Chewy Air Fryer Dried Octopus: Simple & Delicious Beer Snack!
Chewy Air Fryer Dried Octopus
An incredibly easy air fryer dish made with dried octopus! Its chewy texture and subtle savory flavor are perfect with beer or even makgeolli. It’s cooked until slightly crispy on the outside and wonderfully moist inside for enhanced flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 dried octopus (gaman-eo)
- 1-2 Tbsp olive oil (butter substitute)
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Thaw the frozen dried octopus slowly at room temperature. Once thawed, rinse it lightly under running water and pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step for achieving the right texture. Next, using the back of a knife or a sharp knife, score the surface of the octopus in a crisscross pattern. This scoring helps the seasoning penetrate better and makes the octopus more tender to chew. (Optional: Melting butter and brushing it on before cooking adds an even richer flavor, but olive oil is a perfectly fine substitute.) Finally, season lightly with black pepper.
Step 2
Arrange the scored dried octopus in the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 200°C (390°F) and cook for about 6 minutes. After 6 minutes, carefully flip the octopus and continue to cook for another 3 minutes at the same 200°C (390°F) temperature. Please note that the cooking time and temperature may need adjustment depending on your air fryer model and the size of the octopus. (Pro Tip: For an extra flavor boost, brush on some teriyaki sauce or a soy sauce-based glaze when you flip the octopus!)
Step 3
The beautifully golden-brown air-fried dried octopus is delicious on its own. Enjoy it while it’s warm to best appreciate its chewy texture. For those who enjoy variety, serve it with your favorite dipping sauces, such as mustard, a soy-mayo mix, or chili sauce, to experience a range of delicious flavors.
