Cooking chicken livers in an air fryer is an easy way to prepare them without traditional frying methods. The cooked livers have a crispy exterior and moist interior. Adding onions provides a sweet contrast to the livers' rich taste, enhancing the overall flavor.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Air fryers use circulating hot air to achieve a similar texture to frying liver with significantly less oil.
- These gluten-free unbreaded livers are seasoned lightly with salt.
- The price of meat is so high lately and the chicken livers are sitting there on the shelf, barely touched. At $3.99 per pound, it's a win-win.
What You Need
- chicken livers
- yellow onions
- olive oil or avocado oil
- cooking spray
- kosher salt
- parsley (optional garnish)
How To Prep Chicken Livers Before Cooking
To prep chicken livers, start by rinsing and patting dry the livers.
Cut away any connective tissue and discolored parts. If you see anything green, it could be bile, just cut it away.
Rinse the livers under cold water then pat dry; cut each liver in half before cooking.
Recipe
I'm cooking the onions in a skillet, not in the air fryer. Both items take 8-10 minutes to cook and are ready at approximately the same time so cooking is quick if you cook them at the same time.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
- Trim the excess and any connective tissue from the livers. Cut them in half, rinse under cold water, and pat dry with paper towels. Place in a medium bowl and season with a teaspoon of olive oil and salt.
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Place the livers in a single layer in the air fryer basket without crowding. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping them after 5 minutes, until they are golden brown and cooked through (the internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).
To Cook The Onions
- While the livers are cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, season with salt, and stir occasionally until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
- Once both the livers and onions are cooked, combine them in a serving dish.
- Sprinkle with salt to taste and mix well before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley.
TOP TIPS FOR AIR FRYING LIVER:
- Arrange the chicken livers in a single layer in the air fryer basket for even cooking and crispiness all around. Cooking usually takes 10 minutes, flipping halfway through so they cook evenly.
- I cook the onions in a skillet on a stove while the liver is air frying. This way the onions develop their own caramelized sweetness and crunch, which complements the richness of the livers without interfering with their cooking and getting mushy.
- Once both the chicken livers and fried onions are ready, they can be combined to create a balanced dish.
- The air fryer cooks the livers thoroughly while holding onto their moisture, leading to a nutritious and delicious dish.
What Goes with Chicken Livers?
- Green Beans
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Broccoli
- Steamed Broccoli and Carrots
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Steamed Rice
- Fresh Fruit
Pairing liver with fresh fruit or fruit preserves creates a contrast of flavors and textures. The richness of the liver complements the natural sweetness and juiciness of the fruit and I love it!
These easy air-fryer chicken livers are a great way to enjoy the great taste of liver with less fat and fewer calories.
Simply clean and season the livers, then place them in the air fryer basket. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through for even cooking.
The resulting meat is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, steamed veggies, or fresh fruit.
Check out our Calf's Liver Recipe and How to Make Liver Taste Great! For a creamy chopped liver spread with crackers, try Deli Chopped Liver.
Loving your air fryer? Try our recipe for Air Fryer Snapper with Old Bay and Veggies.
FAQ
The typical side dish for liver and onions is mashed potatoes, steamed rice, or a green vegetable. A small salad, cole slaw, or fresh fruit would also go well.
A sweet fruit sauce like orange marmalade or apple works well with liver. The sweetness and light acidity help balance the rich flavor and make the dish easier to enjoy.
Raw chicken liver is dark reddish-brown. When cooked, it should change to a brownish color on the outside and slightly pink but not bloody on the inside. If the liver is still very pink or bloody, it needs more cooking. Using a meat thermometer is recommended. Insert it into the thickest part of the liver to ensure it has reached the safe temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Air Fryer Chicken Livers and Onions
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken livers
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- cooking oil spray
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- chopped parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
- Trim the excess and any connective tissue from the livers. Cut them in half, rinse under cold water, and pat dry with paper towels. Place in a medium bowl and season with a teaspoon of olive oil and salt.
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Place the livers in a single layer in the air fryer basket without crowding. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping them after 5 minutes, until they are golden brown and cooked through. (The internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C)
- While the livers are cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, season with salt, and stir occasionally until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
- Once both the livers and onions are cooked, combine them in a serving dish.
- Season with salt to taste and mix well before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley.
Felice Kaufman says
Great recipe, thanks.