Air fryers are a new trend that promises to make foods crispier and healthier than traditional deep-fried fare. They heat up quickly, cook faster and use less oil than their deep-frying counterparts.
Air frying works by circulating hot air around food in a perforated basket. This process creates a convection effect, which makes foods crispy on the outside and moist on the inside.
A fan is positioned on top of the appliance to help blow the hot air around the food. Many models come with a thermostat and timer to regulate the temperature.
To get the most out of your air fryer, consider the size of your family and how much you plan on cooking at once. Depending on the model, air fryers can handle 2 to 4 servings of food at once and often come with preset programs for common dishes like chicken wings and French fries.
How to Clean an Air Fryer
Most air fryers are relatively easy to clean. Most basket-style air fryers, for instance, can be popped out and washed in warm water. You can also hand-wash the inside parts of air fryers, including the heating element.
How to Avoid Burning Food
The high temperatures from air-frying are quite quick, so it can be tempting to use too much oil when preparing foods for the air fryer. This can lead to overheating and the development of a chemical reaction called thermo-oxidation that may be harmful for your health, according to Cucuzza.
When preparing foods for air frying, try to ensure that they are dry before adding oil or seasoning them with herbs and spices. Keeping foods well-dried can help them to cook evenly and prevent the formation of a sogginess that can affect the taste and texture of the final dish.
It’s important to note that while air fryers don’t need to be oiled, vegetables will benefit from a light coating of oil. They’ll be more browned and will have a greater crunch when served, so it’s a good idea to add a little oil if you’re making fries or other starchy food in an air fryer.
Home chefs are divided as to whether air fryers are a safe alternative for roasting whole chickens, especially if the bird is larger than three pounds or if it has a lot of skin on it. For this reason, it’s generally best to remove the skin before air frying and to spatchcock poultry before cooking.
A few brands of air fryers even come with a rotisserie function for cooking a whole chicken. They’re also great for reheating foods after they’ve been in the oven, which can help to reduce your energy intake and maintain a healthy weight.
If you are looking for an air fryer that does more than simply fried up your favorite bar snacks, we recommend the Gourmia FryMaster, which comes with several settings and can accommodate a variety of foods. This model can cook up to eight or nine chicken wings and a few servings of fries in about 25 minutes. It’s a great option for one or two people and will save you space on your counter.