Crispy Air-Fried Spinach

Transform fresh spinach into two irresistible forms with your air fryer: unbelievably crispy air fryer spinach chips or delightfully tender, buttered leaves. Whether you’re craving a healthy, crunchy snack similar to our Ninja Foodi kale chips, or a classic, melt-in-your-mouth side dish to complement any meal, this guide has you covered. Get ready to elevate your greens game!

Our journey into air fryer vegetable chips began when our kids absolutely fell in love with the kale chips we prepared in our new air fryer. We understand that kale, like spinach, can be a love-or-hate vegetable, but we promise you, these chips are truly amazing. Our success with kale led us to experiment further, leading to equally delightful air fryer cucumber chips, and we’ve been hooked on air-fried veggies ever since.

While we also enjoy Instant Pot spinach as a tender side dish with chicken, the texture isn’t quite the same as the crispy sensation an air fryer delivers. For us, the texture of spinach is paramount, and transforming it into a chip-like snack completely changes the experience. The difference is truly astounding; these air-fried versions are incredibly good!

Making Spinach Chips in Your Ninja Foodi

If you prefer using your Ninja Foodi, rest assured it’s perfectly suited for this recipe. While Ninja Foodi offers various cooking functions, our instructions below specifically refer to using the attached air crisping lid with the ‘Air Crisp’ button, which delivers that desired crispy texture. The principles remain the same: prepare your spinach, season, and air fry for a fantastic result. The Ninja Foodi’s powerful air circulation makes it an excellent choice for achieving perfectly crisp spinach chips.

Can You Cook Frozen Spinach in the Air Fryer?

Absolutely! While this recipe focuses on crispy spinach chips made from fresh leaves, you can certainly cook frozen spinach in your air fryer to achieve tender, wilted greens. For that softer texture, you would follow our detailed directions on how to cook frozen spinach using the air crisp mode. The process for frozen spinach primarily involves defrosting and warming the already cooked greens, resulting in a tender consistency rather than crispy chips. Both methods yield wonderful results, depending on your preference and what you’re pairing them with.

Essential Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Spinach

Creating these delicious air fryer spinach chips or tender leaves is surprisingly simple, requiring just a few basic ingredients: fresh spinach, a touch of salt, and olive oil. The magic, however, lies in the preparation.

The Importance of Dry Leaves

This is arguably the most critical tip to remember: the drier your spinach leaves are, the crispier they will become in the air fryer. Excess moisture leads to steaming, which prevents that coveted crisp texture. After rinsing your fresh spinach, lay the leaves on a few paper towels and gently roll them up to absorb as much liquid as possible. You can also use a salad spinner for an even more efficient drying process. Thoroughly dry leaves are the foundation for truly crunchy spinach chips.

Achieving Even Coating with Oil

Once your spinach is perfectly dry, it’s time for the oil. We highly recommend using an olive oil spray rather than drizzling. A light, even coating of oil is key to crisping without making the spinach greasy or soggy. You want each leaf to be lightly coated, not drenched. Too much oil will weigh down the leaves and prevent them from achieving their ideal crispness. A spray bottle ensures better distribution and control over the amount of oil used.

Seasoning Beyond Salt

While a simple sprinkle of sea salt is delicious, don’t hesitate to get creative with your seasonings! You can easily add a kick by sprinkling on some chili flakes or dry Sriracha powder for a bit of heat. For a more savory profile, garlic powder or onion powder works wonderfully. The beauty of these air fryer spinach chips, much like our air fryer jicama fries, is that they require no breading at all. This makes them significantly lower in carbs and an excellent keto-friendly option, perfect for a healthy lifestyle. Remember, you can always add more seasoning after cooking to taste, so start with a lighter hand.

How Long to Cook Spinach in an Air Fryer

The cooking time for spinach in an air fryer largely depends on your desired outcome: crispy chips or tender, wilted leaves. For beautifully crispy spinach chips, you’ll typically need 6 to 8 minutes. If you’re aiming for soft, wilted spinach, the process is much quicker, usually requiring only about 3 minutes to soften adequately.

Beyond salt and pepper, consider adding a burst of flavor with fresh lime juice combined with olive oil before air frying for a bright, Mexican-inspired twist. A pinch of chili powder can further enhance this “Wow!” factor. Experiment with different spices like smoked paprika, a dash of cumin, or even a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.

Buttered Spinach in Air Fryer: Tender & Delicious

If your goal is to enjoy soft, wilted spinach infused with butter, rather than crispy chips, simply follow these adjusted steps: Begin by rinsing about 10 ounces of fresh spinach leaves under cold water, then gently squeeze out any excess moisture. Place the well-drained spinach into an oven-safe dish, such as a springform or air fryer cake pan. Dot the spinach with about 2 teaspoons of butter and season generously with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Place the pan into a preheated air fryer basket set to 360 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for approximately 3 minutes. Open the air fryer, stir the leaves to ensure even wilting, and if you desire them even softer, continue cooking for another minute or two, checking frequently until they reach your preferred tenderness. This method delivers a classic, comforting side dish with minimal effort.

The beauty of this “magic machine” lies in its ability to give food a deep-fried texture without submerging it in oil, significantly reducing fat content. It’s truly a win-win situation for healthier eating. Don’t limit yourself to spinach; feel free to experiment with other favorite vegetables. You can certainly make other air fryer vegetables, like a mix of zucchini and squash, but these crispy spinach chips take healthy snacking a step further, making it enjoyable and accessible for everyone.

These aren’t the only incredible vegetable chips you can create with your air fryer. We’ve experimented with and loved sweet potato chips and even apple chips in the air fryer, proving that fruit can also make fantastic crispy snacks. Vegetables certainly do NOT need to be boring. Making them fun and appealing, especially for kids, can help foster an appreciation for their natural flavors and encourage healthier eating habits from a young age.

If you’re curious about baking these in a traditional oven, you can easily adapt the method. Our baked kale chips recipe provides excellent instructions and timing guidelines that work similarly for spinach. The main difference is that with spinach, you typically don’t need to remove any tough stems, simplifying the preparation process even further for an oven-baked version.

Health Benefits of Air Fryer Spinach

Spinach is a powerhouse of nutrients, making both crispy spinach chips and tender wilted spinach incredibly healthy choices. It’s an excellent source of Vitamin K, which is crucial for blood clotting and bone health. Additionally, spinach is packed with fiber, aiding in digestion; iron, essential for energy and blood production; and calcium, vital for strong bones. It also boasts a wealth of antioxidants and other vitamins, contributing to overall well-being. Don’t be alarmed if your urine takes on a slightly tinted hue after consuming a large quantity of spinach; it’s a normal and harmless side effect of the pigments. Whether served crispy or tender, spinach remains a fantastic and healthy snack or side dish that even kids can learn to love.