Air Fryer Grilling: Is It Possible?

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. They can cook a wide variety of foods, from meats to vegetables, seafood, and even fruits, in a fraction of the time of traditional methods, and with less oil and mess. But can they grill? The short answer is yes, they can. With a few simple techniques, you can turn your air fryer into an indoor grill that delivers the same charred flavour and grill marks as a traditional barbecue.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process, as it ensures your food cooks evenly and develops a nice sear. Here are some detailed instructions on how to preheat your air fryer:

Firstly, it is important to consult your air fryer's product manual to see if preheating is recommended for your specific model. Some air fryers have a preheat setting, while others have to be preheated manually or automatically. By checking the manual, you can determine the best approach for your appliance.

If your air fryer requires manual preheating, the process is simple. First, ensure that all removable parts, such as the basket, are clean, dry, and properly inserted into the unit. Then, select the air fry setting and set the desired temperature according to your recipe. For most models, a preheat time of around three minutes is recommended. However, for larger or oven-style air fryers, you may need to preheat for up to five minutes.

During the preheating process, the air fryer circulates super-hot air, which helps to simulate the effects of deep-frying or high-heat roasting with minimal oil. This is especially important if you're aiming for crispy and crunchy textures in your final dish.

Once the preheat timer has elapsed, you can carefully add your food to the basket, ensuring that it is in a single layer to promote even cooking. At this point, you may need to adjust the temperature according to your recipe, as preheating is typically done at a higher temperature than the actual cooking temperature.

It's worth noting that preheating is not always necessary. For delicate foods like shrimp or tomatoes, you may want to skip the preheating step to avoid overcooking or drying out the ingredients. Similarly, if you're cooking something for a long period, such as a whole chicken or a baked potato, preheating may not be required.

In conclusion, preheating your air fryer can enhance your cooking results, especially when aiming for crispy textures. However, it's important to consult your product manual and use your judgment to determine when preheating is necessary and when it can be skipped.

Use grill accessories

Using grill accessories with your air fryer can enhance your cooking experience and the final result of your grilled food. Here are some tips for using grill accessories with your air fryer:

Grill Pan or Basket

Many air fryers come with a grill pan or basket designed specifically for grilling. These accessories can help your food cook more evenly and develop those coveted grill marks. Make sure your model supports a grill pan before purchasing one. Grill pans have perforated holes in the bottom that allow air to circulate, distributing heat evenly and allowing grease and oils to drip away from your food.

Grill Plate Attachment

If you want those classic grill marks on your food, you can invest in a grill plate attachment for your air fryer. The attachment has grooves that create the iconic grill marks and allows the juices from the food to fall and evaporate, adding more flavour to your dish.

Skewers and Racks

Skewers and racks are great for grilling kabobs, beef skewers, burgers, fish, or steak in your air fryer. If you plan to use wooden skewers, make sure to presoak them in water to prevent burning.

Tongs

Tongs are essential for safely maneuvering food in and out of your air fryer, especially when using a grill pan or basket. Opt for stainless steel tongs with silicone heads, which are sturdy, heat-resistant, and dishwasher-safe.

Mandoline

A mandoline is a useful accessory for slicing vegetables uniformly before grilling them in your air fryer. This ensures even cooking and gives you perfectly grilled veggies every time.

Oil Sprayer

While air fryers require little to no oil, a spritz of oil can make your food crispier. Use an oil spray bottle to spritz your ingredients before placing them in the air fryer. You can also spray your grill pan or basket to prevent food from sticking.

Liners

Air fryer liners, made from materials like silicone or parchment paper, can be placed in your air fryer to contain and separate food items. They help prevent food from sticking and make cleanup easier.

Thermometer

An instant-read thermometer, such as the Thermapen, can be useful for checking the internal temperature of your food, especially meats, to ensure they are cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Use high-smoke-point oils

When cooking with an air fryer, it's important to use oils with a high smoke point. This is because the air fryer cooks food at high temperatures, and oils with a low smoke point will burn and give off a rancid smell.

