Air fryer bok choy
by Air fryer bok choy is a quick and healthy way to eat more veggies! With just 5 ingredients and 15 minutes, you can enjoy delicious bok choy in an air fryer fast. It works for all types of bok choy, whether it’s baby, regular, or large.
This is a great side dish to have in your back pocket. If you don’t own an air fryer, my roasted bok choy recipe will help you make crispy bok choy in the oven!
Ingredients
You only need a handful of pantry ingredients to make the perfect bok choy in the air fryer.
Base ingredients:
- Bok choy – I use regular-sized bok choy, about 8-9” in height.
- Olive oil
- Coarse sea salt
- Garlic powder or garlic granules
For garnish:
- Toasted sesame oil
- Toasted sesame seeds
Ingredient substitutions
- Types of bok choy: You can also use baby bok choy (4.5” height) or large bok choy (10+” height). See more info under the ‘How to prepare’ section.
- Other oils: Both avocado oil and light olive oil are great substitutes for air frying.
- Seasonings: Season the bok choy with a sprinkle of onion powder or red chili peppers.
- If you can’t have toasted sesame oil, you have two options. You can either skip it or add a little more olive oil to the bok choy.
- Extra savory: You can enhance the flavor by adding soy sauce with chopped ginger or red pepper flakes to your bok choy.
Flavor variations
If you want to have bok choy on its own, you can serve it with dipping sauces for flavor varieties. Here are some ideas:
- Garlic chili sauce – Drizzle it for a touch of smoky, a little spicy flavor.
- Hoisin sauce – Gives a touch of tangy and sweet honey flavor.
- Vegan oyster sauce – Flavorful sauce that you can drizzle over everything.
- Keto teriyaki sauce – Pour a small amount over your dish for an umami-filled meal.
- Asian peanut sauce – Creamy and nutty dressing, great for veggies.
- Thai chili dipping sauce – A little spicy, sour, and sweet flavor will go well with the veggies.
How to cook bok choy in air fryer
You only need a total time of 15 minutes from start to finish. Here’s how you can make tasty air fried bok choy with minimal prep time:
- For regular-sized bok choy, rinse under tap water and quarter them.
- Pat the bok choy dry using a kitchen towel.
- Place the bok choy cut side up on baking sheets. Drizzle some oil and sprinkle salt and a teaspoon of garlic powder. Toss and coat the green leaves and stems well.
- In a preheated air fryer, place bok choy in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry bok choy for 5-6 minutes. Cook them in batches if needed.
- Once they are cooked, you’ll get tender stems and a few crispy bok choy leaves, like bok choy chips. Transfer to a serving plate. Garnish with sesame seeds and a tablespoon of sesame oil. Serve immediately or at room temperature.
How to prepare baby, regular, and large-sized bok choy for air frying
Because bok choy stalks are firm and the leaves are tender, they require different preparation methods – especially if you use different-sized bok choy.
- Baby bok choy (4 to 5 inches in length): To make air fryer baby bok choy, slice it in half then rinse and pat dry before seasoning.
- Regular-sized bok choy (8 to 9 inches in length): Quarter the bok choy then rinse and pat dry.
- Large-sized bok choy (10 to 11 inches in length): Cut into bite-sized pieces – Separate them into two parts; bok choy leaves and stems. Cut in half and then crosswise to make small pieces.
You can follow the same cook time and temperature – 320°F (160°C) for 5-6 minutes – to cook all sizes of bok choy in air fryer.
Learn more about this Chinese cabbage variety – bok choy and how to cut bok choy from my helpful guides!
How to make-ahead, store, and reheat
- Make-ahead: This dish comes together quickly, so it’s a perfect last-minute meal. If you want to make it ahead, slice, wash, and pat dry the bok choy to cook the next day.
- Storage: Make sure the bok choy has cooled before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. It’s best consumed within 2-3 days.
- Reheat: Bok choy leftovers taste good cold, so you don’t have to reheat them. If you want, reheat them in the microwave (on medium power) for about 1 minute.
