Sweet, Spicy, Goodness.

Luke here. I know you’re wondering why anyone would bother making their own sauce when it’s so convenient to grab some from the grocery store. I’ll tell you why. One, it’s easy, like REALLY easy. Two, it costs less. Three, this IS airfryergourmet.com after all and we only recommend it unless it’s actually worth doing. Four, you can’t even buy this sauce at the grocery store so you’ll never know what you’re missing unless you make it.

This sauce SLAPS. It’s sure to impress at your next cookout or family dinner. Slather it on ribs, brush on grilled chicken, toss chicken drummies to coat, and dip your air fryer fries, (or zucchini fries for my low-calorie/high-BP folks!). This small batch recipe is BOLD with seasonings and flavors.

BBQ Sauce Recipe Highlights:

• Homemade: Create your very own BBQ sauce from scratch, using simple ingredients for a fresher and more customizable taste.
• Smaller batch: This recipe is perfect for those who want a smaller quantity of sauce or want to try out different flavor combinations. Larger batch instructions are included down below.
• One-pot simplicity: Save time by combining all the ingredients at once and cooking over a light to medium flame.

BBQ Sauce Ingredients:

• 4 oz ketchup
• 4 oz brown sugar
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/32 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tbsp Cholula sauce
• 1/2 tbsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tbsp + 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tbsp chili garlic sauce

Step 1: Gather Your BBQ Sauce Ingredients

Before you begin, make sure you have all the ingredients on hand. This recipe uses ketchup, brown sugar, butter, wrights liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, Cholula sauce, cayenne pepper, chili powder, and chili garlic sauce.

Step 2: Combine BBQ Sauce Ingredients and Cook

In a saucepan over a light to medium flame, combine all the ingredients.

• 4 oz ketchup
• 4 oz brown sugar
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/32 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tbsp Cholula sauce
• 1/2 tbsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tbsp + 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tbsp chili garlic sauce

Now, stir the mixture and scrape the pan about every 30 seconds until all the ingredients are well combined and warmed through. Note that this process allows the flavors to meld together while ensuring the sauce doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. You know you’re done once the sauce bubbles. It only takes a minute or two.

Step 3: Cool and Store the BBQ Sauce

Next, without delay, remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the sauce to cool slightly.

If you’ve got hungry mouths to feed, go ahead and brush/pour the sauce all over your dish. Folks are about to get animalistic. Personally, I prefer hot-temperature sauce on top of hot-temperature food for my optimal enjoyment but you’re tastebuds may differ.

If you’re NOT using the sauce immediately, transfer it to a heat-resistant container and store it in the refrigerator for up to a couple of months.

If you really wanna get with the program, message us on our contact page for one of the special original labels.

The post Luke and Arpan’s Sensational Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe appeared first on The Air Fryer Gourmets.

Ultimate Guide to Air Fryer Seasonings

The secret to creating delicious air fryer dishes lies not only in the cooking method but also in the seasonings you use. This in-depth guide will give you everything you need to succeed. A thoughtful combination of spices can elevate your air-fried meals to new heights, giving your food that mouthwatering, crave-worthy flavor. In this ultimate guide to air fryer seasonings, we’ll discuss the differences between warm and cool spices, explore some amazing Middle Eastern spices, and share tips for seasoning your air-fried fries and air-fried zucchini to perfection. So, let’s dive in and start spicing up your air fryer game!

Understanding Warm and Cool Spices

Spices can be broadly categorized into two groups: warm spices and cool spices. This distinction is based on the flavor profiles of the spices and their impact on the overall taste of a dish.

Warm spices, as the name suggests, provide a warm, rich, and comforting flavor to your dishes. They often have a sweet or slightly pungent taste and are commonly used in winter dishes, baked goods, and hearty meals. Examples of warm spices include cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and ginger.

Cool spices, on the other hand, provide a bright, refreshing, and uplifting flavor to your dishes. They often have a slightly bitter or tangy taste and are commonly used in summer dishes, salads, and lighter meals. Examples of cool spices include mint, coriander, fennel seeds, and dill.

When seasoning your air-fried dishes, consider the balance of warm and cool spices to create a harmonious and well-rounded flavor profile. The key is experimenting with different combinations to find the perfect blend that suits your taste buds.

Exploring Middle Eastern Spices

Middle Eastern cuisine is known for its bold and diverse flavors, thanks to the use of various unique spices. Here are some standout Middle Eastern spices that you can use to elevate your air-fried dishes:

1. Cumin: Cumin is a warm spice with a slightly earthy and bitter flavor. It’s commonly used in Middle Eastern, Indian, and Mexican cuisines and is a key ingredient in spice blends like garam masala and taco seasoning. Cumin pairs well with vegetables, meats, and legumes.
2. Shawarma: Shawarma is a Middle Eastern spice blend typically used to season grilled meats. It usually contains a mix of warm spices like cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and cinnamon, along with garlic powder, onion powder, and other herbs. Shawarma seasoning can also be used to flavor vegetables, rice, and other dishes in your air fryer.
3. Sumac: Sumac is a tangy, slightly tart spice that adds a vibrant, citrusy flavor to your dishes. It’s commonly used in Middle Eastern cooking as a seasoning for salads, grilled meats, and rice dishes. In your air fryer, try sprinkling sumac on vegetables, fish, or chicken for a refreshing twist.
4. Za’atar: Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend that combines thyme, sumac, sesame seeds, and other herbs. It has a nutty, tangy, and slightly earthy flavor that works well with various dishes. Use za’atar as a seasoning for air-fried vegetables, and meats, or even as a topping for flatbreads and dips.

