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Change up your appetizers with these Air Fryer Artichokes! They’re tender and meaty with caramelized edges, and ready in half the time as oven roasted artichokes. Serve them with homemade garlic aioli and a drizzle of fresh lemon juice!
If you’re a lover of roasted artichokes, you’ll love this air fryer recipe. It’s easier than you think to prepare artichokes and the air fryer is such a time saver!
You can serve up these artichokes as a side dish, or as a fun and delicious appetizer along with this air fryer garlic bread. Artichokes are the ultimate finger food to enjoy with friends, especially paired with your favorite dip!
We love to dip the artichoke leaves in garlic aioli, but they also taste delicious with homemade marinara sauce, spicy Cajun remoulade sauce or avocado dip!
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Why this recipe works
- Roasting artichokes in the air fryer results in a meaty heart and tender, golden brown leaves. Just like oven roasting, but in half the time!
- The recipe includes all the steps you need to prepare artichokes, so there’s no need to be intimidated. I’m even sharing how to eat them (there’s a technique)!
- The artichokes are served with a simple garlic aioli for dipping and it’s simply delicious. You’ll want to whip up the aioli to serve with other appetizers like these sous vide chicken wings!
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What is an Air Fryer?
The Air Fryer is a healthier alternative to frying foods. It's basically a small, powerful convection oven that sits on your countertop.
It circulates hot air around the food you're cooking, which is what gives it that crisp texture that mimics fried food (without all the grease).
Read more about the health benefits of using an air fryer.
I personally use this Ninja MAX XL Air Fryer because it hold 5.5 quarts, which is more than most. It has worked great so far and we just love how easy it is to use!
Other air fryer recipes
How to select artichokes
The best artichokes have a deep green color and tightly packed leaves. If they have some browning or discoloration on the tips of the leaves, that’s okay. This can mean they were frost bitten, which actually enhances the flavor of artichokes when they’re cooked.
While fresh artichokes are available year round, the freshest can be found during their peak seasons in spring and fall.
If you’re still not sure if the artichokes you’re selecting are the freshest, just give them a squeeze. If they feel spongy, they’re likely a little old. If they squeak, they’re fresh!
Ingredients
You’ll need 2 artichokes for this recipe. I’m using globe artichokes, which are the most common variety.
Prior to air frying, the artichokes are seasoned with a simple mix of olive oil, salt and pepper.
For serving, you’ll want some lemon wedges and ingredients to make a basic garlic aioli, including mayo, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and salt.
Step by step instructions
Remove the outer leaves of the artichokes and trim the ends of the leaves to remove the thorny areas.
Remove any excess stem and cut the artichokes in half.
Using a spoon, scoop out the choke (the spiny, furry area in the middle) and discard it.
Brush the artichoke halves with olive oil and sprinkle with the salt and pepper.
Place each half in the air fryer in a single layer (you'll need to cook in 2 batches for 2 artichokes) and cook at 345F degrees for 12-15 minutes.
Serve with the aioli and a drizzle of fresh lemon juice. (Here are some tips on how to eat an artichoke)!
How to make garlic aioli
Roughly chop the garlic and combine with the remaining ingredients in a food processor.
Blend until mostly smooth.
Expert tips
- To trim the ends off the artichoke leaves you’ll want to use kitchen shears. This task will be difficult to do with just a knife.
- If you have a large toaster oven style air fryer, you may be able to air fry the four artichoke halves in a single batch. Otherwise, you’ll need to air fry two halves at a time.
- Once cut, artichokes start to brown (similar to potatoes or avocados). If you plan on leaving them for a bit to prepare the other ingredients, you may wish to brush the cut sides with some lemon juice to prevent browning.
- If you’re using baby artichokes for this recipe, the choke is edible, so you don’t need to worry about cutting it out. You’ll also need to reduce the air frying time for smaller artichokes.
- You may find it easier to leave the choke in the artichokes for cooking and scoop it out after the artichokes are cooked.
- If your air fryer model requires preheating, you should preheat it before adding the artichoke halves.
- Different air fryer brands and models will vary slightly, so you may need to adjust the temperature and air frying time slightly.
Common questions
I provided a link above, but essentially you want to pull the leaves off the artichoke and run them through your teeth to scrape the meaty flesh off the leaves. Once all the leaves are removed, you’re left with the delicious heart, which is completely edible. (Just make sure to scoop out the choke if you haven’t done so before cooking).
