As the final days of summer approach, there's nothing like firing up the grill for a backyard BBQ. The smoky flavors and sharing platters are seasonal highlights. At the same time, many of us are choosing the best air fryers to cook dinner every night – loved for their speed, convenience, and ability to cook with less oil.
But what if you could combine these two culinary pleasures—grilling and air frying—to create BBQ-style dishes with less oil, effort and mess? Can you really achieve those iconic grill marks and smoky flavors, while enjoying the benefits of air frying? I asked the experts – and the answer was a resounding yes. We came up with some top tips for grilling in the air fryer – creating delicious, BBQ-inspired dishes you can make all year round.
How to grill in an air fryer
Air fryers are renowned for producing crispy food with less oil and energy. Many modern models, like the Ninja Foodi Indoor Grill and Cuisinart TOA-70, come with dedicated grill settings and griddle plates to create chargrilled effects. Ideal for grilling indoors or off-season.
Although you don’t get the exact smoky taste of the best outdoor grills, Test Kitchen Director of Cuisinart, Beth Gardner, says 'Air fryers can provide grill marks and results that make them a worthy substitute, with quick heat-up and easy cleanup.'
For those love grilling outdoors but still want to avoid the hassle of coal and greasy cleaning, we highly recommend the Ninja Woodfire Grill. This outdoor air fryer is truly incredible. It's powered by electricity and features a smoking function for delicious BBQ flavor. I loved the removable grill plate, which simplifies cleanup, and it's portable, so you can take this air fryer anywhere.
Even if you're using a basic air fryer without any special grilling features, you can still achieve a grill-style effect by following the chef techniques and tips below.
1. Preheat the air fryer
Just like with traditional grilling, preheating the air fryer helps to achieve a crispy finish and deep color. It only takes a couple of minutes, so make sure to hit the preheat setting, then carefully add your food to the basket.
2. Use a grill plate
For authentic grill marks and a slightly charred texture, use a grill plate attachment if your air fryer has one. You can also find griddle plate accessories on Amazon, which help to mimic the look and feel of traditional grilling.
3. Use smoky spice blends
Harry Miller of the World Champion Barbeque Committee, points out that grilling in the air fryer doesn't use smoke, so you could lose that flame-kissed, smoky flavor. He says, 'A simple workaround is adding some Liquid Smoke to your hamburger patties.' Or, try marinating your meat in a smoky BBQ blend, before grilling in the air fryer.
4. Add a little oil
To get the crispiest, chargrilled finish, you should lightly mist or brush your food oil before cooking. Jay Baron, executive chef at Humble Baron in Tennessee, recommends using an oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil. Definitely make sure to use lecithin-free oil, to avoid damaging the non-stick lining of your air fryer.
5. Flip your food
Flipping BBQ foods like burgers and sausages is essential for achieving evenly cooked, caramelized textures. Air fryers work by circulating hot air, so flipping your food ensures that all sides get exposed to the heat and your BBQ favorites come out golden brown.
6. Turn up the heat
Air fryer chef, Sam Milner, has tonnes of tips for getting the most out of your air fryer, She says, 'For extra crispiness, set your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for the final 2-3 minutes of cooking. This high heat will give your food a delicious, golden crust.'
The best air fryer accessories for grilling
If you’re looking to level up your air fryer game and unlock its grilling potential, the right accessories can make all the difference.
You can find griddle or grill plates compatible with your air fryer, to achieve those beautiful chargrilled lines, without firing up the coals of a traditional outdoor grill.
Made of sturdy stainless steel and BPA-free silicone, these tongs are heat resistant to temperatures up to 450° F. This is ideal for flipping burgers, tossing steaks and turning chicken wings.
A blend of smoked chipotle chili, toasted onion, paprika and charred ancho peppers. A pre-made blend like this one takes grilling in the air fryer to the next level, imparting chargrilled flavors, without any effort.
The best air fryer grills
When choosing the best air fryer for grilling, look for models that come with a grill plate or griddle rack to achieve those desirable grill marks. Also, consider the size, capacity and whether you'd prefer to cook outdoors or indoors. Lastly, ease of cleaning is crucial – opt for air fryers with removable, dishwasher-safe parts to simplify cleanup, as that's one of the best parts about grilling in the air fryer.
Best outdoor air fryer/grill combo
This portable electric grill/air fryer is better at smoking than some grills more than three times the size and cost. It's great for families, who want to grill outdoors or take a BBQ to the beach house.
Our full Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill review has all the details.
Cosori make some of my favorite air fryers. This Dual Blaze model can reach the high temperatures you need for a grilling effect, and it's super compact too. I love how Cosori comes with a recipe app, which is filled with BBQ-style ideas. I'm keen to try the pulled pork in my air fryer next.
Best indoor air fryer/grill combo
Another Ninja option, this indoor model uses 'cyclonic air' and a removable grill grate ' to chargrill your food, with authentic marks and delicious flavor. A better option for bad weather days.
FAQS
Can you grill burgers in an air fryer?
You can grill burgers in an air fryer with tasty results. To start, preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking. Prepare the burger patties by seasoning them with smoky spices, or just salt and pepper. If your air fryer includes a grill plate or rack, use it to get those classic grill marks. Place the patties in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd them and flip halfway through to ensure even browning. If you want to make cheeseburgers, you can lay a slice of cheese on top of each patty and return it to the air fryer for one minute, until melted.
Can you make BBQ chicken in an air fryer?
Air fryers are perfect for cooking chicken with crispy skin and juicy meat. It's a good idea to marinate chicken wings or thighs in a BBQ glaze first. Also, preheat the air fryer to achieve a nice, crispy chicken skin. You can also brush more sauce on the chicken in the last final minutes of cooking, allowing the glaze to caramelize slightly.
Can you make s’mores in an air fryer?
The air fryer’s even heat distribution can achieve gooey, melted s’mores. Again, you might not get the toasted effect of the campfire – but the air fryer is a convenient option for making s'mores indoors. Simply place graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows in the air fryer basket and cook at a low temperature until the marshmallows and chocolate are melted.
