Air Fryer Baking: Can You Put Batter In?

Air fryers have become increasingly popular due to their ability to cook food in a healthier way. However, one common question people have is whether you can put wet batter in an air fryer. The answer is yes, but it comes with some challenges. Wet batter tends to run off the food and through the holes in the bottom of the air fryer basket. To prevent this, you can use a thick batter, dredge the food in flour, and ensure that the batter is well-coated with oil. Beer-battered fish is a popular dish to make in an air fryer, and with the right techniques, you can achieve a delicious, crispy, and flaky result.

Air fryer batter recipes

Beer-Battered Fish

Air fryer battered fish is a tasty and healthier alternative to deep-fried fish. The light and crispy batter coating is a bit thicker than traditional deep-fried fish, but it's delicious and flaky.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1.5 pounds of cod, cut into 4-5 pieces, at least 1-1.5 inches thick
• Beer
• 1 egg
• Vegetable oil
• Lemon wedges, malt vinegar, and tartar sauce for serving

Steps:

• Combine 1 cup flour, cornstarch, and baking soda in a large bowl. Add the beer and egg, stirring until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• In a shallow pan, combine the remaining 3/4 cup flour, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
• Pat the fish fillets dry and dip them into the batter, coating all sides. Let the excess drip off, then coat each fillet with the seasoned flour.
• Preheat the air fryer to 390°F. Generously spritz both sides of the coated fish with vegetable oil and place them in the basket.
• Air fry for 12 minutes at 390°F, spritzing with more oil if needed.
• Serve immediately with lemon wedges, malt vinegar, and tartar sauce.

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

For a vegetarian option, try air fryer buffalo cauliflower. The crispy batter on these cauliflower florets rivals that of deep frying.

Ingredients:

• Cauliflower florets
• Water
• Oil
• Cornstarch
• Flour
• Buffalo sauce

Steps:

• Dip the cauliflower florets in a wet dredge of water, oil, cornstarch, and flour.
• Place the battered florets in the air fryer (on parchment paper if desired) and cook until crispy.
• Toss the crispy florets in buffalo sauce and enjoy!

Air fryer batter tips

Air fryers are a great way to cook food more healthily, but they can also be used to cook delicious fried foods, such as battered fish. Here are some tips to help you get the best results when using batter in an air fryer:

Choose the Right Food

Not all foods are suitable for battering and air frying. It is best to choose foods that are not too thin or delicate, as they may fall apart or dry out during the cooking process. Thick, meaty fish fillets such as cod, pollock, or haddock are ideal. Shrimp might overcook by the time the coating cooks, so it is better to use a coated shrimp recipe instead.

Prepare the Food

Before battering, it is important to pat the food dry with a paper towel. This will help the batter adhere to the food and ensure a crispy final product. Cut the food into equal-sized portions to ensure even cooking.

Make the Batter

The type of batter you use will depend on the recipe you are following. For a traditional beer-battered fish, a batter made from beer, flour, and egg is typical. The carbonation in the beer creates a light and crispy texture. If you don't want to use beer, club soda or soda water can be used instead. The batter should be thick, as this will help create a coating that stays on the food during air frying.

Coat the Food

After dipping the food in the batter, let the excess drip off before coating it with seasoned flour. This double dredging technique helps the batter stick to the food and creates a crispy exterior. Make sure to coat all sides of the food evenly.

Use Oil

Generously spritz or spray both sides of the coated food with oil before placing it in the air fryer. This step is crucial, as it ensures that the flour is completely coated and cooks properly. It also helps to crisp up the batter and prevents sticking.

Air Fry

Preheat your air fryer to around 380-390°F. Place the battered food in the air fryer basket, leaving enough space around each piece for the hot air to circulate. Cook until the batter is golden brown and crispy. Depending on your air fryer, you may need to flip the food halfway through the cooking process.

Serve Immediately

Air-fried battered foods are best served fresh and hot. Serve with your choice of sides and sauces, such as French fries, coleslaw, tartar sauce, or lemon wedges. Enjoy!

