Tiffany Haney
Spam is a beloved food product, especially in Hawaii and among Asians. It is a canned cooked spiced pork that was introduced to the market in 1937 and gained popularity during World War II. It is a versatile and inexpensive food that can be cooked in many ways, including in an air fryer. Cooking Spam in an air fryer is easy and quick, and it can be done in about 10 minutes. The number of slices you cut your Spam into will determine the cooking time, with 8 slices being a good number to aim for. The slices should be placed in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cooked for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. The cooking time can be increased for crispier results.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | 10 minutes |
| Temperature | 360°F-400°F |
| Number of slices | 6-12 |
| Flip halfway through | Yes |
| Oil required | No |
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What You'll Learn
How to get the perfect crispness
To get the perfect crispness when cooking Spam in an air fryer, there are several methods you can try. Firstly, it is recommended to cut the Spam block into slices, with varying recommendations of 6 to 12 slices, with 8 slices being a popular option as it is thick enough to prevent overcooking and allows all slices to fit in the air fryer. The number of slices will determine the cooking time, with more slices requiring less time. For 8 slices, set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 12 minutes. After 6 minutes, pause the air fryer and flip the Spam slices before placing them back in the air fryer to continue cooking.
For thinner slices, a cooking time of 10 minutes is recommended, flipping the Spam halfway through. You can also adjust the cooking time based on your desired crispness. If you prefer your Spam extra crispy, you can increase the cooking time by a few minutes. It is important to keep an eye on the Spam to avoid overcooking, as it should be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Additionally, you can cook Spam fries in the air fryer by placing the fries in the basket and cooking them at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispiness. Flip the fries halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
By following these methods and adjusting the cooking time based on your preferences, you can achieve the perfect crispness when cooking Spam in an air fryer.
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Serving suggestions
Air fryer SPAM is a versatile dish that can be served in many different ways. Here are some serving suggestions to get you started:
Hawaiian-Style
SPAM is extremely popular in Hawaii, where it was introduced during World War II as an easy and fast way to feed soldiers. To pay homage to its Hawaiian roots, serve your air fryer SPAM with rice and nori to create katsu musubi. You can also add a fried egg on top for a heartier meal.
Salads
Air fryer SPAM makes a great addition to salads. Chop it up and toss it with your favourite greens, vegetables, and dressing. For a heartier salad, add some boiled eggs or potatoes. You can also use SPAM as a replacement for bacon in a potato salad.
Sandwiches
SPAM is an excellent filling for sandwiches. Try a classic grilled cheese with SPAM, cheddar cheese, and butter. You can also make a fried egg and SPAM sandwich or a SPAM katsu sando. If you're feeling adventurous, add some SPAM to a grilled cheese sandwich for an extra meaty surprise.
Breakfast
SPAM is a great way to add protein to your breakfast. Try it with fried mushrooms, eggs, hash browns, and baby spinach for a classic full breakfast. You can also scramble some eggs with SPAM mixed in or add it to your breakfast burrito.
Sides
Air fryer SPAM goes well with a variety of side dishes. Try serving it with homemade fries, pan-fried potatoes, or rice. You can also pair it with a simple green salad or a more substantial potato salad.
Soups
SPAM can be served with ramen or egg noodle soup. It adds a nice meaty flavour to the broth and makes the dish more filling.
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How to cook Spam fries
Cooking Spam fries in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare this Hawaiian classic. It's a versatile dish that can be served in many different ways and is a great, inexpensive option for a tasty meal.
To make Spam fries, start by preheating your air fryer to 360°F. While the air fryer heats up, prepare your Spam by slicing it into thin, fry-shaped pieces. You can decide how many slices you want, but a good rule is eight slices, as they will fit perfectly in most air fryers without overlapping. Overlapping slices may affect how crispy your Spam fries become.
Once your air fryer is preheated and your Spam is sliced, place the Spam fries into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are spread out and not overlapping. Close the basket and let the Spam cook for about 6 minutes. Then, open the basket and use tongs or a fork to flip each Spam fry. Close the basket again and continue cooking for another 4 to 6 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness.
When your Spam fries are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. The total cooking time should be between 10 and 12 minutes. You can serve Spam fries with a variety of side dishes, such as rice, nori, pan-fried potatoes, or a salad. You can also add a fried egg on top or make a sandwich with the Spam fries, egg, and your choice of bread.
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How many slices to cut
There are differing opinions on how many slices of Spam to cut when cooking in an air fryer. Some sources suggest cutting the Spam block in half, yielding two thick slices, while others recommend cutting 6 to 12 slices. However, the magic number seems to be 8 slices, which is a good balance between thickness and cooking time. Thicker slices may require longer cooking times, and thinner slices may overcook and become too hard.
When cooking Spam in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that the slices are not overlapping in the basket. This allows for even cooking and browning. Depending on the desired level of crispness, the cooking time may vary. For 8 slices, a cooking time of 10 to 12 minutes is recommended, with a flip halfway through.
If you are cooking fries or thinner slices of Spam, a shorter cooking time of 10 to 15 minutes is suggested. It is important to keep an eye on the Spam and adjust the cooking time as needed to avoid overcooking. The goal is to achieve a balance between a crispy exterior and a soft, juicy interior.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the number of slices may depend on the size of your air fryer basket. You want to ensure that the slices have enough space to cook properly without overlapping. Therefore, it is recommended to adjust the number of slices based on the size and capacity of your air fryer.
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How to make Spam musubi
Spam musubi is a popular Hawaiian snack. It is made with short-grain rice and grilled teriyaki-marinated Spam, sprinkled with furikake, a Japanese seaweed seasoning, and wrapped in nori.
- Cut the Spam into 8 lengthwise pieces.
- Add teriyaki sauce to a large bowl, turning to coat the Spam. Marinate for 15 minutes.
- Place the Spam slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are spread out and not overlapping.
- Set the air fryer to 360 F to 400 F and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through.
- While the Spam is cooking, prepare the rice. It is recommended to use short-grain rice as it is stickier and will help the musubi parcels stick together.
- When the Spam is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool slightly.
- Using the cleaned Spam can, place a sheet of cling wrap inside. Add roughly 4 tablespoons of rice into the mold and top with furikake.
- Place the cooked Spam on top of the rice and cut a sheet of nori seaweed into 4 pieces.
- Fold the nori sheet around the Spam and rice.
Your Spam musubi is now ready to be served!
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 10 minutes to cook Spam in an air fryer.
You can cook about 8 slices of Spam in an air fryer at once.
No, you don't need to add oil when cooking Spam in an air fryer.
The air fryer should be preheated to 360-400°F when cooking Spam.
Yes, you can add your favourite spices and seasonings to Spam before air frying. Adding a touch of oil will help the herbs stick to the surface.
