Everyone Is Obsessed With This Air Fryer Yakitori Recipe
Craving the smoky, savory deliciousness of yakitori but don’t have a grill? Or perhaps you’re looking for a simpler, healthier way to enjoy this Japanese classic? Look no further! This recipe brings the authentic flavors of yakitori right to your kitchen, using the magic of an air fryer. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these perfectly tender and flavorful chicken skewers!
Ingredients (Serves 1, makes 4 skewers)
Chicken Thigh: 170g (6 oz) – Chicken thigh is highly recommended for the best texture and flavor.
Green Onion: 40g (1.4 oz) – Optional. If omitted, increase the chicken quantity or substitute with other vegetables like onion, bell pepper, or shishito peppers.
For the Yakitori Sauce:
Soy Sauce: 2 tablespoons
Mirin: 2 tablespoons
Sugar: 1 tablespoon
Oil (such as vegetable oil or sesame oil): 2 teaspoons
Any leftover sauce can be boiled briefly and then stored in the refrigerator for other dishes.
Topping:
Shichimi Togarashi (Japanese Seven Spice Blend): A pinch, to taste
Instructions
Cut the chicken and green onions into bite-sized pieces. Skewer them alternately onto bamboo or metal skewers.
In a shallow dish large enough to hold the skewers, combine all the yakitori sauce ingredients (soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and oil) and mix well.
Place the skewers into the sauce, ensuring they are fully coated. Marinate for 5-10 minutes, then flip them over and marinate for another 5-10 minutes.
Preheat your air fryer to 190°C (374°F). Once heated, place the marinated skewers in the air fryer basket.
Air fry for 6 minutes.
After 6 minutes, carefully open the air fryer, flip the skewers, and brush them lightly with the remaining sauce.
Continue to air fry for another 6 minutes at 190°C (374°F) until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred.
Serve immediately with a sprinkle of Shichimi Togarashi, if desired. Enjoy!
A One-Bite Memo
When making yakitori in an air fryer, the biggest challenge is preventing the chicken from becoming dry. The key to avoiding this is to add a small amount of oil to the sauce. This helps keep the chicken moist and tender. Additionally, pre-marinating the raw chicken in the sauce ensures that every bite is packed with perfect, authentic flavor.
