Yes, you can put wooden skewers in an air fryer. In my method, I soak them first, trim them to fit the basket and arrange them in a single layer before cooking.
I've used both wooden and metal skewers in my Ninja air fryer, and below I'll show you exactly how I prepare them, what to do if they're too long and how the two options compare.
⚡ Quick Answer
Yes, wooden skewers can go in an air fryer.
I soak mine before cooking, trim them if they're too long for the basket and arrange them in a single layer. Metal skewers are another option if you use them regularly.
Whether you're making chicken style skewers, beef style kabobs, or loading them up with colorful veggies, wooden skewers are a great option - but they need a little prep.
In this post, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about using wood skewers in your air fryer, plus some helpful tips for perfect kabobs every time.
Jump to:
- ⚡ Quick Answer
- 💧 Do You Need to Soak Wooden Skewers Before Air Frying?
- ✂️ How to Prepare Wooden Skewers for the Air Fryer
- 👩🍳 How to Cook Skewers in the Air Fryer
- ⚖️ Wood Skewers vs. Metal Skewers in the Air Fryer
- 🕒 Can You Prepare Air Fryer Skewers in Advance?
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions
- ✨ More Air Fryer Guides
💧 Do You Need to Soak Wooden Skewers Before Air Frying?
I like to soak wooden skewers before using them in the air fryer. It only takes a little extra preparation and can help reduce how quickly the exposed ends darken or char during cooking.
Place the skewers in a shallow dish or container, cover them completely with water and leave them to soak for around 10-20 minutes while you prepare the rest of your ingredients.
You may need to weigh the skewers down with a small plate or bowl to keep them fully submerged - they have a habit of floating back to the top the second you look away. 😅
Once soaked, pat off any excess water before threading on your ingredients.
The cooking time matters too. Even soaked wooden skewers can darken if they are exposed to high heat for a long time, so keep an eye on them as the food cooks and follow the timings for the recipe you are making.
✂️ How to Prepare Wooden Skewers for the Air Fryer
Before you start cooking, it's essential to prepare your wooden skewers properly to avoid any mishaps.
The biggest concern with using wood skewers in the air fryer is the risk of charring or burning. Here's the best way to prevent that:
Step 1: Soak the skewers
Submerge your wood or bamboo skewers in water for 10-20 minutes before threading your ingredients. This helps prevent them from burning during cooking.
Step 2: Trim them to fit
If your wooden skewers are too long for your air fryer basket, simply cut them down to size with scissors to ensure they fit comfortably.
Step 3: Thread the ingredients evenly
Cut everything into similar-sized pieces so it cooks as evenly as possible.
This is especially important when you are mixing different ingredients on the same skewer - you don’t want one vegetable completely charred while another is still playing catch-up. 😅
Thread the ingredients onto the skewers without packing them too tightly. Leaving a little space between the pieces allows the hot air to circulate around them and helps the edges cook and brown more evenly.
Try to keep the skewers a similar size too, so they are ready at roughly the same time.
Once assembled, they can go straight into the air fryer or be stored in the fridge for later, depending on your recipe.
👩🍳 How to Cook Skewers in the Air Fryer
Once your skewers are soaked, trimmed and loaded with ingredients, cooking them in the air fryer is pretty straightforward.
Arrange Them in a Single Layer
Place the skewers inside the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between them where possible.
Avoid stacking them on top of one another, as this can block the circulating hot air and lead to uneven cooking.
Don't Overcrowd the Basket
It can be tempting to squeeze in one more skewer - and then another one because surely it will fit 😂 - but the food will generally cook more evenly when the air has room to circulate.
If you’re making a larger batch, it’s better to cook the skewers in batches than pack the basket too tightly.
Cut Ingredients to Similar Sizes
Smaller pieces tend to work best for air fryer skewers because they cook quickly and evenly.
Try to cut vegetables and other ingredients into pieces of roughly the same size. If you’re combining foods with very different cooking times, consider cutting slower-cooking ingredients slightly smaller.
Turn the Skewers During Cooking
Depending on your air fryer and the ingredients you’re using, turn the skewers partway through cooking so they brown more evenly on both sides.
Metal tongs are handy for this, particularly as the basket and food will be hot.
Add Marinade or Sauce Carefully
Marinating the ingredients before cooking is an easy way to add plenty of flavour.
For thicker or sugary sauces, I usually prefer adding some towards the end of cooking so they are less likely to catch or burn. Brush on another layer before serving if you want a little extra flavour and gloss.
Cooking times will vary depending on what you have threaded onto the skewers, so always follow the recipe you are using and check that the ingredients are properly cooked before serving.
⚖️ Wood Skewers vs. Metal Skewers in the Air Fryer
When it comes to skewers, you’ve got two main options: wood (or bamboo) and metal. Both work well in an air fryer, but each has its pros and cons.
| Wooden Skewers | Metal Skewers | |
| Reusable | No | Yes |
| Preparation | Soaking required | No soaking |
| Fit | Can be trimmed | Need the right size |
| Heat | Do not retain heat like metal | Can become very hot |
| Best for | Occasional use | Frequent skewer cooking |
I usually reach for wooden skewers when I want something cheap and convenient, while metal skewers make more sense if you cook kebabs or skewers regularly.
🕒 Can You Prepare Air Fryer Skewers in Advance?
Yes! Air fryer skewers are really easy to prepare ahead of time, which makes them handy for meal prep, entertaining or simply getting dinner organised earlier in the day.
You can cut the ingredients, thread them onto the skewers and store the assembled skewers in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.
If you are using a marinade, you can usually either:
- marinate the ingredients before threading them onto the skewers, or
- assemble the skewers first and brush the marinade over them
The best option depends on the ingredients and the particular recipe.
For wooden skewers, I prefer to soak and assemble them reasonably close to cooking rather than leaving soaked skewers sitting around for a long time.
If you’re preparing everything much earlier, you can get the ingredients ready in advance, then soak and assemble the skewers before cooking.
Keep any prepared skewers refrigerated until you’re ready to put them in the air fryer.
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
I like to soak wooden skewers in water for around 10-20 minutes before using them in the air fryer. This can help reduce how quickly the exposed wood darkens during cooking. Pat off any excess water before adding the ingredients.
Yes. Bamboo skewers can generally be used in the same way as other wooden skewers.
I would soak them before cooking, check that they fit comfortably inside the basket and trim them if necessary. Keep an eye on any exposed ends while the food cooks.
Simply trim them to fit before adding the ingredients.
Place one inside the empty basket first to check the length, then carefully cut the excess from the end using sturdy kitchen scissors.
The skewers should sit comfortably inside the basket without being forced into place.
Yes, as long as they fit safely inside your air fryer basket.
Metal skewers don’t need soaking and can be reused, which makes them handy if you cook skewers regularly.
Just remember that the metal can become extremely hot during cooking, so handle them carefully and use suitable tongs or oven gloves.
Yes. You can chop the ingredients and assemble the skewers ahead of time, then keep them covered in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.
For wooden skewers, I prefer soaking and assembling them closer to cooking time.
For longer meal prep, prepare the ingredients first and thread them onto the skewers later.
Air frying is a great way to enjoy your favorite recipes, and with these tips, you’ll be making perfectly cooked skewers in no time. Happy cooking!
✨ More Air Fryer Guides
You might also enjoy trying my Air Fryer Flatbread Pizza for an easy weeknight dinner or Air Fryer Popcorn for a fun snack idea!
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