Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts – Platings + Pairings

Love artichokes? Try this quick and easy Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts recipe! Seasoned with parmesan and Italian seasonings, they’re an incredibly crispy and flavorful appetizer or healthy snack. 

From buffalo wings to brie and prosciutto crostini, the endless party snacks on my blog make it easy to create a fabulous spread for your next event. But one I would highly recommend trying are these Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts.

Maybe I’m biased (I am one of the biggest artichoke fans out there, after all) but they’re an easy-to-love snack or appetizer not to be missed!

I was inspired by my days spent eating steamed and stuffed artichokes when coming up with this easy air fryer appetizer recipe. To make their natural flavors stand out, I coated each artichoke heart in oil, parmesan, and Italian seasonings before quickly cooking them in the air fryer.

The result is the crispiest, most flavorful artichoke hearts that only get better when dunked in my Magic Artichoke Dipping Sauce.

What are artichoke hearts?

The artichoke is the edible flower bud of a thistle plant. The “heart” refers to the edible core located just beneath the artichoke’s outer layer of tough, spiky leaves.

Artichoke hearts have a mildly nutty, slightly sweet, and buttery taste with a soft yet meaty texture—perfect for air frying to crispy perfection! Plus, they’re readily available in the canned vegetable aisle or Mediterranean section of most grocery stores. 

Ingredients 

• Artichoke hearts – Use canned or jarred artichoke hearts packed in water. If using frozen artichoke hearts, thaw them completely first, then drain and dry them really well. 
• Olive oil
• Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated parmesan (or Pecorino Romano) melts the best and has the best flavor, but pre-shredded or pre-grated cheese will still work well.
• Italian seasoning – Use my Italian Seasoning Substitute to bring classic Italian flavors to the dish.
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper

How to air fry artichoke hearts

Drain the artichoke hearts, rinse them under cool water, and pat them dry with paper towels.

Place the artichoke hearts in a large mixing bowl and drizzle the olive oil over top. Season with grated parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, and then toss to coat.

Arrange the hearts in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. Air fry until they’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, flipping halfway through.

Serve the crispy artichoke hearts immediately with my Magic Artichoke Dipping Sauce or your favorite sauce on the side. Enjoy!

Tips and tricks

• You must dry the artichoke hearts with paper towels before coating them in the seasonings. Any excess moisture will create steam and make the artichoke hearts mushy instead of crispy.
• Arrange the hearts in a single layer in the basket, leaving some space in between each one. You may need to cook them in batches if they don’t all fit comfortably.
• Check for doneness around the 7 to 8-minute mark and adjust as needed. They should be golden brown and crispy on the edges.

Variations

• Crunchy breaded version – Combine the parmesan and seasonings with breadcrumbs in a small bowl. After tossing the artichokes lightly with oil, coat them in the breadcrumbs. Air fry as directed, adding 1 to 2 minutes to the time for maximum crunch.
• Experiment with the seasonings – If you love a little heat, add smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or cayenne to the seasonings. Or, for a bright, citrusy note, add lemon zest to the mix. 
• Finish with fresh lemon and herbs – Just before serving, squeeze fresh lemon juice and sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or basil over the crispy artichoke hearts for a pop of fresh flavor.
• Dairy-free/vegan option – For a “cheesy” version without the cheese, use vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast instead of real parmesan.

Ways to serve artichoke hearts

Artichoke hearts are at their crispiest when enjoyed fresh, so don’t waste any time getting them out of the air fryer and onto a serving platter with my Magic Artichoke Dipping Sauce or any of these dipping sauces on the side:

When you’re hosting the party, make sure to include the artichokes alongside lots of other shareable appetizers, like: 

You can also serve them as a satisfying side dish with any main dish, such as:

Storing

If you end up with leftover artichoke hearts, let them cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

To restore their crispy texture, reheat the artichoke hearts in the air fryer at 375°F for a few minutes. Avoid the microwave, as it will make them soft and soggy.

Wine pairings for air fryer artichoke hearts

• Crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris balance the artichoke’s natural bitterness with their bright acidity.
• Another fantastic choice is a light, citrusy Rosé, especially if you’re serving the artichokes with a lemony dipping sauce.

More air fryer appetizers

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