Steak Seasonings for Veggies

Steak seasonings are a blend of spices like garlic powder, salt, paprika, and black pepper, making them great for vegetables. The bold flavors of steak seasonings can add depth and complexity to your veggies without overpowering or oversalting them.

Try using a dash of steak seasoning on air-fried fries, mushrooms, brussels sprouts, zucchini, bell peppers, or even cauliflower for a delicious and satisfying side dish.

The Versatility of Taco Seasoning and Cumin

Taco seasoning and cumin are versatile spices that can add a burst of flavor to a wide range of dishes. The combination of earthy cumin, zesty chili powder, and aromatic oregano found in taco seasoning makes it an excellent choice. Try using a dash of taco seasoning on air-fried chicken, shrimp, or potato fries for a twist.

Cumin, as mentioned earlier, is a warm spice with an earthy and slightly bitter flavor. It’s a key ingredient in many spice blends and is particularly well-suited to air-fried dishes. Cumin’s flavor profile makes it a fantastic addition to dishes like air-fried chickpeas, roasted vegetables, and marinated meats.

The Art of Balancing Spices

When seasoning your air-fried dishes, it’s essential to strike the right balance between flavors. Overdoing it with spices can lead to an overpowering taste, while under-seasoning can result in a bland and unexciting dish.

Here are some tips to help you find the perfect balance:

1. Taste test: If you’re unsure about the flavor of a particular spice or how much to use, try tasting a small amount on its own to get a sense of its potency. This will help you gauge how much to add to your dish.
2. Start small: When experimenting with new spices or blends, start with a small amount and gradually build up the flavor. This approach allows you to fine-tune the seasoning to your liking without overdoing it.
3. Follow a recipe: If you’re new to using spices or unsure about the right combination, follow a trusted recipe to get started. As you become more comfortable with the flavors and proportions, you can begin to adjust the seasoning to suit your taste preferences.
4. Trust your instincts: As you become more familiar with various spices and their flavors, trust your instincts when seasoning your dishes. Your taste buds are the best guide to creating a well-balanced and delicious meal.

Seasoning Tips for Air Fryer Cooking

When seasoning your air-fried dishes, follow these simple steps to ensure an even and flavorful coating:

1. Add food to the air fryer basket first: Before adding any seasonings or oil, place your food items in the air fryer basket to gauge the amount of space and the best arrangement for even cooking.
2. Drizzle with neutral oil: Using a bottle with an oil spout, give your food items three good flicks of neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola oil. This will help the spices adhere to the food and promote even cooking.
3. Sprinkle on the spice mix: With your food and oil in place, sprinkle your chosen spice mix over the items in the basket. Be sure to distribute the spices evenly for a consistent flavor throughout.
4. Toss or jiggle the basket: Gently toss or jiggle the air fryer basket to ensure the oil and spices coat the food items evenly. This will help to create a uniform flavor and texture in your finished dish.

Experimenting with spices is one of the best ways to elevate your air-fried dishes. By exploring the world of Middle Eastern seasonings and mastering the art of balancing flavors, you’ll be well on your way to creating air fryer meals that are both delicious and memorable.

Want some inspiration?

Check out our recipe for Chicken Drumsticks, Potato Fries, Zucchini Fries, Fried eggs, and more!

The post The Ultimate Guide to Air Fryer Seasonings appeared first on The Air Fryer Gourmets.

Juicy, Heavenly, Balanced.

If you came to me last week and said “Hey Luke, would you ever write an article about a bacon-cheese chicken pickle recipe?” I would reply with a prompt “No. Why?” But a lot can change in a week. Three times, I’ve housed this treat and I can’t believe I’m saying this but it is honestly one of my favorite uses for bacon. It’s even Amy Approved! If you’re like me, you use bacon once for a recipe and then kind of just forget about it for the rest of the week as it seems “ughhh unhealthy”. Let me tell ya, this is better than any of that good ol’ eggs and bacon breakfast, it’s juicy and delicious.

This recipe is all about balance. This is the epitome of what we try to achieve on this blog. Heavenly(not healthy!) taste, earthly effort. Spicy pickle, juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and salty cheese all come together in a heavenly pairing and it takes less time than cooking bacon on the stove. If you’re feeling hungry, make two. I’m 6’3″ and I’ve found that one of these is about half a meal. I have no problem demolishing two, especially with Amy here.

Ingredients

• 2 pickles (dill or bread and butter, depending on your preference)
• 2 chicken tenders, raw
• 2 cheese sticks (such as mozzarella or cheddar)
• 2 slices of bacon (thin-cut works best)
• Your favorite dipping sauces (BBQ sauce, Chick-fil-A sauce, mustard, ketchup, etc.)

