Air Fryer Spam: How Long To Fry To Perfection?

Spam is a beloved food product, especially in Hawaii and across Asia. It was introduced to Hawaii in the 1940s and has been a staple in Hawaiian cooking ever since. This canned ham is made from pork ham and pork shoulder, and is flavoured with spices, potato starch, sugar, and preservatives.

If you're looking to cook spam in an air fryer, it's recommended that you cut the spam into slices or fries, and cook for around 10 minutes at 400° F, flipping halfway through. You can also marinate the spam in a mixture of brown sugar and soy sauce, or brush on a sauce during cooking.

How to cut Spam for the air fryer

There are a few different ways to cut your Spam for the air fryer, depending on your desired outcome.

If you want to make Spam fries, cut the Spam block into thin, fry-shaped pieces.

For other dishes, such as Spam Musubi, a Hawaiian snack, it is recommended to cut the Spam into 8 equal slices. To do this, cut the Spam block in half, then cut each half in half again, and then cut each of those pieces in half again. This will give you 8 uniform slices.

If you want to make a sandwich, it is recommended to cut the Spam into slices, but you can also cut it into fries.

How to season Spam for the air fryer

Air-fried Spam is a delicious, quick, and easy meal to make. It's also versatile, as it can be served in many different ways.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to season your Spam for the air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Marinade

In a shallow pan, mix equal parts brown sugar and shoyu (a type of Japanese soy sauce). The brown sugar will give your Spam a smoky and sweet flavour, while the shoyu adds a salty and umami taste. You can also add other spices and seasonings of your choice to the marinade. For example, if you like your food spicy, you could add some hot sauce or Sriracha.

Step 2: Marinate the Spam

Slice your Spam into 8 equal pieces. Place the slices into the marinade and let them sit for 10-15 minutes. This will give your Spam time to absorb all the delicious flavours.

Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer temperature to 400°F. It will take around five minutes to heat up.

Step 4: Air Fry the Spam

Place the Spam slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through. If you like your Spam extra crispy, you can increase the cooking time slightly.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Remove the Spam from the air fryer and let it cool slightly before serving. You can serve it as-is, or get creative! Some serving suggestions include:

• With rice and nori to create katsu musubi
• With white rice and a fried egg
• Chopped up in a salad
• Paired with pan-fried potatoes

And there you have it! Delicious, seasoned Spam cooked to perfection in your air fryer. Enjoy!

How long to cook Spam in the air fryer

Spam is a tinned meat product that is especially popular in Hawaii, Asia, and other places where US soldiers were stationed during World War II. It is made from pork ham and pork shoulder and flavoured with spices, potato starch, sugar, and preservatives.

Cooking Spam in an Air Fryer

Air frying is a great way to cook Spam, as it is quick, easy, and requires no oil. You can also cook several slices at once.

To cook Spam in an air fryer, cut the block into slices or fries. The number of slices you cut will depend on how thick you want them and how many slices you want. A good rule of thumb is to cut the block in half, then cut one of the halves in half again, and so on, until you have the desired number of slices. Most recipes recommend a total of 8 slices, as this amount fits well in most air fryers and prevents overcooking.

Once you have cut your Spam, place the slices in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping. Set the temperature to 400°F and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through. You can increase the cooking time for crispier results.

Serving Suggestions

Spam is very versatile and can be served in many different ways. It can be used as a sandwich filling, added to a salad, or served with eggs and rice. It is also a popular ingredient in Hawaiian dishes such as Spam Musubi, which is made by wrapping Spam and rice in dried seaweed.

What temperature to cook Spam in the air fryer

To cook Spam in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the sliced Spam in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through.

You can slice the Spam into thin fries or thicker slices, depending on your preference. If you want crispier Spam, opt for thinner slices and cook for closer to 12 minutes. For thicker slices, 10 minutes should be sufficient.

Spam is a popular canned cooked spiced pork product that gained widespread popularity during World War II, especially in Hawaii. It is a versatile and inexpensive protein that can be used in a variety of dishes, including sandwiches, salads, and rice bowls.

When cooking Spam in an air fryer, there is no need to add oil as the meat contains enough fat to achieve a crispy texture. However, if you prefer, you can spray the Spam with a bit of oil before air frying to enhance the crispiness.

What to serve with air-fried Spam

Air-fried Spam is a versatile dish that can be served in many different ways. Here are some ideas for what to serve with it:

Hawaiian-style

Spam is extremely popular in Hawaii, where it was introduced as a cheap and easy way to feed soldiers during World War II. It has since become a staple in Hawaiian cooking. To make a Hawaiian-style meal, serve your air-fried Spam with rice and nori to create katsu musubi, or with white rice and a fried egg.

Salads

You can chop up air-fried Spam and add it to a variety of salads. It goes especially well with a potato salad or a simple green salad.

Sandwiches

Spam is an excellent sandwich filling. Try it in a classic grilled cheese sandwich with cheddar cheese and butter, or use it instead of breaded pork in a katsu sando.

Breakfast

Air-fried Spam can be part of a classic full breakfast, including fried mushrooms, eggs, hash browns, and baby spinach. Alternatively, you can scramble some eggs and mix in chopped-up Spam.

Sides

Spam goes well with a variety of side dishes, including sweet potato fries, homemade fries, and pan-fried potatoes.

Frequently asked questions