Oils with a high smoke point include avocado oil, ghee (clarified butter), extra light olive oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, peanut oil, grapeseed oil, canola oil, and vegetable oil. These oils have smoke points ranging from 400 to 570 degrees Fahrenheit, so they can withstand the high temperatures of an air fryer without burning.

When using an oil with a lower smoke point, such as extra virgin olive oil, it's important to ensure that the cooking temperature does not exceed the smoke point of the oil. Extra virgin olive oil, for example, has a smoke point of around 375 degrees Fahrenheit, so it should only be used in recipes that are cooked at 375 degrees or lower.

It's also worth noting that while frozen foods like chicken nuggets, French fries, and pizza rolls do not require additional oil, most other recipes will benefit from a light coating of oil. This helps to give food a nice golden color and keeps it moist during cooking. A small amount of oil can be brushed onto the air fryer basket and food using a pastry brush, or the food can be lightly sprayed using an oil sprayer.

Choose the right foods

When grilling with an air fryer, it's important to select the right foods to cook. While traditional grills are often used for cooking meats, an air fryer can handle a wide variety of foods, including vegetables, seafood, and even some fruits.

Meats

Chicken, steak, and bacon are all great options for grilling in an air fryer. You can cook chicken breasts, thighs, or wings to perfection, resulting in juicy, flavorful meat with a crispy exterior. For steak, air frying may not be the traditional method, but it can still produce a perfectly cooked piece of meat. If you're cooking bacon, consider wrapping it around a filet for a delicious combination.

Seafood

Seafood options like shrimp, fish fillets, and scallops are excellent choices for air fryer grilling. They cook quickly and result in a healthy, delicious meal. However, it's important to note that air frying fish at high temperatures may have some negative effects on beneficial nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, so consider adding fresh parsley and chives to counteract this.

Vegetables

A wide range of vegetables can be grilled to perfection in an air fryer, including asparagus, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, onions, and cauliflower. You can also make vegetable-based dishes like avocado toast, omelets, and tofu.

Fruits

Some fruits, such as peaches, can be grilled in an air fryer. For the best results, use fresh, ripe, or slightly underripe peaches, cut in halves, and grill for about 5 to 10 minutes.

Other Foods

In addition to the above options, you can experiment with various foods in your air fryer. This includes tofu, meatballs, crab cakes, fried rice, hot pockets, and even desserts like apple pie "baked" apples or cookies.

Remember, when preparing food for grilling in an air fryer, ensure that the food is cut into even-sized pieces to ensure uniform cooking. You can also marinate, season, or brush your food with oil to enhance the flavor.

Experiment with seasonings

Experimenting with seasonings is a great way to add flavour and depth to your grilled creations. You can use marinades, rubs, and seasonings to add a unique twist to your dishes.

When it comes to seasonings, you have the option to purchase store-bought blends or make your own. Store-bought blends can be convenient, but they often contain added preservatives, salt, and sugar. On the other hand, making your own blends gives you full control over the flavours and ingredients. You can eliminate or reduce unhealthy additives and replace them with healthier alternatives.

To make your own seasonings, start by choosing a base ingredient such as salt or paprika. Then, add aromatic herbs like thyme, oregano, rosemary, or basil for extra flavour. If you want to spice things up, experiment with cumin, coriander, chilli powder, or black pepper. Don't be afraid to think outside the box and try unique ingredients. For example, you can add smoked paprika, smoked salt, or liquid smoke to give your grilled dishes a smoky flavour.

Once you've created your seasoning blend, combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Adjust the seasoning levels according to your preference. If you want more saltiness, add more salt, or if you prefer it hotter, add more spice. Remember to always start with small amounts and taste as you go, as you can always add more but can't take it away.

When seasoning meat, it's a good idea to brush it with a little olive oil so that the seasoning sticks better. You can also use olive oil or avocado oil when cooking with an air fryer, as these oils can withstand high heat.

So, don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different seasonings when grilling with your air fryer. It's a great way to infuse your food with delicious flavours and make your culinary creations truly yours.

Frequently asked questions