how to make air fryer romaine lettuce (great for caesar)

Prepare to FALL IN LOVE with air fryer romaine lettuce! Who knew a simple head of romaine lettuce could taste so good?! This is a 5 minute recipe that is a LIFE CHANGER!

Air Fryer romaine lettuce is simple!…Romaine lettuce, lightly oiled, seasoned with salt and pepper, and then air fried to perfection!

I know, I know, air fryer romaine lettuce might sound weird…but it’s DELICIOUS! Why would you air fry romaine? Because it gives it a nice charred, smoky, roasted flavor that really brings out the flavors of romaine lettuce. It also creates a unique, complex flavor that is crispy on the outside and crunchy on the inside. Plus it elevates any salad! Turn a typical salad into a gourmet meal with air fryer romaine lettuce. And of course, this air fryer romaine lettuce makes an excellent grilled Caesar salad!

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WHAT YOU WILL LOVE ABOUT THIS AIR FRYER ROMAINE LETTUCE

• QUICK AND EASY – This air fryer romaine lettuce recipe is so simple it’s ridiculous. It takes one minute to prep and another 3 minutes to cook! Who can argue with that!?
• ONLY 4 INGREDIENTS – This recipe has only four ingredient! Of course, you can turn this air fryer romaine lettuce into any salad you want (I recommend using it for a Caesar salad), but it’s absolutely delicious as is! Air fryer romaine lettuce makes the perfect base to any salad or side to any meal.
• TASTES GOURMET – Air frying your romaine lettuce is a simple way to turn a typical salad into an elevated, gourmet meal!
• SUPER VERSATILE – Air fryer romaine lettuce is incredibly versatile. Use it as the base for any salad…Caesar is my personal favorite. Or serve it along side any meal, like rice and beans.

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE AIR FRYER ROMAINE LETTUCE

• ROMAINE LETTUCE
• OLIVE OIL – Can use any oil of your choice. Avocado oil would be my second choice
• SALT – fresh ground sea salt or flavored salt is best
• PEPPER – fresh ground black pepper is best

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER ROMAINE LETTUCE

Making air fryer Romaine lettuce is incredibly easy!

Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400ºF. If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, simply turn it on 5 minutes before using.

Cut your romaine in half.

Wash and dry thoroughly. You don’t want your romaine lettuce to still be wet, it will not air fry as nicely.

Brush 1 tsp of olive oil on your romaine lettuce. Distribute as evenly as possible. This recipe is for one head of romaine, but the general rule I use is 1 tsp of oil per head of lettuce.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Place seasoned romaine lettuce in the preheated air fryer. Air fry at 400ºF for 3-5 minutes. Check at the 3 minute mark and give it more time if needed.

The romaine will be ready when the outside leaves are slightly crispy. Don’t overcook, the romaine will become too wilted.

When ready, remove from air fryer. Enjoy as is or add your favorite dressing and toppings!

TIPS FOR MAKING AIR FRYER ROMAINE LETTUCE

• Don’t cut off the stems – When you cut your romaine lettuce in half, you can cut off the bottom of the stem, but only a little piece. You want your lettuce to stay intact.
• Dry your lettuce – Make sure to thoroughly dry your lettuce after washing it. I personally use a salad spinner AND a towel to pat it extra dry. Wet lettuce will result in a soggy texture instead of a crispy one.
• Don’t overcook – Don’t overcook your romaine lettuce! Check you romaine at the 3 minute mark and give it extra time only if needed. If you cook your romaine lettuce too long it will result in a soggy, sad, salad.
• Don’t over oil – Yes, you do need some oil to help your romaine remain moist while it also crisps. But you don’t want to over oil it. That will result in soggy lettuce. Stick to the 1 tsp per head rule.
• Stick to romaine – So of course you are free to experiment with whatever lettuce you like. But I personally found romaine lettuce to be my favorite lettuce to air fry. Kale and bok choy work as well. But most regular lettuce is too sensitive to successfully air fry.
• Preheat your air fryer – Make sure you preheat your air fryer before you put the romaine lettuce in it.
• Don’t over lap your romaine – If you double or triple this recipe, you may need to air fry in batches. I know it’s tempting to overlap ingredients in an air fryer so they will all fit, but this will not allow your romaine to cook evenly.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

• Do I need to oil the romaine – I personally leave the oil off of most of the vegetables when I air fry them to save on calories…but you don’t want to skip the olive oil when it comes to air fryer romaine lettuce. This will result in your lettuce drying out and not crisping as nicely.
• Can I use a different lettuce – So of course you are free to experiment with whatever lettuce you like. But I personally found romaine lettuce to be my favorite lettuce to air fry. Kale and bok choy work as well. But most regular lettuce, such as loose leaf greens or baby greens, are too sensitive to successfully air fry.
• Is air fryer romaine lettuce vegan – Yes, this recipe is vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian
• Is air fryer romaine lettuce gluten free – Yes, this recipe is gluten free
• Can I prep air fryer romaine in advance – I would personally not recommend meal prepping romaine lettuce. For best results, serve right after cooking.

WHAT TO ADD TO AIR FRYER ROMAINE LETTUCE

Air fryer romaine lettuce is the perfect base for any salad! Here are some ideas of what to add.

• SALAD DRESSING – This healthy tahini caesar dressing is my FAVORITE
• BALSAMIC VINEGAR
• ROASTED CHICKPEAS – you can roast a can of chickpeas in the air fryer! Pop them in there for 10 minutes at 400ºF
• VEGAN CHICKEN (OR REGULAR)
• LENTILS
• NUT AND SEEDS
• CHERRY TOMATOES
• RED ONIONS
• LEMON JUICE
• GARLIC POWDER
• ONION POWDER
• HERBS
• PARMESAN CHEESE (VEGAN OR REGULAR)
• BLUE CHEESE (VEGAN OR REGULAR)

SALAD IDEAS FOR AIR FRYER ROMAINE LETTUCE

GRILLED CAESAR SALAD – Using air fryer romaine lettuce for a Caesar salad is one of my favorite light, healthy, meal options. Top your air fryer romaine lettuce with parmesan cheese (Follow Your Heart vegan Parmesan is delicious), croutons, and protein of your choice (chickpeas, vegan chicken, grilled chicken, air fried tofu).

BUFFALO CAESAR SALAD – I love caesar salad and I LOVE buffalo sauce. So combining the two is amazing. Use caesar dressing, parmesan cheese AND blue cheese (the brand Follow your heart has excellent vegan alternatives), and toss your protein of choice in buffalo sauce. Top with croutons and diced celery!

SPICY BUFFALO SALAD – Drizzle some blue cheese dressing and blue cheese crumbles (the brand Follow your heart has excellent vegan alternative) over your air fryer romaine lettuce. Top with protein of choice tossed in buffalo sauce (chickpeas, vegan chicken, grilled chicken, air fried tofu). Finish it off with diced celery and carrots.

MEDITERRANEAN – Dress your air fryer romaine lettuce with your favorite balsamic dressing and a scoop of hummus. Top with a medley of olives, tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, parsley, red onion, air fried chickpeas, and feta cheese (the brand Follow your heart has excellent vegan alternative).

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