Home chefs are excited to test new kitchen appliances every time they come on the market. Although they may seem insignificant to some, these appliances can make cooking easier and more enjoyable.
One of these appliances, the Air fryerThis has created a lot more buzz in the culinary industry. Being a Philips patent, the air fryer is hailed as an incredible item, considering the company’s top-notch reputation.
But…
- What is an air fryer?
- How does it all work?
- Is it a good investment?
- How to use and clean it
Let’s discuss all these things in detail.
What is an air fryer?
An air fryer, which is similar to an oven, is a kitchen appliance that can be used to bake, roast and heat food. The difference is in the heating elements and the lack of oil.
An oven uses a lot of oil to cook food. However, an air fryer uses significantly less oil for frying. Plus, an air fryer’s heating elements are present at the top of the unit, while those of a traditional oven are placed on the side or the back.
The name of the fryer indicates that it uses air to conduct heat. The large fan in the heating element transfers heat to food instantly, making it crispy.
Air fryers are fast and easy to use. Owing to the fan’s suitable placement, the food is also cooked evenly.
Air fryers are easier to clean that ovens and deep fryers. Many units can be washed in the dishwasher, which saves you the effort of cleaning manually.
What is the Best Type of Air Fryer?
Air fryers, like all kitchen appliances, have evolved over time. You can now find high-end models with multiple cooking capabilities or lower-end models that just fry.
You must first consider your needs to find the best air fryer.
For example, if you are looking to cater to large families, Cosori Air Fryer The best option is the air fryer. The air fryer is easy to use with ten presets that can be customized and an LED panel that is easy to use.
Moreover, it comes with 100 personalized recipes, so you don’t have to waste time finding one online.
Not everyone has a large family. If you’re living with your spouse or have a three to four-people family, consider getting the Ninja Air Fryer.
The fryer is small but packs a powerful heat of up to 400°F. It cooks food with 75% less fat and is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
Philips is the founder of the high-end airfrying machine. The Philips Premium Digital Airfryer You can cook for up four people and have fries ready in a matter of minutes.
It can also be used to fry, bake, roast and reheat. smokeless grill. Once you’re done savoring the food, you can put the air fryer in the dishwasher for quick cleaning.
Best Multifunctional Air Fryers
Most people are happy with basic air fryers. However, some people need appliances that can do multiple tasks. Air fryers can live up to their expectations as newer models have up to ten functions.
For example, Breville Smart Convection Oven It is the best convection oven and cum air fryer available. It has 13 cooking functions including baking, broiling, roasting, and broiling. It can cook in under 10 minutes for a family comprising four people.
This oven can roast a 14-pound turkey or toast nine slices of bread. Now, that’s what we call a stunner.
People who want the are still looking for it. best air fryer toaster combo You should choose Cuisinart Convection Air Fryer Toaster Oven. The air fryer produces 1800 Watts of power and seven cooking functions, including toasting or broiling.
While cooking a 12-inch pizza, or three pounds of chicken, you can adjust the thermostat for up 60 minutes.
The last thing you need is an air fryer that can cook under pressure Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Air Fryer.
It can be used to steam, bake, steam and slow cook food. You can prepare food for larger groups with the 5-quart cooking basket. The stainless steel finish is durable.
What’s the Difference Between an Air Fryer and a Convection Oven?
Just because an air fryer uses convection heating for cooking, some people might think it’s the same as a convection oven. However, that’s not the case. Both appliances have significant differences.
Air Fryer vs Convection Oven
Here are some ways convection ovens can be distinguished from air fryers.
Size
Air fryers can be easily placed on a countertop because they are compact. Convection ovens, on the other hand, are large appliances that take up much space.
Cooking Speed
Air fryers are smaller and the food is closer the heating element. This means that food cooks faster.
On the other hand, the food in convection ovens takes longer to cook, considering it’s distant from the heating element.
Heating
The heating element in a convection oven is located at the top and bottom. The heat is evenly distributed on both sides of the food, allowing for concentrated cooking.
The heating element of an Air Fryer is located on the top of the unit. The food is heated in unidirectional fashion.
Fan
Because it facilitates convection heating, both appliances have fans. The fan is located at the top of an air fryer. In a convection oven, it’s placed at the back, side or the centre of the oven.
Air fryers are larger than convection ovens in terms of size.
From this information, it’s evident that air fryers aren’t the same as convection ovens despite using similar heating mechanisms. Which is better, convection oven or air fryer?
Air fryers can be used to quickly cook food without excessive oil. Because of their smaller size, however, they are not able to cook for large families at once.
On On the contrary, ovens are larger so they can cook for more people but at a slower pace. You can choose which one is better depending on your needs and preferences.
What’s the Difference Between an Air Fryer and Deep Fryer?
Air fryers are similar to convection ovens but have many advantages over deep fryers.
