Air-Fried Curry: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great way to cook curry, and you can make a variety of different types, from chicken tikka masala to kidney bean curry. The process is similar to cooking curry in a pan on a stovetop, but with an air fryer, you don't have to stand over it and can just return to the kitchen when it beeps. You can also use an air fryer to cook meat or vegetables for your curry, and then add the sauce ingredients and let it finish cooking.

Prepare ingredients and equipment

To make a chicken curry in your air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• Chicken breasts or thighs, cubed or chopped into bite-sized chunks
• Onion, peeled and chopped into wedges or slices
• Red, green, or birds-eye chillies
• Red bell pepper, chopped into pieces
• Garlic, minced
• Ginger, minced or grated
• Garam masala
• Tikka curry powder
• Ground fenugreek
• Brown sugar
• Salt and pepper
• Cumin
• Coriander
• Curry powder or curry paste
• Tomato puree or passata
• Coconut milk or cream
• Spinach (optional)
• Chickpeas (optional)
• Sweet potatoes (optional)

You will also need the following equipment:

• An air fryer, such as the Ninja Air Fryer or Cosori XL
• An air fryer cake barrel or similar oven-safe dish that fits in your air fryer basket
• An instant-read food thermometer (optional)
• An immersion blender or food processor (optional)

Make the sauce

Making curry sauce in an air fryer is an easy and fun process. Here is a step-by-step guide to making the sauce:

Prepare the Ingredients

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For a simple curry sauce, you will need tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, butter, and spices like curry powder, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, and chili powder. You can also add cream or coconut milk for a creamier sauce.

Roast the Tomatoes and Onions

Cut the tomatoes in half and place them cut-side up with the onions in a small pan or an air fryer cake barrel. Roast them in the air fryer at 320°F/160°C for about 25 minutes, or until they are soft and slightly charred. This step adds a depth of flavour to your sauce.

Add the Spices and Cook

Once the tomatoes and onions are cooked, add the garlic, ginger, butter, and all your chosen spices. Mix everything together and cook in the air fryer for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.

Puree the Sauce

Remove the pan from the air fryer and puree the contents with cream or coconut milk. You can use an immersion blender directly in the pan, or transfer the mixture to a food processor and then return it to the pan. This step ensures a smooth and creamy sauce.

Thicken the Sauce (Optional)

If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add a cornflour slurry. Simply mix cornflour with cold water and stir it into the sauce. Place the pan back into the air fryer and cook for a few more minutes until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.

Your curry sauce is now ready to be combined with your choice of protein and vegetables. Enjoy your delicious, air-fried curry!

Cook the chicken

To cook the chicken, you'll need to follow a few simple steps. First, make sure you have all the ingredients ready. This includes chicken, of course, but also things like oil or ghee, spices, and sometimes yogurt for marination.

Once you have all your ingredients, it's time to start cooking. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Preparation

If your recipe calls for marination, now is the time to do it. In a bowl, combine the chicken with the marinade ingredients, such as yogurt, spices, lemon juice, and garlic. Make sure the chicken is coated evenly, then cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 6 hours.

Step 2: Air Frying the Chicken

Preheat your air fryer to the temperature specified in your recipe (this can vary, but is often around 200°C/400°F). Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, making sure to leave some space around each piece for even cooking. You can also use an air fryer cake barrel or a similar container if you want to cook the sauce and chicken together. Lightly spray the chicken with oil or ghee and add any additional spices or seasonings.

Step 3: Cooking

Step 4: Combining with Sauce

Once the chicken is cooked, you can combine it with the sauce you've prepared separately. If you've cooked the sauce and chicken together in the air fryer, you may just need to stir them together. Otherwise, simply add the cooked chicken to the sauce and heat through.

Step 5: Serving

Your chicken curry is now ready to be served! You can enjoy it with rice, naan bread, or any other side dishes you prefer. Garnish with fresh coriander or other herbs for added flavor and presentation.

Combine chicken and sauce

Once you have cooked the chicken in the air fryer, you can combine it with the sauce. Warm up the sauce by placing the curry in the air fryer basket and cooking for another 3-5 minutes.

If you are making a chicken tikka masala, slice the chicken into chunks and mix into the sauce. Stir in the cream and heat through for five minutes in the fryer. Serve the curry garnished with coriander leaves with pilau rice and naan bread.

If you are making a chicken curry, you can enjoy it with rice and/or naan. Top with fresh coriander.

If you are making a chicken curry in a Ninja Air Fryer, you can remove the crisper plate and transform the appliance into a pan. Then, cook the curry sauce directly in the bottom of the fryer.

Serve with rice or naan

When serving your curry, you have a few options: rice, naan, or both!

Rice

Rice is a staple side dish for curry. It's versatile, and there are several types of rice that pair well with curry. Here are some options:

• Pilau rice: This rice is cooked with spices and sometimes nuts and raisins, adding extra flavour and texture to your dish.
• Onion fried rice: Fried rice with onions is a simple yet tasty option that complements the curry well.
• Plain rice: You can also opt for plain rice if you want to keep things basic and let the curry be the star of the show.
• Cauliflower rice: For a low-carb option, cauliflower rice can be a great alternative to traditional rice.

Naan

Naan is a type of flatbread that is commonly served with curry. It can be store-bought or homemade, and there are various flavours to choose from, such as:

• Garlic naan: This type of naan bread has a garlic flavour that can enhance the taste of your curry.
• Peshwari naan: Peshwari naan is a sweet option with a stuffing made from coconut and nuts.

Rice and Naan Together

You don't have to choose between rice and naan—you can serve them both together! This gives your meal a varied texture and makes it more filling.

Frequently asked questions