Air-Fryer Spice Bag: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

A spice bag is a popular dish in Ireland, and can be easily made at home in an air fryer. The dish consists of chicken, potatoes, peppers, and onion, all coated in a generous mix of spices and served with a curry or garlic sauce. The ingredients are first coated in a mixture of egg and flour, then tossed in oil and air-fried to crispy perfection. The spice blend typically includes Chinese five-spice, chilli powder, garlic powder, and other seasonings to taste. The result is a delicious, crispy, and flavourful dish that is perfect for a quick and easy fakeaway meal.

Preparing the ingredients

Start by gathering your ingredients. For the spice bag, you'll need a combination of spices, including Chinese five-spice or a spice bag seasoning, chilli flakes, and other spices like cinnamon, garlic powder, ginger, and mild chilli powder. You can also adjust the spices to your preference or create your own spice blend. The other essential ingredients are chicken, potatoes, cornflour or potato starch, eggs, and oil. If you want to add extra vegetables, you can include peppers, onions, carrots, and garlic.

Once you have all the ingredients, it's time to prepare them. Begin by cutting the potatoes into chips or wedges. You want them to be a similar size so they cook evenly. Peel the potatoes if you prefer, or leave the skin on for a rustic texture. Rinse the cut potatoes to remove excess starch, then dry them with a tea towel. This step will help ensure crispy potatoes. Next, prepare your chicken. Cut the chicken breasts or fillets into thin strips or pieces. You can also slice or shred the chicken to your desired size.

In separate bowls, prepare your spice mixes. For the potatoes, combine Chinese five-spice or spice bag seasoning with salt and pepper, and mix it with cornflour or potato starch. You can also add baking powder to this mixture, as it helps create an extra crispy coating. Toss the potatoes in oil and then coat them with the spice mixture. Ensure the potatoes are well-coated, and don't be afraid to use your hands to get an even coating. Prepare another spice mix for the chicken by combining the spices, including chilli flakes, cinnamon, garlic powder, ginger, and mild chilli powder, with cornflour. You can also add egg to this mixture, creating a wet batter for the chicken. Dip the chicken pieces in the spiced cornflour mixture, ensuring they are well-coated.

Finally, prepare your vegetables. Cut the peppers, onions, and carrots into slices or pieces. You can also chop some garlic to add extra flavour. Toss the vegetables in a separate bowl with oil and a sprinkle of spice bag seasoning. You can also add some of the leftover spice mix from the chicken or potatoes if you like a stronger flavour. Remember to preheat your air fryer to 200°C while you're preparing the ingredients. This step ensures that your air fryer is ready to go once your ingredients are coated and prepared.

By following these steps, you'll have all your ingredients ready for cooking in your air fryer. Now, you're on your way to creating a mouth-watering spice bag that's sure to impress!

Making the spice mix

The spice mix is the key to a delicious spice bag, and making your own is simple. You can use Chinese five spice, which is a blend of cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, star anise, and Szechuan peppercorns. Alternatively, you can make your own blend by combining individual spices.

For a homemade spice blend, you will need:

• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Fennel Seeds
• Star Anise
• Szechuan Peppercorns

You can also add other spices to your blend, such as chilli powder, garlic powder, ginger, and sweetener, as well as salt and pepper to taste.

To make the spice mix, simply combine the spices in a small bowl. You can adjust the quantities of each spice to suit your taste preferences. For a spicier blend, add more chilli powder or include some chilli flakes. If you prefer a sweeter blend, you can increase the amount of cinnamon and add a touch of sweetener.

Once you have made your spice mix, you can store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. This way, you can easily make spice bags whenever the craving strikes!

Coating the chicken

Start by preparing your chicken. Cut the chicken breasts or fillets into thin strips or pieces. You can also shred the chicken if you prefer. The key is to have bite-sized pieces that will cook evenly in the air fryer.

Next, you'll create a wet batter for the chicken. In a bowl, whisk an egg or egg whites. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, ensuring it is well coated. This step helps the dry coating adhere to the chicken and creates a delicious, crispy texture.

Now, it's time for the dry coating. In a separate bowl, combine your chosen dry ingredients. You can use a combination of flour, cornflour, and starch. For a spice bag, add your favourite spice mix to this dry mixture. You can use a store-bought spice bag seasoning, or create your own blend with spices like Chinese five spice, chilli powder, garlic powder, cinnamon, ginger, and chilli flakes. Don't be afraid to experiment with the spices to find your perfect blend.

After dipping the chicken in the egg mixture, it's time to coat it with the dry mixture. Generously dredge each piece of chicken in the spiced flour mixture, ensuring it is well coated on all sides. Gently shake off any excess coating before placing the chicken in the air fryer.

For an extra crispy coating, you can double-coat the chicken. Simply dip the coated pieces back into the egg mixture and then again into the dry mixture. This will give your spice bag chicken an extra crunchy texture.

Finally, place the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Drizzle a small amount of oil over the chicken to help with browning and crispiness. Air fry according to your recipe instructions, usually around 10-15 minutes at 200°C, until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown.

Remember, the key to a successful spice bag chicken coating is to ensure the chicken is well coated with both the wet and dry mixtures. Don't be afraid to season generously, and feel free to adjust the spices to suit your taste preferences.

Cooking the chips

To cook the chips for your spice bag, you'll first need to peel and cut your potatoes into chips. You'll want to use around 8 medium potatoes, or 2-3 larger potatoes, depending on how many servings you want. Cut the potatoes into nice-sized chips, or wedges/cubes if you prefer. Rinse the chips in cold water to remove excess starch, then dry them with a tea towel.

Next, toss the chips in a bowl with some oil and a generous amount of spice bag seasoning. Make sure the chips are well-coated. You can also add some salt and pepper at this stage if desired.

Now you're ready to cook the chips in your air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 200°C. Place the seasoned chips in the air fryer basket or tray, taking care not to overcrowd the basket. You may need to cook the chips in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Cook the chips for about 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking. They should be crispy and golden brown when they're done.

If you're using frozen chips, simply follow the cooking instructions on the package for the best results. Air fry the frozen chips at 200°C for about 12 minutes, then proceed to add the other ingredients as desired.

Serving suggestions

Spice bags are a popular dish in Ireland, and for good reason—they're delicious! This recipe is a great way to make a healthier version of the classic dish, with less oil and a shorter cooking time. You can serve your spice bag with a variety of sauces, such as curry sauce or garlic mayonnaise. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even make your own garlic mayo by mixing mayonnaise, horseradish, garlic, and parsley.

For a true Irish experience, serve your spice bag with a generous drizzle of Katsu Curry Ketchup or garlic sauce. If you like your food on the spicier side, add some extra chilli flakes to your spice bag before serving. You can also serve your spice bag with a side of Thai green vegetables curry or creamy Tuscan chicken with Parmesan and lemon herb crumble.

Presentation is key! Arrange the spice bag on a platter, surrounded by the peppers, onions, and carrots. Don't forget to sprinkle some fresh parsley on top for added colour and flavour. If you're serving this dish to guests, they'll surely be impressed by the delicious flavours and the beautiful presentation.

Finally, don't forget to enjoy your spice bag while it's hot! This dish is best served immediately after cooking, so gather your friends and family and dig in while it's still warm and crispy. Whether you're enjoying it as a casual weeknight meal or serving it at a dinner party, your spice bag is sure to be a hit.

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