Cody Casey
Kebabs are a delicious and easy meal to make, perfect for a summer barbecue or a weeknight dinner. You can cook kebabs in an air fryer, on a grill, or in the oven. The air fryer method is a healthier alternative to greasy takeout and can be just as delicious. You can make chicken, lamb, beef, or vegetarian kebabs in an air fryer, and the cooking time is usually between 10 and 20 minutes.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Kebabs in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Chicken, turkey, pork, beef, lamb, or a combination |
| Marinade | Yogurt, buttermilk, curry paste, garlic, ginger, lemon juice, spices, salt, pepper, chilli flakes, cinnamon |
| Temperature | 160°C (325°F) to 180°C (360°F) for doner kebab; 190°C for chicken shawarma kebab; 370°F for kofta kebab |
| Cooking Time | 20-30 minutes for doner kebab; 15-20 minutes for chicken shawarma kebab; 10 minutes for kofta kebab |
| Skewers | Metal or wooden skewers; soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before use |
| Sides | Salad, flatbread, pita bread, tzatziki, garlic sauce, rice, fries |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right skewers
On the other hand, wooden or bamboo skewers offer a more rustic look and feel, and are usually disposable or compostable. When using wooden skewers, it is important to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before adding food to prevent them from burning. This is a crucial step as wooden skewers are prone to scorching when exposed to high temperatures.
The size of the skewers is another important consideration. Ensure that the skewers you choose are an appropriate length for your air fryer. Longer skewers may need to be trimmed to fit inside the air fryer basket, while shorter skewers may result in a smaller yield. The width of the skewers is also a factor, as you will need to ensure that the food you are cooking will fit securely on the skewer without falling off during the cooking and flipping process.
Lastly, the type of food you are cooking may influence your choice of skewers. For example, if you are making chicken tikka kebabs, metal skewers might be preferable as they will help to cook the chicken from the inside, reducing the overall cooking time. For dishes like chicken shawarma kebabs, either metal or wooden skewers can be used, depending on your preference and what you have available.
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Preparing the meat
Next, prepare a marinade to infuse your kebab with flavour. In a bowl, combine yoghurt or buttermilk with spices such as paprika, cumin, chilli flakes, cinnamon, and pepper. You can also add salt, lemon juice, and minced garlic. Place your meat into a container and pour the marinade over it, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Cover the container and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for 3-6 hours, or even overnight for maximum flavour.
If you're using chicken, you'll need to thread the pieces onto skewers after marinating. You can use wooden or metal skewers, but if you opt for wooden, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes beforehand to prevent burning. If you're making kofta kebabs with ground meat, blend the meat with your spice mix and parsley using a stand mixer. Shape the mixture into a meatloaf shape or small, round, flat patties around the skewers.
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Making the marinade
Chicken Tikka Kebabs:
For chicken tikka kebabs, the marinade is prepared by combining yogurt, curry paste, garlic, and ginger in a bowl. The chicken is then added to this mixture and mixed until fully coated. This marinade is left to sit for at least 20 minutes or can be chilled overnight, allowing the flavours to infuse into the chicken.
Chicken Shawarma Kebabs:
Chicken shawarma kebabs are another popular option, and the marinade for these kebabs involves mixing yogurt with shawarma seasoning until smooth. The chicken pieces are then added and coated with this mixture. Similar to the chicken tikka marinade, this can be left to sit for a short period or chilled for a longer time.
Kofta Kebabs:
Kofta kebabs offer a different flavour profile and are typically made with a combination of ground meat, spices, and parsley. The meat can vary, including ground beef, chicken, lamb, or a combination of these. The key step in making the kofta kebab marinade is blending the meat with the spice mix and parsley using a stand mixer. This ensures that the proteins in the meat bind together, resulting in a sticky texture that helps the kofta hold its shape during cooking.
Chicken Kebabs with Smoky Flavour:
To achieve a smoky flavour without using a barbecue, a unique technique involves adding a piece of coal to an open flame until it turns white. This coal is then placed in a small foil bowl inside the air fryer, and a drizzle of olive oil or any other oil is added to create smoke. The air fryer is then sealed shut for about 10 minutes, infusing the kebabs with a delicious smoky taste.
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Cooking temperature and time
The cooking temperature and time for your kebab depend on the type of kebab you are making and the type of air fryer you are using.
For chicken tikka kebabs, heat the air fryer to 180°C. Thread the chicken onto skewers and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is piping hot throughout and any juices run clear.
For chicken shawarma kebabs, preheat the air fryer to 190°C. Cook the chicken skewers for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is piping hot throughout and any juices run clear.
For chicken skewers, you can preheat the air fryer to 400°F and spray the surface. Add the skewers and air fry for 6-8 minutes or until golden and charred on top. Then, rotate the skewers, spray with oil again, and air fry for another 6-8 minutes.
For chicken kabobs, preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 2 minutes. Spray the basket with oil and place the chicken skewers in a single layer. Cook for 15-20 minutes, flipping the chicken kebabs over halfway through.
For doner kebabs, place the meat in the air fryer basket and cook for 20-30 minutes at 160°C (325°F), flipping over halfway through. Then, unwrap the doner meat and cook, uncovered, for another 10-15 minutes at 180°C (360°F), turning over so the meat browns evenly on all sides. Use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the meat is 75°C (167°F).
For kofta kebabs, place the kababs in the air fryer and cook at 370°F for 10 minutes. Check with a meat thermometer to ensure that the kebabs have an internal temperature of 145°F.
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Serving suggestions
Kebabs are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Salad Bowl: Create a salad bowl with sliced lettuce, thinly sliced cabbage, cucumber, tomatoes, onions, and pita bread triangles. You can also add a dollop of tzatziki or yogurt for a creamy touch.
- Wrap: Fill flatbread or Greek pita bread with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, garlicky tzatziki, mayonnaise, and sriracha sauce. Don't forget to pile on those juicy kebab strips!
- Rice Bowl: Pair your kebabs with a rice bowl. You can even add a fried egg on top for a hearty meal.
- Sides: Serve your kebabs with classic sides like fries or roasted vegetables. Some dips or sauces on the side can also enhance the flavours.
- Naan Bread: Enjoy your kebabs on naan bread with sides of mango chutney, raita, lime pickle, or crumbled bhaji.
- Sharing Plate: Make a sharing plate with a variety of dips, pita bread, and vegetables. This is a great option for gatherings or family-style dining.
- Traditional: Keep it traditional and serve your kebabs with flatbread, salad, and tzatziki or garlic sauce.
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Frequently asked questions
To make chicken kebabs in an air fryer, you will need to cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and then marinate them. You can make your own marinade or use a pre-made shawarma seasoning mix. After marinating, thread the chicken onto skewers and place them in the air fryer basket. Cook at 180-200°C for 15-20 minutes, flipping the kebabs over halfway through.
To make doner kebabs in an air fryer, mix ground turkey and pork with spices and shape the mixture into a meatloaf. Wrap the meatloaf tightly with foil and place it in the air fryer basket. Cook at 160°C for 20-30 minutes, flipping it over halfway through. Then, unwrap the meat and cook, uncovered, for another 10-15 minutes at 180°C.
To give your air-fried kebabs a smoky flavour, add a piece of coal to an open flame and cook it until it's white all over. Transfer the coal to a piece of foil and place it in the air fryer. Drizzle a small amount of oil onto the coal to create smoke and seal the air fryer shut for about 10 minutes.
