Freeze After Air Frying: What Foods Can You Save?

Air fryers are a convenient and quick way to cook frozen food. They are perfect for cooking frozen foods and offer several advantages over traditional ovens. Air fryers cook food faster, make it crispier, and are easier to clean. They also require less oil than deep fat frying or cooking on a stovetop.

When cooking frozen food in an air fryer, it is generally best to cook it straight from frozen. It is also important to not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Preheating the air fryer is recommended but not necessary.

Can you freeze food after cooking it in an air fryer?

Air fryers are a popular choice for cooking food quickly and efficiently, but can you freeze food after cooking it in an air fryer?

The short answer is yes, you can freeze food after cooking it in an air fryer. In fact, many frozen foods can be cooked directly in an air fryer, so there is no reason why you can't freeze your leftovers. Air fryers are compact kitchen appliances that use rapid air technology to cook food, creating a crispy outer layer while keeping the inside juicy and tender. This cooking method is healthier than traditional frying methods as it uses significantly less oil.

If you plan to freeze food cooked in an air fryer, it is important to follow some best practices for freezing foods:

• Store food in appropriate freezer containers or bags to maintain freshness.
• Allow hot food to cool to room temperature before freezing to prevent condensation and ice crystals from forming and affecting the texture and taste.
• Label frozen foods with the contents and date frozen to keep track of storage time and consume the oldest items first.
• Freeze food in portions according to the number of servings you need, so you can easily thaw and use only what you need.

When you're ready to cook frozen meals in the air fryer, follow the proper thawing and cooking procedures. Most frozen meals can be cooked straight from frozen in the air fryer, but you may need to add a few minutes to the cooking time. Always consult the package directions or recipe guides for specific foods.

So, if you have leftovers from your air-fried meal, don't hesitate to freeze them for later! Just make sure to follow the proper freezing and thawing processes to ensure the freshness and quality of your food.

What are the best foods to freeze after air frying?

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen food, yielding better results than traditional oven baking or deep frying. They are a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods, using significantly less oil. They are also versatile, convenient, and easy to clean.

• French Fries and Tater Tots: Air fryers can cook these classic sides to a satisfying crispiness.
• Frozen Chicken Strips or Nuggets: These can be cooked to perfection in an air fryer, with a crunchy exterior.
• Vegetable Medleys: Frozen vegetables can retain their flavour and nutrients while achieving a nice texture when cooked in an air fryer.
• Fish Fillets: You can enjoy crispy fish without excessive oil by air-frying frozen fillets.
• Mozzarella Sticks: These can be cooked to crispy, cheesy perfection without the cheese bursting out.
• Pizza: Air fryers can cook pizza to a crispy texture, with a gooey centre.
• Chicken Wings: Frozen chicken wings can be cooked to be hot and crispy, perfect for dipping in your favourite sauces.
• Bacon: Air-fried bacon is crispier than oven-cooked or stovetop bacon and cooks more quickly.
• Steak: You can cook frozen steak in an air fryer in under 30 minutes.
• Chicken Breasts: These can be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in 25-30 minutes.
• Chicken Cordon Bleu: This pre-breaded, stuffed dish can be cooked in 10-15 minutes.
• Chicken Tenders: Frozen chicken tenders can be cooked to be hot and crispy in an air fryer in just 10 minutes.
• Egg Rolls: Frozen egg rolls can be air-fried to a crispy wrapper.
• Hot Pockets: These can be cooked in an air fryer for an extra crispy crust.
• Onion Rings: Onion rings can be made crispy without any added oil in an air fryer.
• Green Beans: Frozen green beans can be cooked to be crispy and flavourful in an air fryer in just 4 minutes.
• Broccoli: Broccoli can be cooked to be crispy and healthy in an air fryer in 6-8 minutes.
• Cauliflower: Cauliflower can be cooked to be tender and juicy in an air fryer in 8-10 minutes.
• Sausages and Hot Dogs: These can be cooked to be juicy and crispy in an air fryer.
• Burgers: Frozen burgers can be cooked in an air fryer in 5-10 minutes, depending on thickness.

How long can you store air-fried food in the freezer?

Yes, you can freeze air-fried food, but how long it lasts in the freezer depends on what type of food it is.

