Name: Quick And Easy Air Fryer Kofta Kebabs (Beef and Lamb)
Prep time: 1 h 50 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 2 h 10 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 lb of Minced Beef; 1 lb of Minced Lamb; 0.5 Oz of Garlic cloves (5 Cloves); 8oz of Yellow onion (Midsize); 1 slice of toast (Either wheat or white toast); 2.5oz of Italian flat leave parsley (About 2 cups); 0.1oz of Fresh mint leaves (About 20 leaves); 1/2 A teaspoon of Sumac; 1 Teaspoon of Aleppo pepper; 1/2 A teaspoon of Sweet paprika; ½ A teaspoon of Ground nutmeg; ½ A teaspoon of Ground cloves; ½ A teaspoon of Ground cinnamon; 2 Teaspoons of Sea salt; 1 Teaspoon of Ground black pepper

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Welcome back to another flavor-packed Mediterranean culinary journey. In today’s post, join me in making this quick, easy air fryer Kofta Kebabs.

Imagine a delightful combo of minced beef, lamb, and Middle Eastern spices cooked perfectly in your Air fryer. I’ll guide you through each step, ensuring you have a quick and hassle-free cooking experience.

My goal is simple: to help you craft another tender and succulent dish that tastes like it comes straight from a restaurant. Are you ready? Let’s make these mouthwatering Kofta Kebabs that everyone will beg for more.

I was having a Mediterranean platter with 3 skewers of air fryer Kofta Kebabs, served with Orzo and cucumber salad , pita bread, baba ganoush, and Hummus.

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Ever since I welcomed my trusty Philips Air Fryer into my kitchen, it has been bustling with exciting air frying experiments. This genius gadget makes achieving that perfect grilled or fried texture a breeze while keeping oil use in check.

After creating numerous Mediterranean air fryer recipes such as Chicken Shawarma, Shish Tawook, Pita Bread, and Baba Ganoush, I decided to make Kofta Kebabs in an Air Fryer too.

You might wonder, “Can they truly capture that traditional grill essence?”

The answer: A resounding “YES!” and let me tell you, the flavor is top-notch, and the meat was succulent and satisfying, reminiscent of local Middle Eastern joints.

Plus, here’s the golden nugget: no outdoor grill required (Thank goodness, no Texas heat struggles!) and no more waiting for marination – simply mix, air fry for 20 minutes, and you’re ready to feast!

So, are you excited to try this recipe? Let’s grab your ingredients and cook up a storm!

A platter with 3 skewers of air fryer Kofta Kebabs, served with Orzo and cucumber salad , pita bread, baba ganoush, and Hummus.

Recipe Snapshot

EASE: Effortlessly create flavorful kebabs in your air fryer.
PROS: Achieves restaurant-quality taste without outdoor grilling.
CONS: Outdoor grilling enthusiasts may miss the traditional method.
WOULD I MAKE THIS AGAIN? These Air Fryer Kofta Kebabs are a new staple in my recipe rotation.

Why you’ll enjoy this recipe?

A plate of Air fryer Kofta Kebabs with pita bread, Orzo salad.

Easy To Prepare:

With just 20 minutes of air frying, you can enjoy these juicy kofta kebabs quickly with an array of side dishes or as a rice platter. You are making it ideal for gatherings or a simple weeknight dinner.

Restaurant-Quality Flavors:

The recipe replicates the authentic taste of Middle Eastern restaurants, satisfying cravings for that special dining-out experience at home.

Effortless Process:

Using the air fryer, this recipe streamlines the cooking process, eliminating the need for outdoor grilling while maintaining the deliciousness of traditional Kofta Kebabs.

What is a Kofta Kebab?

A plate contains 3 air fryer Kofta kebab skewers with Orzo salad and pita bread. Also there are side of Hummus and Baba ganoush for dipping the pitas.

The term “Kofta” finds its roots in the Persian “Kufta,” signifying “to grind” or “to pound.” This technique creates minced textures seen in dishes like kebabs and meatballs. Meanwhile, “Kebab” originates from the Arabic “kabāb,” encompassing grilled or roasted meat dishes in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. Kofta Kebab, hailing from Middle Eastern and South Asian traditions, features seasoned ground meat, often beef or lamb, blended with spices. These flavorful mixtures are molded onto skewers or shaped into patties before grilling, baking, or frying to perfection. Across cultures, Kofta Kebabs shine in various forms, each offering unique twists and flavors.

