Salami cups are a TikTok trend that’s taken off for good reason! Crispy salami is formed into a cup and then filled with your favorite savory and salty foods for a delightful appetizer or snack. This air fryer salami cups recipe makes cooking even easier than the traditional oven method.
Air fryer salami cups are easy to make, and you can customize them in all sorts of ways to fit your preferences! Plus, they’re naturally low carb, so they fit in with a variety of diets.
Deli style salami slices are “fried” into a crispy cup shape with the help of a muffin cup. Once firm, you fill them with any sort of antipasto treat you like! Olives, peppers, cheeses, pickles, vegetables, you name it!
They’re a perfect finger food, and great for entertaining since the cup itself is edible too. It makes a perfect addition to your game day or Super Bowl snack table, but you can enjoy these crispy cups anytime you like.
Ingredients List
12 slices deli salami (or another wide variety)
Filling as desired (see notes below)
Equipment Note: You will need a muffin tin, mini muffin tin, or silicone muffin wrappers that fit in your air fryer for this recipe. I use individual silicone muffin liners because they work best with my basket’s shape.
Ingredient Tips and Notes
You can use any variety of salami or pepperoni that is the wider deli-style (you just don’t want a small log like you find on a charcuterie board)
There are tons of great fillings to add, and I usually do several flavors of cups and use about ¼ cup of each filling (but feel free to make it your own)
What to put in salami cups: Pitted olives, marinated artichokes or mushrooms, feta cheese, goat cheese, cream cheese, Boursin cheese, cherry peppers, banana peppers, pepperoncini, cornichon or other small pickles, fresh mozzarella pearls, cucumbers, pepper jelly, giardiniera, green onions, caramelized onions, egg salad, or anything else you like!
Step By Step Instructions
Place one slice of salami in each muffin cup. Use your fingers or the bottom of a shot glass to push it into a cup shape (flat in the center with the sides folding up around it). Pro tip: To help retain the cup shape during cooking, ball up some foil and place it in the center of each salami cup
Place the cups into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer, allowing air space between each one
Cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 5 minutes, until the edges are crispy and lightly browned. Times will vary between air fryers and thickness of salami, so add additional time in 1 minute increments as needed to achieve desired browning level
Cool for a few minutes, then blot the excess oil from the bottoms and the middles of the salami cups
Can I Use Different Types of Salami for Making Air Fryer Salami Cups?
Yes, you can experiment with various salami types such as Genoa, soppressata, or hard salami to add diverse flavors and textures to your air fryer salami cups.
For more heat, use a pepper-crusted variety, or swap in pepperoni instead of salami.
How Long Should I Air Fry Salami to Achieve the Perfect Crispy Texture for the Cups?
To achieve the ideal crispy texture, air fry salami slices at 350°F for approximately 5-7 minutes.
Keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking and ensure a crunchy cup. Times needed will vary between different air fryers.
Can I Make Air Fryer Salami Cups in Advance for Parties or Gatherings?
Absolutely! Prepare the air fryer salami cups in advance, and store them in an airtight container in your refrigerator.
Assemble with fillings right before serving to maintain their crispiness.
Are Air Fryer Salami Cups Suitable for Different Diets, Such as Keto or Low-Carb?
Yes, air fryer salami cups are keto-friendly and low-carb, making them a suitable option for those following specific dietary restrictions or seeking a healthier snack alternative.
Just make sure to choose fillings that also coincide with your dietary needs or preferences.
What Other Ways Can Air Fryer Salami Cups Be Used Besides as Appetizers?
Air fryer salami cups can be used creatively as edible serving vessels for dips, chopped salads, or even as a unique base for bite-sized canapés.
Basically, fill them with anything you’d find on an antipasto platter, in a sandwich, or anything you’d dip a chip into.
Recipe Pro Tips
The thinner sliced your salami is, the easier it is to work with. I find the thicker slices harder to get to stay put in the cups. If you run into this problem, add dried beans or rice to your foil balls to add extra weight
Your salami cups will not brown on the bottoms with foil balls in. I personally like the texture contrast and find them easier to eat this way. However, If you want browned bottoms, remove the foil balls during the last minute of cooking (they should be firmed up enough to hold shape by then). Note that if you have a strong air fryer, it may blow the salami up and out of the cups at this point!
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover salami cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For best results, store the cups unfilled
To reheat, air fry at 350°F for 1-2 minutes, just long enough to warm and re-crisp them. If they do have filling in them, I recommend removing it, heating the cups, then adding the filling back in
These air fryer salami cups are such a fun appetizer! Depending on the size of your cups, they can be single bite or two-bite, but either way they’re delicious.
