Air Fryer Kebabs: Perfect Timing For Tender Treats

Kebabs are a classic summer cookout dish, but they can also be made in an air fryer. This cooking method is perfect for when the weather isn't ideal for grilling outdoors. Air-fried kebabs are quick and easy to make, and the results are juicy and tender. You can use various ingredients for your kebabs, such as chicken, beef, or vegetables, and you can also experiment with different marinades to add extra flavour. The cooking time for kebabs in an air fryer is usually around 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the ingredients and your desired level of doneness.

How to make chicken kebabs in the air fryer

Ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• Olive oil
• Vegetables of your choice, such as bell peppers, zucchini, red onion, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, or baby potatoes
• Spices and seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper
• Wooden or metal skewers

Steps:

• Prepare the marinade by combining olive oil, your choice of spices and seasonings, and any other desired ingredients (such as lemon juice or yogurt) in a bowl.
• Cut the chicken into uniform-sized pieces and add them to the marinade. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes, or even overnight for more flavour.
• While the chicken is marinating, cut your chosen vegetables into evenly sized pieces.
• Add the vegetables to the marinade and mix well, ensuring that all pieces are coated. You can let this mixture marinate for 30 minutes to 24 hours in the fridge.
• Thread the chicken and vegetable pieces onto your skewers, leaving a little space between each piece. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes beforehand to prevent burning.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F. Place the skewers inside the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd them.
• Lightly spray or brush the skewers with oil or cooking spray to promote browning and prevent sticking.
• Cook the kebabs for 7-15 minutes, depending on your air fryer model and the size of your skewers. Flip the skewers halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
• The kebabs are done when the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.

Tips:

• If your skewers are too long to fit in your air fryer, trim them with scissors before threading the chicken and vegetables.
• You can also add fruit to your kebabs, such as pineapple chunks.
• For extra flavour, serve your chicken kebabs with a dipping sauce like ranch, tzatziki, or BBQ sauce.

How long to cook grilled chicken in an air fryer

Cooking grilled chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get juicy and tender chicken. The cooking time will depend on the size of your air fryer, the number of skewers, and the desired level of doneness. Here is a step-by-step guide on how long to cook grilled chicken in an air fryer:

Preparation

Before cooking, prepare your chicken by cutting it into 1-inch to 2-inch cubes. You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs. If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning.

Marinade

For the best results, it is recommended to marinate the chicken for at least 15 minutes, or even overnight if you have the time. You can use a variety of spices and ingredients for the marinade, such as olive oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic, herbs, and spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, and onion powder. Place the chicken in a bowl or sealable plastic bag with the marinade and mix well.

Cooking

When you are ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers, alternating with veggies if desired. Place the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook in batches. Lightly brush or spray the chicken skewers with oil or cooking spray to promote browning and prevent sticking.

Cooking Time

Cook the chicken skewers for 7-10 minutes, then flip them over and cook for an additional 6-10 minutes. The total cooking time will be around 15-20 minutes, depending on the desired level of doneness. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.

Serving

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately. You can serve the chicken skewers on their own or with a side of rice, salad, or dipping sauce. Enjoy!

How to make beef kebabs in the air fryer

Ingredients:

• Beef of your choice (sirloin steak is a good option for juicy and tender kebabs)
• Bell peppers (any colour will work, but red bell peppers are sweeter)
• Red onions (or onion of your choice)
• Olive oil
• Minced garlic
• Lemon juice
• Spices/seasonings of your choice (e.g. chilli powder, cumin, salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, etc.)
• Wooden or metal skewers

Optional Ingredients:

• Zucchini
• Mushrooms
• Squash
• Pineapple or other fruit

Method:

