Air Fryer Hacks: Drying Food With An Air Fryer

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance used to cook food by circulating hot air around it. While they can deliver crispy, juicy results with less oil than traditional frying methods, air fryers can also be prone to drying out food. This is because the rapid circulation of hot air can cause moisture to evaporate quickly, leaving food dry and overcooked.

However, with the right techniques and adjustments, it is possible to prevent food from drying out in an air fryer. This includes choosing the right ingredients, marinating and coating them with oil, using moderate temperatures, and ensuring proper food placement and airflow.

In addition to cooking, air fryers can also be used for dehydrating food items such as fruits, vegetables, and meat. This process involves removing moisture at lower temperatures without cooking the food. While some air fryers have built-in dehydrate settings, others can be manually adjusted to achieve the same effect.

Drying fruit in an air fryer

Air fryers are extremely versatile kitchen gadgets. Frying is just one of the many things you can use an air fryer for. You can also bake cakes, cookies, and brownies, or roast meat. One surprising way to use an air fryer is to make it work as a dehydrator to dry fruits.

Drying fruits, also known as dehydrating, involves removing most of the water content from the fruits by circulating hot air at a low and controlled temperature. After dehydrating the fruit, the dried fruits can be stored for a long period without getting spoiled, and they make for a healthy snack.

While some air fryers have a dehydrator setting, you can also use a normal air fryer to dry fruits. The temperature setting for drying fruit is much lower than usual, usually around 125 to 175 degrees Fahrenheit and definitely no higher than 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

To dry fruit in an air fryer, start by thinly slicing your fruit of choice. The thinner the slices, the quicker the fruit will dehydrate. Place the fruit slices in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap and that there is space for air to circulate. Set your air fryer to the lowest temperature setting possible, ideally no higher than 175ºF.

After 30 minutes, flip the fruit slices over and allow them to dehydrate for another 15-30 minutes. Check the fruit regularly to prevent burning. The fruit is done when the centers are hard to the touch.

Using parchment paper to line the air fryer basket can make cleanup easier and help prevent the fruit from sticking. You can also dry citrus fruit slices such as oranges, lemons, and limes in an air fryer to use in Christmas decorations.

Dehydrating herbs

How to Dehydrate Herbs in an Air Fryer:

• Pick your herbs: Choose fresh herbs from the top of the plant, as this encourages further growth. Pinch off the leaves for herbs such as basil, mint, and oregano, and trim stalks for herbs like dill and thyme.
• Remove individual leaves from stems: You can do this by hand or with an herb stripper.
• Clean and rinse herbs: Washing your herbs will remove any dirt, debris, or pests that may be on the plant. It also helps you identify and pick out bad leaves.
• Dry herbs by placing them on paper towels: Pat the herbs dry with a paper towel.
• Place herbs in the air fryer drawer or basket: Place the rack over the herbs or use a mesh muslin bag if you are dehydrating more than one type of herb.
• Use the dehydrator function: Set your air fryer to 130°F or 57°C (or 135°F/57°C if your air fryer doesn't have a specific dehydrator function).
• Dehydrate for 3-4 hours: The time will depend on the type of air fryer you own, so refer to your air fryer manual for the exact cooking time.
• Let the herbs stand for about 15 minutes after the process is complete.
• Store in sealed mason jars: If you don't break up the leaves, they will potentially last up to 2-3 years.

Tips:

• If you don't have a dehydrator setting on your air fryer, you can still dehydrate herbs. Set your air fryer to its lowest temperature and keep a close eye on the herbs to prevent burning.
• Cover the herbs with a rack or use a muslin bag to prevent them from blowing around.
• If you want to dehydrate more than one type of herb at a time, you'll need to use muslin bags.

Drying meat

Choosing the Right Meat

Select a lean and flavorful cut of beef. Top round and bottom round steaks are ideal, but you can also use sirloin tip, flank steak, or thin minute steak. A tougher cut of meat will result in chewier jerky, while a more tender cut will give softer, melt-in-the-mouth jerky.

Preparing the Meat

Trim any excess fat from the outside of the beef, then slice it into very thin strips, no thicker than 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch. Partially freezing the beef beforehand can make slicing easier.