What does Kofta Kebab taste like?

A mixing bowl fill with minced beef and lamb. Also with vegetable mixtures and assortment of spices.

Kofta Kebabs offers a delightful medley of flavors. The seasoned and spiced beef and lamb ground meat mix creates a savory and robust taste. The seasoning mixture includes a selection of warm spices, garlic, onion, and parsley, infusing in an aromatic quality. When cooked to perfection, the exterior can develop a slight crispiness while the interior remains tender and juicy. It delivers a satisfying blend of luscious, aromatic, and well-balanced flavors that capture the essence of Middle Eastern cuisine.

What is the difference between Kofta Kebab and Shish Kebab?

Kofta Kebab:

Ground meat is often a mix of beef and lamb.
The meat is seasoned and combined with herbs, spices, and sometimes breadcrumbs to help bind the meat together.
The mixture is shaped into elongated sausages or patties.
They are typically cooked on skewers, grilled, baked, or fried until done.
Offers a flavorful and juicy interior with well-balanced spices.

Shish Kebab:

Whole pieces of meat and often chunks of beef, lamb, or chicken are used.
Meat is marinated to enhance flavor before threading onto skewers.
The meat is interspersed with vegetables like bell peppers and onions.
They were cooked directly on skewers, usually grilled or occasionally roasted.
Presents distinct flavors and textures of the marinated meat and vegetables.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in crafting the unique taste and texture of the Air Fryer Kofta Kebabs, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors that capture the essence of Middle Eastern cuisine.

Ingredients list to make Air Fryer Kofta Kebabs.

Main ingredients:

Ground Beef – Its slightly higher fat content contributes to a juicy and succulent texture that ensures each bite is satisfyingly flavorful.
Ground Lamb – It offers an earthy flavor that harmonizes beautifully with the beef. Its unique taste adds depth to the kofta mixture, creating a well-rounded profile.

Marinade ingredients:

Garlic Cloves: Imparts aromatic and savory notes, enhancing overall flavor.
Yellow Onion: Adds a mild sweetness and moisture to the mixture.
Italian flat leaves parsley: Provides a fresh and herbaceous aroma, adding brightness.
Fresh Mint Leaves: This cool, refreshing note complements the meat.
A Slice of toast: Acts as a binder, helping hold the mixture together.
Sweet paprika: Contributes mild smokiness and gentle heat.
Sumac: Adds a tangy and citrusy undertone.
Ground Nutmeg: Offers a warm, earthy flavor with a touch of sweetness.
Ground Cloves: Introduces a hint of warmth and depth to the profile.
Ground Cinnamon: Imparts a subtle warmth and aromatic complexity.
Aleppo Pepper: Provides mild heat and a hint of fruity undertones.
Sea salt and black pepper: Enhances overall seasoning and brings out flavors.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations:

There’s something about Mediterranean cooking that’s so liberating – like a world of flavors waiting for you to explore. And the best part? Unlike baking, where every ounce matters, Mediterranean cuisine invites you to play with tastes, textures, and spices. It’s a journey where you’re the captain, charting your course and testing your culinary intuition. So, let’s dive into a few ideas I had while crafting this recipe:

Protein Variations:

Beef Kofta Kebabs: Use only ground beef for a hearty and robust flavor that highlights the beef’s natural richness.
Lamb Kofta Kebabs: Experience the full depth of lamb’s unique taste by using only ground lamb, resulting in tender and aromatic kofta kebabs.
Chicken Kofta Kebabs: Switch to ground chicken for a lighter twist while enjoying the same Mediterranean essence.

Spice Adventure:

Add Za’atar: Add a sprinkle of Za’atar to the mixture for a fragrant and tangy note that elevates the flavors to a new level.
Spice Omission: Feel free to omit or reduce certain spices to create a milder profile that caters to different palates.
Custom Blend: Experiment by adding your favorite herbs and spices to craft a unique seasoning blend that resonates with your taste. That’s how I came up with my recipe.

How to make these flavorful Middle Eastern skewers in an Air fryer?

Step One: Toast and soak a slice of bread in water

Start by toasting a slice of your preferred bread – classic white, rustic wheat, or wholesome whole grain. After toasting, quickly soak it in a bowl of water, followed by a gentle squeeze to eliminate excess moisture. Keep it aside.

(I learned this technique from Suzy from The Mediterranean Dish*.)

After toasting, quickly soak it in a bowl of water.

followed by a gentle squeeze to eliminate excess moisture. Keep it aside.