What to serve it with
This air fryer bok choy recipe is flavorful and complements many Asian dishes. Here are some delicious dishes that you can serve with it:
- Pair with proteins: Serve your bok choy alongside air fryer teriyaki chicken, crunchy air fryer bang bang shrimp, or air fryer teriyaki salmon for an amazing air-fried meal.
- Noodles and rice: Pair the bok choy with garlic chili noodles or spicy peanut noodles with extra added fiber. For rice lovers, I have an air fryer rice recipe coming up, so stay tuned!
Umami Tips
Air frying bok choy is a quick and healthy way to prepare this nutrient-dense vegetable, giving it a delightful crisp texture. Here are some expert tips to help you get the best results:
- Quality Ingredients: Select bok choy with firm stalks and bright green leafy greens for maximum crunch.
- Wash and Dry Thoroughly: Cut the bok choy and then wash it to remove any dirt, and pat it dry with a towel. Excess moisture can lead to steaming instead of frying, which may make the bok choy soggy.
- Cut Properly: Cut the bok choy based on its size. Slice it into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking. You can either halve or quarter them, depending on the size.
- Use Olive or Avocado Oil: Season the bok choy with a thin layer of oil evenly will help crisp up the bok choy without making it greasy.
- Season Well: Season the cut side of the bok choy with salt and garlic powder. Massage to distribute them evenly.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Place the bok choy in an air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook them in small quantities if necessary.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer so that the bok choy can start cooking immediately, helping to achieve the perfect texture.
- Monitor Cooking Time: Bok choy cooks quickly in an air fryer, often in just 5-6 minutes. Keep an eye on it and check for desired crispiness. The edges should be slightly crispy, and the stalk should be tender.
- Shake or Turn Midway: To ensure even cooking, you can give the bok choy a gentle shake or turn them over halfway through the cooking time.
- Serve Immediately: Air-fried bok choy is best enjoyed right after cooking when it’s hot and crispy. Serve with a dipping sauce or as a side dish to your favorite meal.
FAQs
Most vegetables can be cooked in an air fryer, but leafy greens like lettuce or delicate herbs may not fare well as they can easily burn or become too dry. Thinly sliced or very soft vegetables might also cook unevenly.
Bok choy is commonly cooked by sautéing or stir-frying with garlic and oil. Briefly cooking it on high heat helps maintain its crisp texture while enhancing its flavor. Steaming or blanching is another method that preserves its nutrients and delicate taste.
Steaming or quick blanching bok choy is considered one of the healthiest ways to prepare it because it requires minimal added fats and oils and preserves its nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Seasoning with spices and minimal salt can create a flavorful dish that maintains the natural antioxidant benefits of this leafy green vegetable.
More bok choy recipes you might like
If you love this air fryer recipe, you’ll also love these delightful bok choy dishes:
Air fryer bok choy recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb bok choy, about 2 medium, 8 to 9 inches in length
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp coarse salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Garnish:
- Drizzle Toasted sesame oill, optional
- Sprinkle Toasted black and white sesame seeds
Instructions
- For medium-sized bok choy that's about 8-9 inch in height, quarter the bok choy and rinse them under tap water to remove dirt. You can also plunge them a few times in a big bowl of water until they are rinsed clean.
- Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- To season, place the bok choy cut side up on a large sheet pan or plate. Drizzle them with oil and sprinkle in salt and garlic powder. Use your hands to toss and coat them well on all sides.
- Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Place the bok choy in a single layer in the basket. A slight overlap is okay. Air fryer for 5-6 minutes. Check after 5 minutes You might need to do this in two batches, depending on the size of your basket.
- Transfer them out to a serving plate. The bok choy stems should be tender, the leaves should be a little crisp but not burnt.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and drizzle with sesame oil, if using. Serve right away or at room temperature.
Notes
- Baby bok choy (4 to 5 inches in length) – Slice it in half then rinse and pat dry before seasoning.
- Regular-sized (medium) bok choy (8 to 9 inches in length) – Quarter the bok choy then rinse and pat dry.
- Large-sized bok choy (10 to 11 inches in length) – separate the bok choy into leaves and stems. Cut in half and then crosswise to make small pieces.
- See my article for more details on how to cut bok choy
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