Air Fryer Chinese Food: Is It Possible?

Air fryers can be used to cook a variety of Chinese dishes, from appetizers to mains, and are also great for reheating leftovers. While the results may not be as crispy or intensely flavored as traditional methods, air fryers offer convenience, ease of cleaning, and reduced cooking time and oil usage. Here are some Chinese dishes that can be made in an air fryer:

- General Tso's Chicken

- Salt and Pepper Shrimp

- Dry-Fried Green Beans

- Tofu with Hoisin Sauce

- Pork Dumplings

- Kung Pao Chicken

- Beef and Broccoli

- Sesame Chicken

- Ginger Pork Dumplings

- Crab Casserole

- Spare Ribs

- Crab Rangoon

Reheating Chinese food in an air fryer

The air fryer is a great appliance for reheating Chinese food and restoring its crispiness. Here are some tips and instructions to help you get the best results:

Preparation

Before reheating, separate the food from the sauce as much as possible and store them separately. If your Chinese food includes rice, it might be best to reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave, as the air fryer can dry it out.

Preheating the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (177-204°C) for 4-5 minutes. You can line the basket with air fryer-safe parchment paper or spray it with a non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Do not use parchment paper without food on it, as it can catch on fire.

Reheating the Chinese Food

Place your Chinese food in the basket, ensuring it's in a single layer and not overcrowded. This allows the hot air to circulate freely. Reheat for 2-5 minutes or until heated through and crispy. Keep a close watch on the food to prevent burning.

Reheating the Sauce

If your Chinese food includes a sauce, such as sweet and sour chicken or General Tso's chicken, heat the sauce separately in the microwave.

Extra Tips for Crispiness

For extra crispiness, spray a light layer of neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil or vegetable oil, on the food before placing it in the air fryer.

Foods Suitable for Reheating in an Air Fryer

The air fryer is ideal for reheating fried foods, such as chicken, wontons, egg rolls, and vegetables. It's also great for restoring crispiness to leftover French fries, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks.

Foods to Avoid Reheating in an Air Fryer

Avoid reheating foods that are overly saucy, soft, or can easily dry out, such as noodle dishes and steamed dumplings.

Benefits of Using an Air Fryer

The air fryer can help you achieve crispy and delicious reheated Chinese food without the sogginess that can occur with other reheating methods like the microwave. It also uses less energy than heating up the oven and is easier to clean.

Air fryer Chinese recipes for homemade takeout

Air fryers are a great way to make Chinese food at home, and they can even be used to reheat leftovers, restoring that all-important crispiness. Here are some ideas for how to use your air fryer to make delicious Chinese food.

General Tso's Chicken

General Tso's Chicken is a popular Chinese takeout dish that can be made in an air fryer. The chicken is coated in cornstarch, or flour, and air-fried until crispy. The sauce is made with soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes. It's a quick and easy dish that can be ready in about 20 minutes.

Sesame Chicken

Sesame chicken is another takeout favorite that can be made healthier and less expensively at home with an air fryer. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper, then coated in cornstarch and egg before being air-fried. The sauce is made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, cornstarch, water, sesame oil, vegetable oil, garlic, and chile paste.

Salt and Pepper Shrimp

This dish can be made in an air fryer, though it may not be as crispy as the restaurant version. A cornstarch-flour coating gives the shrimp a crunchy texture. This dish is best served with a light layer of neutral oil, such as avocado or vegetable oil, to enhance the crispiness.

Dry-Fried Green Beans

Air fryers are perfect for making this simple dish. Prewashed, pre-snipped green beans are coated in a vinegar-olive oil mixture, then tossed in the air fryer for a few minutes until charred and tender.

Tofu with Hoisin Sauce

Air fryers are ideal for cooking tofu, as they provide a foolproof way to get a crispy exterior without tearing. You can also add a bit of panko for extra crunch.

Fried Pork Dumplings

While boiling is necessary for more authentic-tasting dumplings, you can use an air fryer to get a delicate crisp on the exterior. Simply boil the dumplings, then air fry them at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for about three minutes.

Air fryer Chinese recipes for vegetarians

Air fryers are a great way to cook Chinese food, and they can be used to make a variety of vegetarian dishes. Here are some ideas for air fryer Chinese recipes for vegetarians:

Green Beans with Garlic

A quick and easy Chinese-style dish, air-fried green beans are seasoned with ginger, garlic, and flavorful sauces. They make a perfect low-carb, vegan side dish.

Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are a delicious side dish when cooked in an air fryer. They turn out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Air Fryer Broccoli

Broccoli takes just 10 minutes to make in the air fryer. It is tender with roasted edges and is a perfect healthy side dish.

Air Fryer French Fries

French fries are a classic side dish that can be made in the air fryer with very little oil. They are a healthier alternative to deep-fried fries and can be tossed in various seasonings like sweet smoked paprika, Cajun, or BBQ.