• Combine beef, peppers, onions, and any other ingredients you are using in a large bowl.
• Prepare your chosen marinade by mixing olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, and your chosen spices/seasonings in a separate bowl.
• Pour the marinade over the ingredients in the large bowl and mix well to ensure everything is coated.
• Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours for more flavour.
• If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 10 minutes to prevent them from burning.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Thread the beef, peppers, onions, and any other ingredients onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece.
• Place the skewers in the air fryer in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded and have space to brown evenly.
• Lightly brush the skewers with oil or cooking spray to promote browning and prevent sticking.
• Cook the kebabs at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, or until the outside is charred and the inside is tender. Halfway through the cooking time, flip the skewers to ensure even cooking.
• Check that the kebabs are cooked to your liking. The beef should have an internal temperature of at least 145°F for medium-rare, or 160°F for medium.
• Remove the kebabs from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Tips:

• Ensure your skewers fit inside your air fryer before beginning. Standard bamboo or wooden skewers may be too long, so you may need to trim them or purchase shorter ones.
• If you are making a large batch of kebabs, you may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding your air fryer.
• You can add or substitute ingredients to suit your taste. For example, you could add fruit like pineapple, or swap out the vegetables for mushrooms, squash, or zucchini.
• If you prefer your vegetables softer, you can bake them in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes before adding them to the skewers.
• To store leftovers, remove the meat and vegetables from the skewers and keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Enjoy your delicious and juicy beef kebabs!

Chicken kebab ingredients and prep

Ingredients

The ingredients you will need for chicken kebabs are:

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• Natural yoghurt or Greek yoghurt
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Lemon juice
• Spices (e.g. paprika, cumin, cinnamon, chilli flakes or powder, garlic powder, onion powder, ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper, coriander, garam masala)
• Freshly chopped parsley
• Vegetables of your choice (e.g. bell peppers, red onion, zucchini, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes)

Preparation

• Prepare the marinade by mixing yoghurt, lemon juice, olive oil, and spices in a bowl.
• Cut the chicken into 1-2 inch cubes or pieces.
• Add the chicken to the marinade and mix well.
• Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or ideally, a few hours or overnight.
• If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning.
• Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece. You can alternate chicken with vegetables on the skewers.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350-400°F.
• Place the skewers in the air fryer basket and spray with cooking spray or brush with oil.
• Cook for 6-9 minutes, then flip the skewers and cook for another 6-9 minutes, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
• Serve hot with mint chutney, raita, or a dip of your choice!

Chicken kebab air fryer settings

Ingredients and Preparation:

Before we get into the air fryer settings, let's go over the ingredients and preparation method for chicken kebabs.

For this recipe, you'll need boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes or pieces. You'll also need various spices and ingredients for the marinade, such as avocado oil, low sodium Tamari or soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, honey or maple syrup, and fresh vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and onion.

Place the chicken into a mixing bowl, drizzle with oil, and add your desired spices and ingredients for the marinade. Mix well and let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes, or even overnight for more flavour.

After marinating, thread the chicken and vegetables onto skewers, alternating between the two. Make sure to leave a little space at the end of each skewer for easy handling.

Air Fryer Settings:

Now, for the air fryer settings!

• Preheat your air fryer: If your air fryer requires preheating, set it to 350-400°F. Most recipes recommend preheating for about 5 minutes, or as recommended by your air fryer's instructions.
• Prepare the skewers: Lightly brush the chicken skewers with oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking and promote browning. You can also line your air fryer basket with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
• Cooking time and temperature: Place the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 7-9 minutes at 350°F. If your air fryer has a rotating basket, take advantage of it for even cooking. Halfway through the cooking time, flip the skewers over to ensure even browning on all sides.
• Check for doneness: After the initial cooking time, check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. If it hasn't reached this temperature, continue cooking in 1-2 minute intervals until it does.
• Resting: Once the chicken is cooked, remove the skewers from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute and ensures juicy, tender chicken.

Tips:

• Skewer type: You can use wooden or metal skewers. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before adding the chicken to prevent them from burning.
• Batch cooking: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the kebabs in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.
• Vegetable size: Try to cut your vegetables into uniform sizes, similar to the size of the chicken pieces, to ensure even cooking.
• Marinating: Marinating the chicken adds flavour and tenderness. You can marinate for as little as 15 minutes, but for even more flavour, marinate overnight.
• Spices: Feel free to experiment with different spice combinations to find your favourite flavour profile. You can also try adding fresh herbs like parsley.

Frequently asked questions