Air-Frying Collard Greens: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Collard greens are a delicious and healthy addition to any meal, and cooking them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare them. Whether you're making them as a side dish or adding them to a main course, air-fried collard greens are a tasty and nutritious option. In this article, we'll explore different ways to cook collard greens in an air fryer, including recipes for crispy chips, ribs, and more. We'll also discuss the health benefits of collard greens and provide tips on how to get the most out of your air fryer. So, if you're looking for a new way to enjoy this nutritious vegetable, read on to discover the best methods for air-frying collard greens.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The temperature and timing for cooking collard greens in an air fryer will depend on the type of dish you are making. For example, if you are making collard greens chips, you should air fry in batches at 275˚ F for 4-6 minutes, checking at 4 or 5 minutes to remove smaller leaves that are crunchy. A five-minute air fry time is recommended.

If you are making air fryer ribs with collard greens, preheat your air fryer to 350˚ F. Cook the ribs, turning halfway through, until they are browned and crisp, which should take 25 to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat some olive oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, carrot and garlic, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then add the collard greens, vinegar, sugar and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the collards are tender, which should take 20 to 25 minutes.

For a vegetarian or vegan option, you can make crispy black-eyed peas and collard greens in the air fryer. After air frying the black-eyed peas, place the greens on top and air fry for an additional 5 minutes at 400˚ F, shaking halfway through.

If you are using a pressure cooker, add oil, pancetta, and onion to the pot and cook for 8 minutes. Then, add the collard greens, broth, vinegar, red pepper flakes, and salt, and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes. Allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes, then quick-release the remaining pressure.

How to prepare the collard greens

How to prepare collard greens

Firstly, fold each collard green leaf in half lengthwise and slice off the stem. Cut each leaf in half crosswise. Next, toss the leaves with oil, salt and pepper. You can also add pancetta, onion, broth, vinegar, and red pepper flakes to the pot if you want to add more flavour.

Spread the leaves out on an air fryer tray with no overlap and air fry in batches at 275 for 4-6 minutes, checking at 4 or 5 minutes to remove smaller leaves that are crunchy. A five-minute air fry time should be enough to make them crunchy.

What to serve with collard greens

To cook collard greens in an air fryer, you can either cook them on their own or with other ingredients. To cook them on their own, fold each leaf in half lengthwise and slice off the stem. Cut each leaf in half crosswise. Toss the leaves with oil, salt and pepper, and then spread them out on an air fryer tray with no overlap. Air fry in batches at 275 for 4-6 minutes, checking at 4 or 5 minutes to remove smaller leaves that are crunchy.

To cook collard greens with other ingredients, you can make air fryer ribs with collard greens. To do this, preheat a 6-quart air fryer to 350˚ F. Sprinkle ribs with chile-lime seasoning and arrange them in the air fryer basket in an even layer. Cook, turning halfway through, until the ribs are browned and crisp (25 to 30 minutes). Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, carrot and garlic, and cook until the vegetables are tender (6 to 8 minutes). Season with salt and pepper, add the collard greens, vinegar, sugar and water, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, loosely cover and cook until the collards are tender (20 to 25 minutes).

You can also make air fryer crispy black-eyed peas and collard greens. Drain the liquid from the black-eyed peas, place the greens on top, and air fry for an additional 5 minutes at 400, shaking halfway through.

Now, what to serve with collard greens? Well, they are incredibly versatile and pair well with everything from catfish to mac and cheese. Here are some more ideas:

• Pulled pork sandwiches: a classic barbecue option that brings a smoky and savoury kick.
• Sautéed mushrooms: an earthy and flavourful addition that creates a sophisticated and umami-rich combination.
• Hoppin’ John: a traditional dish made with black-eyed peas, rice, and bacon. Top with a little hot sauce to complete this dish.
• Fried catfish: the crispy coating of the catfish complements the tender texture of collard greens.
• Pork chops: juicy and flavourful, adding a hearty and savoury element to your Southern-style collard greens.
• Buttermilk biscuits: light and flaky, these biscuits are a heavenly addition, soaking up the potlikker from the collard greens.
• Fried okra: crispy okra adds a delightful crunch and a hint of sweetness, creating a perfect side dish to serve when you’re cooking collard greens.
• Red beans and rice: a hearty and satisfying side dish that pairs exceptionally well with collard greens.
• Candied yams: the sweetness of candied yams complements the slightly bitter taste of collard greens.
• Grits with shrimp: elevate your meal with the rich and creamy texture of grits and succulent shrimp for a Southern-inspired delight.
• Cornbread: collard greens and cornbread are the culinary equivalent of Batman and Robin. This cornbread is a breeze to whip up, and all you need is a handful of pantry staples: flour, yellow cornmeal, sugar, salt, baking powder, butter, egg, and milk.
• Pinot noir: if you want to bring your meal up a notch, pair it with a bold-flavoured wine like pinot noir.
• Creamed corn: provides a luscious and sweet contrast to the robust flavours of collard greens.

Seasoning and flavouring

For a more complex flavour profile, you can cook the collard greens with other ingredients. For example, you can sauté onions, celery, and garlic in olive oil before adding the greens, vinegar, sugar, and water. This will create a savoury and slightly sweet dish. Alternatively, you can cook the greens with black-eyed peas for a unique twist.

If you're looking for a crispy texture, air fry the greens at a higher temperature, such as 400 degrees Fahrenheit, for 4-6 minutes. Check on them regularly to ensure they don't burn. For a softer texture, simmer the greens on the stovetop with the other ingredients until tender, which usually takes around 20-25 minutes.

Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with different seasonings and flavour combinations. You can try adding smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or even a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavours. The key is to find a balance of seasonings that complement each other and enhance the natural flavour of the collard greens.

How to cook collard greens in an air fryer with other ingredients

You can cook collard greens in an air fryer with other ingredients, such as black-eyed peas, ribs, or pancetta and onion. Here are some methods and recipes:

With black-eyed peas

Drain the liquid from a 15-ounce can of black-eyed peas (or 1 2/3 cups of firmly cooked peas). Rough chop a bunch of collard greens into large chip-sized pieces. Place the greens on top of the peas in the air fryer and cook for an additional 5 minutes at 400˚ F, shaking halfway through and fluffing the greens.

With ribs

Preheat a 6-quart air fryer to 350˚ F. Sprinkle ribs with chile-lime seasoning and arrange them in the air fryer basket in an even layer. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes, turning halfway through, until the ribs are browned and crisp. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, carrot, and garlic; cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Season with salt and pepper. Add collard greens, vinegar, sugar, and water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, loosely cover, and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the collards are tender.

With pancetta and onion

Add oil, pancetta, and onion to a pot and cook for 5 minutes. Add collard greens, broth, vinegar, red pepper flakes, and salt to the pot and stir to incorporate. Assemble a pressure lid on the pot, making sure the pressure release valve is in the SEAL position. Select PRESSURE and set to HIGH, then set the time to 4 minutes. Start the pressure cooking and, when complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, quick-release the remaining pressure by moving the pressure release valve to the VENT position.

Frequently asked questions