Air Fryer Roasted Salsa Verde: A Flavorful and Easy Recipe

Salsa Verde, a vibrant and zesty green sauce, is a staple in Mexican cuisine. Traditionally made by roasting or broiling the ingredients, this recipe takes a modern twist by using the air fryer. The air fryer not only simplifies the roasting process but also delivers a more consistent and even char, resulting in a deeply flavorful salsa verde. This recipe is incredibly easy to follow, customizable to your spice preference, and perfect for dipping tortilla chips, topping tacos, or adding a burst of flavor to any dish.

## Why Air Fryer Salsa Verde?

While traditional roasting methods yield delicious results, the air fryer offers several advantages:

* **Speed:** The air fryer heats up quickly and cooks ingredients faster than a conventional oven.
* **Even Cooking:** The circulating hot air ensures even roasting and charring of the vegetables.
* **Convenience:** No need to preheat a large oven; the air fryer is compact and easy to clean.
* **Flavor Enhancement:** The concentrated heat intensifies the natural sweetness of the tomatillos and peppers, creating a deeper, more complex flavor.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **1 pound tomatillos, husked and washed** (About 8-10 medium tomatillos)
* **2-3 jalapeño peppers, stems removed** (Adjust to your spice preference. Serrano peppers can be substituted for a hotter salsa)
* **1/2 medium white onion, quartered**
* **2-4 cloves garlic, unpeeled** (The roasting mellows the garlic flavor)
* **1/2 cup cilantro, roughly chopped**
* **1/4 cup water** (Or more, to reach desired consistency)
* **1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed**
* **1 teaspoon kosher salt** (Or to taste)
* **1/2 teaspoon ground cumin** (Optional, but adds a lovely warmth)
* **1/4 teaspoon black pepper**

## Equipment Needed

* **Air Fryer:** Any air fryer model will work; adjust cooking times as needed.
* **Cutting board**
* **Knife**
* **Mixing bowl**
* **Blender or food processor**
* **Measuring cups and spoons**

## Step-by-Step Instructions

### 1. Prepare the Vegetables

* **Tomatillos:** Remove the husks from the tomatillos and wash them thoroughly. Tomatillos have a sticky residue; make sure to rinse them well. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
* **Jalapeños:** Remove the stems from the jalapeños. For a milder salsa, you can remove the seeds and membranes. However, be careful when handling jalapeños, as the oils can irritate your skin. Consider wearing gloves.
* **Onion:** Quarter the white onion. This helps it cook evenly in the air fryer.
* **Garlic:** Leave the garlic cloves unpeeled. Roasting the garlic in its skin mellows the flavor and makes it easier to squeeze out the cloves later.
* **Cilantro:** Roughly chop the cilantro. You will add this after the vegetables are roasted.

### 2. Air Fry the Vegetables

* **Preheat:** Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. While preheating is not always necessary, it helps ensure even cooking.
* **Arrange:** Place the tomatillos, jalapeños, onion, and garlic cloves in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can prevent proper air circulation and result in uneven cooking. If necessary, cook the vegetables in batches.
* **Roast:** Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping the vegetables halfway through, until the tomatillos are softened and slightly charred, and the jalapeños and onion are tender. The garlic skin should be slightly browned.
* **Check for Doneness:** The tomatillos should be soft and slightly wrinkled. The jalapeños should be tender and have some charred spots. The onion should be translucent and slightly softened. The garlic skin should be browned.

### 3. Cool and Peel the Garlic

* **Cool Slightly:** Remove the air fryer basket and let the vegetables cool slightly for a few minutes. This will make it easier to handle them.
* **Peel Garlic:** Once the garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins. Discard the skins.

### 4. Blend the Salsa

* **Combine Ingredients:** In a blender or food processor, combine the roasted tomatillos, jalapeños, onion, garlic, chopped cilantro, water, lime juice, salt, cumin (if using), and black pepper.
* **Blend:** Blend until smooth or slightly chunky, depending on your preference. Start with a lower speed and gradually increase it to avoid splattering. If the salsa is too thick, add more water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
* **Taste and Adjust:** Taste the salsa and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add more salt, lime juice, or jalapeño to achieve your desired flavor profile.

### 5. Serve and Enjoy

* **Serve:** Pour the salsa verde into a serving bowl and serve immediately. It’s delicious with tortilla chips, tacos, enchiladas, grilled meats, or as a topping for eggs.
* **Garnish (Optional):** Garnish with extra chopped cilantro or a lime wedge for a pop of color and freshness.

