Air Fryer Artichokes (With Garlic Aioli)

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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!

Overhead view of two air fried artichoke halves on a platter with a side dish of garlic aioli.

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!

Check out the air fryer artichokes story!

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!

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!

Overhead view of an air fried artichoke half with garlic aioli on the side.

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.

Ingredients to make garlic aioli arranged individually on a white cloth.

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.

Up close view of two fresh artichokes with the outer leaves trimmed.

Remove any excess stem and cut the artichokes in half.

Two raw artichoke halves on a white cloth.

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.

Two artichoke halves in an air fryer basket.

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.

Garlic aioli blended together in a food processor.

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.

Up close view of air fried artichoke halves.

Common questions

How do you eat an artichoke?

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).

What’s the best temperature to air fry artichokes?

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.

How long do artichokes take to air fry?

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.

Do you need to parboil artichokes before air frying?

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.

Can you roast whole artichokes 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.

Side view of artichoke halves on a plate with garlic aioli.

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.

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Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out!