How to Cook Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts


Mediterranean cuisine is associated with traditional recipes which keep things simple. This doesn't mean we cannot use modern technology to make things a little easier in the kitchen. Air fryers are becoming more and more commonplace in kitchens across the world. Whether you don't have an oven or prefer using the air fryer as an alternative, these devices are energy efficient. Artichokes are undeveloped flower buds which are eaten as a vegetable. While delicious, some of us can find artichokes difficult to cook. Fortunately, the air fryer is a way to cook artichokes safely and easily, while still providing a crispy touch.
At oneHOWTO, we find out how to make air fryer artichoke hearts. This air fryer artichoke heart recipe is easy to follow and provides delicious crispy artichoke hearts without any of the fuss.
Ingredients:
Steps to follow:
This air fryer recipe is for artichoke hearts. If you have fresh artichokes, you will need to start by washing them carefully to ensure there is no dirt or other debris in the leaves. Cooking whole globe artichokes in the air fryer is tricky, one of the reasons we are only cooking the hearts. However, keep the leaves and you can cook them separately as a tasty snack.
Using a small knife, peel the stem and remove any fibrous parts from the hearts. Cut the bases flat. If the artichokes are large, you can cut them in half or even into quarters. Once they are open, use a small spoon to remove the inner hairs found in the artichoke heart.

Artichokes tend to oxidize quickly when they come into contact with air. When this happens, they acquire a dark color that does not affect their flavor, but does make their appearance less appealing. To avoid this, place them immediately in a bowl with cold water and the juice of a lemon. This step is essential to keep them fresh and maintain an attractive color.
Finely chop the garlic if you choose to use it. Mix in a bowl with the olive oil. Add salt, pepper and any other spices you may wish to include. Salt is essential, but you can add almost anything you like, such as paprika or mixed herbs. This simple dressing will enhance the natural flavor of the artichokes and give them an extra boost of flavor.
Remove the artichokes from the water and dry them well with a kitchen towel or kitchen paper. This is important so that the dressing adheres properly and to prevent excess moisture from affecting the cooking process. It will also better ensure you get crispy artichokes in the air fryer.
Once dry, place the artichokes in a large bowl and pour the dressing over them. Mix well to ensure that all the pieces are evenly coated. Do not delay this step since we do not want the artichoke hearts to oxidize.

Before cooking the artichokes, preheat the air fryer to 180ºC/350ºF for about 3-5 minutes. This will ensure even cooking from the start and help the artichokes become crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Place the artichokes in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not too crowded. This will allow the hot air to circulate around them and cook them more evenly.
Cook the artichokes at 180ºC/350ºF for 15-18 minutes, depending on their size. Open the fryer halfway through this time and stir or turn the artichokes. This will help to make sure all sides are browned evenly.

To test if they're ready, prick one of the artichokes with a fork. The inside should be tender, while the outer leaves should be golden and crisp. If they need more time, add an additional 2-3 minutes.
When the artichokes are ready, remove them from the fryer and place them on a serving dish. In this other post we explain How to clean the air fryer. You should wash it each time you use it, but learn how to deep clean an air fryer in our related article.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve with a light sauce such as aioli, herby yogurt or even just a little more olive oil and lemon.
Now that you know this simple recipe for crispy artichoke hearts in an air fryer, you may want to know how to make them last longer. Do so with our articles explaining how to freeze artichokes properly and how to store artichokes safely.

If you want to read similar articles to How to Cook Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts, we recommend you visit our Recipes category.
Tips
- Choose firm artichokes with tightly packed leaves which are bright green in color. Avoid those with black spots or those that are too open.
- If you don't have lemon, you can use a splash of vinegar in the water to prevent the artichokes from turning dark.
- Experiment with spices like cumin, turmeric or Italian seasoning to give them a different touch.
- Make sure to cut the artichokes into similar sizes so they cook evenly.
- If you prefer more tender artichokes, you can steam them for 5 minutes before transferring them to the air fryer.
- Cook in batches if necessary. If you overfill the basket, the artichokes will not brown properly.
- For an even crispier finish, increase the temperature to 200ºC/390ºF for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
- If you have leftover artichokes, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. You can reheat them in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 160ºC/320ºF to restore their crispy texture.
- These artichokes are perfect as a side dish for meat or fish, but they also work as a healthy appetizer or a vegan snack.
- If you use frozen artichokes, remember to defrost and dry them well before cooking to avoid excess water.