Preparing fabulous food with an air fryer is simple. Follow the steps below to find out the best one to use as well as cleaning tips, what you can cook in it, and some of my favorite recipes.
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❤️ Why I Love My Air Fryer
When I first bought my air fryer, it was because I wanted to get that fried food result with the hot air cooking method. Little did I realize that there was a lot to know about how to use an one correctly to get the best results.
The air fryer has quickly become my favorite kitchen appliance. It produces the most delicious crispy food. Air frying is a whole lot easier and cleaner than doing a deep fry in hot oil and I want to share with you the things I have learned about how to use an air fryer to get the best results possible.
🍳 Fried Foods Made Better
If you love fried foods but don't love the grease or the mess caused from deep frying, then this is the cooking method to look at for getting similar results without the grease.
Air fried recipes use less oil by circulating hot air around the food to cook and crisp it up. These are perfect for small jobs such as reheating and cooking frozen convenience foods such as frozen fries or chicken nuggets. As well as larger items such as rotisserie chicken or roast beef.
How It Works
This appliance works by circulating hot air using fans around the food you are cooking. Depending on the size and type of unit you own, the food is placed in a basket or on a mesh tray that will allow air circulation to touch all sides of the food.
Not a lot of oil is required to get the end result. Depending on what you would be cooking a light oil rub or a spritz of cooking spray is all that is needed.
Air Fryers Vs Convection Oven
These have a similar way of cooking food. The air fryer is basically a smaller kitchen appliance that does the same thing as the convection oven, which is just another small appliance that will sit on the countertop!
Some of the newer oven models have a convection setting, which is also great (but expensive). However I find that the air fryer itself is a much better and more efficient way to get the fried result I am looking for.
Best Air Fryers to Buy
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It is idea to think about exactly what you want to cook as well as how many people you will be feeding. Below are two options to consider depending on family size and needs.
Basket
These have a limited capacity and basically are big enough for two people. The Ninja AF 101 4 quart air fryer is a 5 star rated one that is reasonably priced, easy to use and clean. It has a wide temperature range with a ceramic coated non-stick basket. It does require preheating before cooking.
Basket Tip: When using a basket it is important to remember to cook food in batches, shaking and flipping the food to make sure all areas of the item are being browned.
Family Sized
The Instant Vortex Plus 10 Quart is great for families and is reasonably priced (often can be purchased with a deal on Amazon). It can air fry, bake, rotisserie, dehydrate and reheat food. It comes with the rotisserie spit and forks, fetch tool, rotisserie basket, drip pan and 2 cooking pans.
Family Sized Tips: Use aluminum foil to line the drip pan when cooking food like bacon, rotisserie chicken or roasts. This will make for easier clean up of the drip pan.
FAQ
If you have enough counter space, I recommend placing it on the countertop. If you are like me, you will probably use it on a daily basis and the counter is the optimal place to store. Otherwise, the appliance cabinet above the fridge is a good spot to store it as well.
Oil is not required. The only time you might use oil is when a roast needs to be rubbed prior to adding the herbs and spices. Or you cooking a homemade breaded food that is not high in fat to begin with.
You should not cook anything with a wet batter in the air fryer. Cheese without a battered coating is not a good idea as it would just melt all over the air fryer. One exception would be halloumi cheese. And leafy greens are not recommended as they would dry out. The exception here would be kale, which can be coated lightly with oil and fried to make kale chips.
Anything from french fries to tater tots, fresh veggies, bacon, chicken nuggets, potatoes, hot dogs, and more.
Always unplug the appliance first. Then remove the baskets, pans, and drip pans to wash them with dish soap in the sink. Clean with a Microfiber cleaning cloth and dry with a cotton drying towel. Basket liners are great to help prevent a lot of scrubbing.
Tips For Amazing Results
Preheat: It is important to preheat the air fryer, unless the manual tells you differently. If there is no preheat setting, then just preheat it at the cooking temp for at least 3 minutes.
Use light coat of oil: I like to do this when the food I am cooking has little to no fat. Just fill an oil mister {like this one} with oil and keep it on hand to spritz when needed.
Shake or flip the food: This is important when cooking things like french fries, baked potatoes, or chicken wings.
Rotate pans: For family sized fryers with slide in pans, be sure to rotate from top to bottom part way through cooking to be sure the food is evenly browned.
Use an instant read thermometer: this is important when cooking raw meats like chicken, beef, or pork roasts, this is a good thermometer to use.
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