Ingredients
Cooking livermush in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a tasty meal. To start, you’ll need to gather the necessary ingredients. Livermush is a pork-based dish that’s traditionally mixed with cornmeal and spices, so for your air fryer, you’ll need to prepare the pork, cornmeal, and spices. Additionally, you’ll need to gather some oil, onion, garlic, and bell pepper to give your dish a flavorful kick.
With all of your ingredients ready, you’ll be able to get started on your air-fried livermush:
- Pork
- Cornmeal
- Spices
- Oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Bell pepper
Livermush
Livermush is a traditional North Carolina dish that is made from a combination of pork liver and cornmeal. It is typically fried in a skillet or deep-fat fried, but it can also be cooked in an air fryer for those looking for a healthier alternative.
To cook livermush in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 package of Livermush (4 patties)
- 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil or canola oil
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
To start, mix the flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Set aside. Begin preheating your air fryer to 350°F (177°C). If using an oven style air fryer instead of an electric countertop model, set it to 400°F (204°C). Once preheated add the olive oil or canola oil to the bowl with the flour mixture and mix until everything has been combined into a paste like texture. Place your livermush patties into the bowl and make sure they are completely coated with the mixture. Place them inside your air fryer basket one by one and make sure there is enough space between each patty for optimal cooking. Cook for 12 minutes flipping them halfway through the cooking process or until they are nice and golden brown on each side. Once removed from the air fryer let them cool slightly before serving with your desired side dish. Enjoy!
Oil
Oil is an essential ingredient when cooking livermush in an air fryer. It helps to give the food a crispier outer layer and prevent sticking to the basket. Depending on the type of oil you use, it can also add flavor and enhance the taste of your livermush. Choose a light-flavored oil such as corn or canola to ensure that it does not overpower the flavor of your food.
To apply oil for cooking livermush, spray or brush about 1 tablespoon of oil over top before you place it into the air fryer. This should be enough to ensure all sides are evenly coated with a light layer before being fried. Adding too much oil can cause a greasy coating, so be sure not to overdue it!
Salt and pepper
Once your livermush is sliced into 1/2 inch thick slices, you will need to season each side with salt and pepper. Both of these spices bring out the natural flavors of the livermush but are not necessary if you don’t like spicy food. The amount of each that you use will depend on personal preference, however a good starting point is about 1/4 teaspoon for each side. This allows for ample seasoning without going overboard.
When seasoning any protein, it is important to remember to sprinkle only the top side first, then flip and repeat on the other side:
- Sprinkle salt and pepper on top side.
- Flip and repeat on the other side.
Preparation
Preparing livermush for the air fryer is quite straightforward. To start, you will want to make sure that you have your livermush cut into two-inch cubes or slices. You will want to place the livermush in a bowl and cover it with cold water for about 15 minutes. Once it has been soaked, you can remove it from the bowl and pat it dry with a paper towel. This will help to ensure that it cooks evenly in the air fryer.
Cut the livermush into cubes
Begin by cutting a pound of livermush into cubes. Cut the livermush into small pieces, about one inch in size. It may be helpful to use a cutting board and a kitchen knife for easy and even slicing. Once cut, transfer the cubes to a medium-sized bowl and set aside. Make sure all sides of each cube are evenly cut for even cooking. If the livermush is frozen, thaw it before slicing it into cubes.
Now that your livermush is cut into cubes, you’re ready to begin cooking it in your air fryer!
Preheat air fryer to 375°F
Before you start cooking your livermush, it is important to preheat the air fryer. Set the temperature to 375°F and allow the air fryer to preheat for at least 5 minutes before adding in any food. Preheating the air fryer before adding food helps it cook more evenly, creating a crispier exterior on your food with a juicy interior.
Make sure that your air fryer basket is placed in place securely prior to starting the preheating process.
Toss the livermush cubes in oil, salt, and pepper
For a tasty and easy-to-prepare livermush, start by tossing fresh livermush cubes in a large bowl with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir to evenly coat all sides of the cubes before transferring them to your preheated air fryer basket. Cook at 375 degrees for 10 minutes, flipping the cubes after the five-minute mark. If the cubes are still pink inside, cook for another 2–3 minutes or until cooked through.