Step Two: Blend herbs and aromatics

Combine your chopped onion, garlic cloves, mint leaves, and 2 cups of Italian flat-leaf parsley in a large food processor. Give it a few pulses, occasionally scraping down the sides, until the herbs transform into a finely textured paste. Introduce your soaked bread slices and pulse a few more times to combine the ingredients.

In a 16-cup food processor, combine your chopped onion, garlic cloves, mint leaves, and 2 cups of Italian flat-leaf parsley.

Give it a few pulses, occasionally scraping down the sides, until the herbs transform into a finely textured paste.

Introduce your soaked bread slices and pulse a few more times to combine the ingredients.

Step Three: Extract excess moisture from the herb mixture

Move your herb and aromatic blend to a bowl. Take a few spoonfuls of the mixture and place it onto a cheesecloth. Squeeze out the surplus moisture carefully, ensuring you extract as much liquid as possible. You might need to repeat this process for the utmost effectiveness – it’s a critical step that shouldn’t be overlooked. To provide context, I removed nearly one cup of excess moisture from the herb mixture during my testing.

(Note: While I utilized a spice sachet during shooting due to lacking cheesecloth, using cheesecloth will provide smoother results.)

Squeeze out the surplus moisture carefully, ensuring you extract as much liquid as possible.

You might need to repeat this process for the utmost effectiveness – it's a critical step that shouldn't be overlooked.

To provide context, I removed nearly one cup of excess moisture from the herb mixture during my testing.

Step Four: Blend minced meat with herb paste

Add a pound of minced beef, lamb, herb paste mixture, and spices into the large mixing bowl using a stand mixer. Attach the paddle mixing attachment and allow the stand mixer to fold everything together slowly until well combined – this should take approximately a minute. Be cautious not to overmix; a minute of blending is all it needs.

Attach the paddle mixing attachment and allow the stand mixer to fold everything together slowly until well combined.

Step Five: Refrigerate meat mixture and soak wooden skewers

With your Kofta meat mixture blended, transfer it into a large bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Place the bowl in the refrigerator, letting the flavors meld and the meat firm up, ensuring better adherence to the skewers. While that’s happening, soak your wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes. This preps them for use in the air fryer and prevents unwanted charring.

soak your wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes. This preps them for use in the air fryer and prevents unwanted charring.

Step Six: Shape and construct skewers

Retrieve the meat mixture bowl from the refrigerator. On a kitchen scale, scoop and measure the precise amount of meat. (See the Chart below for reference.) Give it a gentle knead to compact it – this aids in adherence and achieving a firmer texture. Now, take a wooden skewer and press it into the center of the meat mixture. Gradually compress the meat mixture from top to bottom, ensuring an even distribution along the skewer. Repeat this process until all the ingredients are assembled.

Give it a gentle knead to compact it – this aids in adherence and achieving a firmer texture.

Now, take a wooden skewer and press it into the center of the meat mixture.

Gradually compress the meat mixture from top to bottom.

Gradually compress the meat mixture from top to bottom, ensuring an even distribution along the skewer.

Repeat this process until all the ingredients are assembled.

Step Seven: Air fry your Kofta Kebabs

Arrange a metal rack over a foil-lined baking sheet, creating a non-stick surface with even cooking. Space out a single layer of your skewers on the metal rack, allowing room for hot air to circulate. Spray some cooking spray on the skewers and cook them at 400°F/200°C for 15 to 20 minutes or until the internal temperature hits 160°F/72°C. After cooking, give them a brief rest before indulging in this savory goodness.

Spray some cooking spray on the skewers and cook them at 400°F/200°C for 15 to 20 minutes or until the internal temperature hits 160°F/72°C.

After cooking, give them a brief rest before indulging in this savory goodness.

Here you go, these Kofta Kebabs are ready for you to enjoy!

Enjoying air fryer kofta kebabs for dinner. Pairing with orzo pasta salad, pita bread, hummus, and baba ganoush.

How do I cook my Kofta Kebab skewers evenly in an air fryer?

The issue of uneven cooking with the Kofta Kebab skewers has a simple solution. The consistency of restaurant-quality results involves precise measurements, just like the Pros. In my recipe testing, I’ve done the groundwork for you. With these precise guidelines, your kofta kebabs or meatballs will always cook to perfection without any unwanted surprises. Here’s the breakdown to ensure your success:

Chez Lalonde Air fryer Kofta Kebabs' cooking chart.

