TIPS & TRICKS

Lasagne in an air fryer: instructions

Want to make lasagne in your air fryer? This recipe works very well for four people, as long as you choose a dish that suits the size of your basket and leave enough room for the hot air to circulate.

Allow about 15 minutes of prep and 25 to 30 minutes of cooking. Rich Bolognese, creamy béchamel, golden, bubbling cheese… the recipe is close to a traditional Italian lasagne, only the cooking method changes.

Key Takeaways

• Choose a dish that fits easily in the air fryer basket without blocking the airflow.

• Be generous with the sauce so the sheets soften properly.

• Keep the top covered for the first part of the cooking time.

• Uncover it at the end so the cheese turns golden.

• Check for doneness with the tip of a knife.

• Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.

Ingredients and Equipment for 4

For this air fryer lasagne recipe, you’ll need a small rectangular ovenproof container of about 20 to 24 cm, if your air fryer is large enough.

Always measure the inside of your basket first. Our guide to air fryer dish sizes shows you how. Also, leave a little space around the sides for airflow. It also makes the container easier to access.

Asking yourself “can you put a glass dish in the air fryer?” It depends on the ovenware you choose and on your manufacturer’s recommendations.

Your shopping list:

• 250 g oven-ready lasagne sheets (or 8 fresh ones)

• 500 g minced beef

• 400 g tin of chopped tomatoes

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced (or ½ tsp garlic powder)

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp dried rosemary (or oregano)

• Salt and pepper (¾ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper)

• 500 ml milk

• 50 g butter

• 50 g plain flour

• 100 g grated Emmental (or mozzarella)

• 50 g Parmesan, freshly grated

You’ll also need a sheet of aluminium foil to protect the top during the first stage of cooking.

Dried sheets need enough sauce to soften. Fresh pasta usually cooks faster and gives you thinner layers.

Fresh pasta generally cooks faster and lets you make thinner layers. The space left around the container matters too, since hot air circulation is at the heart of how an air fryer works.

How Do You Make Lasagne in an Air Fryer?

The meat sauce and béchamel are made on the hob, then the air fryer takes over to bake the lasagne and brown the cheese.

1. Make the Bolognese Sauce

Warm the olive oil in a frying pan and fry the onion until soft. Add the garlic (or garlic powder), stir, then add the minced beef.

Keep stirring until the meat has browned and no pink remains.

Stir in the chopped tomatoes, rosemary, ½ tsp salt and the black pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes over a medium heat.

Don’t let the tomato sauce reduce too much: it needs to stay loose enough to soften the pasta as it bakes.

2. Make the Béchamel

Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the flour and stir for 1 minute.

Gradually pour in the cold milk, stirring constantly, until this classic white sauce is smooth, creamy and slightly thickened. Add the remaining ¼ tsp salt and give it a final stir.

Fancy a different take? Mix 250 g ricotta with 2 tbsp milk (or cream) and 2 tbsp grated Parmesan, and use it instead of the béchamel.

3. Assemble the Lasagne

Start by spreading a little tomato sauce over the base so the first layer doesn’t stick.

Add a layer of lasagne sheets, then some Bolognese and some white sauce.

Repeat until the container is full, finishing with béchamel, then top with the Emmental and Parmesan.

Every layer must stay completely coated in sauce, especially with dried pasta. Leave about 1 cm at the top so nothing bubbles over.

4. Cook the Lasagne in the Air Fryer

If your manual recommends it, preheat your air fryer to 180°C for 3 minutes.

Cover the top tightly with foil, tucking it under the rim so it stays put: the hot air must never be able to lift it into the heating element.

Air fry at 180°C for 20 minutes, then carefully remove the foil and continue for another 5 to 10, until the cheese is melted and golden.

Cooking time depends on your container and your air fryer model: an air fryer oven or a particularly deep baking pan may need longer. That’s why air fryer dishes should be chosen with your appliance’s inside dimensions in mind, plus the space needed around them.

Three minutes before the end, insert the tip of a knife into the centre. If it still meets resistance, give it a little longer.

Once out, let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving: the layers hold together better, and it’s much easier to slice.

Variations, Storage and Reheating

This recipe is easy to adapt to whatever you have to hand.

Swap the beef for chicken or pork mince, salmon, lentils or tofu.

For a vegetarian version, use vegetables such as courgettes, mushrooms, carrots, peppers or sweet potato. Sauté them first in a little oil and drain well, as some vegetables release a lot of water.

You can also assemble it the day before and keep it in the fridge, well wrapped, until baking time.

To reheat, allow 12 to 15 minutes at 160°C, under foil for the first 8 so the top doesn’t dry out.

Cooked portions also freeze well once completely cooled, for up to 3 months: your own homemade ready meal!

And lasagne is just the start: your air fryer can handle so many more recipes.

The secret to perfect air fryer lasagne every time? A container that fits, generous sauce and a covered top at first. Then uncover to brown the Parmesan and let it rest before serving. Buon appetito!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do You Need to Boil Lasagne Sheets First?

Not necessarily; no pre-cooking required! Oven-ready lasagne can go straight in, as long as it’s well coated in meat sauce and béchamel.

How Long Do You Cook Lasagne in an Air Fryer?

Allow about 20 minutes at 180°C with the top covered, then 5 to 10 more uncovered to brown the cheese.

Can You Make Lasagne in a Glass Dish?

Absolutely, as long as you use an oven-safe borosilicate glass dish, such as Pyrex®, that suits the size of your air fryer.