Trader Joe’s birds nests are a unique and delicious appetizer that can be made in an air fryer. Birds nests are shredded filo dough that is woven into nest shapes and baked. The nests are then filled with different ingredients like prosciutto, cheese, or spinach dip. Air frying is a cooking method that uses convection heat to crisp and cook foods, similar to deep frying but without submerging foods in oil. Air frying birds nests is a quick and easy way to make this appetizer with less fat and calories compared to deep frying. Here are tips for successfully air frying Trader Joe’s birds nests.
Preparing the Birds Nests
Trader Joe’s sells their birds nests frozen so you will need to thaw them before air frying. The best way is to place the frozen birds nests in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 8 hours. You want the birds nests to be completely thawed before air frying. Remove them from the packaging and place in a single layer on a plate or baking sheet while thawing. Once thawed, pat the birds nests dry with a paper towel to remove any moisture from the thawing process. Excess moisture can make the birds nests soggy when cooked. Make sure they are not stacked or overlapping each other so the hot air can properly circulate around each nest in the air fryer.
Filling the Birds Nests
Trader Joe’s birds nests come plain without any filling. You can fill them with your desired ingredients before air frying. Some great fillings for the nests include:
- Pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni or cooked italian sausage
- Pesto sauce with chopped tomatoes and parmesan cheese
- Artichoke spinach dip
- Whipped goat cheese with roasted red peppers
- Caramelized onion and brie cheese
- Lemon thyme ricotta with grilled zucchini
Use about 1-2 tbsp of filling per birds nest. Overfilling them may cause the filling to leak out during cooking. Spoon the filling into the center of each nest, mounding it a bit in the middle.
Air Frying Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 370 ̊F. Place 3-6 filled birds nests in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd them. Air fry for 5-7 minutes until the nests are crisp and golden brown and the filling is hot. Using tongs, flip each nest over about halfway through the cooking time. Smaller air fryers may need to cook them in batches.
Check that both the nest and filling are fully cooked through. If needed cook for 2-3 more minutes. The filo dough should be crunchy and have browned in spots. The filling should be hot and bubbling. If air frying a recipe with cheese or something that can melt, you may want to air fry the birds nests by themselves first. Then add the filling after and just heat through for 1-2 minutes to prevent oozing.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some ideas for serving your freshly air fried birds nests:
- Arrange on a platter for appetizers
- Serve in small bowls or cups for individual appetizer portions
- Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or chives
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze
- Serve with marinara sauce for dipping
- Pair with a sparkling wine or prosecco for an easy appetizer
TheTrader Joe’s birds nests will stay crispy for about 10-15 minutes after cooking. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and re-crisped in the air fryer as needed. Simply air fry leftovers at 370 ̊F for 2-3 minutes until warmed through and crispy.
Nutritional Information
The nutrition facts for Trader Joe’s birds nests will vary depending on the filling used. Plain air fried birds nests contain approximately:
Serving Size | 1 birds nest (28g) |
---|---|
Calories | 120 |
Fat | 3.5g |
Carbohydrates | 18g |
Protein | 3g |
Using healthier fillings like vegetables, lean proteins,reduced fat cheeses and oils can help keep the overall nutrition profile balanced. Portion control is also important when enjoying these appetizers.
Tips for Success
Here are some helpful tips for successfully air frying Trader Joe’s birds nests:
- Completely thaw birds nests before air frying for best results
- Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture
- Don’t overfill the nests which can cause leakage
- Preheat air fryer and use recommended cooking temp/time
- Flip nests halfway during cooking
- Work in batches to avoid overcrowding
- Check that both nest and filling are fully cooked
- Consume within 10-15 minutes for crispness
Variations
While cheese and meat fillings are classic for birds nests, get creative with these air fryer friendly fillings:
- Whipped feta cheese and sun-dried tomatoes
- Hummus and chopped cucumber
- Sliced pear with bleu cheese crumbles
- Caramelized onions with gorgonzola cheese
- Sauteed mushrooms with fresh thyme
For a sweet birds nest dessert, try fillings like lemon curd, chocolate-hazelnut spread, mascarpone and berries or apples with caramel sauce.
Conclusion
Air fried Trader Joe’s birds nests make for a quick and delicious appetizer. Thaw the nests completely before air frying at 370 ̊F for 5-7 minutes until crisp and golden. Fill them with favorite savory or sweet ingredients. Flip halfway during cooking and work in batches. Enjoy immediately or within 15 minutes of cooking for optimal crispness. Air frying cuts down on the fat and calories compared to deep fried birds nests. Impress guests with these unique bite-sized appetizers or savor them as a special snack for yourself.