Recipe This | Air Fryer Spam (2024)

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Air Fryer Spam. This is a cheap and easy way to cook spam in the air fryer. Coated in a homemade breading, spam slices are air fried and perfect for an alternative on the dinner table.

You will love how crispy your fried spam is when cooked in the air fryer and how simple this recipe is for recreating at home in your air fryer.

We originally shared with you how to cook spam in the air fryer back in 2018 and wanted to update it today for you with new photos and extra ideas.

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Table of Contents

Spam In Air Fryer

My grandma was one of those amazing ladies that was feeding her kids on WW2 rations. She had five daughters and told me many stories of the WW2 rations that she had, how she did deals and how cans of spam or corned beef, became her best friend.

The idea that you can use spam instead of meat in meals and still feed the kids up during such a difficult time.

Even many years after the UK stopped rationing, my grandparents would still feed me canned spam and I loved it and have so many great childhood memories eating it.

That is why when I shared many of my favourite WW2 recipes back in 2018, spam in the air fryer had a prime position.

If you love spam, corned beef, or another meat from a can, note that you can follow this recipe and make your own in the air fryer.

Or like us make air fryer spam with a can from the pantry you forgot about along with leftover breading. For example, we made air fryer spam with leftovers from air fryer breaded pork chops.

Plus, as well as our free newsletter, we also have a free air fryer mini course. It is ideal for air fryer beginners or those that want to get more confident with their air fryer. The free course runs for 5 days with a new lesson delivered each day to your inbox.

Can You Air Fry Spam?

Yes, you can, and you will be amazed at how good spam tastes when it has been cooked in the air fryer.

Also, you can air fry other luncheon meats too. Don’t think it must be limited to spam because it doesn’t have to be. It can be canned corned beef, canned ham, canned chicken, or even canned turkey.

Do You Have To Cook Spam?

No, you don’t because when you buy canned spam it has already been cooked. Therefore, when you are cooking spam in the air fryer you are technically reheating it. Thus, this brings the length of the cook time way down.

Though of course, this depends on how you want your spam.

How Many Servings In A Can Of Spam?

My rationing grandma would disagree with me, when I say one can of spam is four servings.

I am sure she would have cut it down even further to feed a family of seven from one can!

But to make our air fryer spam recipe, you simply grab a can of spam and create four spam slices.

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Then each of those spam slices is air fried to make four portions.

Best Way To Cook Spam?

The best way to cook spam is fried spam. It is delicious and you can add a nice breading to it. Then it makes a cheaper alternative to breaded chicken or breaded fish.

But to save a lot of mess and to keep your fried spam nice and crispy, the air fryer provides a fantastic alternative.

Air frying spam is incredibly crispy spam and because of the size of the average air fryer, you can often do four portions aka one can of spam at once.

Air Fried Spam Ingredients

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Spam – I recommend that you use an original can of spam in this recipe. Though you can use one of the flavoured ones or swap it for corned beef. I also recommend prior to air frying your spam, that you place it in the fridge for an hour to help stiffen it a bit. This will help when you are slicing your spam and breading it to make sure the slices don’t fall apart.

Panko – You can use any type of breadcrumbs for your spam fritters, though we used panko. Note that when you use panko it is a dryer breadcrumb, and you need to make sure you have a good layer of egg otherwise you will have dry spam.

Egg. I recommend creating a production line with one bowl with your breadcrumbs, one with your egg and another with your flour. The egg can be any and I usually crack four eggs in a bowl, whisk them with a fork and then add in a little seasoning to make them more flavoursome.

Flour. For the flour, any will do the trick. But what I do recommend is that you season the flour before breading.

Seasoning – You can mix and match your seasonings in this air fryer spam recipe. I love salt, pepper, and parsley, but it’s all about personal choice. You can also season your breadcrumbs, egg, and flour for the ultimate taste sensation.

Then for the kitchen gadgets that we have used in this spam air fryer recipe, it has just been our Philips Air Fryer. We have this one and its wonderful for many types of air fryer breaded recipes and doesn’t stick to the air fryer.

Or if feeding more people you can double the ingredients, use two cans of spam to make eight slices and then increase the other ingredients like this:

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How To Cook Spam In Air Fryer?

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  • Slice. Start by slicing your spam into four equal slices and seasoning with salt and pepper.
  • Toss. Load your spam into the flour, the egg, then the breadcrumbs. Make sure it gets a good coating from each bowl.
  • Load. Add to the air fryer and air fry until you have tender yet crispy spam slices.

What Can You Make With Spam?

This recipe that I am sharing with you today, is my favourite way to cook spam. But my #2 go to recipe is my instant pot spam fried rice. It is based upon using a can of spam to make a Hawaiian spam dish and its so easy to make.

Another alternative is to use spam in any of the ways that you would use corned beef, or when you would add leftover meat to a dish.

You could even use spam as an alternative in a stroganoff.

Listen To Air Fryer Spam Fritters

Want to learn more about our Podcast? Then click here and you can browse through past episodes and subscribe to the Magic With Gadgets Podcast.

