Air-Fryer Shish Kabobs: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Shish kabobs are a delicious meal that can be made in an air fryer with a variety of meats, including beef, chicken, and pork. The prep is simple and can be done in advance, making it a convenient option for a juicy and flavorful meal. The key to a great shish kabob is in the marinade, which can be made with a variety of ingredients like olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and herbs, and the type of skewer you use—wooden or metal, 6-inch or 8-inch skewers are common choices. The cooking time is generally around 10 minutes in the air fryer, making it a quick and easy option for lunch or dinner.

Characteristics and Values Table for Shish Kabobs in an Air Fryer

Choosing the right skewers

The length of the skewers you choose will depend on the size of your air fryer. Standard bamboo or wooden skewers are typically around 6 to 8 inches long, and these sizes generally fit well in most air fryers. If you find that your skewers are too long, you can simply trim them with scissors to fit your air fryer.

It is also important to consider the thickness of the skewers. Thinner skewers may be more prone to burning, so choosing skewers with a slightly thicker diameter can help prevent this issue. Additionally, thicker skewers may be sturdier and better able to support the weight of the meat and vegetables.

When assembling your kabobs, be careful not to overcrowd the skewers. Leave some space between the pieces of meat and vegetables to ensure even cooking. Overfilling the skewers may result in undercooked meat, as the heat may not be able to penetrate the centre of the kabob effectively.

Finally, consider the material of the skewers. Wooden skewers are a popular choice, but metal skewers can also be used. Metal skewers have the advantage of being reusable and may be more durable than wooden ones. However, they can also conduct heat, so they may become hot during the cooking process. Always use heat-resistant gloves or tongs when handling metal skewers to avoid burns.

Preparing the ingredients

Shish kabobs are a great dish to make in your air fryer, and you can use a variety of ingredients to make them. Here is a guide to preparing the ingredients for beef, chicken, and Creole beef shish kabobs.

Beef Shish Kabobs

For beef shish kabobs, you will need beef, bell peppers, and onions. Some recipes suggest using sirloin steak, while others recommend beef ribs or stew meat. You can cut the beef into cubes or 1-inch pieces. If you are using steak, cut it into 2-inch pieces. Cut the bell peppers and onions into 1-inch pieces or 2-inch pieces. You can also add some freshly ground black pepper. If you want to add more flavor to your beef kabobs, you can marinate the beef in a mixture of sour cream and soy sauce, or use a store-bought marinade.

Chicken Shish Kabobs

For chicken shish kabobs, you will need boneless, skinless chicken breasts or boneless thighs. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces or 2-inch pieces. You can also add some colorful veggies, such as zucchini, bell peppers, and red onions. Cut the zucchini into ½-inch coins, and the bell peppers and onions into 1-inch pieces. To make a marinade for the chicken, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, oregano, basil, thyme, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Place the chicken pieces in the marinade and stir to coat.

Creole Beef Shish Kabobs

For Creole beef shish kabobs, you will need beef, cut into 1-inch pieces, and vegetables such as bell peppers and onions. You will also need a Creole marinade, such as Tony Chachere's Steakhouse Marinade, which can be purchased or made at home. If you want to make your own marinade, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, oregano, basil, thyme, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.

General Tips

• Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 10 minutes before using, to prevent them from burning.
• Check that your skewers fit inside your air fryer before you start. 6-inch and 8-inch skewers typically fit best.
• If your skewers are too long, you can trim them with scissors.
• Assemble the kabobs by threading the ingredients onto the skewers in any order or pattern you like.
• Do not overfill the skewers, or the meat may not cook thoroughly.
• You can add a light coating of BBQ sauce to the kabobs before placing them in the air fryer.
• Season the kabobs with salt and pepper, or Creole seasoning.

Making the marinade

Firstly, gather your ingredients. A simple and classic marinade for shish kabobs can be made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh garlic, and dried herbs. You can also add spices like oregano, basil, thyme, onion powder, salt, and pepper to enhance the flavour. If you want to add a tangy twist, you can include some lemon juice or even use Italian salad dressing as a base for your marinade.

Next, prepare your marinade mixture. In a large bowl, add your chosen ingredients and whisk them together until well combined. You can adjust the quantities of each ingredient to suit your taste preferences. For instance, if you prefer a more pungent garlic flavour, add a few extra cloves. It is important to ensure that the marinade is well-mixed so that the flavours can meld together and evenly coat the kabob ingredients.

Now, it's time to add the meat and vegetables to the marinade. Cut your chosen meat, such as chicken, beef, or pork, into bite-sized cubes or strips. For vegetables, bell peppers, onions, and zucchini are popular choices, but you can also add mushrooms or other veggies of your choice. Cut the vegetables into uniform pieces, slightly smaller than the meat pieces, to ensure even cooking.

Place the meat and vegetables into the bowl with the marinade. Stir and toss the ingredients together until everything is well coated. Make sure all the pieces are thoroughly covered to maximise the flavour and moisture of your shish kabobs.

Finally, cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator to marinate. The ideal marination time can vary from 30 minutes to up to 24 hours, depending on your preference and the type of meat you are using. A longer marination time will allow the flavours to penetrate deeper into the ingredients, resulting in more flavourful and tender shish kabobs.

Once the marination time is complete, you can proceed to assemble your shish kabobs by threading the marinated ingredients onto skewers and cooking them in your air fryer.

Cooking times and temperatures

The cooking time and temperature for shish kabobs in an air fryer depend on the type of meat used. For beef kabobs, the air fryer should be preheated to 400°F. The beef, peppers, and onions are then placed in the air fryer and cooked for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the outside is charred and the inside is tender. The skewers should be turned halfway through the cooking process.

For chicken kabobs, the air fryer should be preheated to 380°F. The chicken and vegetables are then placed in the air fryer and cooked for 5 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and model of the air fryer, as well as the size of the skewers and the amount of food placed on them. It is recommended to check the doneness of the meat and vegetables periodically to avoid overcooking or undercooking.

Additionally, some recipes suggest marinating the meat and vegetables before cooking, which can add to the overall preparation and cooking time. The marination time can range from 30 minutes to 24 hours, depending on the recipe and the desired intensity of flavor.

Furthermore, for a smokey barbecue flavor, some recipes suggest adding a piece of coal to the air fryer after cooking the skewers. The coal is heated over an open flame until it turns white, then transferred to a small bowl made of foil and placed in the air fryer with a drizzle of oil to create smoke. The air fryer is then sealed for about 10 minutes to infuse the kabobs with a smokey flavor.

Adding a smokey taste

Shish kabobs are a delicious treat, but did you know you can add a smokey taste to your air-fried treats? It is a simple process and a great way to get that BBQ taste without actually BBQing.

Firstly, you will need a piece of coal and some oil. You can use any type of oil, such as olive oil or vegetable oil. Heat the coal on an open flame until it is completely white on one side, then flip it over and repeat on the other side. Transfer the coal to a small bowl made of foil and place it in the air fryer. Drizzle a bit of oil on the coal, and it will start to smoke.

Next, seal the air fryer shut and leave the kabobs to smoke so that the flavour infuses into the food. Leave it shut for about ten minutes. This method works for any type of food, so you could even smoke rice or chicken in a pot or pan using the same technique.

This is a great way to get that smokey BBQ taste without having to fire up the grill or battle the elements. It is a quick and easy way to add a whole new dimension of flavour to your air-fried shish kabobs.

Frequently asked questions