Air Fryer Spinach: Perfectly Crispy In Minutes

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy spinach, a tasty and healthy snack. Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that has a high water content, so it needs to be dried thoroughly before cooking to get the best results. You can use fresh spinach leaves and coat them in a light layer of oil and seasoning of your choice before placing them in the air fryer. The cooking time will depend on your air fryer, but on average, it should take around 6-10 minutes to get crispy spinach chips.

How to Make Crispy Spinach in an Air Fryer

Choosing the right oil

When making crispy spinach in an air fryer, it is important to choose the right oil to prevent your food from sticking to the fryer and to avoid burning and smoking.

Avocado oil is a great choice for air frying as it has a high smoke point of around 520°F (270°C) and a mild flavour. It is also one of the healthiest oils available. Ghee (clarified butter) is another good option as it has a smoke point of 485°F (252°C). Olive oil is a popular choice, but it is best to opt for extra light olive oil as it has a higher smoke point than extra virgin olive oil.

Other oils with high smoke points that are suitable for air frying include peanut oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, and vegetable oil. It is best to avoid oils with low smoke points such as flaxseed oil, walnut oil, sesame oil, and pumpkin seed oil. These oils are better suited for dressing rather than cooking.

When adding oil to your air fryer, it is important to remember that a little goes a long way. A light coating of oil is all that is needed to prevent food from sticking. You can brush the oil directly onto the air fryer basket or use an oil spray or mister. If you are using an oil spray, be sure to use a non-aerosol sprayer as aerosol sprays can damage the coating of your air fryer.

Preparing the spinach

Firstly, select fresh, green spinach leaves. It's important to wash the leaves thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or residue. Spinach leaves and stems can trap a lot of dirt, so be sure to rinse them well a few times. After washing, gently pat the spinach dry with a kitchen towel or paper towels. This step is important to ensure the leaves are completely dry before cooking.

Next, place the spinach leaves on top of each other and roll them up like a cigar. Using a sharp knife, shred the leaves finely. You can also give them a rough chop after shredding to ensure they are evenly sized. This step helps create a uniform texture for your crispy spinach.

Now, it's time to season the spinach. Drizzle or spray a small amount of olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil onto the leaves. Remember, a little goes a long way, so lightly coat the spinach. You can also add a scant pinch of garlic sea salt blend or regular salt. Be careful not to over-season, as too much salt can overpower the delicate flavour of the spinach.

Once your spinach is prepared, you can spread the leaves in the air fryer basket. They don't need to be in a single layer, but avoid making the layers too thick to ensure even cooking.

With these steps, you'll be well on your way to making delicious and crispy spinach in your air fryer!

Seasoning options

• Salt and pepper
• Parmesan
• Lemon juice
• Garlic sea salt blend
• Olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil spray
• Steak seasoning
• Cajun seasoning
• All-purpose seasoning
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• Sesame seeds
• Chilli flakes
• Sugar
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Sea salt
• Olive oil spray
• Chili powder
• Lime juice
• Hot sauce
• Cayenne pepper

Air fryer settings

To make crispy spinach in an air fryer, you will need to preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. It is best practice to put food into a hot basket, so preheating is recommended.

Once preheated, add your spinach to the air fryer basket and cook for 6-8 minutes. You may need to flip the spinach chips frequently to ensure both sides cook evenly. If you are using an air fryer model that does not require flipping, toss the chips after 3 minutes so they cook evenly.

If you are cooking a large batch of spinach, you may need to cook for longer than 8 minutes. If your spinach is not as crispy as you would like after 8 minutes, add 1 minute at a time until your desired crispness is achieved.

Different airsection=T11:text= fryer models may require different temperatures and cook times, so be sure to check the specific instructions for your air fryer.

Avoiding sogginess

To avoid sogginess when making crispy spinach in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that the spinach leaves are as dry as possible before cooking. This is because spinach has a high water content, and unless it is baked or fried to dry it out, it will be soggy.

• Wash the spinach leaves well a few times with fresh water to remove any dirt, then pat them dry with a paper towel or kitchen cloth.
• Place the spinach leaves on a paper towel or tissue paper and gently roll them up to remove any excess water from the outside. The drier they are, the crispier they will become.
• If using an oven, it is recommended to use a wire rack on top of a baking sheet to ensure air can circulate around the spinach leaves. Similarly, when air-frying, ensure there is enough space between the leaves for the hot air to circulate.
• Avoid using frozen spinach, as it contains a lot of extra water, which can make the final product soggy.
• Avoid using too much oil, as this can weigh the spinach down and make it soggy. A light spray or coating of oil is usually enough.
• Avoid adding too much salt, as this can also make the spinach soggy.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your crispy spinach turns out perfectly crispy and delicious!

Frequently asked questions