Air-Frying Camembert: The Time It Takes

Air fryer camembert is a quick and easy dish to make, perfect for a festive occasion, a cosy night in, or when entertaining guests. The air fryer's ability to quickly turn a simple wheel of camembert into a gourmet treat in just minutes makes it a popular choice for those craving a scrumptious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

The cooking time for camembert in an air fryer varies depending on the desired texture and the model of the air fryer. For a standard 250g wheel of camembert, the cooking time is typically between 8 to 15 minutes. It is important to keep an eye on the camembert while it cooks to ensure it doesn't melt completely and lose its shape. The ideal texture is slightly puffy and soft to the touch, with a gooey centre and a slightly crisp exterior.

How to prepare camembert for the air fryer

Preparing camembert for the air fryer is a simple process that can be done in just a few minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating it to around 350°F (175-180°C). This step is important to ensure even cooking and to achieve the desired gooey centre with a slightly crisp top.

Step 2: Prepare the Camembert

Remove any plastic packaging or wrapping from the camembert wheel. If your camembert comes in a wooden box, you can leave it in the box, or you can place it in a small oven-safe dish, a camembert baker, or even create a bowl with foil.

Step 3: Score the Cheese

Using a sharp knife, gently score the top of the camembert in a crisscross or crosshatch pattern. This step helps the cheese melt evenly and allows added flavours to penetrate the cheese.

Step 4: Add Toppings (Optional)

You can add a variety of toppings to your camembert to enhance its flavour. Drizzle olive oil over the cheese to add flavour and help create a golden crust. You can also add sliced or crushed garlic cloves, fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary, honey, or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper for seasoning.

Step 5: Air Fry the Camembert

Place the prepared camembert, in its box or dish, into the air fryer basket. Set the cooking time for 8-12 minutes at 350°F (175-180°C). Keep an eye on the camembert as it cooks, as you want the cheese to be gooey and melted but not completely melted and loss its shape.

Step 6: Serve Immediately

Once your camembert is baked to perfection, carefully remove it from the air fryer and serve it immediately while it's still hot and gooey. You can serve it with a variety of dippers, such as crusty bread, part-baked rolls, breadsticks, crackers, vegetable sticks, fruit slices, or nuts.

Tips:

• If you want to toast bread or baguette slices, place them in the air fryer for the last 4-5 minutes of cooking.
• Don't overcook the camembert to prevent it from becoming too runny or separating.
• Experiment with different toppings and flavour combinations, such as chilli flakes, crispy bacon pieces, or different herbs.

How long to cook camembert in the air fryer

Air fryer camembert is a quick and easy treat that's perfect for festive occasions, cosy nights in, or when entertaining guests. The cooking time will depend on your desired texture and the specifics of your air fryer, but generally, you'll want to air fry camembert for around 8 to 15 minutes.

Preparing the camembert

Before cooking, remove any plastic packaging or wooden boxes from the cheese wheel and place it in an oven-safe dish, a camembert baker, or leave it in its cardboard box. If you're using a cardboard box, turn the camembert over so that the bottom becomes the top. Scoring or slicing the top of the cheese in a crisscross pattern will help the cheese melt evenly and allow added flavours to permeate.

Cooking the camembert

Preheat your air fryer to between 160°C and 180°C (320°F to 350°F). Place the prepared camembert in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is gooey and the top is golden brown. Keep an eye on the cheese as it cooks, as you don't want it to melt completely and lose its shape. The camembert is done when it's visibly softened and the top is slightly golden.

Serving the camembert

Serve the air fryer camembert immediately while it's still hot and gooey. It goes well with crusty bread, crackers, breadsticks, vegetable sticks, apple or pear slices, dried fruit, nuts, or cured meats. You can also add toppings such as honey, garlic, herbs, or chilli flakes.

What to serve with air fryer camembert

Air fryer camembert is a great dish to serve at parties or casual get-togethers. It can be served as an appetiser or side dish, and goes well with a variety of foods. Here are some ideas for what to serve with air fryer camembert:

Bread and Crackers

Bread and crackers are classic accompaniments to camembert. You can serve the cheese with sliced baguette, crusty bread rolls, or crackers. For a fancier touch, try using pesto focaccia, breadsticks, or part-baked rolls. Toasting the bread will also add a nice crunchy texture.

