Air fryer gratinated fennel is a simple, light side dish perfect for the winter season when fennel is always in the fridge. It’s an easy and quick recipe, ideal when you have little time but still want to serve a tasty dish. In this case, the air fryer is a great ally: it significantly reduces cooking time compared to a traditional oven and allows you to use less oil while still achieving a golden, crispy gratin.
With breadcrumbs, herbs, and spices to taste, fennel transforms into a fragrant and never boring side dish, suitable for accompanying any main course. Try this recipe; it’s practical, light, super fast, and everyone will really love it!
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- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 2 People
- Cooking methods: Air Frying
- Seasonality: Winter
Ingredients
- 2 fennel bulbs
- 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- paprika (sweet or smoked, to taste)
- curry (or turmeric)
- lemon zest (or orange zest)
- oregano (or other herbs)
- extra virgin olive oil
- salt
Tools
- Air Fryer
- Bowl
- Cutting board
Preparation
Clean and wash the fennel. Slice them into slices about a quarter inch thick, or slightly more, and place them in a bowl.
Add a pinch of salt and spices to taste (I used curry and paprika), a handful of herbs, the grated zest of half a lemon, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Mix well to distribute the seasoning (1).
Now add 2-3 tablespoons of breadcrumbs and mix again.
Place the fennel in the air fryer basket (with parchment paper if you have it), trying to overlap them as little as possible (2). If necessary, drizzle a little more oil on top.
Set the air fryer to 356°F and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the fennel is tender to your liking (3). Cooking times depend on the thickness of the slices and the power of your air fryer.
Air fryer gratinated fennel is ready, transfer them to a platter and serve hot or warm.
Tips and Notes
You can flavor the fennel with herbs and spices to taste. If you don’t like spices, you can also just use garlic powder and rosemary (or parsley).
Try to slice the fennel evenly so that it cooks uniformly.
FAQ
Can I use the oven instead of the air fryer?
Of course, if you don’t have an air fryer, you can place the fennel on a baking sheet and bake at 356-374°F for 25-30 minutes, or until you reach your desired consistency.
How do I store gratinated fennel?
I recommend consuming them right after cooking, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for one day and reheat them in the air fryer for 4-5 minutes.