In the air fryer, the best temperature is 345F degrees. This is low enough to cook artichokes through to the heart without burning the outer leaves.
At 345F degrees, it will only take about 12-15 minutes to air fry the artichoke halves. Just keep in mind that you will likely need to air fry the artichokes in two batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
If you were roasting the artichokes in the oven, I might suggest parboiling them to save time, especially if the artichokes are large. But since air frying is a time saving method, there’s no need to parboil the artichokes first. They will only take 12-15 minutes to roast in the air fryer.
I prefer cutting the artichokes in half before air frying for a few reasons. It allows you to remove the choke, and it exposes the leaves and heart, so they get browned and tender. Cutting them in half also reduces the air frying time. If you cook them whole, you’ll need to increase the air frying time and cut out the choke before eating.
Make ahead instructions
You can serve air fried artichokes hot or cold, so they’re the perfect appetizer to make ahead.
Once cooked, store the artichokes in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
When you’re ready to enjoy, serve them cold with garlic aioli or reheat them in the oven or air fryer.
Other appetizer recipes
- Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
- Jalapeno Hush Puppies
- Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
- Crispy Southwest Egg Rolls
- Crispy Baked BBQ Chicken Wings
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Recipe
Air Fryer Artichokes (with Garlic Aioli)
Ingredients
- 2 artichokes
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lemon halved for serving
Garlic Aioli:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Remove the outer leaves of the artichokes and trim the ends of the leaves to remove the thorny areas.
- Remove any excess stem and cut the artichokes in half.
- Using a spoon, scoop out the choke (the spiny, furry area in the middle) and discard it.
- Brush the artichoke halves with olive oil and sprinkle with the salt and pepper.
- Place each half in the air fryer in a single layer (you'll need to cook in 2 batches for 2 artichokes) and cook at 345F degrees for 12-15 minutes.
- Serve with the aioli and a drizzle of fresh lemon juice.
Garlic Aioli:
- Roughly chop the garlic and combine with the remaining ingredients in a food processor.
- Blend until mostly smooth.
Expert Tips:
- To trim the ends off the artichoke leaves you’ll want to use kitchen shears. This task will be difficult to do with just a knife.
- If you have a large toaster oven style air fryer, you may be able to air fry the four artichoke halves in a single batch. Otherwise, you’ll need to air fry two halves at a time.
- Once cut, artichokes start to brown (similar to potatoes or avocados). If you plan on leaving them for a bit to prepare the other ingredients, you may wish to brush the cut sides with some lemon juice to prevent browning.
- If you’re using baby artichokes for this recipe, the choke is edible, so you don’t need to worry about cutting it out. You’ll also need to reduce the air frying time for smaller artichokes.
- You may find it easier to leave the choke in the artichokes for cooking and scoop it out after the artichokes are cooked.
- If your air fryer model requires preheating, you should preheat it before adding the artichoke halves.
- Different air fryer brands and models will vary slightly, so you may need to adjust the temperature and air frying time slightly.
Nutrition
Mo says
This turned out to be inedible. I was very disappointed. I liked the aioli but the artichoke was burned and still too tough to eat. I recommend steaming as I have always done. Just thought it might be fun in an air fryer.
Danielle says
I'm so sorry the recipe didn't turn out well! I personally like the crispness of the air fryer version, but do also like them steamed 🙂
Jessica Stroup says
I loved this recipe so much! Healthy and delicious...thanks for sharing!
Danielle says
You're welcome!
Gina says
I've been using the air fryer a lot lately for vegetables but wouldn't have thought artichokes could get tender enough in it - happily surprised by this! Delicious with the aioli too!
Danielle says
So glad you liked it!
Aimee Mars says
I was just searching for an aioli recipe the other day because I want to put it on everything and I've never thought to put it on artichokes. It sounds delicious and this is such a perfect side dish! I can't wait to make it.
Danielle says
It's sooooo good on the artichokes!
Carrie Robinson says
I haven't had artichokes in years! And so genius to use the air fryer to make these. 🙂
Danielle says
It makes it just a little easier 🙂
Shashi at Savory Spin says
Oh wow! Artichokes in the air fryer!? Hello deliciousness! I LOVE artichokes and CANNOT WAIT to try this out!
Danielle says
I hope you love it!!