Generally, frozen food will last indefinitely in terms of safety if stored at 0°F (-18°C) or below. However, the taste, texture, and colour will deteriorate over time as air sneaks into the packaging and moisture gets sucked out, resulting in freezer burn. Most foods will keep for a few months before quality is impacted.

• Cooked meat: 2 to 3 months
• Chicken nuggets or patties: 2 to 3 months
• Pies: 1 to 2 months
• Raw egg yolks and whites: Indefinitely
• Frozen fruits and vegetables: Varies depending on the type, but generally several months
• Breaded items: May not stay crispy after being frozen and thawed
• Fried foods: May become rancid if frozen for too long

It's important to note that these storage times are for maintaining quality, not safety. Frozen foods stored at the correct temperature can be kept indefinitely without posing any health risks.

What containers are best for freezing air-fried food?

There are a variety of containers that are suitable for freezing air-fried food. The best containers will be durable, freezer-safe, and airtight to prevent freezer burn. Here are some options:

Plastic Containers

Plastic containers are a popular choice for freezing food due to their affordability and lightweight construction. Look for containers made of durable, BPA-free plastic with secure lids that provide an airtight seal. Some examples include:

• Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers
• DuraHome Food Storage Containers
• Freshware Meal Prep Containers
• Bentgo Lightweight and Reusable Containers
• Snapware Total Solution Plastic Food Storage Containers
• Pyrex Freshlock Glass Food Storage Containers
• Glasslock Container Set
• Arrow Home Products Freezer Containers
• KOMUEE Glass Food Storage Containers
• MCIRCO Glass Meal Prep Containers

Glass Containers

Glass containers are a great eco-friendly alternative to plastic. They can withstand extreme temperatures and are less likely to absorb odours or stains. However, they may be more expensive and fragile. Examples include:

• Ball Glass Mason Jars
• Pyrex Simply Store Glass Container Set
• OXO Good Grips Glass Food Storage Container
• KOMUEE Glass Food Storage Containers
• MCIRCO Glass Meal Prep Containers

Silicone Containers

Silicone containers are durable, flexible, and easy to clean. They are also microwave and dishwasher-safe. Some options include:

• Stasher Reusable Silicone Bags
• Silicone Freezer Trays with Lids
• Walfos Silicone Freezer Molds with Lid

Aluminium Foil and Freezer Paper

For bulky items that may not fit in containers, you can use heavy-duty aluminium foil or freezer paper. Wrapping items in foil and then a layer of plastic wrap can provide extra protection against freezer burn.

How do you defrost and reheat air-fried food?

Air fryers are a convenient way to defrost and reheat frozen food. They can be used to defrost anything from frozen bread to meat, and snacks like fries and nuggets.

To defrost food in an air fryer, follow these steps:

• Remove the food from the freezer and, if necessary, take off any plastic packaging.
• Place the food on the air fryer tray, leaving space between each piece.
• Set the air fryer to the lowest temperature, usually between 300-350°F (150-175°C).
• Set the timer for 4 to 8 minutes, depending on the amount of food and its thickness.
• Check the food after 4 to 5 minutes, and if it is not defrosted, set the timer for another 3 to 4 minutes.

It is important to note that not all foods are suitable for defrosting in an air fryer. For example, raw meat should be defrosted in the refrigerator or at room temperature before cooking.

Reheating food in an air fryer is a great way to achieve a crispy texture. Simply place the leftover frozen items in the air fryer basket and set the temperature to around 350°F (175°C). Keep an eye on the food to ensure it is heated through, which can take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. To ensure even heating, shake the basket or flip the items halfway through.

Some tips for using an air fryer to defrost and reheat food include:

• Removing all plastic packaging before placing food in the air fryer.
• Using foil to wrap food, if necessary, but being mindful of potential health risks.
• Avoiding overcrowding the air fryer tray to ensure fast and even defrosting.
• Setting the temperature to the lowest setting when defrosting.
• Flipping thicker food items to ensure even defrosting.
• Preheating the air fryer if the food needs to be defrosted outside the fryer first.
• Using air fryer-proof dishes to defrost and cook oily or buttery foods to make cleaning easier.

By following these steps and tips, you can defrost and reheat air-fried food with ease and convenience.

Frequently asked questions