Air Fryer Bok Choy (Pak Choi)
Last Updated on May 20, 2024 by Betty Davies
Chinese baby bok choy (or pak choi) is so quick to cook in the air fryer and comes out perfectly. Seasoned with garlic and chili, this healthy leafy vegetable makes for a wonderful side dish that is full of flavor. Tender and crispy, this simple recipe is ready to serve in minutes.
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If you want to get more greens on your plate, then air fryer bok choy is a delicious way to do it! This recipe is based on my stovetop garlic and chili bok choy recipe which has been a reader’s favorite for years!
Simple to make and ready to serve in minutes, this is a no brainer veggie side dish.
The air fryer cooks the bok choy perfectly. The stems are tender, but still have a slight crunch to them, and the green leaves become nice and crispy. Seasoned with butter, garlic and chili, each bite is super tasty, and the natural flavors of this vegetable shine through.
Be sure to try my Air Fryer Roasted Bell Peppers and Air Fryer Roasted Cherry Tomatoes too!
Why you will love this recipe!
- Quick and easy: Simple to prep, bok choy is quick cooking, and you can have this ready to serve in less than 15 minutes.
- Simple ingredients: Seasoned with everyday pantry staples, this budget friendly recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
- Dietary info: This recipe is gluten-free, vegetarian and low carb and keto friendly. Bok choy is a great source of vitamins C and K and contains folate, antioxidants and fiber.
Ingredients
- Bok choy: Also known as pak choi, this Chinese leafy vegetable ca be found in the fresh vegetable section at your store. This recipe uses baby bok choy, which fits easily into a small basket air fryer, but full sized can be used too.
- Butter: Salted butter adds a delicious richness to this side dish, and you only need a little. If you use unsalted butter, you may want t add a little salt to it along with the other dry seasonings.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder and chili flakes.
How to air fry bok choy
Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!
- Melt the butter and stir in the seasonings (photo 1).
- Brush the butter mixture over the halved bok choy and place in the air fryer basket (photo 2).
- Air fry until the bok choy stems are tender and the leaves are slightly crispy (photo 3).
Recipe Variations
This air fryer bok choy recipe is super delicious as it is, but you can easily adapt the recipe to suit your tastes. To make it dairy-free and vegan, simply swap the butter for oil and add a couple of pinches of salt for flavor. You can also use different seasonings like soy sauce, ginger or paprika.
Frequently Asked Questions
One of the joys of bok choy is the quick cooking time. In the air fryer it will take just 5 minutes to get it perfect.
If you don’t have an air fryer, the other method that produces great results is in a skillet on the stovetop. Check out my other bok choy recipe to cook using this method.
Like all vegetables, bok choy can be overcooked, that’s why I love cooking it in the air fryer – it takes all of the guessing out! Once cooked, the stems should still have a nice crunch to them. If you overcook them, they can become very soggy and mushy, and the flavor, as well as texture, will be affected.
Serving Suggestions
Bok choy is a great accompaniment to any Chinese main dish, but it’s really not out of place with other Asian or Western dishes either. Try it with some of these favorites:
Make Ahead, Storage and Reheating
Air fryer bok choy is best enjoyed as soon as it’s cooked as it can start to wilt. If yu have leftovers it’s best to eat them within a day. You can reheat them in the air fryer at 360F / 180c for a couple of minutes to warm them back through. Also delicious cold!
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Wash the bok choy in a sink of cold water to remove any dirt that may be in-between the leaves. Dry thoroughly before cutting and seasoning.
- Cut the baby bok choy in half through the stem so that the vegetable stays in tact.
- If you like things spicy, sprinkle over a few chili flakes to serve.
Bok choy is so quick and easy to cook in the air fryer, and this is a total foolproof recipe. The stems still have a delicate crunch to them, and the natural nutty flavors shine through. This is one delicious way to get some healthy greens on your plate.
More Air Fryer Vegetable Side Dishes
If you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to leave a star rating and a comment below!
Air Fryer Bok Choy with Garlic and Chili
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 baby bok choy
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- pinch chili flakes
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 360F / 180c.
- Cut the baby bok choy in half through the stem and set to one side.
- Melt the butter. Add in the chili flakes and garlic powder and stir to combine.
- Once the air fryer is heated. Gently place the halves of bok choy in the basket, cut side up. Don't overlap the bok choy, you may need to cook it in two batches.
- Use a pastry brush to brush the melted butter over each piece of bok choy.
- Set the air fryer to 360F / 180c and cook for 5 minutes.
Notes
- Wash the bok choy in a sink of cold water to remove any dirt that may be in-between the leaves. Dry thoroughly before cutting and seasoning.
- Cut the baby bok choy in half through the stem so that the vegetable stays in tact.
- If you like things spicy, sprinkle over a few chili flakes to serve.
