Air Fryer Hacks: Frozen Food, Fast!

Air fryers are a convenient way to cook frozen food, providing a quick, healthy, and tasty alternative to traditional cooking methods. They are especially effective for frozen foods, delivering crispy, delicious results with minimal oil. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when cooking frozen food in an air fryer, such as not overcrowding the basket and preheating the air fryer for optimal crispiness. With the right techniques, you can easily cook a variety of frozen foods, from snacks like fries and chicken nuggets to meals like lasagna and roasted vegetables.

Preheat your air fryer for even cooking and crispiness

Preheating your air fryer is a great way to ensure even cooking and get that signature crispiness we all love. It's especially effective for frozen foods, providing a quick, healthy, and convenient way to prepare your favourite snacks and meals.

Preheat for Optimal Crispiness

Preheating your air fryer for 3-5 minutes before adding your frozen food will help you achieve even cooking and a crispy texture. This is because preheating circulates super-hot air around the air fryer, removing moisture from the food's surface to give it that golden-brown, crispy finish. It's like a hot deep fryer without the oil or a preheated oven!

The Benefits of Preheating

Preheating can speed up the cooking process and make your food even crispier. It's especially useful for thicker cuts of raw and frozen meats, like bone-in chicken breasts and ribeye steaks, as it helps to cook the inside while crisping up the outside.

When to Preheat

Preheating isn't always necessary, and some air fryer models don't require it. However, when in doubt, it's generally a good idea to preheat. If a recipe specifically calls for preheating, be sure to follow those instructions.

Other Tips for Even Cooking and Crispiness

• Don't overcrowd the basket: Give your frozen items some space. Overcrowding can hinder proper air circulation and result in uneven cooking.
• Shake it up: Depending on what you're cooking, give the basket a gentle shake or flip your food halfway through the cooking time for uniform browning.
• Light oil spray: While not always necessary, a spritz of oil can enhance the texture and flavour of your frozen foods.
• Adjust for best results: Follow package instructions, but keep an eye on your food and adjust the cooking time as needed.
• Batch cooking: If preparing food for a crowd, cook in batches to maintain crispiness.

Avoid overfilling the basket to prevent soggy, unevenly cooked food

When cooking with an air fryer, it's important to avoid overfilling the basket to prevent soggy, unevenly cooked food. Air fryers are more compact than conventional ovens, so it can be tempting to try and fit as much food as possible into the basket. However, overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking and soggy spots. This is because air fryers need space for air to circulate and create a crisp outside. If the basket is too full, the air fryer will steam the food instead, resulting in undercooked, soggy areas.

To avoid this issue, it's recommended to not fill your air fryer basket more than halfway. For foods like steaks, chicken, spring rolls, and dumplings, it's best to cook them in a single layer. This will help ensure even cooking and a crispy texture. If you're cooking multiple items that are frozen together, such as burgers, you can air fry them for a few minutes to thaw and then separate them before continuing to cook.

Additionally, when cooking breaded or crumbed food, it's important to ensure your air fryer is at the correct temperature, usually around 180°C (350°F). Adding a light coating of oil can also help achieve a crispy crumb. However, be careful not to use too much oil, as it can make the food soggy and greasy.

By following these tips and avoiding overfilling your air fryer basket, you can help ensure your food cooks evenly and has a crispy texture.

Use a light oil spray to enhance texture and flavour

Using a light oil spray on your frozen food before air frying can enhance the texture and flavour of your meal. Air fryers are known for their ability to deliver crispy, delicious results with minimal oil. However, a light coat of oil can further enhance the crispiness of your food.

When using an air fryer, it is important to remember that less is more when it comes to oil. You only need a light spritz or spray of oil to improve the texture and flavour of your frozen food. If your food already contains some fat, you may not need to add any extra oil at all.

The type of product you use to grease your air fryer is also important. Many air fryers have a non-stick coating, so using a spray with propellants or other additives can erode this coating over time. Instead, use a brush to coat your basket and food with a light layer of oil or fat.

In addition to improving the texture and flavour of your frozen food, using a light oil spray can also help prevent your food from sticking to the air fryer basket. This makes cleanup even easier, which is one of the benefits of using an air fryer.

When cooking frozen food in an air fryer, it is also recommended to preheat your air fryer beforehand to achieve even cooking and a crispy texture. Be sure to follow package instructions and adjust as needed, keeping an eye on your food to prevent overcooking or burning.

Cook multiple items simultaneously for quick, easy snacks and meals

Air fryers are a convenient way to cook frozen food, producing crispy results with minimal oil. They are perfect for cooking multiple items simultaneously, making quick, easy snacks and meals.

When cooking multiple items in your air fryer, it is important to not overstuff the basket. This will prevent hot air from circulating properly and may result in uneven cooking. For breaded or wrapped foods, fill the basket about halfway and shake it halfway through cooking. For open-faced or uncoated foods, place them in a single layer in the basket.

You can cook a variety of frozen foods in your air fryer, including:

• Frozen chicken tenders, patties, or fries
• Frozen shrimp
• Frozen egg rolls, spring rolls, or mini egg rolls
• Frozen green beans
• Frozen corn on the cob
• Frozen broccoli or Brussels sprouts
• Frozen pierogies
• Frozen bagel bites
• Frozen pizza, including Totino's party pizza and pizza rolls
• Frozen salmon
• Frozen onion rings
• Frozen corn dogs
• Frozen mozzarella sticks
• Frozen taquitos
• Frozen beef meatballs
• Frozen veggie burgers
• Frozen garlic bread

Simply follow the recommended cooking times and temperatures for each food item, and you'll have a quick and easy meal or snack in no time!

Reheat leftovers like pizza, fries, and chicken

Yes, you can cook frozen food in an air fryer. It is a quick, healthy, and convenient way to prepare meals and snacks. It is especially effective for cooking frozen foods like French fries, chicken, and pizza, providing a crispy texture without the need for excess oil.

Reheating Pizza in an Air Fryer:

For best results, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Place the pizza slices inside the air fryer basket in a single layer to allow for even cooking. Reheat for 3-4 minutes, and if you notice the pizza starting to brown, turn the heat down by 25 to 30 degrees. Thicker crusts may need an extra minute or two to heat through, while thin-crust pizzas can be cooked at up to 400°F for just 2 minutes.

Reheating Fries in an Air Fryer:

To restore your fries to their former glory, give them a light spritz with a neutral cooking oil before placing them in the air fryer. This will help conduct heat more effectively. Reheat in batches to prevent overcrowding, which can hinder proper air circulation. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fries, so keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking. For most fries, 2-3 minutes in the air fryer should bring back their golden crunch.

Reheating Chicken in an Air Fryer:

Keep the temperature low (around 300°F) to prevent the chicken from drying out. Preheat the air fryer and lightly coat the basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Brush the chicken pieces with a thin layer of olive or avocado oil and arrange them in a single layer, leaving space between each piece for optimal hot air circulation. Reheat for 5-6 minutes, then turn the pieces with tongs and continue reheating for another 5 minutes or until thoroughly warmed through. The time required will depend on the size of the chicken pieces, the model of the air fryer, and the starting temperature of the chicken. To ensure food safety, make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Frequently asked questions