## Tips for the Best Air Fryer Salsa Verde

* **Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer:** Overcrowding the air fryer basket prevents proper air circulation and can result in unevenly cooked vegetables. Cook in batches if necessary.
* **Adjust Spice Level:** Adjust the number of jalapeños or the type of pepper to control the spice level. For a milder salsa, remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños. For a hotter salsa, use serrano peppers or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
* **Use Fresh Ingredients:** Fresh ingredients are key to a flavorful salsa verde. Use ripe tomatillos, fresh jalapeños, and vibrant cilantro.
* **Roast the Garlic:** Roasting the garlic mellows its flavor and prevents it from overpowering the salsa. Don’t skip this step!
* **Taste and Adjust Seasoning:** Taste the salsa after blending and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Salt, lime juice, and jalapeño can all be added to enhance the flavor.
* **Pulse for Texture:** If you prefer a chunkier salsa, pulse the ingredients in the blender or food processor instead of blending them completely smooth.
* **Cool Before Blending:** Letting the vegetables cool slightly before blending prevents the heat from building up in the blender and potentially causing it to explode. This is especially important with high-speed blenders.

## Variations and Customizations

* **Add Avocado:** For a creamy and richer salsa verde, add half an avocado to the blender along with the other ingredients.
* **Smoked Paprika:** Add a pinch of smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
* **Roasted Poblano Pepper:** Substitute one of the jalapeños with a roasted poblano pepper for a milder, slightly sweet flavor.
* **Fruit Salsa Verde:** Add a handful of roasted pineapple or mango chunks for a sweet and tangy twist.
* **Tomatillo-less Salsa Verde:** If tomatillos are unavailable, you can substitute them with green bell peppers, though the flavor will be different.
* **Spice it up:** Use habanero peppers for extreme heat, but use them sparingly as they are very potent.

## Serving Suggestions

Air Fryer Roasted Salsa Verde is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes:

* **Dipping Sauce:** Serve with tortilla chips, vegetables, or grilled meats.
* **Taco Topping:** Top your favorite tacos with a generous spoonful of salsa verde.
* **Enchilada Sauce:** Use it as a sauce for enchiladas.
* **Breakfast Topping:** Add it to scrambled eggs, omelets, or breakfast burritos.
* **Marinade:** Use it as a marinade for chicken, pork, or fish.
* **Salad Dressing:** Thin it out with a little olive oil and use it as a flavorful salad dressing.
* **Tamales:** Serve with tamales.
* **Quesadillas:** Use as a dipping sauce for quesadillas

## Storage Instructions

* **Refrigerator:** Store leftover salsa verde in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavor may mellow slightly over time.
* **Freezer:** For longer storage, you can freeze salsa verde in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before using. The texture may change slightly after freezing, but the flavor will still be good.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

(Per serving, based on 1/4 cup serving size)

* Calories: 30-40
* Fat: 1-2g
* Saturated Fat: 0g
* Cholesterol: 0mg
* Sodium: 150-200mg
* Carbohydrates: 5-7g
* Fiber: 1-2g
* Sugar: 2-3g
* Protein: 1g

*Note: Nutritional information is approximate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

## Air Fryer Roasted Salsa Verde Recipe Card

**Yields:** About 2 cups
**Prep time:** 10 minutes
**Cook time:** 15 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1 pound tomatillos, husked and washed
* 2-3 jalapeño peppers, stems removed
* 1/2 medium white onion, quartered
* 2-4 cloves garlic, unpeeled
* 1/2 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
* 1/4 cup water (or more, to reach desired consistency)
* 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
* 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
2. Place the tomatillos, jalapeños, onion, and garlic cloves in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
3. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping the vegetables halfway through, until the tomatillos are softened and slightly charred, and the jalapeños and onion are tender. The garlic skin should be slightly browned.
4. Remove the air fryer basket and let the vegetables cool slightly for a few minutes.
5. Once the garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins. Discard the skins.
6. In a blender or food processor, combine the roasted tomatillos, jalapeños, onion, garlic, chopped cilantro, water, lime juice, salt, cumin (if using), and black pepper.
7. Blend until smooth or slightly chunky, depending on your preference. If the salsa is too thick, add more water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
8. Taste the salsa and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add more salt, lime juice, or jalapeño to achieve your desired flavor profile.
9. Pour the salsa verde into a serving bowl and serve immediately. Enjoy!

## Conclusion

This Air Fryer Roasted Salsa Verde recipe is a game-changer! It’s quick, easy, and delivers incredible flavor. The air fryer ensures perfectly roasted vegetables, resulting in a vibrant and zesty salsa that’s perfect for any occasion. So, ditch the traditional roasting method and give this air fryer version a try. You won’t be disappointed! Experiment with the variations and customizations to create your own signature salsa verde. Happy cooking!