Enjoy your freshly cooked livermush!
Cooking
Cooking livermush in an air fryer is a great way to get a tasty meal in just a few minutes. The air fryer allows you to cook the livermush with very little fat, and it cooks quickly and evenly. With just a few steps, you can have a delicious meal in no time. Let’s explore how to cook livermush in an air fryer:
Place cubes in air fryer
Once the livermush has been cut into desired cube sizes, place the cubes in the basket of your air fryer. Be sure not to overcrowd them. Aim for a single layer of cubes, with a little space between each so that air can circulate adequately. Avoid stacking them or piling them together, as this will inhibit circulation and result in uneven cooking.
Depending on your individual air fryer’s capacity, you may need to cook the livermush in batches to ensure even heat distribution and thorough cooking.
Cook for 10 minutes, stirring halfway through
When cooking livermush in an air fryer, you’ll want to preheat the air fryer to 350°F. To prepare your livermush, coat both sides in a light layer of oil and season as desired with herbs and spices. Carefully place the livermush in the basket of your air fryer, ensuring there is some room between each piece so that air can circulate evenly.
Set the timer for 10 minutes and hit start. Halfway through, open the basket and stir the livermush – this ensures even cooking. When the timer goes off, your livermush is done! Generally speaking food cooked in an air fryer needs about half of the time it would take to cook traditionally in an oven or skillet. The temperature range will vary according to what type of meat or vegetables you are cooking as well as by brand or style of air fryer you have but generally will stay between 350°F and 400°F.
It is important to note that when using your air fryer, do not overload it with too much food nor should food touch each other while cooking as this will prevent proper circulation of hot air around them resulting in unevenly cooked food. Before adding new batches into your preheated marinade ensure all pieces are even spaced out on a single layer ensuring no overlapping; if needed do multiple batches instead of overcrowding one single batch.
Remove when livermush is golden brown
When the livermush reaches a golden brown color, remove it from the air fryer and transfer it to a plate. An internal temperature of at least 165°F should be reached before consuming your livermush. To reach this temperature, cook the livermush for up to 20 minutes, flipping or stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
If desired, you may add BBQ sauce or honey during the final few minutes of cooking time for an added touch of flavor. Serve with sides such as mashed potatoes or macaroni & cheese and enjoy!
Serving
Cooking livermush in an air fryer is both simple and fast. Once your livermush is finished cooking in the air fryer, there are several ways you can serve it. You can serve it with a side of mashed potatoes, fried onions, and green beans, or you could serve it on a piece of toast or with a side of crackers.
Let’s talk about how to present your cooked livermush in the most flavorful way:
Serve with your favorite sides
Livermush, a Southern delicacy, is delicious when cooked in the air fryer. From its crispy crust to its tender meat, it’s a quick and easy dinner that your family will love. Topped with your favorite sides, it’s a winner every time!
When serving livermush from the air fryer, consider adding sides that will bring out and enhance its flavor. Its classic combination with gravy or mustard is always tasty and a great accompaniment to the crispy crust. However, don’t be afraid to get creative – certain vegetables and grains pair very well with livermush as well.
Popular side dishes for air fried livermush include:
- Mashed potatoes
- Glazed carrots
- Fried okra
- Sauteed spinach
- Coleslaw
- Cornbread
- Buttered green beans
- Brown rice pilaf
Additionally, you can also serve traditional condiments such as ketchup or hot sauce on the side if you would like an extra bit of flavor. No matter which sides you choose to accompany your dish, be sure to enjoy!
Enjoy!
Once your livermush has finished cooking in the air fryer, it’s time to enjoy! You can either serve it with a side dish of your choice, or enjoy it as is!
Serving suggestions can include:
- Mashed potatoes
- Fried potatoes
- Eggs
- Grilled vegetables
If you feel adventurous you could also try adding some condiments like ketchup or mustard. Alternatively, slice it and make a tasty livermush sandwich with all the fixings!
No matter how you decide to enjoy your livermush treat yourself and savor every bite; this classic Appalachian dish has been around for centuries for a reason. Enjoy!