Jia-Ju in Food GuidesHome On January 26, 2023, 6:17 pm

8 Easy Air Fryer Recipes To Whip Up Savoury Snacks Like Fried Chicken & Lemang Bakar In Under 30 Minutes

Air-fryer recipes for savoury snacks

Behold the air fryer – everyone’s favourite new kitchen appliance. Be it desserts, snacks, or even full-on meals, it’s hard to believe all the food you can whip up in this handy countertop machine. If you already have an air fryer, or have contemplated on getting one to try out simple and foolproof recipes, we’ve rounded up 8 easy air fryer recipes for a delightful pick-me-up.

1. Creamy Air-fried Mushrooms

Image credit: Tiffy Cooks

Healthy, decadent and convenient to make, these Creamy Air-fried Mushrooms are the epitome of a snack that’s so good you’ll forget how nutritious they are. With just a handful of huge mushrooms and some condiments that you probably already have in your pantry, you’ll get a meaty, crispy boat of luscious goodness.

Ingredients:

12 shiitake or portobello mushrooms, with their stems removed
5 tbsp Japanese mayo
1 tbsp lemon juice
1.5 tbsp soya sauce
A pinch of red chilli powder (optional)
Seaweed powder (optional)

Makes 12 creamy mushrooms

Steps:

Remove the stems of the mushrooms and set them upside down, like a boat.
Mix the Japanese mayo, lemon juice, red chilli powder, and soya sauce in a bowl.
Spoon the creamy mixture onto the mushroom. If you like an extra spicy kick, sprinkle more red chilli on each mushroom as a garnish.
Air fry the mushrooms at 200°C for 5 minutes.
Once done, finish off with a sprinkle of seaweed powder and serve.

Recipe adapted from: Tiffy Cooks

2. Ramen Ddang

Image credit: @wldud5586

What’s better than Korean snacks to accompany you as you binge watch your way through K-dramas? An easy one to make is Ramen Ddang, a snack made popular after the Netflix hit Squid Game featured it. It comprises uncooked instant noodles, broken into pieces and sprinkled with the ramen seasoning powder.

The ingenious idea of turning a meal into an equally delicious snack intrigued audiences and has been enjoyed by many since.

While we Malaysians are familiar with the crunchy and savoury texture which is reminiscent of a beloved childhood snack Mamee Monster, whipping one up using an air fryer takes no time at all. Plus, you’ll have the option of picking your favourite ramen brand and turning it into a simple yet yummy snack.

Ingredients:

2 packets of ramen noodles
Seasonings included in the ramen packet

Serves 2

Steps:

Choose your favourite ramen noodles.
Set aside the seasoning packets that come with the ramen.
Break the ramen into pieces, but do not mash them too finely.
Line your air fryer with baking paper and spread out the ramen pieces.
At 170°C, air fry one side of the ramen for 3 to 5 minutes (depending on the size of the noodles).
Flip the ramen pieces and bake at 180°C for another 5 minutes.
Flip the ramen again and repeat steps 5 and 6.
Once the ramen pieces have been fried on both sides, let them cool.
Finish off by pouring the seasonings and ramen pieces into a plastic/paper bag, and shaking it well.

Recipe adapted from: 뽀유TV

3. Rice Paper Dumplings

Image credit: iheartumami

These Rice Paper Dumplings are like pockets of savoury delights – rectangular pouches that burst with flavour and are as nourishing as you wish a good snack can be. A satisfying crunch of the brittle rice papers on the outside but with a chewy pull, this appetising snack will definitely be a favourite, especially when you can prepare a bunch of them in just mere minutes.

Ingredients:

Rice papers
1 can of tuna
1 block of firm tofu
2 eggs
3 small cabbages, shredded
3 tbsp starch
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp soy sauce
½ tbsp minced garlic
Pinch of pepper and salt

Makes 8-9 dumplings

Steps:

Slice the cabbage into thin shreds.
Remove moisture from the tofu and mash it with the back of a knife.
Place cabbage shreds, mashed tofu, and drained can of tuna into a bowl and mix them evenly with eggs, seasoning ingredients, and starch.
Dip a rice paper sheet in cold water for a few seconds, then place it on a damp or oiled surface.
Add a spoon of the filling mixture in the centre of the sheet in a rectangle shape. Then, fold both the sides, fold over the rice paper sheet from the top to cover the filling, and roll it until the end. You will be left with a square – or rectangle-shaped pocket.
Dip a second rice paper sheet in the cold water, place it on a damp surface, and place the pocket (from Step 5) in the middle. Wrap the pocket the same way by folding from the sides first, to double wrap the filling.
Grease the dumplings with oil and place them in the air fryer basket.
Air fry them at 200°C for 15 minutes. Do remember to flip the dumplings at the halfway mark.

Recipe adapted from: 우리의식탁 W TABLE

4. Lemang Bakar

Image credit: Price Shop

You probably never thought you would see lemang and air fryer in the same sentence, as lemang is traditionally cooked inside a bamboo stalk over an open flame. However, this recipe will prove how well they work together, and how ridiculously easy it is as well. Sure, we have seen countless air fryer recipes for quick bites like nuggets and fries, but baking a traditional Lemang Bakar in your air fryer might just change your cooking game.

There isn’t a reason to not feast on a good plate of lemang outside of Raya celebrations after all, so try out the recipe below.

