Airfrying spam is a quick and easy way to cook this canned meat product. While some may be skeptical about airfrying processed foods, using an air fryer to cook spam can actually provide some potential health benefits over other high-fat cooking methods. Here’s a look at whether it’s okay to airfry spam.
What is Spam?
Spam is a type of canned cooked meat product made by the Hormel Foods Corporation. The original Spam first hit the market in 1937 and became especially popular during World War II as a convenient canned protein source. Spam is made from chopped pork shoulder meat along with ham, salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrite as a preservative. Varieties like Spam with Bacon also contain small amounts of other meats like turkey or chicken. While often maligned as a mysterious lunch meat, Spam’s straightforward list of ingredients means that it is shelf-stable, budget-friendly source of protein, fat, and salt.
Nutrition Profile of Spam
A 56 gram serving (2 slices) of original Spam contains:
- Calories: 150
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Sodium: 660mg
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 6g
As you can see, Spam is high in sodium and saturated fat. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat to 13 grams per day and sodium to 2300 mg per day. Just two slices of Spam provide over 1/3 of the recommended saturated fat and over 1/4 of the sodium.
Benefits of Airfrying Spam
While Spam is high in sodium and saturated fat, air frying can reduce some of the negatives of cooking it in other ways. Here are some of the benefits of using an air fryer for Spam:
- Uses less oil – Pan frying Spam requires cooking it in grease or oil. Air frying eliminates that extra fat.
- Reduces acrylamide formation – Deep frying and pan frying at high temperatures may cause acrylamide formation in some foods. Acrylamide is a potential carcinogen. Air frying avoids this at lower temps.
- Retains moisture – Spraying the Spam lightly with oil and air frying keeps the moisture in better than high heat pan frying.
- Quick and easy – Just a few minutes in an air fryer crisps up Spam nicely with little monitoring needed.
- Can make it slightly healthier – Pairing air fried Spam with vegetables or lower carb options may balance the nutritional profile.
Airfryer Cooking Instructions
Airfrying Spam is very simple:
- Preheat airfryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Slice Spam into rounds, patties, or strips as desired.
- Lightly spray or brush Spam with oil (avocado, olive, coconut, etc.).
- Cook Spam in air fryer basket for 4-6 minutes until browned and crispy.
- Flip halfway through cooking time.
The airfryer achieves that crispy, browned texture without needing to submerge the Spam fully in hot grease. Airfrying also takes just a fraction of the time of pan frying.
Serving Ideas
Air fried Spam tastes great in all kinds of quick and easy meals and snacks:
- Spam, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich
- Airfried Spam and instant ramen or rice bowl
- Spam musubi – Spam slice with rice pressed in seaweed
- Spam potatoes – Diced airfried Spam with potatoes and veggies
- Fried Spam and kimchi
- Crispy Spam tacos or quesadillas
- Spam with pineapple and teriyaki sauce
Conclusion
Airfrying Spam can help reduce some of the fat and potential carcinogens that come from frying it while still delivering that salty, crispy, pork deliciousness. In moderation as part of an overall healthy diet, enjoying airfried Spam as an occasional treat is perfectly fine for most people.