More Air Fryer Breaded Favourites

  • Air Fryer Breaded Pork Chops
  • Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
  • Air Fryer KFC Chicken
Recipe This | Air Fryer Spam (8)

Air Fryer Spam

Air Fryer Spam. This is a cheap and easy way to cook spam in the air fryer. Coated in a homemade breading, spam slices are air fried and perfect for an alternative on the dinner table.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time8 minutes mins

Total Time13 minutes mins

Course: Main Course, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: Air Fryer

Servings: 4

Calories: 518kcal

Author: RecipeThis.com

Ingredients

Kitchen Gadgets:

Air Fryer Spam Ingredients:

MetricImperial

Instructions

  • Place spam in the fridge for an hour (still in its can) so that it can harden up and is easier to make into fritters. Then open your can of spam onto a clean worktop and cut into medium slices.

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  • Crack eggs into a bowl and mix with a fork and then season with salt and pepper. Place flour in a 2nd bowl and season well with chicken seasoning, salt, and pepper and garlic powder. Place breadcrumbs into a 3rd bowl and mix with salt, pepper, parsley, and oregano.

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  • Load sliced spam into the flour mixture, then into the egg, and then into the breadcrumbs bowl. Make sure each slice of spam is well coated from each bowl.

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  • Place the spam fritters into the air fryer basket on a single layer.

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  • Cook for 8 minutes at 180c/360f. Then serve.

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Video

Notes

Thanks for reading our air fryer spam recipe on Recipe This. We have many more air fryer recipes for you to check out next. Though if you would like more breaded ideas, I recommend you check out our air fryer KFC chicken which is better than a bucket from KFC.

Nutrition

Calories: 518kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 200mg | Sodium: 1273mg | Potassium: 465mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 547IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 153mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutrition InfoPlease Note: Nutrition values are our best estimate based on the software we use at Recipe This and are meant as a guide. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

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Recipe This | Air Fryer Spam (2024)

FAQs

How long do you put Spam in the air fryer? ›

Preheat air fryer. Cut Spam into 8 slices. Place Spam slices into air fryer basket, making sure they are spread out and not overlapping. Close basket and cook at 400 degrees for 12 minutes.

Is it better to air fry or pan fry Spam? ›

These air fryer Spam fries are far crispier on the outside than you would get in a skillet on the stovetop, and the inside stays nice and tender. Spam is not something I eat often, but I like it extra crispy when I do. I found a can in the pantry and decided to give it a go in the air fryer.

What is the best way to cook Spam? ›

Since spam is already cooked before it's packaged, you simply need to heat it up and add it to your meal. Try stir-frying spam with eggs, rice, or green beans for a fast and filling dish. You can also dice spam before baking with it in casseroles or roasts.

Is air fryer spam good? ›

Air Fryer Spam is the absolute EASIEST way to cook crispy Spam. It caramelizes the salty ham and sauce on the outside but leaves it nice and juicy on the inside. I use this recipe to cook spam for making Spam Musubi (a Hawaiian snack), but it can also be served in a sandwich or served with rice.

Is Spam good or bad for you? ›

Though Spam is convenient, easy to use and has a long shelf-life, it's also very high in fat, calories and sodium and low in important nutrients, such as protein, vitamins and minerals. Additionally, it's highly processed and contains preservatives like sodium nitrite that may cause several adverse health effects.

What meat is best in Airfryer? ›

As with all dry-heat cooker methods (grilling, broiling, pan frying and oven roasting), tender beef cuts perform best in the air fryer. Those cuts include Top Sirloin, KC Strip, Ribeye, Tenderloin and Tri Tip. Ground beef also can be easily prepared in an air fryer.

What condiments go best with Spam? ›

Spread your favorite sandwich spread (mustard or mayo) on your toast; I prefer a nice spicy brown mustard. Add SPAM, grilled onions and pickle slices. Add lettuce and tomato or pickled jalapenos if it floats your boat.

What kind of oil do you use to fry Spam? ›

Heat oil in a pan to about 300 deg. I use peanut oil. Dip Spam in egg then flour and fry til golden brown.

Why are things not getting crispy in air fryer? ›

Dry the outside of the food properly before you add oil. Do not use too much oil, as this will make the food less crispy and more fattening. Meat or poultry can be lightly brushed with oil or marinated to get the crispiest results.

Why didn t my fries get crispy in air fryer? ›

It's essential that you spread the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket and that you leave a little space between each one. If they're too crowded, the potatoes will steam inside the air fryer, and they won't get crispy. In order to give them adequate space, you'll likely need to work in batches.

What makes Spam taste better? ›

Frying the Spam before constructing the sandwich not only improves its texture and flavor, but also helps give the cheeses a head-start on melting. Add some griddled onions to the mix, replace the Wonderbread with rye, and you've got yourself one fine Spammy-melt.

What does Spam stand for? ›

The Hormel Foods Corporation once said that it means "Shoulder of Pork and Ham", but in some dictionaries "Spam" means "spiced ham". Members of staff at the SPAM museum say it stands for Specially Produced American Meat.

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