Using air-powered, super hot circulating heat, the appliance crisps and browns your favorite “fried” foods without all the calories. You can cook everything from Korean Pork Lettuce Wraps to Fried Chicken with Za’atar, plus perfectly roasted vegetables and baked goods.
New York Times bestselling author Gina Homolka brings her signature recipes to this game-changing kitchen appliance.
What is an air fryer
An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that uses hot air to cook food. It’s a great alternative to deep-frying and can be used to prepare everything from frozen french fries and chicken nuggets to roasted vegetables and baked cookies. Air fryers come in all shapes and sizes, from small models that hold two quarts of food to large ones that can accommodate seven or more. They typically have a cylindrical base with a basket that pulls in and out. Some have digital controls and others use manual dials. They can range in price from around $20 to more than $400.
The most popular brands include Ninja, Philips, Viva and Cosori. You can find them online or at major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.
The air fryer’s biggest selling point is that it can help you make foods that are often cooked in oil, but without the extra fat and calories. According to Weinstein, “Air fryers excel at making foods that are meant to be crispy from the oven or freezer, such as frozen french fries, tater tots, chicken nuggets and mozzarella sticks.” He notes that “wet batters don’t work well in air fryers because by the time they set, the liquid would have dripped out and burned on the bottom of the pan.” This makes it difficult to create dishes like tempura.
How does an air fryer work
Air fryers are gaining popularity because they promise to offer the same crispy, crunchy texture of fried foods without all the extra calories. But how do they work? In short, an air fryer combines radiation and convection to cook food. A heating element heats the air in the cooking chamber (radiation), while a fan rapidly circulates the hot air around the food, allowing it to crisp up (convection).
Tossing the food periodically during the cooking process helps ensure that it cooks evenly and develops a crispy texture. When the cooking time is up, the air fryer will shut off and make a beeping noise. Then, remove the basket and let the food cool for 10 to 30 minutes.
When using an air fryer, be sure to preheat the appliance before adding food. This step takes less time than preheating a conventional oven and will help the appliance reach its optimal temperature. Also, be aware that some air fryers can emit a plastic-like smell when first used. This is normal and should dissipate after a few uses. Finally, be sure to insert the basket into the air fryer correctly before starting to prevent malfunctions. It is okay to pull out the basket for a quick peek, but it must be fully inserted before you can turn off the appliance.
Is an air fryer healthy
Using high-powered, super-heated circulating air like a convection oven, an air fryer cooks foods with little to no oil and produces a crispy, “fried” result. It’s also a faster and easier way to make grilled, roasted, or baked dishes and uses significantly less energy than a traditional oven.
An air fryer is a great choice for people who want to cut back on fat and calories while still enjoying delicious, flavorful food. It is ideal for preparing a variety of foods, including chips, fries, chicken, meats, fish, vegetables, and desserts. However, it is important to know that not all foods are suitable for the air fryer. Some require additional cooking methods, such as baking, to ensure the best results.
New York Times bestselling author Gina Homolka is beloved for her incredible recipes that transform comforting, crave-worthy foods into healthy, low-calorie meals that deliver on her signature promise of “light on calories, big on flavor.” Now, she’s teamed up with the popular air fryer to bring you an all-new collection of 75 quick and easy recipes for all of your favorite foods.
Can you cook frozen food in an air fryer
Air fryers use superheated air to crisp up “fried” foods – but with significantly less oil than usual. The result is healthier food that’s still incredibly crunchy and delicious, plus no fried smell in the house or oil splatters. Plus, they’re pretty quick to preheat and cook, making them perfect for weeknight meals.
Whether you’re looking for a basic basket-style model or a bigger oven-style choice, there are loads of options to choose from. Consider the size of your kitchen and how much countertop space you have, as some models are more compact than others. You might also want to think about the cooking functions you need – for example, some come with separate baskets and heated elements to help you bake and roast.
Using hot air instead of a pan of oil, this gadget is basically a mini-oven that can do everything from grilling to baking and roasting. You can even make a whole chicken in it (the results are extra crispy, like a rotisserie). You can cook frozen food in an air fryer too, but make sure to follow the instructions on the pack.
What can you cook in an air fryer
An air fryer can cook a wide range of foods, including fries and other pre-fried frozen food items that heat up to an appealing crisp in minutes. It can also cook steak, chicken breasts, fish and pork chops and bake cakes, muffins and skewers. Some models have inserts for frying, roasting and dehydrating foods.
For best results, use a small amount of oil when air frying foods. This helps prevent the food from sticking to the basket. Also, be sure to shake foods that can be tossed in the air fryer (like potatoes and vegetables) periodically during cooking so they cook evenly on all sides.
Another important tip is to not overcrowd the basket, as this can lead to steaming and lack of crispiness. Finally, be aware that some air fryer recipes call for a lower temperature setting than their conventional counterparts, as the hot air moves rapidly in an air fryer and can quickly burn or overcook food if it’s set at too high a temperature.
Once you’re comfortable using your air fryer, try some of our air fried recipes. Say goodbye to sad mushy foods, and hello to healthy dinners that will keep you feeling full and satisfied.
How long does it take to cook in an air fryer
An air fryer has become a household name for good reason: it delivers crispy, fast-cooking foods (like seasoned fries or homemade chicken wings) with minimal oil and little fuss. This countertop appliance works similarly to a standard convection oven, but the heating element is much hotter and the fan spins faster to circulate the hot air around your food. There are two main air fryer styles: one with a drawer that pulls out with a basket, and another with a shelf that looks like a toaster oven with a hinged door. Regardless of your chosen style, it will be easy to use thanks to the presets located on the top panel.
The appliance is also great for reheating and re-crisping takeaway leftovers and indulgent fast foods, like pizza, that would otherwise get mushy in the microwave. However, it isn’t suited to baking, as it doesn’t produce as much heat on the bottom as a traditional oven and the basket or shelf design limits the size of your bakes.
Are air fryers easy to clean
Air fryers use superheated air to create fried, grilled or baked foods with little or no oil. The air circulates around the food to cook it quickly and evenly. It also helps to eliminate the greasy smell that comes from frying and uses less energy than an oven.
The best air fryer is one that is easy to clean and can fit on your countertop. Look for a model that has a dishwasher-safe basket and a nonstick coating on the bottom of the pan. You can also find models with a metal crisper plate that is a lot easier to clean than a perforated basket.