Air Fryer Japanese Mussels Dynamite Recipe

AYCE buffet – do you dig it? I certainly do, and I prepare for them by wearing loose sweatpants and an empty stomach. If you decide to walk in for unlimited eating with a belt, please loosen it up or remove it halfway through the meal. What is the purpose of paying a flat fee to stuff your face, like there is no tomorrow, only to find that you’ve been restricted by your belt?

I’d like to say that I have a specific routine down pat at AYCE buffets. First, I go straight for the protein. If there is a Japanese station, I’m loading my plate up with some sashimi (salmon, please!). Shrimp, raw oysters & clams and king crabs? Heck yeah, bring it on. And where are the Japanese mussels dynamite?

With COVID still hanging on tight and driving us berserk, I don’t foresee any AYCE buffets in the near future, Hence, I make mussels dynamite at home, as a little appetizer treat for my family. My daughter LOVES them with tobiko and all. They can be expensive, compared to the black mussels that I shared a recipe for here, but boy are they plump and a mouthful! Even better, I cook them in my air fryer and have these yummy starters out in just 8 minutes.

Why Air Frying?

Air frying offers several advantages over deep frying, which is why it has become such a popular choice for healthier cooking nowadays. Here are some of the key reasons why it is often considered the better alternative:

OIL CONTENT: Air frying uses significantly less oil than deep frying, with some recipes requiring absolutely no oil at all! This reduces fat content and calorie intake, making it a healthier cooking method.

RESULTS: Unlike deep frying, which requires submerging food in hot oil, air frying cooks food by circulating hot air around it, still creating a crispy exterior while retaining moisture inside.

CLEANUP: Cleanup after air frying simply requires washing the air fryer basket and wiping down the interior of the appliance, which is much easier than cleanup after deep frying! I mean, what do you do with all that oil?

Care to try this recipe? If you do, don’t forget to tag me @rackoflam on social media and leave me a comment below and/or subscribe to my YouTube channel!