Air Fryer Injectable Marinades: Safe Or Not?

Injectable marinades are a great way to add flavour and moisture to meat. But can you use them in an air fryer? The short answer is yes, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, make sure that any herbs or other chunky ingredients in your marinade are blended to a smooth liquid so they can fit through the injector needle. You should also let the meat sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking for even cooking. And, if you want to get that crispy texture, use a thin coating of oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado or canola oil.

When it comes to cooking, preheat your air fryer to around 400°F (200°C) and make sure not to overcrowd the basket, as this will prevent hot air from circulating and stop your food from searing properly. For chicken, a good guideline is to cook for 8 minutes, then flip and cook for another 6-7 minutes. Check that the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F/74°C.

Marinade ingredients and recipes

Marinades are a great way to add flavour and moisture to meat, and there are endless combinations of ingredients you can use. A basic marinade consists of oil, an acid, salt, and aromatics.

Oil

Oils such as olive oil or any other flavourless cooking oil will ensure that the meat stays moist and juicy. Oil also helps to infuse the meat with all the flavours in the marinade.

Acid

An acid like vinegar or lemon juice will help to tenderise the meat and balance its richness. The ratio of oil to vinegar should be the same as in your favourite vinaigrette.

Something Salty, Something Sweet

Add something salty and something sweet to your marinade. Try using soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, fish sauce, fruit juice, or honey.

Aromatics

Traditional aromatics like herbs, onions, and garlic will add freshness and depth to your meat.

• Olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic granules, Herbs de Provence, salt, and black pepper.
• Olive oil, lemon juice, dried herbs, garlic powder, Spike Seasoning, dried basil, dried oregano, onion powder, dried sage, and black pepper.
• Soy sauce, water, olive oil, and garlic.
• Olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, basil, garlic powder, dried parsley flakes, white pepper, and minced garlic.
• Chicken broth, brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, garlic powder, and parsley flakes.
• Olive oil, fresh herbs, garlic cloves, and vinegar or lemon juice.

You can also use store-bought marinades or bottled sauces like teriyaki sauce.

How long to marinate for

Marinating the chicken is a crucial step in infusing flavour into the meat and ensuring it remains tender and juicy. The length of time you should leave the chicken to marinate depends on the cut of chicken and the ingredients used in the marinade.

For example, if you are using a marinade with a high acid content, such as lemon juice or vinegar, you should not leave the chicken to marinate for longer than 4 hours as the acid will start to break down the meat, resulting in a mushy texture. In contrast, if you are using a marinade with a low acid content, you can leave the chicken to marinate for up to 12 hours, allowing the flavours to really penetrate the meat.

It is also important to note that the thickness of the chicken will impact the length of time it needs to be marinated. Thicker cuts of chicken, such as bone-in chicken thighs or breasts, will take longer to absorb the flavours of the marinade, so you should aim to leave them to marinate for closer to 12 hours. On the other hand, thinner cuts of chicken, such as chicken tenders, will not need to be marinated for as long, and 30 minutes to an hour should be sufficient.

If you are short on time, it is still worth marinating the chicken, even if it is just for 20-30 minutes. This will help to add some flavour to the meat and ensure it remains juicy. However, for the best results, it is recommended that you aim to marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours, if possible.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The temperature and timing for your air fryer will depend on the type of meat you are cooking. For chicken, the ideal internal temperature is 165°F, and this should be checked with a meat thermometer.

For white meat chicken, the air fryer should be set to 360°F and cooked for 16-18 minutes, flipping halfway through. For dark meat chicken, the air fryer should be set to 400°F and cooked for 16-18 minutes, again flipping halfway through.

If you are cooking chicken breasts, you should aim for a temperature of 390°F/195°C for 18-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C. Flip the breasts halfway through.

For chicken thighs, preheat your air fryer to 350°F and cook for 15-16 minutes, flipping halfway through.

If you are cooking chicken drumsticks, set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 10 minutes, before flipping and cooking for a further 6-8 minutes.

Chicken preparation

Choosing the Chicken

You can use any cut of chicken you prefer. Chicken breast is a popular choice, but you can also use chicken thighs, legs, drumsticks, or wings. If you're using chicken breasts, you may want to pound the thicker end to even out the sides for more even cooking.

Marinade

You can use a store-bought marinade or make your own. Here are some ingredients you can use:

• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Lemon zest
• Garlic (granules or powder)
• Italian seasoning
• Herbs de Provence
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Brown sugar
• Chicken broth
• Spices (e.g. Cajun seasoning, red pepper flakes, chili powder)

Whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl to make your marinade.

Place the chicken in a Ziploc bag or a large bowl and pour the marinade over it. Massage the chicken gently until it is well coated. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 12 hours in the fridge. The longer it sits, the more time the flavours have to develop.

Cooking the Chicken

Preheat your air fryer to between 390°F and 400°F (or 195°C and 204°C) for about 3-5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil to prevent sticking.

Place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure the pieces are not overlapping or crowded, as this will prevent them from cooking evenly.

Cook the chicken for a total of 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the thickness of the pieces. Flip the chicken halfway through.

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F (74°C). This is the safe temperature for consuming chicken.

Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for about 5 minutes before cutting into it. This allows the juices to redistribute and helps keep the chicken moist.

Tips

• If you're short on time, you can still marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes.
• If you're using frozen chicken, you can still marinate it, but it will take longer for the flavours to penetrate the meat.
• You can make slits in the chicken to help it cook more evenly and quickly.
• Always defrost frozen chicken before cooking it.
• You can use a meat thermometer to check if your chicken is done.

Reheating and storing

The air fryer is a great way to reheat food without drying it out. It's also faster than using an oven and doesn't require preheating. Here are some tips for reheating and storing food in an air fryer:

• Preheat the air fryer to 350-400°F for most foods. For foods that you want to crisp up, use a higher temperature (390°F or higher). For foods that you're worried about drying out, use a lower temperature (360°F or lower).
• Place the food in the air fryer basket in a single layer, without overcrowding. You can add a spritz of olive oil or avocado oil to refresh the crisp and flavor.
• Reheat for 3-5 minutes for most foods, flipping halfway through. The exact time will depend on the type of food and your air fryer model, so keep an eye on it to avoid burning or drying out.
• Always reheat food to a temperature of 165°F to ensure food safety. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
• For burgers, disassemble the burger and remove cold toppings and sauces before reheating. Reheat the patty first, then add the bun and heat everything together for a minute.
• For pizza, preheat the air fryer to 350°F and place the slices in a single layer in the basket. Reheat for 3-4 minutes, checking regularly to avoid drying out.
• For chicken, preheat the air fryer to 350-400°F and place the chicken in the basket without overcrowding. Reheat for 3-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, depending on the size of the pieces.
• For steak, preheat the air fryer to 360°F and place the steak in the basket. Reheat for 3-5 minutes, checking halfway through. If refrigerated, let the steak come closer to room temperature before reheating to reduce the cooking time and ensure even heating.
• For French fries, preheat the air fryer to 350-400°F and place the fries in a single layer in the basket. Add a spritz of oil if desired. Reheat for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
• For sautéed or roasted vegetables, preheat the air fryer to 360°F and place the vegetables in a single layer in the basket. Add a spritz of oil if desired. Reheat for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
• Cooked chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
• Reheat chicken in the air fryer, oven, or microwave until warmed through.

Frequently asked questions