Air fryer batter vs deep fryer

The main difference between an air fryer and a deep fryer is the amount of oil used for cooking. Deep fryers submerge food in hot oil to cook at high temperatures, creating a browned and crispy exterior. Air fryers, on the other hand, cook food by circulating hot air with little to no added oil, resulting in a healthier alternative to deep-fried foods.

Taste

Deep fryers produce a traditional fried taste and work well with food that has thick or wet batters. Air fryers, however, may not be suitable for wet batters as they can drip through the air fryer basket before setting. Air-fried foods tend to have a drier exterior, resulting in a crispy and caramelized finish without the greasy heaviness of deep-fried foods.

Versatility

Deep fryers are versatile and can fry a wide range of foods, but these foods typically need to be breaded or coated in batter. Air fryers are also versatile, and foods like vegetables, fish, and frozen items like fries and nuggets can be cooked without the need for batter.

Health

Air fryers are considered a healthier alternative to deep fryers as they use significantly less oil. Deep fryers often require 4 to 6 cups of oil, while air fryers use only about 1 to 2 tablespoons, resulting in a reduction in fat content.

Ease of Use and Clean-up

Deep fryers require more preparation and attention during the cooking process. Foods need to be dipped in batter, and the fryer needs to be monitored to avoid hot oil splashes and burnt results. Clean-up can also be more challenging due to the presence of oil, which needs to be cooled and disposed of or stored.

Air fryers, on the other hand, are generally easier to use and clean. They often have paddles to keep food moving, and the removable baskets are often dishwasher-safe.

Both air fryers and deep fryers have their advantages and disadvantages. While deep fryers offer the traditional fried taste and versatility, air fryers provide a healthier alternative with less oil and a lighter, crispier finish. Air fryers are also generally easier to use, store, and clean. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on individual preferences, cooking needs, and taste.

Air fryer batter alternatives

Batters are typically wet and runny, so they tend to run off the food and through the holes in the bottom of the air fryer basket. However, there are ways to adapt batters for use in an air fryer.

One method is to use a thick batter and then dredge the food in flour, creating a coating that will stay in place during air frying. This technique works well for fish and chips, resulting in a delicious, less greasy alternative to deep-fried fish.

Another option is to use a wet dredge, a batter-like mixture used for deep-fried foods. This method involves dipping the food in a blend of flour, cornstarch, oil, and water, which creates a crispy shell. This technique works well for vegetables such as cauliflower florets, resulting in a crunch factor that rivals deep frying.

Additionally, using parchment paper can help contain the mess and make cleanup easier. It is also important to note that the type of air fryer basket may affect the cooking process. If using a wire-like basket, the batter may drip through, so it is recommended to use parchment paper.

Overall, while batters can be challenging in an air fryer, with some adjustments, it is possible to achieve delicious and crispy results.

Air fryer batter issues

Air fryers are a great way to cook food more healthily, but they can be a challenge to use when it comes to wet batter. The convection-style of cooking, which circulates hot air around the food, can make some items dry. Wet batter can also leak through the basket, creating a mess and potentially setting off smoke alarms.

Tips for using batter in an air fryer

• Use a thick batter to coat your food, then dredge in flour to create a coating that will stay put when you air fry.
• Make sure your fish fillet is nice and thick. This will ensure the fish doesn't overcook while the outside is browning.
• Spritz the coated fish generously with oil to ensure that none of the flour is left dry.
• Use previously frozen battered foods, as the freezing process sets the batter.
• If you do air fry wet-battered foods, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper and let any excess batter drip off.
• Beer provides the quintessential fish-and-chips tang, but it's mostly used for the CO2 it contains. The bubbles in the beer froth and suspend in the flour, providing a light and crispy texture. A pale lager or amber is best, as stronger beers can overwhelm the flavour.
• If you don't want to use beer, use soda water as a substitute.

Frequently asked questions