Deciding what to cook for dinner night after night can be a tiresome challenge. Do you experiment with something new or fall back on a beloved, fail-safe dish? For bestselling cookbook author and air fryer expert Clare Andrews, the answer is a resounding favourite she turns to weekly.
A Weeknight Staple from an Air Fryer Pro
Clare Andrews, who has developed hundreds of air fryer recipes, has revealed the simple dish that is a constant feature on her own family's table. In her latest book, The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook: 15-Minute Feasts, she shares this trusted recipe, describing it as a "weeknight staple in her own home."
"I've developed hundreds of air fryer recipes and I've been cooking this dish for my family for years," Clare told the Express. "This recipe is a fiery twist on the comfort food classic and is such a gorgeous dish!"
The Recipe: Scrummy Air-Fried Chilli Con Carne Meatballs
Clare's creation combines the deep, smoky flavours of a traditional chilli with the hearty satisfaction of tender meatballs, all made effortlessly in the air fryer. The recipe serves two and requires just 10 minutes of preparation time.
"These scrummy air-fried chilli con carne meatballs blend the rich, smoky flavours of traditional chilli con carne with the satisfying bite of tender, juicy meatballs," Clare explained. "This recipe is both hearty and hassle-free, thanks to the air fryer, and a perfect midweek staple in our house."
She also highlighted the recipe's make-ahead potential, a boon for busy households. "It's a great dish you can prepare the night beforehand too. Just prep your meatballs and sauce the night before and make dinners even easier! Honestly, they are so addictive, you'll be making these every week like me!"
How to Make Clare Andrews' Chilli Con Carne Meatballs
Ingredients:
- 400g beef mince
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp each onion powder, garam masala, chilli powder and dried chilli flakes
- Sea salt and ground black pepper
For the sauce:
- 1 x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes, plus one quarter of a tin of water
- 2 jarred roasted red peppers
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 x 400g tin of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- Sea salt and ground black pepper
To serve:
- 250g packet of microwavable rice
- 2 tbsp soured cream
- A handful of fresh coriander
- A handful of grated Cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp jalapeños
- Avocado slices (optional)
Method:
- Begin by preheating your air fryer to 200°C for three minutes and remove the crisper plate.
- In a large bowl, mix the mince with all the listed spices and seasonings until well combined. Shape the mixture into roughly 12 bite-sized meatballs.
- Lightly spray the meatballs with oil and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching. Cook for three to five minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until they begin to turn golden.
- While the meatballs cook, make the sauce by blending all the sauce ingredients (except the kidney beans) in a blender until smooth.
- Pour the sauce over the part-cooked meatballs and stir. Add the drained kidney beans and stir again.
- Continue to cook for a further eight to 10 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened nicely.
- Prepare the rice according to packet instructions. Serve the meatballs and sauce with the rice, topped with soured cream, fresh coriander, grated cheese, jalapeños and avocado if using.
This recipe from Clare Andrews proves that with a trusted air fryer and a few simple ingredients, a delicious, comforting, and utterly addictive midweek dinner is never more than 15 minutes away.
