Hungry but also feel the need to stay healthy and wholesome? Try using an air fryer.
Apart from dalgona coffee and focaccia art, another cooking trend that appeared during the lockdown — and is still pretty much a trend now — is cooking with an air fryer.
Very much like an oven but just smaller in size and stronger in heat power, the on-trend kitchen tool is used to air-fry your food without having to add additional oil or too much of the fat to make your meal crispy and tasty. With its petite size, the food also gets cooked faster, and requires not much attention from its user. It is perfect for the cook with little time or even an oven-less baker.
Beginners tips for using an air fryer
The following points can help you if you are a beginner when it comes to using an air fryer.
- Never overcrowd the basket of the air fryer.
- Arrange your food in a single layer to get your food crispy and to facilitate even cooking.
- Go by the suggested temperature guidelines your air fryer has recommended for different recipes.
- You should check your food halfway through the cooking time. Flip or toss your food to get even cooking and crispiness.
- Pat dry your food with a clean kitchen towel before seasoning it to get your food crispy.
- It is mandatory to clean your air fry basket after cooking using a soapy solution and a non-abrasive sponge scrub. Make sure to thoroughly dry the basket before using it again.
- You should also clean the removable parts, base and the body of the air fryer after each use.
Here, we’ve curated a list of trendy and toothsome recipes using the air fryer, so you can throw an epic feast at home in a healthier, easier way.
Meat recipes for cooking in an air fryer
The sight of a grease-dripping tomahawk or a cheese-oozing cheeseburger is always eye candy for anyone at your dining table. Here’s how you can make it slightly healthier yet still deliciously juicy with an air fryer.
Advanced air fryer recipes
Crank your air fryer game up a notch with these eight scrumptious recipes spanning BBQ pork ribs, deep-dish pizza, buffalo cauliflower, chocolate chip banana bread, apple and banana chips, popcorn, and more. Make your cooking sesh for the fam a breeze.
Southern fried chicken using air fryer
What’s better than OG fried chicken? It’s Southern-style fried chicken soaked in buttermilk-hot sauce mixture and dipped in spice-seasoned flour before being air-fried until crispy and golden. Delicious.
Low calories/high-protein air fryer recipes
If you love a good chocolate skillet cookie, then this video should be your move. The skillet cookie is simply a chocolate overload dessert that will hit all the right notes if you love the old-school chewy chocolate chip cookies.
Keto-friendly air fryer recipes
The air fryer cooking method really fits to all types of diets – evidenced in this video of keto-friendly recipes using only an air fryer to prepare. The pancakes, especially, have a drool-inducing effect that even us non-keto foodies want to try.
Vegan air fryer recipes
Vegans, we also have some cool interesting recipes for you here. Lisa Kitahara will show you how she fixes up flavoursome tahini chocolate chunk cookies, candied sweet potatoes, caramelised bananas, and cauliflower wings – all plant-based and using the air fryer.
Air fryer cinnamon roll
Who would have thought you can make cinnamon rolls in an air fryer? We absolutely did not see this coming. For oven-less cooks, you’re in for a treat here with this mouth-walloping recipe for the cinnamon-y, cream cheesy dessert. It’s divine.
Air fryer basque burnt cheesecake
There’s no denying, Basque burnt cheesecake has taken Bangkok by storm. But for those who wish to make it at home but have no oven to burn this burnt cheesecake, the air fryer will give your cheesecake the same caramelised effect just like an oven would. Bring on the sweet treats.
Featured image credit: Unsplash/The Fry Family Food Co.; Hero Image Credit: Unsplash/Louis Hansel]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answer: After cooking, you should take out the basket and wash it using a soapy solution and a sponge or a soft cloth. You can clean the grill using a soft cloth as well. Remember not to use disinfectants that can be toxic. Make sure to wipe it dry after cleaning.
Answer: It is recommended to preheat your air fryer to get maximum crispiness for your food. Without preheating, cooking time can be longer.
Answer: Yes, you should use very little oil for most recipes while cooking in an air fryer. Add oil along with your seasoning before placing it in the basket.
Answer: Yes, you can cook most regular recipes using an air fryer. Always remember that an air fryer will only take half of the time a microwave would take for cooking.
Answer: Yes, you can reheat leftovers in an air fryer, and get them crispy.
Answer: Yes, you can use an air fryer for Indian recipes. Using an air fryer you can make Indian recipes like tandooris, pakodas, banana fritters, vadas and stuffed vegetables.
Answer: Making food in an air dryer is a healthy option as it uses very little oil and helps you cut down on calories.
Answer: An air fryer is not recommended for cooking foods with wet batter. This is because the amount of oil you use in an air fryer won't be sufficient to cook batter-coated food items. Hot liquids and sauces are also to be avoided as they can splash and create a mess. You should also avoid highly seasoned foods and cheese because cleaning it can get messy. Popcorns should also be avoided as the temperature won't be enough to pop the corn kernels. You should also avoid making toasts as they would not cook properly inside an air fryer.
Kankanit Wichiantanon
Writer, Bangkok
Kankanit is a writer by day and a baker by night. If there’s one thing you should know about her, it’s that she can wax poetic about food 24/7. Her daily routine is writing, cooking, eating, repeat. They are the things that inspire her from morning 'til night.
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