Air Fryer Spinach
Air fryer spinach wilts in about four minutes, with no pan to wash and no water to drain. The hot, fast air softens the leaves and leaves a few edges lightly crisp, while garlic and olive oil keep the seasoning simple. It is a handy way to use up a bag of baby spinach and works as a side for almost any main.
- Total
- 10 min
- Prep
- 3 min
- Cook
- 7 min
- Serves
- 2
- Per serving
- 90kcal
Getting the texture of air fryer spinach right
Baby spinach has a high water content, so it needs to start dry. A quick turn in a salad spinner is the easiest way, and it also stops the leaves steaming into a damp heap. Coating them in oil helps in two ways: the leaves cook evenly, and they weigh a little more, so they stay in the basket.
Two hundred grams is a comfortable amount for a standard basket. It looks like a lot of leaves, but spinach shrinks to a small portion of its raw volume, so this serves two as a side.
How to cook air fryer spinach
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 180°C for .
- Dry Spin the spinach in a salad spinner or pat it dry in a clean tea towel. Pull out any thick, tough stalks.
- Season Put the leaves in a large bowl, drizzle over the olive oil and sprinkle with the garlic powder, salt and pepper. Toss with tongs until every leaf is lightly coated.
- Cook Pile the leaves loosely in the basket and cook at 180°C for , shaking or tossing with tongs halfway. If any leaves lift towards the heating element, tuck them back down.
- Serve Tip the wilted spinach into a warm dish straight away and add a squeeze of lemon if you like.
What to serve with it
The garlic and olive oil suit grilled or roast meat and fish. It also works as a simple base for eggs, or you can fold it through hot pasta with a little lemon, as in this pasta with chicken and spinach.
If you would rather keep the leaves raw, a spinach salad is the lighter option. A bag of leaves that has seen better days also makes a good spinach soup.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Spinach
- The spinach comes out soggy rather than lightly crisp at the edges.
- Wet leaves steam instead of roast. Dry them thoroughly and do not press them into the basket, so the air can move between them.
- Light leaves blow around and catch on the heating element.
- Coat them well in oil so they are heavier, keep the pile loose but compact, and tuck stray leaves down with tongs when you shake the basket.
- It tastes flat or slightly bitter.
- Salt it lightly, then finish with a squeeze of lemon or a small knob of butter once it is out of the basket.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Spinach
How long does air fryer spinach take?
About 10 minutes in total, including 3 minutes to preheat and 3–4 minutes of cooking at 180°C.
Can you cook frozen spinach in the air fryer?
It is not worth it. Frozen spinach releases a lot of water, so thaw it, squeeze it dry and heat it on the hob instead.
Can you make a bigger batch?
Yes, but cook it in batches. A loosely packed basket gives the best result, and 400g of leaves is too much for most standard baskets.
Does it keep?
Cooked spinach is best eaten straight away. If you have leftovers, cool them quickly, keep them in the fridge and eat within a day, reheating until piping hot.
How did you like the recipe?
4.9 / 5 · 69 ratings
