Air-Fryer Tempura: Crispy, Quick, And Easy!

Tempura is a Japanese dish that consists of shrimp and/or vegetables dipped in a batter and then deep-fried. It is usually served as a side dish in Japanese restaurants, but it can also be a main dish served over rice. While it is difficult to make great tempura at home, it is possible to make decent tempura with a crispy batter that is light and not soggy or thick. One can use an air fryer to make tempura, which is a healthier alternative to deep-frying.

Choosing your ingredients

The ingredients you choose for your tempura will depend on whether you want to make shrimp or vegetable tempura.

For shrimp tempura, you will need to start with fresh, jumbo shrimp. You will also need to decide whether to peel and devein the shrimp before cooking, or buy them pre-peeled and deveined. If you opt for the former, be sure to remove the shell up to the tail and make 4-5 small notches on the "belly" of each shrimp before stretching them out and patting them dry with paper towels.

For vegetable tempura, you can use a variety of vegetables, including sweet potatoes, carrots, lotus root, kabocha squash, bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, and shiitake mushrooms. Root vegetables should be sliced thinly, no thicker than 1/4 inch, to ensure they cook through properly.

In addition to your chosen protein or vegetable, you will need a variety of dry and wet ingredients for the batter. The exact quantities may vary depending on the recipe you follow, but generally, you will need flour, ice-cold water, and egg whites for the batter. Some recipes also call for additional ingredients like cornstarch, Japanese mayonnaise, or seltzer water, which is said to help create a lighter and puffier batter.

Finally, you will need cooking oil spray to grease your air fryer basket and prevent your tempura from sticking. You can also use canola oil spray or another type of oil spray if you prefer.

Preparing your shrimp

Firstly, prepare the shrimp by deveining them (if necessary) and removing the shell up to the tail. Then, make 4-5 small notches on the “belly” of each shrimp and stretch them out. This step is optional but will ensure your shrimp are straight, like traditional shrimp tempura. You can skip this step if you don't mind the curled shape. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.

Next, place cornstarch and salt in a plastic zipper bag. Add the shrimp and toss well to coat. This will form a dry base for the batter to stick to.

Now, it's time to make the batter. In a bowl, whisk together ½ cup of flour, ice-cold water, and egg whites. The ice-cold water is important as it slows down the gluten formation process, resulting in a lighter and puffier batter. In a separate bowl, add the remaining flour. This will be used to dredge the shrimp after they have been dipped in the wet batter.

Tips for preparing your shrimp

• Make sure to pat the shrimp dry before coating them in the batter. This will help the batter adhere better.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket when cooking the shrimp. This will ensure that the hot air can circulate properly, frying up the tempura batter on each shrimp.
• Prepare your second batch of shrimp while the first batch is in the air fryer. This will ensure that you can cook the shrimp in quick succession, resulting in a hotter and crispier final product.

Making the batter

Firstly, it's important to use a batter that is not too liquidy. A good base for your batter is to whisk together flour, ice-cold water or seltzer water, and egg whites. You can also add in some Japanese mayonnaise, which helps to emulsify the oils in the batter and prevents sogginess. If you want to get fancy, you can even add some lemon juice and baking powder to the wet batter.

Once you've made your batter, dip your shrimp or vegetables into it. Then, before placing them in the air fryer, it's a good idea to dip them into some flour to create a dry outer coating. This will help to prevent the batter from sticking to the air fryer basket or dripping off.

If you're still worried about the batter not holding, you can try flash-freezing your battered shrimp or vegetables. Place them on a plate or baking sheet in the freezer for about an hour, then store them in a plastic zipper bag until you're ready to cook. This will help the batter bind before you place them in the air fryer.

Now you know the basics of making tempura batter for an air fryer, you can experiment with different seasonings and dipping sauces to create your own unique tempura dishes!

Cooking the tempura

Now that you've gathered and prepared your ingredients, it's time to cook your tempura! Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the best results:

Step 1: Prepare the Batter

In a bowl, create your batter by mixing the dry ingredients first. Combine flour, cornstarch, and seasonings like salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like ground ginger or sesame seeds for extra flavour. Then, whisk in the wet ingredients. Add ice-cold water, egg whites, or Japanese mayonnaise for an extra crispy texture. You can also use seltzer water to make the batter lighter. The key is to create a thin batter that will coat your ingredients evenly.

Step 2: Coat the Ingredients

Dip your shrimp or vegetables into the batter, making sure they are fully coated. Allow any excess batter to drip off. For an extra crispy texture, dip the battered ingredients into a separate bowl of dry flour or panko breadcrumbs. This double-coating technique will give your tempura an extra crispy layer.

Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to the desired temperature. For tempura, a temperature between 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. Make sure to spray the air fryer basket generously with cooking oil to prevent sticking. You can use canola oil or any other cooking spray of your choice.

Step 4: Arrange the Tempura in the Air Fryer

Place your battered shrimp or vegetables into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket as this will affect the cooking process. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook your tempura in batches.

Step 5: Cook the Tempura

Once your air fryer is preheated, place the basket inside and set the timer. For shrimp tempura, cook for 7-8 minutes until lightly golden. For vegetable tempura, the cooking time may vary depending on the type of vegetable. Root vegetables like sweet potatoes or carrots may take up to 10 minutes, while thinner vegetables like asparagus or green beans may take around 8 minutes. Keep an eye on your tempura to ensure it doesn't overcook.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once your tempura is cooked to a golden brown colour, remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately. Tempura is best enjoyed hot and crispy! You can serve it as a main dish over rice or as a side dish with a dipping sauce like tentsuyu. Enjoy the fruits of your labour and impress your family and friends with your delicious homemade tempura!

Serving suggestions

Tempura is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is delicious when served hot and can be paired with various dipping sauces and sides. Here are some serving suggestions for your air fryer tempura:

Main Course

You can serve tempura as a main dish over a bed of rice. This is a popular way to enjoy tempura, known as "tendon" in Japanese. The crispy texture of the tempura pairs well with the softness of the rice, creating a delightful contrast in textures.

Side Dish

Tempura also makes an excellent side dish. It is commonly served alongside noodle dishes such as udon or soba. You can also include it as part of a bento box for a tasty and varied lunch.

Dipping Sauces

Traditionally, tempura is served with a dipping sauce called "tentsuyu." This sauce is made with soy sauce and provides a salty flavour that complements the tempura. You can either purchase tentsuyu from a Japanese market or make it from scratch.

Vegetables

When serving tempura vegetables, consider a variety of seasonal or assorted vegetables such as green beans, asparagus spears, red onion rings, sweet pepper rings, avocado wedges, zucchini slices, or your personal favourites. You can also get creative with additional seasonings, such as adding sesame seeds or shredded coconut to the coating mixture.

Seafood

If you're making shrimp tempura, remember to devein and remove the shells, leaving the tail intact. Make small notches on the "belly" of each shrimp and stretch them out before coating and frying. This ensures they cook evenly and gives them a straight presentation.

Customization

Feel free to experiment with different seasonings and sauces to create your own unique tempura combinations. For example, you could pair curry powder with bell pepper strips and peanut sauce, or ground ginger with green beans and wasabi sauce.

Remember, tempura is best enjoyed fresh and hot, so be sure to serve it immediately after cooking for the best experience.

Frequently asked questions