Air Fryer Edamame Bites (Made with Frozen Edamame)
These crispy Air Fryer Edamame Bites are a crispy, flavor-packed vegetarian appetizer or satisfying snack that's ready in minutes.
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Inspired by Sri Lankan cutlets, these Edamame bites are made with frozen shelled edamame, cooked potato, and warming spices like harissa, coriander, turmeric, and cayenne. This mixture is shaped into bite-sized portions and air-fried until crispy.
They make the perfect game-day snack, party appetizer, or protein-packed side dish that pairs beautifully with some cherry chutney or sweet chili sauce. Because edamame is rich in protein and fiber, these bites are so filling. And, using an air fryer gives them a deep-fried crunch without all the excess oil!
Why These Spicy Edamame Bites Are A Favorite:
- Crispy & Healthy
- Packed with Plant Protein and Fiber
- So much deliciousness
- Vegan & Gluten-Free
- Made with Budget-friendly ingredients
- Ready in under 20 minutes (not including the cook time for the potato)
- Great for lunchboxes and after-school snacks
Ingredients You'll Need
This recipe relies on simple, wholesome pantry staples and a few key spices to maximize flavor.
- Potato: 1 medium-to-large potato (Russet or Yukon Gold works best for a fluffy texture). If you have a leftover baked potato, use that. Or, boil one by submerging it in a pan of water and letting it cook for about 35-40 minutes.
- Frozen Edamame: thawed. You don't need to cook them beforehand; simply thaw them in a bowl for a few minutes. They will warm up when cooked with the spices.
- Red Onion: I used a medium red onion, finely chopped. But a yellow onion or even shallots could be used.
- Garlic: 3 cloves, also finely chopped or grated.
- Cooking Oil: I used some olive oil to sauté the onion and garlic in, and I also used cooking oil spray on these yummy edamame bites before I air-fried them.
- Harissa: I mostly use this brand of harissa. It adds so much flavor, without making this dish too hot.
- Ground Coriander: This can be found at most stores or can be ordered online.
- Ground Turmeric: just a smidge adds a lovely golden hue and earthy undertone.
- Cayenne Pepper: I used a little bit to add a tiny bit of heat to these bites. Make sure to adjust to taste if you prefer less heat.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Please add these to taste. When I sauté the mix, before forming the bites, I taste the mix to see if it needs more or less salt.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Boil the Potato
If you have a leftover baked potato, use that. If not, let's make one to use. Place your whole potato in a pot of water. Bring it to a boil and let it cook for 40 to 45 minutes, or until it is completely fork-tender all the way through. Once cooked, drain the water, let it cool slightly so you can handle it, remove the skin, and place it in a mixing bowl. Then, using a fork, roughly mash it.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
While the potato is boiling, peel and finely chop the onion and garlic. Then, heat 1-2 tablespoons of the oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add your finely chopped red onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 6 minutes. Then add the spices and edamame and sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant.
Step 3: Mix It All Together
Add the roughly mashed boiled potato to the pan with the sautéed onion, garlic, edamame, and spices. Stir everything together thoroughly until the spices are evenly distributed. Then, season with salt and pepper to taste. At this point, this mixture can be eaten as is. But we are making bites and not a sauté.
Step 4: Shape the Bites
Using your hands, scoop out about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the mixture at a time and roll them into compact balls. The mixture should easily bond together.
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Step 5: Air Fry to Perfection
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease the air fryer basket. Place the edamame bites in a single layer, ensuring they aren't crowding each other. Lightly spray or brush the tops of the bites with oil for maximum crispness.
Air fry edamame bites at 400°F for 8 minutes, or until the exterior is beautifully golden brown and crispy.
Recipe Tips
- Don't Over-Mash: When mashing the potato, keep it slightly rustic. Leaving a few small chunks gives the bites better structural integrity and a more interesting texture.
- Make It Kid-Friendly: If you are cooking for little ones or prefer a milder flavor, you can reduce the harissa to ½ teaspoon and omit the cayenne pepper entirely.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Leave space between the bites so the hot air can circulate and crisp them evenly.
- Spray Generously: Before air-frying, a light coating of oil helps create a beautifully golden exterior.
- Let the Mixture Cool: A slightly cooled mixture is much easier to shape into balls.
Substitutions
Potato - use a sweet potato instead for an added boost of nutrition.
Frozen edamame beans - fresh edamame can be used. Or, chopped up zucchini or peas could also be used instead.
Spices - instead of the combo of harissa, coriander, turmeric, and cayenne, use 3 teaspoons of curry powder or garam masala can be used. Or, use fresh herbs like parsley, basil, and oregano for edamame bites with different flavors.
Olive oil - avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or vegetable oil could be used instead.
How to Serve Edamame Bites
These spicy potato and edamame bites taste best when served hot straight out of the air fryer! Pair them with:
- Some peach or pineapple chutney.
- A side of soy sauce or ketchup.
- By tossing them in some sweet chili sauce or a drizzle of pumpkin chili sauce.
- Tucked inside a warm pita pocket with fresh greens or with a salad for a quick lunch.
- Enjoy them with some noodles and spinach sauce, or with rice and tofu curry for a filling dinner.
- They can be a delicious addition to a hummus platter or charcuterie board, too.
Questions
Can I use fresh edamame instead of frozen? Yes! Make sure to remove the pods or beans from the whole edamame and lightly steam or boil them for 2-3 minutes before adding them to the potato mixture.
Can I make these ahead of time? That depends. These lose their crispness and need to be air-fried again. So, these are best made the day they are to be enjoyed.
However, if they have to be made ahead of time, you can shape the balls and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours before air frying. You can also freeze the un-air-fried bites for up to a month-just air fry them from frozen for an extra 2-3 minutes.
How do I store and reheat leftovers? Store any leftover bites in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To crisp them back up, pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. Avoid microwaving them, as they will lose their crispness!
Can I bake these instead? Yes. These can be baked in an oven set to 425°F for 18-22 minutes, turning halfway through.
Why are my bites falling apart? The mixture may be too warm or too dry. Allow it to cool and gently mash the ingredients together until they hold their shape.
Are these gluten-free? Yes, this recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free.
These Air Fryer Edamame Bites are made with simple ingredients. Crispy, savory, protein-packed, and loaded with warm spices, they're a fantastic way to transform a humble potato and a handful of edamame into an irresistible snack.
Whether you're serving them as a healthy appetizer, packing them for lunch, or enjoying them straight from the air fryer, these bites are a repeat recipe in my kitchen.
Ingredients
Instructions
- If you have a leftover baked potato, use that. If not, let's make one to use. Place your whole potato in a pot of water. Bring it to a boil and let it cook for 40 to 45 minutes, or until it is completely fork-tender all the way through. Once cooked, drain the water, let it cool slightly so you can handle it, remove the skin, and place it in a mixing bowl. Then, using a fork, roughly mash it.
- While the potato is boiling, heat 1-2 tablespoons of the oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add your finely chopped red onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 6 minutes. Then, add in the spices and edamame and sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the roughly mashed boiled potato to the pan with the sautéed onion, garlic, edamame, and spices. Stir everything together thoroughly until the spices are evenly distributed.
- Using your hands, scoop out about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the mixture at a time and roll them into compact balls. The mixture should easily bond together.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease the air fryer basket. Place the edamame bites in a single layer, ensuring they aren't crowding each other. Lightly spray or brush the tops of the bites with oil for maximum crispness.
- Air fry edamame bites at 400°F for 8 minutes, or until the exterior is beautifully golden brown and crispy.
Notes
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