want to experiment with dips, sweet potato tempura goes well with classic tempura sauce, spicy mayo, or a mix of soy sauce and mirin.
• To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• To reheat, use the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes.

Air fryer frozen tempura shrimp

Ingredients

• 1 box/package of frozen tempura shrimp (any brand)
• Dipping sauce (optional)

Equipment

• Air fryer
• Tongs or similar for flipping

Instructions

Place the frozen shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the tray, leaving space between each shrimp. Set the air fryer to 390°F for 5 minutes, then flip the shrimp and air fry for another 5 minutes.

Some recipes suggest preheating the air fryer to 375°F, then cooking the shrimp for 8 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

If your shrimp comes with a dipping sauce, thaw it by submerging it in water while the shrimp cooks.

Tips

• There is no need to defrost the shrimp before cooking.
• If you are cooking a large number of shrimp, you may need to cook them in batches.
• You can serve the shrimp as an appetizer, or as part of a larger meal such as tacos, rolls, or soup.

Air fryer tempura vegetables

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free, rice flour, or cake flour)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil or canola oil
• 3 cups assorted vegetables (e.g. green beans, asparagus, onions, sweet bell peppers, avocados, zucchini, sweet potatoes, lotus root, broccoli, mushrooms, cauliflower)

Optional Ingredients

• Eggs or flax eggs
• Oil spray: olive oil or non-stick cooking spray
• Additional seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, shiso leaves, or fresh herbs
• Dipping sauce: soy sauce, sesame oil, sweet and sour sauce, teriyaki sauce, honey garlic sauce, lemon juice and olive oil, Japanese mayonnaise, or chili-garlic paste

Method

• Cut your vegetables into pieces/slices.
• Dry the vegetables with a paper towel.
• Mix the dry ingredients (flour, salt, and pepper) in a shallow dish.
• In a second shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and water.
• In a third shallow dish, stir together the panko and oil.
• Dip the vegetables in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, and finally the panko mixture. Allow any excess batter to drip off.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 3-5 minutes.
• Place the vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Serve with a sprinkle of salt or a dipping sauce of your choice.

Tips

• For best results, do not overmix the tempura batter as this will make it thicker.
• Use cold water or ice water to make the batter light and airy.
• Make sure to fully dry your vegetables to avoid soggy tempura.
• If you are cooking in batches, keep the cooked vegetables in a preheated oven at 200 degrees F to keep them warm.
• Let your tempura rest before serving.

Storage

Air-fried tempura can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Air fryer tempura chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut lengthwise into strips
• 1 teaspoon chicken seasoning blend (e.g. Lawry's)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons tapioca flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 egg, separated
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup corn flakes, crushed
• Salt, to taste

Optional Dipping Sauce:

• 1 cup hot sauce or wing sauce of choice
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Pinch of cayenne powder (optional)
• 1 tablespoon blue cheese or ranch dressing

Method:

• Season the chicken by sprinkling with salt and rubbing with half of the chicken seasoning, garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning.
• Make the tempura batter by combining the flours, baking soda, and remaining seasonings in a bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the water and egg yolk. Stir until just combined, then stir in the beaten egg whites and olive oil.
• Set out the chicken, batter, and crushed corn flakes in separate dishes. Dip each piece of chicken in the batter, followed by the corn flakes.
• Lightly oil a baking sheet and arrange the chicken pieces on it, rolling each piece to coat in oil. Alternatively, spritz each piece with oil from a non-aerosol container.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece. If they don't all fit in one layer, cook in batches.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and set the timer for 18 minutes. Air fry the chicken, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden brown.
• Serve warm with your choice of dipping sauce.

Tips:

• Don't over-beat the batter, as this will make the coating bready and chewy instead of crispy.
• For an even lighter batter, use sparkling water instead of regular water.
• For maximum freshness, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within two days.

Frequently asked questions