Oil Consumption
Air fryers use less oil per batch than deep frying, which lowers the cost of cooking. You can reuse oil from deep frying, but most experts against it.
Healthiness
Since air fryers use less oil, they’re generally considered healthier than deep fryers. Air fryers can reduce fat consumption by up to 80%, which makes the food healthier.
On Contrary to popular belief, deep-fried food is healthier and more tender than those prepared in a pan.
Capacity
Air fryers are suitable for cooking smaller batches or reheating food since they’re compact. You can cook large batches of food with deep fryers, however, because they have larger baskets.
Safety
In terms of safety, air fryers are safer than deep fryers because there’s no oil splashing or splattering onto the person standing next to the appliance. Deep fryers can burn you so you must keep your distance.
Meanwhile, there’s no such concern while using an air fryer.
Versatility
Air fryers lead the pack when it comes versatility of use. Modern models can be used to bake, broil, bake, toast, and much more than a traditional deep fryer.
How does an air fryer work?
An air fryer can be compared to a countertop oven. Since it’s compact, it can fit easily on a limited counter space and allows faster cooking.
On The heating element is located at the top of the unit and is equipped with a fan. When you turn on power, the energy travels through the heating element to the fan.
The fan transfers heat to the food in a basket. The rapid circulation of hot-air heats the food quickly, making it crisp and well-cooked in no matter how fast you go.
Most air fryers include a temperature control knob that can be used to regulate the heat inside the cooker. Additionally, there’s also a timer that facilitates precise cooking.
Deep fryer food is served in a basket with oil. To ensure even heating, you must shake the basket. In low-end air fryers you will need to do this manually.
High-end air fryers, on the other hand, have an integrated system that automatically shakes the food.
Is Air Fried Food Healthful?
Because of the use of less oil, air-frying is healthier than deep-frying. Cooking with a lot of oil is linked to diabetes, heart disease and other health concerns.
Air fryers use 75 to 80% less oil per meal than conventional cooking methods. This makes them healthier.
Deep-frying food can increase the production ofacrylamide. It’s a chemical compound that has been linked with cancer.
A study has shown that air-frying reduces acrylamide production by 90 percent. Thus, it’s much safer for your body and reduces the risk of life-long illnesses.
Air-fried food is free of harmful chemicals such as acrylamide and low in calories. Air frying is a great way to enjoy traditional cooking without being at risk for obesity or other obesity-related diseases.
Here’s an example. 250 calories are in a deep-fried chicken. An air-fried chicken of the same dimensions has 135 calories. It has 5 grams of fat, whereas deep-fried chicken has up 19 grams.
As you can see, air-frying results in a significant decrease in fat. Air fryers boast a claim of reducing fat consumption by up to 80%.
What Can You Cook in an Electric Fryer?
You can cook everything in an air fryer that you’d usually cook in a convection oven. These are just a few of the things you can do in an air fryer:
- Vegetables
- Fries
- Chicken recipes
- Pizza
- Donuts
- Fish
- Cheese sticks
- Bacon
- Cookies
Modern air fryers are more versatile than ever. They can be used for baking and toasting food items. An air fryer can be used to make everything from breakfast cereal to brownies.
When you buy an air fryer, you’ll most probably get a recipe book personalized for that particular model. Then, you can use the settings – for time and temperature – recommended in the recipes to get perfect results.
What are the Best Foods to Cook in an Electric Fryer?
According to professional chefs frozen food is the best thing to fry in an oven fryer. Frozen nuggets and other foods can quickly become crispy when fried in an oven fryer. The same applies to Brussel sprouts.
Also, you can make cookies in an air fryer quickly because there’s no need for preheating. The fryer will be ready to bake as soon as you turn it on.
Another great thing to make in an air fryer is a steak, although you’ll need some practice for this one. Even if you don’t have the best gas/ propane grill A juicy steak can be enjoyed at home on game nights.
Fries and bacon are the best foods to fry in an airfryer. They can get messy if cooked in a traditional way, as they require oil.
Fries that are cooked in an air fryer require less supervision and produce almost no mess. Plus, they’re crispier and less oily than the fries you make in a wok or a deep-fryer.
While you’re at it, here are a few things to not cook in an air fryer:
- Cheese
- Anything that has a wet batter
- Broccoli
- Fresh greens
- Medium-rare burgers
How to Use an Electric Fryer
Each air fryer comes with an instruction manual that will help you set it up. Once you’ve assembled the fryer, you’re ready to cook.
The food is placed inside a fryer basket that is then fried in oil. You can adjust the temperature and time depending on the recipe. Although using an air fryer is not rocket science, here are some things you should keep in mind.
Tips for Air Frying
Here are some tips to remember when using an Air Fryer.
Shake It Up
You can’t shake the food in the basket. It will stick to each other. It may not cook evenly because only one side is in direct contact with the oil.