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

You’ll need pickles, raw chicken tenders, cheese sticks, a cutting board, and bacon. For the pickles, you can use bread and butter(where my people at!) or Dill if you want I guess. Your life, not mine. For cheese, grab a favorite of the kids, string cheese! whatever flavor you like, it’s hard to go wrong here.

Step 2: Assemble the Bacon-Wrapped Cheese Chicken Pickles

To assemble your bacon-wrapped cheese chicken pickles, follow these simple steps:

1. Lay a chicken tender flat on a clean cutting board.
2. Place a cheese stick on top of the chicken tender.
3. Add a pickle on top of the cheese stick.
4. On the left side of your stack, lay a piece of bacon at a slight angle on the cutting board
5. Carefully roll the Cheese-chicken-Pickle away from you and pick up the slice of bacon as you go. Make sure to cover the entire length of the pickle and chicken tender, overlapping the bacon slightly as you wrap. This will help hold everything together during cooking. Note: it doesn’t have to be super tight but should not be loose either.

Repeat this process for both bacon-wrapped cheese chicken pickles.

Step 3: Cook in the Air Fryer

Place two assembled bacon-wrapped cheese chicken pickles in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes. Note: no need to preheat the air fryer. Remember to wash your hands with soap after handling raw meat.

Step 4: Check the Chicken’s Internal Temperature

Before removing the bacon-wrapped cheese chicken pickles from the air fryer, open the basket and check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part to be considered fully cooked and safe to eat. Don’t worry about it drying out, the pickle will keep it juicy.

Step 5: Sauce and Serve

Once the bacon-wrapped cheese chicken pickles have finished cooking, transfer them to a serving plate and serve with two or three of your favorite dipping sauces. BBQ sauce, Chick-fil-A sauce, mustard, and ketchup are all popular choices, but feel free to experiment with other options as well.

Air fryers make it easy to cook these tasty treats, ensuring a perfectly crispy finish without the mess and hassle of traditional frying methods. Plus, with our quick and easy “no wet hands” cleaning method below, you’ll spend less time cleaning up and more time enjoying your delicious creation.

So, go ahead and give this unique recipe a try – you might just find that it becomes a new favorite in your snack repertoire. And don’t forget to get creative with your dipping sauce selections, as the possibilities are truly endless! Happy snacking!

Step 6: Quick and Easy Cleanup

While the air fryer basket is still hot, clean it using our “no wet hands” method, which only takes 30 seconds. This method is perfect for those who don’t want the hassle of hand-washing dishes. Follow the steps outlined in our previous blog post on air fryer cleaning techniques, and you’ll have a spotless basket in no time. You can even clean two baskets at once by using one in each hand.

To start, while the basket is still hot, give one squirt of soap into the dirty basket.

Next, fill the basket with a small amount of water.

Then, swirl/jiggle/slosh the water in the basket until it foams.

After that, pour out the soap foam and briefly rinse the basket in the basket.

Finally, insert the basket back into the air fryer. No need to dry the basket with a towel – residual heat in the air fryer will do the trick!

Recipe

Bacon-Wrapped Cheese Chicken Pickle

Juicy, Heavenly, Balanced. Pickle, tender chicken, crispy bacon, and salty cheese all come together in a heavenly pairing. If you’re feeling hungry, make two!

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American, French, Italian

Keyword: Bacon-Wrapped Cheese Chicken Pickle

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 2

Calories: 225kcal

Author: airfrye7

Cost: 5

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Cutting Board

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• 2 slices pickles (dill or bread and butter, depending on your preference)
• 2 chicken tenders
• 2 cheese sticks (such as mozzarella or cheddar)
• 2 slices bacon (thin-cut works best)
• 1 squirt Your favorite dipping sauce BBQ sauce, Chick-fil-A sauce, mustard, ketchup

Instructions

 

• Put all Ingredients on a cutting board.
  
• Lay a strip of Bacon on a cutting board away from your body. At one end, make a stack of Cheese Chicken and Pickles. Next, Roll the Cheese Chicken Pickle with the Bacon until it is wrapped. The wrap should be semi-tight.
  
• Place two assembled bacon-wrapped cheese chicken pickles in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes. Note: no need to preheat the air fryer. Remember to wash your hands with soap after handling raw meat.
  
• Check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  
• Once the bacon-wrapped cheese chicken pickles have finished cooking, transfer them to a serving plate and sauce them with two or three of your favorite dipping sauces. BBQ sauce, Chick-fil-A sauce, mustard, and ketchup are all popular choices, but feel free to experiment with other options as well.
  
• While the air fryer basket is still hot, clean it using our “no wet hands” method, which only takes 30 seconds. This method is perfect for those who don’t want the hassle of hand-washing dishes.
  

Nutrition

Serving: 300g | Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 689mg | Potassium: 139mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 95IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 0.5mg

The post Bacon-Wrapped Cheese Chicken Pickle appeared first on The Air Fryer Gourmets.