Air fryers have experienced tremendous growth due to their versatility and ease of use in preparing a variety of fast meals. Air fryers may be used to cook frozen foods, bake cookies, and even “fried” bacon, according to chefs. For the uninformed, an air fryer is more akin to a countertop hot oven that uses a little amount of oil than a traditional fryer. The gadget uses an inner fan to distribute hot air for speedier cooking periods than most regular convection or home ovens.
Air fryers are supposed to be a safer alternative to traditional deep fryers, in addition to producing faster results. The health advantages of air fryers are due to the decrease of hazardous chemicals produced by ordinary deep fryers while heating oil to high temperatures.
If food is roasted or burnt, the components that are removed may be replaced by additional dangerous substances. Lowering heavy oil consumption in general, on the other hand, puts people on the road to a better diet.
Despite the device’s innovation, there are several things that you should avoid to use an air fryer for. Although the results may vary, certain items will dry out rather than fry, overcook, or just make a mess. With safety and convenience in consideration, homemakers may get inventive and turn some of the things on the “no” list into a delightful air-fried meal.
What’s all the fuss about air fryers?
At first glance, the current cooking trend of air frying may appear to be too worth a try. It’s simply a technology that mimics deep-frying texture while using a portion of the oil. With such a gadget comes the potential that “fried” meals don’t have to be limited to state fairs and ready meals, particularly with this healthier option. To see if this equipment was as good as it seemed, we questioned our Test Kitchen experts, “What can you cook in an air fryer?”
How Air Fryers Work
Your air fryer functions similarly to a convection oven. It’s little yet powerful, and it can roast, broil, or bake. It is not suitable for deep frying.
Because temperature increases, the top rack of a conventional oven is often the hottest, resulting in uneven cooking. (This is also why many cookie recipes instruct you to flip baking sheets halfway through baking from top to bottom and back to front.)
In a conventional oven, on the other hand, fans circulate hot air to keep the temperature consistent throughout the oven.
Air fryers aren’t the same as convection ovens; its airflow is meant to simulate the distribution of heat of deep-frying in hot fat more accurately. However, for our needs, the convection oven comparison suffices.
Best Recipes
Those that cook with dry heat (roasting, baking, and frying) are better for air fryers than foods that cook with moist heat (boiling, braising, and steaming). Try with crispy shallots, frozen puff pastry “donuts,” dried tomato slices, perplexingly low-carb bagels, and warmed leftovers.
However, we’ve discovered that certain foods perform very well in an air fryer. Please begin with a drum roll:
Frozen meals that have been pre-fried: The air fryer is ideal for staples such as chicken tenders, fish fries, tater tots, and pizzeria rolls. In general, portion-sized frozen meals or those in bite-size bits cook up quickly in an air fryer and become appealingly crisp. This device may be renamed the College Kid/Single Dude Meal Machine. Recipes made from scratch that resemble pre-fried frozen items include: Think air-fried chicken, mozzarella sticks from an air fryer, crab cakes from an air fryer, and so on.
It’s time to expand your horizons beyond the deep fat fryer! We also enjoy using the air fryer for the following:
Cubed winter or butternut squash, raw vegetables, broccoli or cauliflower florets, and Brussels sprouts are among the veggies that can be roasted or grilled. In the air fryer, they are amazing!
Potatoes: Your air fryer will significantly outperform a standard oven when you place a potato (or cut-up potatoes) in it.
Pizza
Pizza is among the most straightforward foods to make in an air fryer. Simply spread the marinara sauce on the regular and top with mozzarella and your preferred toppings. Before putting the pizza in the fryer, lubricate an aluminum foil sheet with oil. After 30 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees, you’ll have a fantastic pizza!
Brownies
Brownies in an air fryer are a great option! Simply make the brownie batter as directed, warm the air fryer to 180 degrees for 15 minutes, and then pour the brownie batter onto a porcelain dish. Bake for another 15 minutes, then enjoy!
Air Fried Salmon
Oil appears to destroy an otherwise nutritious lunch, and the smell of the dish appears to be unpleasant without it. Salmon is among the healthiest things to eat, and roasting it in an air fryer boosts the health factor while preserving the flavor. Cover the salmon generously with your personal spices and roast it in the air fryer for 10-15 minutes.
Samosas
The best chai-time snack I’ve ever had! Samosa and chai have always been great friends, but with the introduction of new diets to fit our health schedules, some of us have had to say goodbye to samosa. But don’t panic, the air fryer is coming to save the day. Rather than deep-frying the samosa, bake it in the air fryer for 20 minutes and have a great, guilt-free chai time.
Air-Fried chicken breast
This one is for all the health nuts out there: make your fryer your best buddy and you’ll never have to stress about your diet again. Simply season a chicken breast with a little salt and pepper. Wrap in foil and bake for 15 minutes in the oven. You’ll have a succulent and tasty chicken for your lunch.
Mozzarella sticks
A tasty snack for your party that doesn’t come with the shame of being fried. Mozzarella sticks are simple to make, and using an air fryer not only cuts down on calories, but it also eliminates the mess. Follow the standard methods to make the mozzarella sticks up to the point of coating, but instead of frying them, Place for 10-12 minutes in the air fryer, and you’ll have a delicious event snack!
Cinnamon apple chips
Is there such a thing as a guilt-free sweet treat? Apple chips with cinnamon are as good as they sound. Apple slices should be peeled thinly and blotted dry to eliminate excess moisture. Put them in the air fryer with a pinch of cinnamon powder and cook for 15 minutes or until crispy.
Chicken wings
Another quick and easy dish to make in the air fryer. Marinate the chicken wings in your favorite seasoning. Place the chicken wings straight in the air fryer and fry for fifteen minutes. With some coconut siracha, offer these tasty and healthful chicken wings.
The Final Word
After reading this list, you may be considering purchasing an air fryer for yourself. We recommend giving it a try if you like fried chicken, French fries, or even dessert—especially if you’re intrigued in the health advantages of avoiding so much oil!
However, if you frequently roast vegetables or prepare large batches of food, an air fryer may not be the best option for you.