Make healthier fried foods with an air fryer
What are air fryers and how do air fryers work?
Air fryers are compact, countertop small kitchen appliances that can be used to make a wide variety of fried foods with little to no oil. Rather than submerging food in oil to get that crispy exterior, place it inside an air fryer with a bit of, or, in some cases, no oil, and the food will cook.
Air fryers work similarly to convection ovens with a heating mechanism and fan at the top. Once turned on, hot air circulates down and around the food. This rapid and even heating process results in foods with the same crispy texture you’d get when frying them the traditional way.
Available in silver stainless steel, black, or white, and in sizes ranging from 0.8kg up to 1.5kg that can accommodate whole chickens, there are options for small and large families and entertaining. Digital air fryers have convenient digital LCDs on the front, with buttons and/or touchscreen operation, so you can control the cook, including temperature, and check cooking status right on the screen.
What kind of food can you make in an air fryer?
Air fryers are great for making any food you would typically fry, like French fries, fried chicken, vegetables, meat, fish, chicken nuggets, and chicken wings. You can also use one that has a basket that can flip for desserts like doughnuts.
They are also great for frozen foods, like chicken nuggets, French fries, and mozzarella sticks that all benefit from a nice, crispy exterior. You cannot, however, make foods that have a liquid batter base unless you freeze them first.
Generally, food, like homemade fried chicken or fried fish, made in an air fryer is healthier than if you were to fry it the traditional way, submerged in oil in a deep fryer. Frozen foods you might otherwise baked in a convection oven, however, won’t be any healthier. But they might cook faster, and clean-up is a breeze.
What features should you look for in an air fryer?
Air fryers come in all shapes and sizes, but you want one that will suit your family’s needs. A larger one is great for making big batches of food, like an entire bag of frozen French fries. Depending on what you’re making, however, you still might have to cook in small batches.
The basket is important: you want one that is non-stick and can be easily removed for washing; dishwasher-safe parts are a plus.
Some air fryers can be used for roasting, baking, and grilling as well so if you live in a small apartment or dorm, you might appreciate having this capability, especially if you share a stove or don’t have one at all.
Other features worth looking for in the best air fryers include cool touch handles, overheating protection, the ability to adjust the temperature to suit different cooks, and an anti-odour filter to help get rid of unpleasant smells.
Learn more about the benefits and what you can cook in an air fryer
Why air fryers are this year’s perfect present for busy parents
Make healthier fried foods with an air fryer
What are air fryers and how do air fryers work?
Air fryers are compact, countertop small kitchen appliances that can be used to make a wide variety of fried foods with little to no oil. Rather than submerging food in oil to get that crispy exterior, place it inside an air fryer with a bit of, or, in some cases, no oil, and the food will cook.
Air fryers work similarly to convection ovens with a heating mechanism and fan at the top. Once turned on, hot air circulates down and around the food. This rapid and even heating process results in foods with the same crispy texture you’d get when frying them the traditional way.
Available in silver stainless steel, black, or white, and in sizes ranging from 0.8kg up to 1.5kg that can accommodate whole chickens, there are options for small and large families and entertaining. Digital air fryers have convenient digital LCDs on the front, with buttons and/or touchscreen operation, so you can control the cook, including temperature, and check cooking status right on the screen.
What kind of food can you make in an air fryer?
Air fryers are great for making any food you would typically fry, like French fries, fried chicken, vegetables, meat, fish, chicken nuggets, and chicken wings. You can also use one that has a basket that can flip for desserts like doughnuts.
They are also great for frozen foods, like chicken nuggets, French fries, and mozzarella sticks that all benefit from a nice, crispy exterior. You cannot, however, make foods that have a liquid batter base unless you freeze them first.
Generally, food, like homemade fried chicken or fried fish, made in an air fryer is healthier than if you were to fry it the traditional way, submerged in oil in a deep fryer. Frozen foods you might otherwise baked in a convection oven, however, won’t be any healthier. But they might cook faster, and clean-up is a breeze.
What features should you look for in an air fryer?
Air fryers come in all shapes and sizes, but you want one that will suit your family’s needs. A larger one is great for making big batches of food, like an entire bag of frozen French fries. Depending on what you’re making, however, you still might have to cook in small batches.
The basket is important: you want one that is non-stick and can be easily removed for washing; dishwasher-safe parts are a plus.
Some air fryers can be used for roasting, baking, and grilling as well so if you live in a small apartment or dorm, you might appreciate having this capability, especially if you share a stove or don’t have one at all.
Other features worth looking for in the best air fryers include cool touch handles, overheating protection, the ability to adjust the temperature to suit different cooks, and an anti-odour filter to help get rid of unpleasant smells.
Learn more about the benefits and what you can cook in an air fryer
Why air fryers are this year’s perfect present for busy parents