All recipes
Everything on Mesa de Portugal, newest first: weeknight air fryer versions and slow traditional dishes.
Air FryerPastéis de Bacalhau in the Air Fryer
Portugal's favourite salt cod fritters made in the air fryer: crisp outside, fluffy inside, with no pot of hot oil. Includes how to soak the bacalhau.
TraditionalCataplana de MariscoAlgarve Seafood Stew
The Algarve's famous seafood stew, steamed shut in a cataplana: clams, prawns and chouriço in a tomato, wine and coriander broth. Ready in 40 minutes.
Air FryerFrango Piri-Piri in the Air Fryer
Portuguese piri-piri chicken with crisp, blistered skin, made in the air fryer in 25 minutes. Includes the marinade and a piri-piri oil for basting.
TraditionalCaldo VerdePortuguese Green Soup
Portugal's national soup: a silky potato base, ribbons of finely shredded greens and a slice of chouriço on top. Simple, cheap and done in 40 minutes.
Air FryerBatatas a Murro in the Air Fryer (Punched Potatoes)
Portuguese punched potatoes made in the air fryer: salt-crusted skins, a fluffy middle and plenty of garlic olive oil. The classic partner for bacalhau.
TraditionalBacalhau à BrásSalt Cod with Eggs and Potatoes
Lisbon's favourite salt cod dish: flaked bacalhau, matchstick potatoes and onions, bound with barely-set eggs and finished with olives and parsley.
Air FryerBifanas with an Air Fryer Shortcut
The Portuguese garlic pork sandwich. Marinate the pork, air fry it fast, then dunk it in the reduced wine sauce, just like the snack bars in Lisbon.
Air FryerPastéis de Nata in the Air Fryer
Homemade Portuguese custard tarts with shop-bought puff pastry, baked in the air fryer. Honest tips on getting the blistered tops without a 300 °C oven.
Air FryerChouriço Assado Two WaysClay Grill or Air Fryer
Flame-grilled Portuguese chouriço in a clay assador, the way it's done at the table in Portugal, plus a no-fire air fryer version for weeknights.
Air FryerSardinhas Assadas in the Air FryerGrilled Sardines
The smell of Lisbon in June, without a charcoal grill: whole salted sardines crisped in the air fryer, served on bread with roasted pepper salad.
TraditionalCarne de Porco à AlentejanaPork and Clams
Pork marinated in wine, garlic and red pepper paste, tossed with clams, crisp potatoes and coriander. Portugal's great surf-and-turf, cooked in a cataplana.
Air FryerLulas Fritas in the Air FryerCrispy Squid Rings
Crunchy squid rings made in the air fryer with a light breadcrumb coating, served with lemon and garlic mayonnaise. A beach-bar favourite at home.
TraditionalArroz de PatoPortuguese Duck Rice
Slow-cooked duck, rice simmered in its rich broth, chouriço and a crisp golden top from the oven. The Sunday-lunch dish of northern Portugal.
Air FryerRissóis de Camarão in the Air FryerShrimp Turnovers
Half-moon pastries filled with creamy shrimp, breaded and crisped in the air fryer. The party snack every Portuguese aunt makes, with a step-by-step dough.
TraditionalPolvo à LagareiroRoast Octopus with Garlic Oil
Tender octopus roasted with plenty of olive oil and garlic, served with punched potatoes. Includes the freezing trick that makes octopus soft every time.
Air FryerCroquetes de Carne in the Air FryerMeat Croquettes
Portuguese beef croquettes made from leftover stew or roast meat, crumbed and crisped in the air fryer. The café counter classic, and a great use of leftovers.
TraditionalAçorda AlentejanaGarlic and Coriander Bread Soup
The Alentejo's famous bread soup: garlic, coriander and olive oil, boiling water, stale bread and a poached egg. Ready in 20 minutes from pantry staples.
Air FryerCarapaus Fritos in the Air FryerCrispy Horse Mackerel
Small Portuguese horse mackerel, salted, floured and crisped in the air fryer. Served with tomato rice or açorda, it's a real Portuguese weeknight fish supper.
TraditionalArroz DocePortuguese Rice Pudding
Creamy Portuguese rice pudding with lemon peel and cinnamon, finished with egg yolks and the classic cinnamon lattice on top. Served cold, at every celebration.
Air FryerBolo do Caco in the Air FryerMadeira Garlic Bread
Madeira's soft sweet-potato flatbread, cooked in the air fryer and split open with melting garlic and parsley butter. The island's favourite street snack.
TraditionalBolo de BolachaNo-Bake Biscuit and Coffee Cake
Maria biscuits dipped in strong coffee and layered with buttercream. Portugal's favourite no-bake birthday cake, assembled in 30 minutes and chilled overnight.
Air FryerEntremeada in the Air FryerGarlic Pork Belly
Thin slices of pork belly marinated in garlic, paprika and white wine, crisped in the air fryer. A Portuguese barbecue favourite, ready in 15 minutes.
TraditionalAmêijoas à Bulhão PatoClams with Garlic and Coriander
Clams steamed open in olive oil, garlic, coriander and a squeeze of lemon. Lisbon's favourite seafood petisco, ready in 10 minutes once the clams are clean.
TraditionalBitoquePortuguese Steak with a Fried Egg
The café classic: thin steak seared in garlic and bay, a quick beer pan sauce, a fried egg on top, chips, rice and salad. Portugal's favourite everyday plate.
Air FryerBacalhau Assado in the Air FryerRoast Salt Cod
A thick loin of salt cod roasted in the air fryer with olive oil, garlic and onions, served with punched potatoes. Christmas Eve's dish, made on any weeknight.
TraditionalFeijoada à TransmontanaBean and Pork Stew
Red beans slow-cooked with pork, chouriço, cabbage and carrots, the hearty winter stew of Trás-os-Montes. A home version that skips the hard-to-find cuts.
TraditionalBacalhau com NatasCreamy Baked Salt Cod
Flaked salt cod, golden potatoes and onions baked in a creamy sauce until bubbling. The comforting bacalhau dish of Portuguese family lunches.
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