Description

This Kofta Recipe features flavorful Middle Eastern-style ground meat kebabs infused with aromatic spices and fresh herbs. Perfectly grilled and finished in the air fryer for a juicy and tender texture, these koftas are served with traditional accompaniments like tzatziki sauce, hummus, Greek salad, crumbled feta cheese, and warm pita bread for an authentic and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef or ground lamb
1 small onion, finely chopped or shredded
4 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped

Spices

1 tablespoon sumac
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground allspice
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

To Serve

Tzatziki sauce
Hummus
Greek salad
Crumbled feta cheese
Warm pita bread

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Instructions

Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, mint, sumac, black pepper, salt, allspice, cumin, smoked paprika, and cinnamon. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
Chill Mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the mixture to firm up, making it easier to shape.
Shape Koftas: With damp hands, take about ½ cup of the kofta mixture and form it into a cylinder shape around a skewer. Repeat this process with the remaining mixture to make a total of 12 kebabs.
Prepare the Grill: Oil the grill grates to prevent sticking and preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
Grill Koftas: Place the kofta kebabs on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure they brown evenly on all sides.
Preheat Air Fryer: While grilling, preheat the air fryer to 380°F (195°C) to finish cooking the koftas.
Air Fry Koftas: Place a few kebabs into the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd. Air fry for 7-8 minutes, shaking or turning the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking and a nicely browned exterior.
Serve: Serve the hot kofta kebabs on warm pita bread accompanied by tzatziki sauce, hummus, Greek salad, and crumbled feta cheese for a complete and flavorful meal.

Notes

Using fresh herbs like parsley and mint enhances the flavor and freshness of the kofta.
Refrigerating the mixture helps it bind and makes shaping easier.
Grilling followed by air frying ensures a perfectly cooked kofta with a crisp exterior and juicy interior.
If you don’t have an air fryer, continue grilling until fully cooked through.
Adjust the amount of spices to your preference for heat and flavor intensity.
Can be served with different dips or salads based on individual taste.