Air Fryer Sautéed Spinach with Onion
Air Fryer Sautéed Spinach with Onion is my favorite way to put a nutritious, and flavorful side dish on the table with minimal fuss in just 10 minutes.
I use my air fryer to cook spinach with onions which gives it a delightful, sautéed texture without needing a stovetop. Perfect for busy weeknights or a simple addition to any meal, this healthy side dish is both delicious and easy to prepare.
Please continue scrolling down to find the recipe card below, which contains the complete list of ingredients with measurements, detailed recipe instructions, additional notes, and nutritional information.
Benefits of Using an Air Fryer
- Speed: The air fryer cooks quickly, making it ideal for fast meal prep.
- Less Oil: You’ll use less oil compared to traditional sautéing, making this a healthier option.
- Even Cooking: The hot air circulation ensures your spinach cooks evenly without the need for constant stirring.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Fresh Spinach – Fresh baby spinach leaves work best for this Air Fryer Sautéed Spinach with Onion recipe. It cooks down well and retains a nice texture. You can also use chopped spinach leaves instead. Wash the spinach leaves thoroughly and dry them before cooking.
- Onion – They add umami flavor and sweetness to the spinach. You can use white, brown, or yellow onions.
- Olive Oil – A small amount of olive oil helps to saute the onions and adds richness.
- Seasoning – A simple mixture of salt, freshly ground black pepper, and paprika is my favorite way to season my sauteed spinach. You can use chili or cayenne to spice it up or add a pinch of nutmeg for a warm and nutty flavor.
How to Saute Spinach in an Air Fryer?
Important Note
Before you start cooking, note that times may differ among air fryers. I develop my recipes using a Cosori 6.8 air fryer. If you’re using a different air fryer, view my recipes as a general guide and tweak the cooking time—add a bit more or cook slightly less as needed.
Although sauteing fresh spinach leaves in an air fryer is very easy, you need to follow a few simple steps to achieve the best results :
Start by washing the spinach thoroughly to remove any dirt. Dry the spinach well using a salad spinner or paper towel.
Quick Tip!
Moist spinach can become soggy, so ensure it’s well-dried before cooking.
Remove the grill pan plate from your air fryer basket, and then add olive oil, salt, freshly ground black pepper, paprika, and finely chopped onions to the basket.
Set your air fryer to 195°C (383°F) and then sauté the onions until translucent for about 5 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Add the spinach leaves to the sautéed onions, and then place the grill pan plate from the air fryer basket on top to prevent the spinach from crisping up.
Cook the spinach for 5-6 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure it cooks evenly.
Once the spinach is wilted, carefully remove it from the air fryer. If you like, you can add a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for extra flavor. Serve immediately as a side dish or top your favorite meal with this deliciously healthy spinach.
Expert Tips From the Chef
- Moist spinach can become soggy, so ensure it’s well-dried before cooking.
- Cook the spinach in batches if necessary to ensure it cooks evenly.
- Remove the grill pan plate from your air fryer basket and use it as a lid to avoid spinach leaves crisping up or burning.
- You can add grated Parmesan to air-fried spinach for a savory note and a hint of creaminess.
Serving Suggestions
Air Fryer Sautéed Spinach with Garlic is versatile and pairs well with a variety of dishes. Here are a few ideas:
- As a Side Dish – Serve alongside Air Fryer Chicken Skewers – Shish Kebabs or Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites for a balanced meal.
- On a Salad: Add to salads for extra texture and flavor.
- With Pasta – Mix into Salmon and Spinach Pasta or use it for making Salmon and Spinach Quiche for a nutritious boost.
- As a Topping – Use as a topping for Spinach and Feta Pie – Ispanakli Peynirli Borek or Gozleme (Turkish Pancakes).
Recipe FAQs
You can keep the leftovers refrigerated for up to 5 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, you can freeze cooked spinach and keep it for up to 3 months.
You can use frozen spinach leaves, however, you need to defrost them and get rid of the excess water to avoid spinach getting soggy while cooking.
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Please give us a five-star rating and leave a comment below.
I hope you enjoy the process of preparing this Air Fryer Sautéed Spinach with Onion just as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂
Bon appétit!
Air Fryer Sautéed Spinach with Onion
Ingredients
- 500 g fresh spinach
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 1 tsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp paprika
Instructions
- Start by washing the spinach thoroughly to remove any dirt. Dry the spinach well using a salad spinner or paper towel. This step is crucial because excess moisture can make the spinach soggy.
- Remove the grill pan plate from your air fryer basket, and add olive oil, salt, freshly ground black pepper, paprika, and finely chopped onions to the basket.
- Set your air fryer to 195°C (383°F) and sauté the onions until translucent for about 5 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Add the spinach leaves to the sautéed onions, and place the grill pan plate from the air fryer basket on top to prevent the spinach from crisping up.
- Cook the spinach for 5-6 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure it cooks evenly.
Notes
- Moist spinach can become soggy, so ensure it’s well-dried before cooking.
- Cook the spinach in batches if necessary to ensure it cooks evenly.
- Remove the grill pan plate from your air fryer basket and use it as a lid to avoid spinach leaves crisping up or burning.
- You can add grated Parmesan to air-fried spinach for a savory note and a hint of creaminess.
