These Middle Eastern-inspired beef kofta skewers deliver bold, savory flavor with zero grill setup required. Fresh herbs, warm spices like cumin and coriander, and grated onion keep the ground beef deeply flavorful and meltingly tender, while the rapid convection heat of the air fryer crisps up the exterior in minutes.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Box Grater
- Short Bamboo or Metal Skewers (6-8 inches)
- Digital Meat Thermometer
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) Ground Beef (85/15 lean-to-fat ratio recommended for juiciness)
- 1/2 small Yellow Onion (grated finely and lightly squeezed of excess water)
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced or grated into paste)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (flat-leaf, very finely chopped)
- 2 tbsp Fresh Mint (finely chopped; optional for bright herbal balance)
- 1 tsp Ground Cumin
- 1 tsp Ground Coriander
- 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Ground Allspice
- 1/4 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1/2 tsp Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
- Olive oil cooking spray (light mist for the basket)
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Heat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3 minutes to ensure immediate searing upon contact.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, grated onion, garlic, parsley, mint, cumin, coriander, paprika, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix Gently: Use your fingers to incorporate the spices and herbs evenly into the meat; mix just until combined to maintain a light, tender texture.
- Shape Kofta: Divide mixture into 8 equal portions. Mold each portion into an elongated oval/cylinder (approx. 4–5 inches long) around a short skewer or into free-form sausage shapes.
- Load Basket: Lightly mist the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Place 4 skewers in a single layer with at least 1/2 inch of space between each piece.
- Air Fry: Cook at 390°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. Flip carefully using tongs, then air fry for an additional 3–4 minutes until deeply browned, sizzling, and reaching an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Rest and Serve: Transfer to a warm plate and let rest for 3–5 minutes so the juices settle back into the meat before serving. Repeat with the remaining batch.
Notes
Storage & Reheating: Reheat refrigerated kofta in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes until heated through to revive crispness; avoid microwaving, which turns ground beef rubbery. Allergy Info: Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and egg-free. Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or sumac directly to the beef mixture, and serve with lemon wedges and a side of tahini or Greek yogurt sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 310 kcal · Fats: 20g · Cholesterol: 80mg · Sodium: 620mg · Potassium: 410mg · Total Carbohydrates: 2g · Fiber: 0.5g · Net Carbs: 1.5g · Sugars: 0.8g · Protein: 29g · Calcium: 35mg
