Crispy-on-the-outside, tender-and-juicy-on-the-inside fried cardoons recipe in the air fryer or the oven! It’s a fantastic appetizer or snack, and it’s wonderful dipped in marinara sauce.
All About Cardoons
Cardoons (also called cardone) are a new-to-me vegetable I recently discovered. Although it took some time to learn about and figure out how to prep properly, cooking cardoons is so worth it! Not only is it delicious, it’s a really versatile vegetable that can be used in so many different ways.
“What are cardoons?” was my exact thought when I first saw them. Cardoons originate in the Mediterranean and they are a close relative to the globe artichoke. It’s a type of thistle and it’s actually referred to as artichoke thistle sometimes.
They are a popular winter vegetable, and are often enjoyed in Southern Europe: Italy, France, and Mediterranean countries.Â
Cardoon stalks remind me of a celery stalk, but are much much bigger and greenish-grey in color. The sides of each stalk can have small prickles that you should be careful with when handling. Because they are hardy and tough when raw, you do need to prep and cook them before enjoying them.
When cooked, cardoons turn tender and soft, with a mild flavor like an artichoke heart. Because of this, they soak up sauces well, and they are delicious in soups, stews, salads, and also commonly used in gratins.
They may not be the easiest vegetable to find, but you can locate them at grocery stores during the winter months. You can even try visiting markets that specialize in Italian or French groceries or at a farmer’s market where specialty items are more popular.
What Makes This Recipe Great
While they may not be the easiest vegetable to find, the leading grower of Cardoon plants is Ocean Mist Farms. They seasonally grow between October and January in two regions of California: Castroville and Coachella. I highly recommend reaching out to the company about which stores they are in. It’s definitely worth getting your hands on this vegetable for this delicious Fried Cardoons Recipe!
At Ocean Mist Farms, the cardoon (cardone) stalk is hand-harvested from the plant and packed and cooled within just four hours. Their strict cut-to-cool standards ensure the product is delivered to the store in the highest quality with robust flavors.
While you may be unfamiliar with this veggie, this post will help you prepare them and cook them to absolute perfection!
How to Prep When Cooking Cardoons
Because this vegetable is tough, hardy, and a little bitter in its original form, you need to prep them before making fried cardoons. Here’s how to prepare them.
- Remove any top leaves on the stalks and cut about 2-3 inches off the top and bottom of the cardoon bunch with a paring knife or kitchen shears.
- Separate the stalks. The edges of the stalk may have small thorns through the length of it. Use a sharp knife to slice them off.
- The rounded side of each stalk has a layer of skin that’s chewy and tough. Use a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler to peel it off. Your cardoons are now ready for cooking!
How to Make Fried Cardoons Recipe
Traditional fried cardoons are deep fried or pan fried in oil. However, I decided to make an easier-to-clean and mess-free version by cooking them in the air fryer. The oven method is also included for those without an air fryer.
Because cardoons become tender and wonderful after cooked, the crispy breading coating complements the texture so well! I highly recommend dipping these in marinara sauce for the most delicious holiday appetizer.
Watch This How To Video
Ingredient Notes
The ingredients list is actually quite simple! Besides cardoons, you just need a few more items for the breading.
- Cardoons
- eggs
- almond flour
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- sea salt
- ground black pepper
- grated parmesan cheese: This is an optional ingredient if you can tolerate dairy. It adds a delicious cheesy flavor to the recipe!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil. While the water is boiling, prep and cut the cardoons.
- Clean and peel the cardoons using the instructions under “How to Prep When Cooking Cardoons” section above.
- Cut the cleaned cardoons into 2-3 inch pieces.
- Boil the cardoons in water for 30 minutes until tender.
- Drain and rinse. Dry the cardoons with a kitchen towel or paper towels.
- Whisk together the eggs in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, stir together almond flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add grated parmesan, if using.
- Dredge the cardoon pieces in the egg wash. Shake off the excess and press into the almond flour mixture. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the rest of the cardoon pieces.
- Finish cooking the cardoons using either the air fryer or oven below.
Air Fryer Method
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F, and spray the tray or basket with cooking spray (olive oil or avocado oil work well).
- Arrange the breaded cardoons in a single layer on the air fryer tray or basket without touching each other.
- Spray the cardoons with cooking spray, then cook in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Enjoy warm with marinara sauce, a little lemon juice, or just on their own.
Oven Method
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange the breaded cardoons in a single layer on the parchment-lined baking sheet without touching each other.
- Spray the cardoons with cooking spray, then bake for 20-25 minutes until they are golden and crispy.
- Enjoy warm with marinara sauce, or just on their own.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to crisp them up and use additional marinara sauce for dipping.
More Delicious Recipes
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Paleo & Keto Air Fryer Avocado Fries Recipe (with Oven Method)
Air Fryer Fried Pickles Recipe (Keto, Paleo, Whole 30)
Air Fryer Keto Popcorn Chicken (Paleo, Whole30) – Oven Method Included!
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Air Fryer Fried Cardoons Recipe (With Oven Option)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 bunch Ocean Mist Farms cardoons
- Water
- Salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- Optional : 1/4 cup grated parmesan omit for paleo and Whole30
Instructions
- Heat water in a large pot over medium high heat and add a generous amount of salt. Let it come to a boil.
- While the water is boiling, prep and cut the cardoons: Remove any leaves on the stalks and cut about 2-3 inches off the top and bottom of the cardoon bunch. Separate the stalks, and slice off any small thorns on the the edges of each stalk. The rounded side of each stalk has a layer of skin that’s chewy and tough. Use a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler to peel it off. Cut the stalks into 2-3 inch pieces.
- Add the cardoons into the boiling water and boil for 30 minutes until tender.
- Drain and rinse. Remove as much moisture from the cardoons with a kitchen towel or paper towels.
- Whisk together the eggs in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, stir together almond flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add grated parmesan, if using.
- Dredge the cardoon pieces in the egg wash. Shake off the excess and press into the almond flour mixture. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the rest of the cardoon pieces.
Air Fryer Method
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F, and spray the tray or basket with cooking spray.
- Arrange the breaded cardoons in a single layer on the air fryer tray or basket without touching each other (you may need to cook in 2-3 batches).
- Spray the cardoons with cooking spray, then cook in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes until golden and crispy, flipping them halfway through.
- Enjoy warm with marinara sauce, or just on their own.
Oven Method
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange the breaded cardoons in a single layer on the baking sheet without touching each other.
- Spray the cardoons with cooking spray, then bake for 20-25 minutes until they are golden and crispy – flipping them halfway through.
- Enjoy warm with marinara sauce, or just on their own.
Notes
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to crisp them up and use additional marinara sauce for dipping.ÂRegarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.
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