Dipping Sauces

Camembert goes well with a variety of dipping sauces. Try honey, cranberry sauce, caramelised onion chutney, or jams and chutneys. You can also add a savoury note with garlic aioli.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fresh fruits and vegetables can complement the richness of the camembert. Try serving apples, berries, grapes, or vegetable sticks such as celery and carrot.

Nuts

Nuts can add a crunchy texture and extra flavour to the dish. Walnuts or pecans are great options to sprinkle on top of the camembert or serve on the side.

Meat

If you want to make a heartier meal, pair the camembert with cured meats or a charcuterie board. It also goes well with roasted chicken or baked sweet potatoes.

Herbs

Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage can add a fragrant touch to the dish. You can sprinkle them on top of the camembert or use them as a garnish.

Drinks

A glass of wine, especially a red wine, can pair nicely with the camembert and complement the flavours of the cheese.

How to reheat air fryer camembert

Air fryer camembert is a delicious treat, but what happens if it starts to harden? You can always reheat it! Here's a simple guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Camembert

Remove the camembert from the fridge and take off any plastic wrapping. Keep it in its cardboard box or place it in a small oven-safe dish. If you're using a dish, line it with baking paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Step 2: Score the Cheese

Use a sharp knife to gently score the top of the cheese in a crisscross or crosshatch pattern. This pattern helps the cheese melt evenly and allows added flavours to be absorbed. It also makes it easier for the cheese to expand and become gooey without bursting.

Step 3: Add Toppings (Optional)

You can add various toppings to your camembert before reheating it. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil over the top to enhance the flavour and help create a golden crust. You can also add a sweet touch with honey or maple syrup. For a more savoury option, sprinkle on some fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, or insert a few slices of garlic.

Step 4: Reheat in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 320-350°F (160-175°C). Place the prepared camembert, in its box or on a dish, into the air fryer basket. Reheat for about 8-10 minutes, keeping an eye on it to prevent overcooking. The cheese is ready when it's gooey and slightly puffy.

Step 5: Serve

Carefully remove the camembert from the air fryer and let it rest for a minute or two to stabilise. Serve immediately while it's still hot and gooey. Enjoy it with your favourite dippers, such as crusty bread, crackers, vegetable sticks, or fruit slices.

Tips:

• If you're adding delicate toppings like nuts or herbs that may burn, consider adding them halfway through the reheating process or after removing the camembert from the air fryer.
• Toasted garlic bread, crackers, crispy bacon, and fresh or dried fruit are all excellent pairing options for your reheated camembert.
• If you're short on time, you can quickly reheat the camembert in the microwave for about 90 seconds on full power.

Now you know how to easily reheat your air fryer camembert and enjoy it all over again!

What other cheeses can you cook in the air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook up a gooey, crispy, cheesy treat in no time. While it is not recommended to cook cheese by itself in an air fryer, there are many cheese-based dishes and snacks that can be cooked in an air fryer.

One of the most popular cheeses to cook in an air fryer is camembert. It is recommended to cook a whole wheel of camembert, preferably in a wooden box, and it can be served with a variety of sides, such as crackers, bread, breadsticks, celery, carrot, apple slices, dried fruit, or nuts. The camembert can also be flavoured with garlic, honey, cranberry sauce, or herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or sage.

Other cheeses that can be cooked in an air fryer include halloumi, feta, and ricotta. These cheeses have a higher melting point, so they can be cooked in a baking pan in the air fryer and will have a soft, gooey inside. Halloumi can be used in salads, sandwiches, and kebabs, while feta and ricotta are great for pastas, spreads, and dips.

There are also a variety of cheese-based dishes that can be cooked in an air fryer, as long as the cheese is contained within the dish and will not ooze out into the air fryer basket. These include ravioli, stuffed mushrooms, grilled cheese sandwiches, mac and cheese balls, mini peppers stuffed with cheese and sausage, cheese-stuffed meatloaves, pizza egg rolls, calzones, and mozzarella sticks.

So, while cooking a block of cheese in an air fryer may not be the best idea, there are still plenty of cheesy options to explore and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions