The kebab skewers in the air fryer are an innovative recipe that has become viral online, and I’ve reinterpreted it in a lighter but still irresistible version. They’re made with only three main ingredients, are super easy and quick to make… and also great fun to assemble!
The result? Truly surprising. On the first bite you perceive a slight crispiness on the outside that immediately gives way to an incredibly soft and juicy core. The meat, in fact, remains very tender and almost melt-in-your-mouth: it literally melts in your mouth, giving a warm and irresistible sensation. It is precisely this contrast between the slightly stronger outside and the soft, stringy inside that makes these skewers so special and impossible to forget.
Perfect for a tasty dinner or a different lunch than usual, they’ll win everyone over at first bite! Below you’ll also find instructions to cook them not only in the air fryer, but also in the oven (increasing time and temperature) or in a pan.
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- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Budget-friendly
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Cooking time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Air fryer
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4.25 oz provola (melting smoked cheese) (or melting cheese)
- 4 tortillas or flatbreads
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- as needed cooking spray
- 2/3 cup Greek yogurt (0% fat)
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Tools
- Air fryer
- Air fryer parchment paper
Steps
Start by trimming the edges of the tortillas (or flatbreads) to obtain squares of the same size.
A little tip: don’t throw away the scraps! You can cut them into triangles, season with oil, salt and spices (for example paprika or herbs like sage, thyme and oregano), give a final spray of oil and air-fry at 356°F for 5–7 minutes: you’ll get tasty, crunchy nachos/chips!
In a bowl, combine the ground meat with paprika and salt. You won’t need to add oil. Work the mixture with your hands until the spices are evenly distributed. Take the tortillas and spread a thin layer of the ground meat over the entire surface.
Also add the previously grated provola on top. Repeat the operation with all 4 tortillas. Finally, stack them one on top of the other to form a kind of tortilla “lasagna”.
Divide the resulting block into four equal strips.
Turn the strips onto one side so the layers are visible vertically, and bring them close together. Turn the block and insert four long skewers perpendicular to the strips, one for each section. Now cut between one skewer and the next to separate the four kebab skewers. This way you’ll obtain compact skewers ready for cooking.
Air fryer cooking:
Place the skewers in the air fryer basket (you can use perforated parchment paper if you prefer, available here: air fryer parchment paper), give a spray of cooking oil and cook at 392°F for 10 minutes, turning them halfway through.
Oven baking:
You can also bake them in a convection oven, also with a spray of oil, at 392°F for about 15 minutes or until golden.
Pan cooking:
Alternatively, you can cook them in a pan over low heat with a drizzle of oil, covered with a lid. Cook all 4 sides, turning often, for about 10–12 minutes or until each side is golden and the meat is fully cooked.Serve your skewers hot and cheesy, perhaps accompanied by your favorite sauce. Mine is very simple: mix Greek yogurt with mayonnaise, ketchup and smoked paprika. Enjoy!
Valentina’s Tips
• Alternatives: if you prefer a milder flavor, you can replace the beef with ground chicken or turkey. If you like stronger tastes, try using crumbled sausage (without adding extra salt). For the cheese, provola is perfect for its smoky flavor, but you can opt for cheddar for a more “American” touch, emmental or a block mozzarella (the less watery kind) for extreme meltiness.
• Vegetarian version: making a vegetarian version is very easy! You can use a vegetable mince made from soy or peas, which behaves exactly like meat. Alternatively, you can layer herbed cream cheese and very thinly sliced grilled vegetables (like zucchini or eggplant), or use a firm chickpea hummus as the protein base instead of meat.
• The recycling corner (zero waste): the round parts of the tortillas you removed at the beginning are a precious resource—don’t throw them away! You can turn them into an irresistible snack in minutes. Cut the scraps into triangles to mimic nachos, put them in a bowl and season with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, salt and your favorite spices: paprika is classic, but try a mix of herbs like sage, thyme and oregano for a more Mediterranean aroma. Once seasoned, give a final spray of oil and air-fry at 356°F for about 5–7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. They will become super crunchy chips, perfect to nibble on while the skewers finish cooking!
• Air fryer: I used the COSORI Turbo Blaze 6L air fryer, which has an extra-powerful fan for very fast cooking. You can find it here: air fryer.
Don’t miss the latest recipe 👉 spicy breaded mozzarellas in the air fryer: like the fried ones but with only a spray of oil! And with an amazing spicy sauce that will leave you speechless…
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