Air fryers are making waves in kitchens worldwide. Despite their name, air fryers aren’t technically fryers but relatively small countertop ovens with convection fans that aim to mimic the results of deep-frying with nothing more than hot air. An oven uses dry heat from an electric heating element or gas flame to cook food, whereas air fryers use hot air and typically require less cooking oil and time.
Consumer New Zealand says that cooking with an air fryer uses as much energy as standard ovens and that getting an air fryer might not be necessary if you already have an oven, cooktop, or grill. However, an air fryer can be a smarter cooking solution for folks only feeding one or two people than booting up a regular oven for an hour.
Further, some ovens heat the entire kitchen or home; an air fryer can be a cooler way to cook in the summer. Their small size means heat is circulated more evenly and quickly, crisping up your food without hot spots. It’s no wonder that air fryers are the flavour of the month regarding the most popular kitchen appliances this year.
Using an Air Fryer
Using an air fryer is simple. Place your food in, set the time and temperature, and then let the food cook! To maintain your appliance, clean your air fryer after each use. Air fryers have practically endless uses, from fried food to meats and wholesome baking.
Though using an air fryer is simple, not using it correctly can result in less-than-appetising foods. As air fryers operate by circulating air, overcrowding the basket means your food won’t be exposed enough to the process. Small batches at a time are the necessary approach.
As air fryers are like ovens, some need to be pre-heated. If your appliance is too cold, the final meal might suffer, so ensure your air fryer is on when you’re ready to cook.
Some air fryers require oil each time they’re used, but a quick spray gives most food the golden look you’re after. Shaking your air fryer shelf and clearing space inside will give you more even and high-quality cooking results. By air frying over deep frying, you cook with a significantly smaller portion of fat, resulting in healthier eating (not to mention how messy deep frying is; have you ever had hot oil splash into your face?).
Features to Consider
Air fryers come in all shapes and sizes, some a simple basket that gets the job done, others offering all that and a bag of crinkle-cut chips. Some models have additional cooking functions and double as benchtop ovens that can roast, grill, and bake food for you. Some don’t exceed 200 degrees Celsius or
have pre-determined temperature settings. Air fryers can be quite large, taking up precious space on the bench, or be small enough to neatly tuck away when unneeded.
Most air fryer models have pull-out drawers, but some have internal shelves, allowing even more food to be cooked at once. Some models have two or more drawers so you can cook different foods at the same time. Designs vary, from looking like a tiny plastic barrel to a massive immovable brick and from having many accessories such as tongs and grill racks to having none.
The Best Foods to Cook
Air fryers are incredibly versatile. They can prepare everything from the fried treats we know and love to more adventurous and unexpected dishes. Here are some ideas to help you get started.
Roast vegetables can be prepared easily with an air fryer. Chop your chosen vegetables into 2cm chunks and toss them with oil, salt, and pepper. After about half an hour, your air fryer will have your kitchen smelling like Christmas dinner. Add garlic and herbs when your vegetables are close to cooked for more flavour.
An air fryer is your shortcut to throwing lavish dinner parties. It quickly cooks pork belly and chicken roasts to perfection. The trick is to use two different cooking times; once your pork rind is crackling, reduce the temperature until the pork is tender. For chicken, turn the heat up for the final ten minutes of cooking to crisp the skin yet ensure the meat stays juicy.
Apologies for your panini press, but grilled cheese sandwiches can be cooked in an air fryer! Prepare as usual and flip it over two-thirds through the cooking time. If your bread is a bit soggy on your first attempt, consider lightly toasting it before assembly. This recipe proves how unconventionally your countertop oven can be used!
Consider air-fryer poached eggs for a quick, easy breakfast. Pour two tablespoons of water into each ramekin, crack in your eggs, and place the oven-safe ramekins in the fryer basket. Cook for about five minutes or until the whites are set. Be mindful that your ramekins will be scorching hot; let your eggs finish cooking outside the air fryer as they cool.
Finally, an air fryer can be used for excellent baking. For delicious scones, combine self-raising flour and salt and rub in cold butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add milk and water (or lemonade and cream for a sweet option) and create a soft dough. For a savoury twist, add chives and cheese. Air fry for around ten minutes until golden and risen. They’re best served warm with butter and your chosen spread.