Ingredients:

2 cups (400g) glutinous rice
2 cups (480g) coconut milk
½ cup (118g) water
1 tsp salt
Pandan leaves
Paper cups

Serves 4

Steps:

Rinse the glutinous rice and soak them in water for at least 2 hours.
Drain the water, and soak the glutinous rice with coconut milk. Add salt and leave to soak for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, line the paper cups with the pandan leaves.
Preheat the air fryer at 180°C.
Add the glutinous rice into the paper cups. Make sure to pour in some coconut milk into each cup so that the glutinous rice is fully soaked.
Air fry them at 180°C for 30 minutes, then lower the heat to 160°C and bake for another 10 minutes.
Once done, turn off the heat and let them rest in the air fryer for about 10 minutes before removing them.
Peel away the paper cups and the lemang bakar is ready to be served.

Recipe adapted from: Amanda Tan

5. Mini quiche

Image credit: Entertaining With Beth

This air fryer Mini Quiche is the ideal breakfast to make if you are short on time. With minimal ingredients and close to zero preparation time, it is quite remarkable to see an air fryer birthing an absurdly fluffy and rich quiche. There’ll be no reason for you to skip breakfast now with this nutritious and effortless breakfast recipe.

Ingredients:

1 egg
3-4 tbsp heavy cream
5 broccoli florets
1 tbsp of finely grated cheddar cheese

Makes one small quiche

Steps:

Whisk together the egg and cream.
Lightly grease a mini quiche tin, or a small ceramic dish.
Arrange the broccoli florets in the tin/dish, and then pour over the egg mixture.
Top the dish with grated cheese.
Air fry at 160°C for 10 minutes.

Recipe adapted from: Entertaining With Beth

6. Kebab Skewers

Image credit: A Pinch Of Healthy

Kebab Skewers are like a balanced diet on a stick – a yummy snack comprising tender meat and crunchy vegetables. Let’s be honest, they can be a hassle to make if you were to grill them over an outdoor charcoal grill. You’ll be stoked to know that these can be conveniently baked in an air fryer as well, all sizzled and charred to perfection with less oil.

The recipe is incredibly simple, and may just be your next go-to snack recipe.

Ingredients:

450g boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into small chunks
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp soya sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tbsp honey
3 bell pepper, 1 of each colour (red, green and yellow)
1 zucchini
1 red onion, cut into chunks
Skewers

Makes about 7 skewers

Steps:

Cut the chicken breast into chunks, and mix the soya sauce, garlic, ginger, chilli powder and honey in a small bowl.
Pour the sauce over the chicken cubes and toss to coat. Let them marinade for at least an hour, but preferably overnight.
Cut the veggies into chunks and lay them out.
Place the chicken and veggies on skewers, alternating between chicken and a few pieces of veggies. Repeat this until you have filled up each skewer, leaving about an inch on each end.
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C.
Coat the skewers with some of the leftover marinade sauce, and place them in the air fryer basket.
Air fry the skewers at 180°C for 10 minutes, turning them over at the halfway mark.
Serve and enjoy!

Recipe adapted from: A Pinch Of Healthy

7. Malaysian Fried Chicken

Image credit: The Sudden Cook

What’s better than a golden brown fried chicken with wonderfully crispy skin and tender insides? One that doesn’t leave you feeling all the guilt and calories after devouring them, of course.

Don’t worry about having to forgo your healthy diet. This game-changing air fryer Fried Chicken recipe will give you all that a beautiful fried chicken should have – juicy and flavourful insides and outrageously crispy skin, without the drench of oil. What’s more, it can be done in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

2 whole chicken legs, with skin
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 small piece of ginger, grated
2 lemongrass
2 tbsp curry powder
½ tsp turmeric powder
Pinch of pepper and salt

Serves 2

Steps:

In a small bowl, mix the minced garlic, grated ginger, lemongrass, and the rest of the seasoning ingredients to form a rough paste.
Place the chicken in a tray and pat dry. Make deep slits on the chicken legs to allow marinade to penetrate and ensure even cooking.
Brush the chicken legs with the paste evenly. Allow to marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C
Line the basket of air fryer with baking paper and place the chicken legs with the skin side facing up. Brush the chicken with the leftover marinade.
Air fry at 200°C for 10-12 minutes, then lower the temperature to 180°C and air fry for another 5 minutes.
Flip the chickens over and continue to bake for another 10 minutes.
Serve and enjoy!

Recipe adapted from: The Sudden Cook

8. Wonton Mozzarella Sticks

Image credit: The Two Bite Club

Combine some cheese sticks, some wonton wrappers, 10 minutes, and you’ll have a plate of divine Mozzarella Sticks to offset that afternoon slump. While traditional cheese sticks are covered in breadcrumbs and fried in pots of oil to give them that irresistible crunchy coating, their air fryer counterparts are just as addicting. This recipe promises the crunch and the stretch of melty cheese you wish for in a good mozzarella stick, sans the deep frying.

Just two ingredients, and you’re good to go.

Ingredients:

12 mozzarella cheese sticks air fryer recipes
Wonton wrappers
Seasoning of choice or pinch of salt

Makes 12 sticks

Steps:

Place a piece of mozzarella cheese near the bottom corner of the wonton wrapper. Roll up halfway and carefully fold the sides toward the centre and over the cheese.
Dip your finger in water and trace the edges of the wrapper. Roll the remaining wrapper around the mozzarella stick. Repeat with remaining wrappers and cheese.
Place the sticks in the basket of the air fryer that has been lined with baking paper, and sprinkle with seasonings or salt.
Air fry at 180°C for 5 minutes. Flip the sticks and sprinkle with more seasonings, then continue baking for another 3 minutes.

Recipe adapted from: The Two Bite Club

Easy air fryer recipes

Whenever you crave a good savoury snack but dread the idea of making an oily mess in the kitchen, give these easy air fryer recipes a try. We promise that you’ll be hooked – and you won’t even need to spend a long time to make some golden goodness from scratch, as these mouthwatering snacks can all be whipped up in under 30 minutes.