Modern air fryers have an alarm system that reminds them to shake the basket every few seconds. If your air fryer doesn’t have this feature, you should still shake the basket every five to 10 minutes.
Pat Dry
If the ingredients are still wet, like marinated chicken, pat them dry and then place them in the basket. The oil could splash, creating excessive smoke.
You should also remove fat from the bottom of your air fryer after cooking high-fat meals.
No Overcrowding
Air fryers are often small and can be difficult to use. You may also want to cook all your ingredients simultaneously to save time. It will cook food that is not crisp enough and result in undercooked food.
Instead, make sure that each food item has enough space. It’s also important to keep distance between the ingredients to allow air circulation.
For better results, cook in small batches.
Smoke Point
Use oil with a higher smokepoint. These oils can be kept at high temperatures without burning. Oils with a high smoke point include:
- Vegetable oil
- Peanut oil
- Canola oil
Avoid using olive oil for air-frying. It will burn at high temperatures and leave a bitter aftertaste in your food.
Supervise the food
Air fryers cook food faster. You must ensure that it is safe at all times. Don’t leave the ingredients inside the air fryer to catch up on the latest episode of your favourite show. The food will most probably burn while you’re gone.
To monitor the food, stand close to the fryer. You can remove the basket at any point to shake the ingredients or look at the progress of the cooking.
Browning Food in an Air Fryer
You can brown foods like chicken or fries by removing excess moisture and spraying some cooking oil. Yes, cooking without oil is healthier, but you won’t get the browning effect without fatty oil.
Alternativly, you can increase the browning by adding honey to the food item. If you’re making pastry dough, brush the surface with egg wash to get a glossy and even browning.
Air Fryer Steak Cooking
Cooking steaks takes practice and effort, as we’ve already mentioned. Nevertheless, if you follow a chef-curated recipe down to the last word, you’ll get a perfect steak.
Cut the steak To fit more food into the air fryer, you can reduce them into smaller sizes. It prevents overcrowding and allows for proper air circulation.
Add a spice rub to your recipe. the steak To obtain rich color and flavor
How to Preheat an Air Fryer
Generally speaking, you don’t have to preheat your air fryer because the heating element gets hot in a few seconds. You can, however, heat the oven for a few minutes if you want the food to be crisp.
Turn the heat control on your air fryer up to the highest setting. For most air fryers, it is up to 400ºF. Let it heat up for seven minutes. Then, bring the temperature down to the optimum point for the recipe you’re cooking.
Preheating, while not essential, will make your food extra crispy and crunch.
How to Avoid Making Mistakes
First-timers will make mistakes. Here are some common mistakes that you should avoid when using an air fryer.
- Air fryers should not be used to high temperatures. It can ruin the food’s flavor and may cause excessive smoking. If you have to spray your food with vegetable oils, instead of dipping it in a pool fatty oil.
- Make sure to shake the basket every few seconds.
- After cooking, use tongs to remove the food from the basket. It will splash if you just yank the basket. You may get burned or make a mess in the kitchen by using hot oil.
- Even with the timer on, double-check the cooking time on your phone’s timer or the clock. The timers move differently on each air fryer. For the best recipe, make sure to use another reliable source.
- Don’t leave the air fryer unattended. Most foods take between 20 and 30 minutes to cook, so you only have to spend a small amount of your time.
How to Clean an Electric Air Fryer
To prevent grease and oil buildup, air fryers must be regularly cleaned. If your fryer is dishwasher safe, you can place the tray, basket, or pan in the dishwasher to remove any remaining oil.
You can also wash the parts with soap and water. Dry the parts completely before you use the air fryer again.
If there’s stubborn grease on the basket, soak it in a container full of hot water and dish soap for up to half an hour. Use a scrubbrush to remove the grease.
Interior Cleaning
Even though your air fryer can be washed in the dishwasher, the metal parts inside should not be put in the dishwasher. Use a damp sponge and a few drops dish soap to clean the interior.
The sponge can be run along the length of the air fryer to remove any grease marks or stains. Dry the area with a clean cloth, or paper towels.
Turn off the air fryer before cleaning. If there’s oil inside the fryer, empty it out beforehand.
Foul Odor Removal
Bad odors can be caused by fats, oil, or food particles. To fix a foul-smelling air fryer, you can make your own homemade deodorizer. Here’s what you need:
- Baking soda
- Water
- Scrub brush
Make a paste with water and baking soda. Apply the paste to your fryer’s interior with a scrub brush. Allow it to sit for a while. Use a clean cloth to wipe off the paste.
Even the best air fryer If it is not maintained regularly, the air fryer will not last as long as expected. Regular cleaning will ensure that your air fryer works well for many years.
Final words
We are now done with this guide. Hopefully, you’d have learned enough about air fryers to buy one for yourself and start preparing delicious meals.
This guide will help you make your air fryer experience amazing.
Now, you’re all set to get your hands on the best air fryer and start experimenting with different recipes.