Stuff your crispy cups with your favorite antipasto items, like olives, pickles, cheese, and peppers for a savory flavor explosion! It’s also easy to do multiple fillings for a batch, so your guests have a variety to choose from.
They’re one of my favorite app options for entertaining, plus they’re great for game day and the Super Bowl too! They take less than 10 minutes to throw together, so you really can’t go wrong. Plus, they’re naturally low carb and keto friendly, so they fit a variety of different dietary needs!
Air Fryer Salami Cups (Filled With Antipasto)
Air fryer salami cups are like a charcuterie board stuffed into a crispy bite that’s perfect as a snack or appetizer. These savory bites cook in only about 5 minutes for a quick option!
1CupAntipasto style fillings as desired(see notes)
Instructions
Place one slice of salami in each muffin cup. Use your fingers or the bottom of a shot glass to push it into a cup shape (flat in the center with the sides folding up around it). Pro tip: To help retain the cup shape during cooking, ball up some foil and place it in the center of each salami cup
12 Slices deli salami
Set the cups into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer, allowing air space between each one
Cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 5 minutes, until the edges are crispy and lightly browned. Times will vary between air fryers and thickness of salami, so add additional time in 1 minute increments as needed to achieve desired browning level
Cool for a few minutes, then blot the excess oil from the bottoms and the middles of the salami cups
Fill with your favorite antipasto and enjoy!
1 Cup Antipasto style fillings as desired
Notes
You can use any variety of salami or pepperoni that is the wider deli-style (at least 2” wide, but preferably 4”)
There are tons of great fillings to add, and I usually do multiple flavors of cups and use about ¼ cup of each filling (but feel free to make it your own). Pictured: herbed Feta cheese with sliced pepperoncini, Greek olive medley, pepper salad, sliced mini dill pickles
What to put in salami cups: Pitted olives, marinated artichokes or mushrooms, feta cheese, goat cheese, cream cheese, Boursin cheese, cherry peppers, banana peppers, pepperoncini, cornichon or other small pickles, fresh mozzarella pearls, cucumbers, pepper jelly, giardiniera, green onions, caramelized onions, egg salad, or anything else you like!
The thinner sliced your salami is, the easier it is to work with. I find the thicker slices harder to get to stay put in the cups. If you run into this problem, add dried beans or rice to your foil balls to add extra weight
Your salami cups will not brown on the bottoms with foil balls in. I personally like the texture contrast and find them easier to eat this way. However, If you want browned bottoms, remove the foil balls during the last minute of cooking (they should be firmed up enough to hold shape by then). Note that if you have a strong air fryer, it may blow the salami up and out of the cups, so monitor them closely
Store leftover salami cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For best results, store the cups unfilled
To reheat, air fry at 350°F for 1-2 minutes, just long enough to warm and re-crisp them. If they do have filling in them, I recommend removing it, heating the cups, then adding the filling back in
Exact nutritional values will vary widely based on brand, size, and variety of salami, as well as your chosen fillings, so please consider this a guideline only
Crispy salami cups😋 such an easy app idea and you can play around with so many diff fillings! My next idea to try would be piping some whipped goat cheese and finishing them off with a dollop of pepper jelly and green onions😍 Credit to @sammymontgoms for the idea, I just did a different filling! Filling – 1/4 C black olives – 1/4 C pepperoncinis, deseeded – 5-6 cherry tomatoes – 2 T pickled jalapeños (more if you love spice!) – 1/2 C crumbled feta – 1 T red wine vinegar – 1 T EVOO – S&P to taste Directions: 1. Place 12-18 slices of salami in a muffin tin and press down with the bottom of a shot glass or your hands. ***I tested this with both a regular size muffin tin as well as mini (shown in this reel). The regular size muffin tin actually made better/bigger “bowls” rather than curling inward so that is my recommendation, but both work! 2. Bake at 400 F 8-10 min until the salami is crispy, remove with tongs and set aside 3. Make your filling- finely chop everything and mix OR pulse everything other than the feta, vinegar, and oil in a food processor on the chop setting. Then stir in oil, vinegar, and feta 4. Spoon the mixture into the salami cups- that’s all ✨☺️ Thanks @sammymontgoms for sharing your recipe❤️ #celiacsweetie#foryoupage#appetizer#recipesoftiktok
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
