Air Fryer Chicken Skewers: Perfect Timing For Tender Treats

Chicken skewers are a great option for a quick and easy meal, and an air fryer is an excellent way to cook them. The cooking time for chicken skewers in an air fryer varies depending on the recipe, but it typically takes around 15 minutes. Before cooking, it's important to ensure that the skewers fit in the air fryer, especially if they are wooden skewers, which may need to be soaked in water to prevent burning. The chicken should be cut into evenly sized pieces and marinated for at least 15 minutes, or ideally a few hours, to infuse it with flavour.

Soaking wooden skewers

While metal skewers are ready to use out of the box, wooden skewers require some preparation before you can use them in an air fryer. The reason for this is that bamboo, being a natural material, may catch fire or release harmful chemicals when exposed to high heat. Soaking the skewers in water for at least 10 to 30 minutes can prevent them from burning during cooking.

To soak the skewers, place them in a shallow dish or container filled with water. After soaking, pat them dry before using them in your air fryer. This simple step will ensure that your skewers stay intact and do not catch fire during cooking. It is important to note that there is some debate about whether or not wooden skewers should be soaked before use. Some argue that soaking the skewers weakens the wood and can lead to skewer breakage. However, the general consensus among experts is that skewers should be soaked before air frying.

It is also important to ensure that the wooden skewers fit in your air fryer. If they are too long, you may need to trim them. Additionally, overcrowding the air fryer basket can hinder airflow and result in uneven cooking, so be sure to place the chicken skewers in a single layer.

Marinating the chicken

To prepare the marinade, combine your chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and other seasonings of your choice in a large mixing bowl. You can also add vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, onions, and herbs to the marinade for extra flavour. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or cling film and place it in the fridge. The chicken will continue to absorb the flavours from the marinade as it sits in the fridge, so the longer you can leave it, the better.

If you're short on time, even a quick marinade of 15-20 minutes will add some flavour to your chicken. You can also enhance the flavour by brushing the cooked chicken skewers with a garlic herb butter or your favourite sauce before serving.

It's important to note that the type of skewer you use may affect the marinating process. If you're using wooden skewers, make sure to soak them in water for at least 10-30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning in the air fryer. Metal skewers, on the other hand, do not need to be soaked and can be used directly.

Threading the chicken

Firstly, it is important to ensure that your chicken is prepared correctly before threading. Cut the chicken into uniform-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. It is recommended to opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs as they yield a lean and tender result. However, you can also use chicken breasts or other parts based on your preference.

Marinating the chicken pieces is an essential step to infuse them with flavour. Place the chicken pieces in a large mixing bowl and add your choice of marinade ingredients such as olive oil, vegetable oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or any spices and herbs you like. Mix well, ensuring that all the pieces are coated evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or cling film and let the chicken marinate. The longer you can leave it, the better—aim for at least 30 minutes, but if you have the time, a few hours or even overnight will give your chicken an extra flavour boost.

Now, let's talk about the skewers themselves. You can use either wooden or metal skewers, depending on what you have available and what your preference is. If you opt for wooden skewers, it is important to soak them in water for at least 10 to 30 minutes before threading the chicken. This step is crucial to prevent the skewers from burning in the air fryer. Metal skewers, on the other hand, do not require any pre-soaking and can be used as is.

When you are ready to thread the chicken, start by taking a skewer and carefully pushing it through the centre of each chicken piece. Leave a little space between each piece of chicken to allow for proper air circulation during cooking. Aim for around 6 to 7 pieces of chicken per skewer, depending on the size of your skewers and chicken pieces. You can also add vegetables to your skewers, such as bell peppers, zucchini, onions, or mushrooms. Just be sure to cut the vegetables into even-sized pieces similar in size to your chicken pieces to ensure everything cooks evenly.

Finally, once you have threaded all your chicken and vegetables onto the skewers, give them a final once-over to ensure they are secure and ready for the air fryer. Remember to preheat your air fryer for about 5 minutes at the recommended temperature, usually around 400°F or 200°C, and you are good to go!

Preheating the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process, and it's necessary for most recipes. By preheating your air fryer, you ensure that your chicken skewers start cooking immediately and evenly. The ideal preheating time is about 5 minutes at the temperature recommended for your specific recipe. For chicken skewers, a temperature of 400°F (200°C) is typically recommended. However, it's crucial to refer to your recipe or cooking instructions for the optimal temperature setting.

Before preheating, it's essential to prepare your skewers properly. If you're using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 10 to 30 minutes before threading the chicken. Soaking helps prevent the skewers from burning in the air fryer. Metal skewers, on the other hand, do not require soaking and can be used directly.

When you're ready to preheat, set your air fryer to the desired temperature, which is typically 400°F (200°C) for chicken skewers. Allow it to heat up for about 5 minutes. During this time, you can prepare the chicken skewers by cutting the chicken into evenly sized pieces and marinating them with your chosen seasonings or sauces. You can also use this time to prepare any vegetables or other ingredients you plan to include on the skewers.

While preheating, you may also want to spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil or apply a light coating of oil to the chicken skewers themselves. This helps promote browning, enhances flavour, and prevents sticking to the air fryer basket. Once the preheating is complete, you can arrange the chicken skewers in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are placed in a single layer without overcrowding.

Remember, preheating your air fryer ensures that your chicken skewers cook evenly and efficiently. By following the recommended preheating temperature and duration, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious and evenly cooked chicken skewers.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for chicken skewers in an air fryer depend on the type of skewer and the size of the chicken pieces. It is recommended that you preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for about 5 minutes.

If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 10 to 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning in the air fryer. Metal skewers do not need to be soaked. Cut the chicken into evenly-sized pieces, about 1-inch or 1.5-inches in size, to ensure even cooking. Thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a small space between each piece to allow for proper air circulation.

Once the skewers are prepared, place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring that the basket is not overcrowded. Overcrowding can hinder airflow and result in uneven cooking. You may need to cook the chicken in batches. Cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer, but generally, the skewers will take about 10 minutes to cook at 400°F/200°C, or until the chicken is no longer white when cut into. Flip the skewers halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning on all sides. The internal temperature of cooked chicken should reach 165°F/73°C.

For a smokey taste, add a piece of coal to an open flame and cook until it is completely white all over. Transfer the coal to a small bowl made of foil, add a drizzle of olive oil, and place it in the air fryer with the skewers. Leave it covered for about 10 minutes.

Frequently asked questions