When using a smart oven air fryer:

Skewer size: 12 inches
Yield: 9 to 10 skewers
Meat per skewer: 4 oz
Cook Temp and Time: 400°F/200°C for 20 minutes. Remember to flip at the halfway mark for even browning.

When using a regular air fryer:

Skewer size: 8 inches
Yield: 14 to 15 skewers
Meat per skewer: 3 oz
Cook Temp and Time: 375°F/190°C for 15 to 18 minutes. Flip at the halfway point for consistent browning.

Cooking without skewers in either air fryer style:

Shape your minced meat into meatballs or long sausage shapes.
Yield: 28 to 30 meatballs
Meat per meatball: 1.5 oz
Cook Temp and Time: 400°F/200°C for 25 minutes. Flip the meatballs at the halfway point for uniform browning.

Mistakes I made that I want you to avoid:

By avoiding these missteps, you’ll ensure your Air Fryer Kofta Kebabs are flavorful, well-textured, and beautifully presented.

The mixture was not bonding well:

To ensure a cohesive mixture, incorporate the binding ingredients thoroughly, like breadcrumbs or soaked bread.
Mixing the minced beef and lamb with the seasoning evenly helps the meat adhere properly.

The meat mixture was too moist:

Ensure any excess moisture from ingredients like onions or herbs is squeezed out before combining with the meat. This prevents a soggy mixture.
Pop your meat mixture in the fridge for an hour – the coolness works wonders, giving the meat that extra firmness to hold its shape.

The meat mixture was not adhered to the skewer:

Before skewering, shape it firmly around it to prevent it from sliding off during cooking.
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes beforehand to prevent burning and to aid in the meat’s adhesion.

The meat mixture became too mushy:

Do not blend your minced and herb mixture in a food processor. Instead, opt for hand mixing or use a stand mixer for a quicker alternative. Using the food processor could lead to over-processing the meat, causing it to become overly mushy and challenging to stay on the skewer.

What is the best way to serve?

The best way to serve your Air Fryer Kofta Kebabs is to arrange them on a platter, allowing their enticing aroma to captivate your guests. Serve them alongside warm pita bread or Mediterranean yellow rice, an assortment of homemade dips such as Baba Ganoush, Hummus, Garlic Toum sauce, and creamy tzatziki sauce. This presentation showcases the vibrant colors and textures and encourages everyone to create personalized kebab wraps or bites, adding an interactive and delicious element to your dining experience.

Here are some other amazing Mediterranean Entrée for you to try too:

Shish tawook skewers on a wooden board pair with side dishes such as yellow rice, hummus, and baba ganoush.

Air Fryer Shish Tawook (Turkish Chicken Kebabs)

A plate of chicken shawarma rice platter.

Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma

Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin Souvlaki

Leftover storage Tips:

These storage methods will help maintain the flavors and textures of your kofta kebabs. For optimal enjoyment of your leftover Air Fryer Kofta Kebabs, consider these storage tips:

Refrigeration:

Place any leftover Kofta Kebabs in an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking to ensure freshness. These kebabs can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.

Reheating:

To Reheat, warm the kofta kebabs for 2 minutes in a Microwave.

Freezing:

For longer storage, freeze leftover kofta kebabs. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to enjoy, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

FAQs about this Air fryer recipe:

Absolutely! You can adapt this recipe if you lack an air fryer or grill. Try baking the kofta kebabs in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes, turning them halfway through until they’re cooked and lightly browned.

You can still enjoy these kofta kebabs even if your air fryer is small. Simply shape the mixture into elongated patties or meatballs and place them directly in the air fryer basket. You’ll achieve the same delicious flavors without skewers.

To catch grease and make cleaning easier, consider placing a piece of aluminum foil, parchment paper, or silicone tray beneath the kofta kebabs in the air fryer basket. This will help collect and prevent any drips from sticking to the basket.

Final Thoughts:

There you have it – the tantalizing journey of creating quick and easy Air Fryer Kofta Kebabs. Imagine savoring that delightful mix of spices, succulent meat, and the convenience of your trusty air fryer. Whether you’re whipping up a weeknight treat or hosting a gathering, these kebabs are your passport to the rich flavors of the Middle East. So, roll up your sleeves, fire up the air fryer, and bring a taste of the Mediterranean to your table!

final picture of this post. Showcasing 3 air fryer kofta kebabs with hummus, baba ganoush, pita bread, and Orzo salad.

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