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

Making salsa in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare this classic condiment. Air frying intensifies the natural flavours of the ingredients and adds a delightful smokiness. This method also saves time and enhances the flavours in ways that are difficult to achieve through other cooking methods.

Choosing and preparing ingredients

Tomatoes:

Start by choosing ripe and flavorful tomatoes, preferably Roma or plum tomatoes. They hold up well to roasting and have a meaty texture with fewer seeds, making them ideal for salsa. You'll need around 4 to 5 medium-sized tomatoes, or about 4 Roma tomatoes, halved lengthwise. Wash the tomatoes and remove the tough cores before chopping them into quarters.

Onions:

For the best flavor, opt for red or white onions. If you only have a yellow onion, that can work in a pinch, but it will make the salsa slightly more astringent. You'll need about a quarter to a half of a medium-sized onion, finely chopped or diced. Peel and quarter the onion, and if you want to reduce the intensity, you can remove the outer layers after roasting.

Jalapeno Peppers:

Jalapenos are the classic choice for salsa, but you can also use serrano or habanero peppers if you prefer more heat. The number of peppers you use will depend on your desired spice level. For a milder salsa, remove the seeds and membranes, which contain most of the heat. If you like it spicy, feel free to leave some or all of the seeds in. Halve the peppers and place them in the air fryer with the skin side down.

Garlic:

Use 2 to 4 garlic cloves, leaving the skin on to prevent burning. You can add the garlic cloves whole to the air fryer, or mince them first and add them to the mixing bowl with the other ingredients.

Lime Juice:

The juice of one lime adds a tangy kick to your salsa. Squeeze the lime and add the juice to your mixing bowl.

Cilantro:

A small bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped, will provide a zesty flavor. You can add this after blending, as fresh herbs maintain their flavor and color better this way.

Salt:

Use kosher salt or sea salt flakes for the best flavor. You can add salt to taste, but a teaspoon is a good starting point.

Other Ingredients:

Feel free to experiment with other ingredients like bell peppers, mangoes, pineapple, or even black beans and avocado. These additions can give your salsa a unique twist and are a great way to customize it to your taste.

Preparing the Ingredients:

Once you've gathered your ingredients, start by washing and drying the tomatoes, jalapenos, and cilantro. Chop the tomatoes and onions, and remove the seeds from the jalapenos if you want a milder salsa. Mince the garlic cloves and squeeze the lime. Then, combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl, adding the lime juice and salt to taste. Give it a good toss to evenly distribute the flavors.

Air fryer settings

Preheating your air fryer is an important step to ensure consistent cooking. Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically 390°F to 400°F (200°C). This step ensures that the cooking process starts immediately when the ingredients are added, promoting even cooking and preventing uneven results.

The cooking time for roasted salsa in an air fryer varies depending on the recipe and the specific air fryer model. On average, the cooking time ranges from 10 to 20 minutes. It's important to keep an eye on the vegetables during cooking, as different vegetables may cook at different rates. Halfway through the cooking process, it's a good idea to shake the basket or turn the vegetables to ensure even roasting.

Once the cooking time is complete, it's crucial to allow the vegetables to cool down before handling them. This not only ensures your safety but also helps to intensify the flavours as the salsa rests. After cooling, you can choose to remove the skins from the tomatoes and peppers, which should slip off easily. However, this step is optional and depends on your texture preference.

When blending the roasted vegetables, it's important to pulse the ingredients to your desired consistency. For a chunkier salsa, blend fewer times, and for a smoother salsa, blend for a longer duration. Taste-testing is essential to ensure the desired flavour profile. You can adjust the seasoning, adding salt, pepper, lime juice, or other spices as needed.

In conclusion, achieving the perfect air fryer roasted salsa relies on the right temperature settings, preheating, cooking times, and post-cooking adjustments. By following the recommended settings and making adjustments based on your preferences, you can create a delicious and customised roasted salsa in your air fryer.

Air frying the vegetables

Preparing the Vegetables

First, wash and dry the vegetables, including tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, and cilantro. Then, halve the tomatoes, quarter the onion, and remove the seeds from the jalapeño peppers if you prefer a milder salsa. You can also peel and slice the onion into quarters, and remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapeño for a less spicy version. Leave the skin on the garlic cloves to prevent them from burning during roasting.

Preheating the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 375°F and 400°F (around 190°C to 200°C). The specific temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and preferences.

Place the tomatoes, jalapeños or green chilies, onions, and garlic cloves in the air fryer basket. You can lightly drizzle them with olive oil or cooking spray, though it's not necessary. Set the cooking time for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are nicely charred and roasted. Remember to shake the basket or turn the vegetables halfway through the cooking process to ensure even roasting.

Cooling and Peeling (Optional)

Once the vegetables are roasted, let them cool down to room temperature. If you prefer a smoother salsa, you can peel the tomatoes and jalapeños. However, this step is optional and depends on your desired texture. Removing the skins will create a smoother salsa, while leaving them on adds more fiber and nutrients.

Blending the Vegetables

Transfer the roasted vegetables to a blender or food processor. If you're using garlic, add the peeled roasted garlic cloves at this stage. Add the fresh lime juice, cilantro, and seasonings like salt, pepper, and cumin (if using). Pulse the mixture until you achieve your desired consistency. For a chunkier salsa, pulse fewer times, and for a smoother salsa, blend for a longer duration.

Adjusting Seasoning and Serving

Finally, taste your salsa and adjust the seasonings as needed. If it's too spicy, you can add more tomato to tone down the heat. Your air-fried salsa is now ready to be served! Enjoy it with tortilla chips, tacos, burritos, or any other dish of your choice.

Blending the ingredients

Next, transfer the roasted vegetables to a blender or food processor. Add the fresh lime juice, cilantro, salt, pepper, and cumin (if using). Pulse the mixture until it reaches your desired consistency. For a chunkier salsa, pulse fewer times; for a smoother salsa, blend more.

If you find your salsa too thick, you can add a tablespoon or two of water for a smoother texture. You can also add a little olive oil to the blender to help the blending process.

Once you are happy with the consistency, taste your salsa and adjust the seasoning as needed. If it is too spicy, add more tomato to cool it down, or add some lime juice to balance the flavours.

Your air fryer salsa is now ready to be served! Enjoy it with tortilla chips, over tacos, or as a garnish for other dishes. It can be served warm or cold.

Storing the salsa

If you're planning on storing your salsa for a while, you can also freeze it. Be aware that the texture may change slightly upon thawing, but it will keep for 2-3 months in the freezer. When you're ready to enjoy your frozen salsa, let it thaw in the fridge overnight.

If you're not planning on eating your salsa straight away, it's a good idea to let it sit in the refrigerator for a few hours or even overnight. This will allow the flavours to develop and intensify, resulting in an even tastier salsa.

The longer you let your salsa sit, the better it will become. So, if you can, try to make it in advance and give the flavours time to meld together. This will result in a more delicious and flavourful salsa.

Frequently asked questions