Air Fryer Sweetcorn Fritters

Sweetcorn and spring onion fritters can be made for lunch, a starter, or a side. They are a great energy-efficient option when made in the air fryer.

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

Enjoy buffalo-style cauliflower as a vegetarian main course or a spicy side dish. The air fryer is a great way to cook them to perfection.

Air Fryer Tofu Popcorn Nuggets

Try cooking tofu in an air fryer. Coat the tofu in breadcrumbs flavored with garlic and paprika, and enjoy it as a snack with your favorite dip or as a side dish.

Air Fryer Mushrooms on Toast

Make a speedy brunch or lunch in the air fryer and serve it on its own or as part of a bigger breakfast spread.

Air Fryer Spring Rolls

Make vegetarian spring rolls in the air fryer for a fun and easy lunch. Serve them with sweet chili sauce for dipping.

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Jackets with Tahini Yogurt

Try these low-effort sweet potato jackets in the air fryer. Top them with tahini yogurt and curry leaves for a flavorful and nutritious meal.

Air Fryer Spinach and Feta Filo Parcels

The classic combination of spinach and feta makes a great filling for these air-fried filo pastry parcels. They are perfect for a light dinner or as a snack.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but the possibilities are endless with an air fryer! You can experiment with different vegetables, seasonings, and sauces to create your own unique Chinese-inspired vegetarian dishes.

Chinese foods that can be reheated in an air fryer

An air fryer is a great way to reheat Chinese food and restore its crispiness. Here are some Chinese foods that can be reheated in an air fryer:

Wontons, Egg Rolls, and Potstickers

Wontons, egg rolls, and potstickers are perfect for reheating in an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 375°Fahrenheit and place your food in the basket, either sprayed with non-stick oil or lined with air fryer-safe parchment paper. Reheat for about 2 to 5 minutes or until heated through and crispy. For extra crispiness, spray the food with a light layer of neutral oil, such as avocado oil or vegetable oil, before placing them in the air fryer.

Chicken

Chicken dishes, such as General Tso's chicken or sweet and sour chicken, can be reheated in an air fryer. Separate the chicken from the sauce and store them separately. Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°Fahrenheit. Spray the basket with oil and place the chicken in a single layer, without overcrowding. Reheat for about 3 to 5 minutes, turning halfway through, until crispy and heated through. Reheat the sauce separately in the microwave.

Fried Rice

To reheat fried rice in an air fryer, create a sealed foil packet and put a tablespoon of water and a teaspoon of soy sauce inside before completely sealing it up. Place the packet in the air fryer and reheat for a few minutes.

Other Dishes

Other Chinese dishes that can be reheated in an air fryer include vegetables, French fries, onion rings, quiche, empanadas, fried pies, waffles, and garlic bread. Avoid reheating saucy or soft dishes, such as noodle dishes, as they can dry out. For dishes with sauce, such as General Tso's chicken, heat the sauce separately in the microwave.

Chinese foods that can be cooked in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook Chinese food, and they can be used to make a variety of dishes with this cuisine. Here are some ideas for Chinese foods that can be cooked in an air fryer:

Appetizers and Side Dishes

• Egg rolls or spring rolls are perfect for reheating in an air fryer, as they will turn out crispy and delicious.
• Prawn toast or shrimp toast can be air-fried to a subtle crunch in just a few minutes.
• Wontons or potstickers – Reheat these fried foods in an air fryer for a crispy texture. Spraying them with a light layer of neutral oil, such as avocado oil or vegetable oil, before placing them in the air fryer will give them extra crispiness and help retain moisture.
• Dumplings – Air fryers can be used to cook frozen dumplings, such as ginger pork dumplings, or to reheat boiled and then air-fried dumplings.

Main Dishes

• General Tso's Chicken – This dish can be made in an air fryer, resulting in juicy chicken with a crispy skin that holds up to the sauce.
• Salt and Pepper Shrimp – While the air fryer version may not have the same crackle as the fried version, it still has a crunchy texture that is pleasing.
• Dry-fried green beans – This dish can be made in an air fryer, resulting in beans with a satisfying char and tender texture.
• Tofu with Hoisin Sauce – Air-frying tofu is a foolproof method that prevents it from sticking to the pan.
• Beef and Broccoli – This dish can be cooked in an air fryer, resulting in succulent beef edges and crispy broccoli florets.
• Sesame Chicken – This dish can be made in an air fryer in less than 30 minutes, making it a quick and easy weeknight dinner option.
• Kung Pao Chicken – Forget about the grease and calories of fried food with this air-fried dish.
• Crab Rangoon – These wonton wrappers filled with cream cheese and crab come out crispy and delicious when made in an air fryer.
• Chinese Spare Ribs – Air fryers can be used to make tender spare ribs with a sweet and savory flavor.

Desserts

Chinese Donuts – With just a few ingredients, you can make a great copycat Chinese donut in your air fryer.

Frequently asked questions