Air Fryer Fennel

Air fryer fennel gets roasted to perfection in the air fryer. It's a delicious side dish that has such a unique flavor. Pair it with a squeeze of lemon juice or an orange honey drizzle.

Every single time I buy fennel I always have to ask myself why I don't buy it more. It's such a fun vegetable! Those layers are gorgeous. The flavor is amazing. And it's just so easy to cook.

And lately? I've loved roasting it in my air fryer. It makes such a delicious side dish. It's fantastic paired with salmon, chicken, steak, or even turkey if you make it for Thanksgiving!

And it's easy. Simply slice the fennel into wedges, toss with olive oil and seasonings, and then pop into the air fryer until tasty and caramelized.

Ingredients:

• Fennel bulb
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Fresh lemon juice (optional)

What is fennel?

Fennel is a root vegetable that can be eaten either raw or cooked. It has an anise-like flavor that pairs well with citrus.

When is fennel in season?

Fennel bulbs are in season from fall to early spring (in the US). They are delicious roasted in those fall months or served sliced thinly and raw in salads as the weather turns a bit warmer.

When buying fennel, it should be firm and whiteish-green. All parts of the fennel can be eaten, from the bulb to stalks to fronds.

How to customize:

The air fryer fennel can be customized depending on what flavor profile you are craving. Here's a few ideas:

• Toss with some chopped fresh dill before air frying
• Add dried thyme or dried oregano
• Toss with a little garlic powder before cooking
• Add red pepper flakes for a bit of heat

Serving suggestions:

This air fryer fennel is delicious in so many ways! I love serving with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness. Orange and fennel are also a match made in heaven, so the air fryer fennel would be delicious drizzled with a little orange and honey glaze.

And the fennel pairs well with fish, chicken, or steak! I love it with this air fryer honey mustard salmon, these air fryer lemony chicken thighs, or air fryer brown sugar salmon.

My husband loves slicing up the fennel and adding to salads! He says is adds such a nice heartiness and a delicious flavor.

Recipe tips:

• Fennel layers can fall apart if you cut off the very bottom part of the bulb. Try to leave as much intact as possible, and be gentle when tossing with the olive oil.
• All air fryers cook differently. Check frequently to see if fennel is cooked to your liking.

How to make air fryer fennel:

Take the fennel bulb and cut off any stalks and fronds, so you're left with the bulb section. Slice the bulb into 8 wedges.

Place the fennel wedges in a large bowl. Add olive oil, salt, and ground black pepper. Very gently toss to coat.

Place fennel wedges in the air fryer basket in a single layer. (note - I used air fryer parchment paper, but you do not need to use parchment paper).

Air fry the fennel, flipping halfway through, until roasted to perfection.

Serve with lemon juice if desired and enjoy!

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