Air fryer leeks are easy to make and can be used in soups, pastas, salads, bowls, or just enjoyed on their own as a side dish or snack. These leeks take less than 10 minutes to cook.
Anyone remember the Emily in Paris episode about leeks? Okay, maybe just me.
But, in that episode, they talked about how most people just use leeks to make potato and leek soup. That was me. I only used leeks in soup until I discovered how delicious leeks are roasted in my air fryer.
And so now that's what I've been doing.
Sure. Potato and leek soup is still pretty tasty. But air fried leeks? Delicious.
Ingredients
- Leeks
- Olive oil
- Dried thyme (or other dried herb)
- Salt
What are leeks?
Leeks are a member of the allum family (which also includes onions, garlic, shallots, and chives). They have leafy green tops and light green and white bottoms.
They have a sweet oniony flavor and are commonly used in soups like Potato and Leek Soup. They are also delicious cooked and stirred into pastas or other dishes.
They are prone to getting dirt between the layers, so you always have to clean leeks and soak them in water to remove the dirt.
How to customize
The air fryer leeks are so easy to customize with whatever flavors and spices you want! I love using dried thyme leaves or dried tarragon, as both pair wonderfully with the leeks.
However, you could use an herbs de provence blend or other blend.
You can also spice it up with some harissa, calabrian chili paste, or red chili flakes!
How to serve the leeks
The air fried leeks make a delicious side dish. However, they are also delicious stirred into or on top of pasta, on a salad, in a grain bowl, or as a garnish for some soup or saucy beans.
If serving as a side dish, I love serving with air fryer panko chicken or air fryer honey dijon salmon.
Recipe notes
- All air fryers cook differently, and cook times may depend on how much oil/how much your leeks are separated. Start checking around the 6 minute mark for doneness.
- To make more crispy frizzled leeks, separate the layers of the leeks and add a little extra oil before air frying. Watch carefully so they don't burn.
How to make air fryer leeks
First, chop off the part of the part of the leeks that are dark green. You only eat the white and light green section of the leeks. Discard the dark green section.
Then, slice the leeks into rounds about ½ inch thick.
Place the leeks in a bowl of water and swirl them around, separating the rings as necessary. This is a necessary step to clean the dirt from the circles of the leeks.
Dry the leeks on paper towels.
Add the leeks to a bowl, then add olive oil, salt, and dried herbs. If leeks seems too dry, drizzle a little extra olive oil on the leeks.
Toss to coat the leeks in the olive oil and seasonings.
Add the leeks to the air fryer basket. (You don't have to use air fryer parchment paper, but I did here).
Air fry at 380 degrees for 7-10 minutes, or until leeks are cooked to your desired level of doneness, tossing every few minutes.
Enjoy!
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Air Fryer Leeks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 leeks only the white and light green parts
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Chop the dark green section off of the leeks so that you' only have the light green and white sections remaining. Discard the dark green section.
- Chop the white and light green parts of the leeks into rounds about ½ inch thick. Place in a bowl of water.
- Swish the leeks around in the bowl of water, separating any layers as needed to remove the dirt in between layers. Rinse the leeks, then dry on paper towels.
- Add leeks to a bowl, then add the olive oil, thyme, and salt. Toss to combine.
- Place in the air fryer and air fry for 7-10 minutes at 400 degrees F, tossing every few minutes, until leeks are cooked to your desired level of doneness.
- Remove from air fryer and enjoy as desired.
Notes
- All air fryers cook differently, and cook times may depend on how much oil/how much your leeks are separated. Start checking around the 6 minute mark for doneness.
- To make more crispy frizzled leeks, separate the layers of the leeks and add a little extra oil before air frying. Watch carefully so they don't burn.
Nutrition
If nutrition info is shown, values are based on an online calculator and are estimates. Please verify using your own data.
Ashley
Hi! Could this recipe be adapted to frozen leeks, straight from the freezer? Thank you!
Aimee
I haven't tried it, but many things work straight from the freezer fine! I have an edamame recipe that works straight from the freezer, so I imagine (just like with that one), you may just need to watch carefully. Check often for doneness!
Rachel
It sounds lovely but why would you say to discard the dark green parts. All of this is good food and it is such a waste to throw any of the leek away.
Aimee
The dark green parts can certainly be tougher, which many people may not like. You could cook them, or save them for making veggie stock with! I'd love to hear how you like to use them. :)