Fennel with Bechamel in the air fryer, a tempting way to enhance this vegetable. They are a tasty, creamy side dish to accompany your meat and fish main courses. Fennel is often eaten raw in salads, but you can actually prepare many delicious dishes that bring out its flavor.
This recipe is also quick to prepare because the fennel does not need pre-cooking: simply slice it (not too thick) and season in layers with a creamy, silky bechamel, just like you do for lasagna.
If you prefer a lighter recipe I recommend the Air-Fryer Gratinated Fennel, which skips the bechamel and uses a simple breadcrumb-and-cheese gratin. For something different and special try them Sweet-and-Sour Fennel in the Air Fryer, you will impress your guests.
At the end of the recipe you will find instructions for oven cooking.
If you like my recipes try these as well:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very affordable
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Cooking time: 27 Minutes
- Portions: 6
- Cooking methods: Air fryer, Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
Ingredients for 6 servings of fennel with bechamel
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 2/3 cups milk
- to taste salt and pepper
- to taste nutmeg
- 1 oz Grana Padano, grated (plus 1 tbsp for the surface)
- 2 medium fennel bulbs
- salt
Tools
What you need to prepare fennel with bechamel in the air fryer
- 1 Small saucepan
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Knife
- 1 Baking dish
- 1 Air fryer
Steps
How to prepare fennel with bechamel
For the bechamel preparation follow the steps in the Lasagna Roses in the Air Fryer recipe. Once ready add the grated Grana Padano and keep stirring with the whisk.
Trim off the green tops and the stalk base, remove the tougher outer leaves, wash, dry and slice the bulbs into not-too-thick slices.
Cover the bottom of the baking dish with bechamel.
Place the first layer of fennel slices and season with salt.
Spread bechamel and continue layering until all ingredients are used.
Finish the top layer with bechamel, the grated Grana Padano and a sprinkle of pepper if you like.
Place the baking dish in the air fryer and cook at 320°F for 20 minutes. I started at a lower temperature to avoid the fennel cooking too quickly on the surface while remaining raw in the middle and at the bottom. Raise to 356°F and continue for 8 minutes. If you wish you can also finish with a few minutes under the grill (broil).
The fennel is ready and you can serve it… enjoy your meal!
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Oven cooking for fennel with bechamel
Bake in a preheated conventional oven at 356°F for 20–25 minutes, then raise to 392°F and continue until a golden, crispy crust forms on top.
Storage tips for fennel with bechamel
You can store the fennel in the refrigerator directly in their baking dish covered with plastic wrap for a couple of days and reheat for a few minutes in the air fryer or in the oven.
You can prepare the fennel in advance and cook them shortly before serving.
