Nigerians love their fried food. Think dodo, fried chicken and fish after a long day dodging all of Nigeria’s weapons fashioned against you. But with people becoming more health conscious, air fryers are fast becoming popular because they are affordable, don’t use as much oil as a traditional fryer, and heat food evenly and quickly.
These kitchen lifesavers work by generating heat that circulates rapidly around the cooking space with the help of a fan. The hot air blasts around to cook the food from all angles, giving the food a crispy-crunchy texture like when you deep-fry food — except without all the extra oil.
Nigerian food generally is generally oil-based but who says you can’t replace hot oil with hot air? Below are six popular Nigerian street foods anyone can make with an air fryer. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a student who’s tired of making just Indomie three times a day, the airfryer will come clutch for you.
1. Suya
Suya is a popular Nigerian street food made with skewered meat — either beef or chicken, coated in yaji, a sice mix made crushed kuli kuli (a roasted pice mix made of roasted groundnut snack), bouillon cubes, cayenne pepper, paprika, onion, ginger and garlic powder — grilled over an open flame.
To make suya with your airfryer at home, simply marinate your meat in the spice mix, then cook it in the air fryer for about ten minutes for a crispy feel. Whether you’re serving it as a main dish or a snack, air-fried suya is a great way to enjoy this classic Nigerian snack without the added oils, fats or harmful smoke from the traditional frying methods.
2. Fried or grilled kote (titus/mackerel)
Fish, whether fried or grilled, is a Nigerian staple. An air fryer offers the same crispy finish with little to no oil.
To make fried fish, season your fish with your favourite spices and then air-fry it until golden brown. To get an extra crispy finish, you can coat them in breadcrumbs. To grill instead, cook the fish on lower heat and flip from time to time. With an air fryer, you can enjoy the deliciousness that is fried or grilled fish without all the added oils and calories of traditional frying methods.
3. Potato and yam chips
Potato and yam chips are popular snacks in Nigeria. They can be eaten alone or as a side to a variety of dishes like grilled chicken or fish.
To make chips in an air fryer, slice your potatoes or yams into small pieces like you would if you were deep frying them. Coat them in a small amount of oil along with your preferred seasonings, and arrange them in the air fryer basket. Cook for about 10 minutes until golden brown and viola, your chips are ready.
4. Plantain (roasted and fried)
Nigerians are incredibly fond of plantain, whether ripe or unripe. A versatile baddie, plantain can be made in a multitude of ways, either fried as dodo or kpekere or roasted as bole. Using an air fryer is a much healthier and more convenient way for preparing either roasted or fried plantains.
To make air-fried plantains, cut your plantains into thin slices and arrange them in the air fryer basket. Cook until golden brown as you would while deep frying. The major difference between roasting and frying in an air fryer is the amount of heat and time it uses to cook the food. For roasted plantains, keep the heat higher and the time shorter, to give them a smoky, lightly charred texture, like an oven would.
5. Popcorn
Popcorn is one of the easiest things to make in an air fryer. To make air-fried popcorn, put your kernels in the air fryer basket, add a tiny amount of oil, season with salt and/or sugar, and any other preferred coatings. Cook until the kernels pop. Don’t forget to shake the basket from time to time to ensure most kernels cook. Using an air fryer to make popcorn is a healthier alternative to microwaving popcorn or stovetop popping methods because this method uses less oil and produces fewer unpopped kernels.
6. Grilled or fried chicken wings
Chicken wings in Nigeria can be a snack or the cornerstone of enjoyment, depending on the setting. To make crispy fried chicken wings in an air fryer, coat the wings in breadcrumbs after marinating and seasoning them in your preferred sauce. Cook until golden brown. For an air-fried grilled texture leave out the breadcrumbs and use lower heat.
With an air fryer, the possibilities are endless. From suya to grilled fish, potato chips to popcorn, and chicken wings to fried fish, using an air fryer retains the delicious flavours and textures you love about your favourite meals while reducing your daily intake of unhealthy fats and calories.