Marinating

Prepare a marinade with ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, onion powder, and spices like red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or garlic powder. Submerge the beef strips in the marinade, ensuring all surfaces are covered. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, but preferably overnight, for maximum flavor.

Air Frying

After marinating, remove the beef strips from the refrigerator and pat them dry with paper towels. Arrange the strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overlap to ensure even drying. If using a small air fryer, consider using a rack to double the amount of jerky cooked per batch.

Set the air fryer to a low temperature, typically between 175°F and 180°F. Cook the beef jerky for around 2-3 hours, checking regularly to prevent burning. The jerky is done when all the moisture has evaporated, but before it chars. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure the jerky reaches 160°F, which is safe for consumption.

Storing

Allow the jerky to cool completely, then store it in airtight containers or sealable bags. It can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, refrigerated for up to 3 weeks, or frozen for up to 6 months.

Drying rice

To dry rice with an air fryer, follow these steps:

• Rinse the rice under cold water for about a minute, or until the water runs clear, to remove excess starch.
• Add the rice to an air fryer-safe pan or dish, such as a cake pan.
• Add water at a ratio of 1.25:1 (water to rice) if the rice is rinsed, or 1.5:1 if the rice is not rinsed.
• Cover the dish tightly with aluminium foil or a compatible lid to retain moisture and steam.
• Cook at a moderate temperature of around 300°F (149°C) for 30 minutes.
• Let the rice sit for 15 minutes before fluffing it with a fork and serving.

It is important to note that the texture of rice cooked in an air fryer will be slightly more crisp or "al dente" compared to rice cooked in a pot or rice cooker. Additionally, using hot water instead of room temperature water to cook the rice is not recommended, as it can result in unevenly cooked rice.

If you are specifically looking to dry rice for fried rice, it is recommended to let the rice sit in the fridge overnight to achieve the desired texture. However, if you are drying rice for other purposes, the above steps can be followed.

Avoiding dry food in an air fryer

Air fryers are a convenient and healthy alternative to traditional frying, but they can sometimes dry out your food. Here are some tips to help you avoid dry food when using an air fryer:

Understand How Air Fryers Work

Air fryers use rapid air circulation to cook food. This method can give your food a crispy exterior with less oil, but it can also lead to moisture loss. Understanding this principle is crucial to preventing dryness.

Choose the Right Ingredients

Some foods are more prone to drying out in an air fryer. Lean meats like chicken breasts and pork chops, as well as low-fat items like vegetables, tend to lose moisture quickly. Opt for ingredients with higher fat content or natural moisture, such as chicken thighs, salmon, or marinated vegetables.

Prepare Your Ingredients Properly

Before placing your food in the air fryer, consider marinating it in oil or other fats. This creates a protective layer that helps lock in moisture. Even a small amount of oil can make a big difference in preventing dryness.

Master Temperature and Time Control

Finding the right balance between temperature and time is essential. Avoid setting your air fryer to the highest temperature, as this can dry out the interior of your food. For lean meats and delicate vegetables, a moderate temperature between 350°F to 375°F (175°C to 190°C) is usually sufficient.

Cooking time is critical. Leaving food in the air fryer for too long can lead to overcooking and dryness. Keep an eye on your food and adjust the time according to the thickness and type of ingredient. For example, chicken breasts typically need only 12-15 minutes.

Use the Air Fryer Correctly

Proper food placement is important. Ensure your food is arranged in a single layer with enough space between pieces to allow for even air circulation. Shaking or flipping your food halfway through the cooking process helps ensure even cooking and prevents any one side from drying out. Avoid overcrowding the basket, and consider cooking in smaller batches if necessary.

Keep Food Moist

There are several simple methods to keep your food moist while cooking in an air fryer:

• Lightly spray your food with oil before cooking to create a barrier that locks in moisture.
• Use foil or parchment paper to create a pouch for foods that may dry out, such as fish or marinated vegetables.
• Add a small amount of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to create a humid environment.
• Serve your air-fried foods with moisture-rich sauces or marinades to counteract any dryness.

Frequently asked questions