Grilling With An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Grilling in an air fryer is possible and offers a convenient and healthy way to cook your favourite barbecue foods. Air fryers are known for their convenience, and grilling in an air fryer is no exception. You can grill your favourite foods indoors, regardless of the weather outside. Air fryers also require little to no oil, making them a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods.

When it comes to grilling in an air fryer, it's important to choose the right foods. 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.

To prepare food for grilling in an air fryer, you can marinate it, season it with your favourite spices, or simply brush it with a little oil. Make sure the food is cut into even-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. It is also important to preheat the air fryer before adding your food to achieve maximum crispiness and to prevent overcooking.

So, if you're looking for a convenient and healthy way to grill your favourite foods, an air fryer may be a great option!

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the cooking process. It ensures that your food cooks evenly and efficiently, achieving the desired crispiness and texture. Here are some detailed instructions on how to preheat your air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer

Before you begin preheating, it's essential to ensure that your air fryer is clean, plugged in, and ready for use. Refer to the air fryer's manual for any specific instructions or troubleshooting. Make sure the basket is clicked in and securely shut, as some models might not function without it.

Step 2: Turn on the Air Fryer

Locate the power button and turn on your air fryer. If your model doesn't have a designated power button, look for a circle with a line through it, which typically serves as the on/off button.

Step 3: Set the Temperature

Adjust the temperature to your desired cooking temperature. If you're aiming for that perfect crispiness, consider setting the temperature higher, around 400°F (204°C). This temperature will replicate the high heat of a grill, giving your food that mouth-watering charring effect.

Step 4: Preheat

If your air fryer has a preheat button, simply press it, set the temperature, and hit start. The air fryer will alert you when it reaches the desired temperature.

If your model doesn't have a preheat button, manually preheat the air fryer by setting the temperature to 400°F (204°C) or the cooking temperature specified in your recipe. Let the air fryer run for 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 5: Adjust Temperature (If Needed)

Once your air fryer is preheated, you can reduce the temperature to your desired cooking temperature, usually around 380°F. This step is crucial to ensure your food doesn't overcook, especially if you preheated at a higher temperature.

Tips:

• Always refer to your air fryer's manual for specific instructions, as different models may have varying preheating requirements.
• Preheating can speed up cooking time by a few minutes and enhance the crispiness of your food.
• If you're cooking thick cuts of meat, consider skipping the preheat step to avoid burning the exterior before the interior is cooked.
• Preheating is particularly beneficial when cooking thinly cut meats, frozen foods, or when baking.
• Avoid preheating with parchment paper or oil, as this can lead to burning or a sticky residue.

Use a grill plate

If your air fryer has a grill plate attachment, use it to achieve those classic char marks and a slightly charred texture. If not, you can buy griddle plate accessories separately on Amazon, which help to mimic the look and feel of traditional grilling.

If you're after those beautiful chargrilled lines, you can find grill plates or griddle racks that are compatible with your air fryer. These will help you achieve the same desirable results as a traditional outdoor grill without having to fire up the coals.

Grill plates are a great way to get that authentic grilled look and feel without having to use an outdoor grill. They are especially useful for those who want to grill indoors or during the off-season when outdoor grilling may not be possible.

When choosing an air fryer, consider opting for a model that comes with a grill plate or griddle rack included. This will not only enhance the taste of your food but also provide those picture-perfect grill marks that are sure to impress your guests.

In addition to the grill plate, you can also invest in some tongs made of sturdy stainless steel and BPA-free silicone. These tongs are heat resistant and perfect for flipping burgers, tossing steaks, and turning chicken wings.

Use smoky spice blends

Smoked paprika is a popular spice to use in an air fryer, as it gives your food a smoky flavour. You can use it to season chicken, for example, to make a BBQ-style dish. You can also use it to season salmon, along with black pepper, garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper.

Other spices you can use to add smokiness to your food include smoked salt, liquid smoke, black cardamom, mesquite seasonings, chipotle peppers, and cumin.

If you're using dry spices, it's a good idea to mix them with a little oil before coating your food. This will help the spices stick to your food and prevent them from being blown off by the powerful fan in the air fryer. Use oils with a high smoke point, such as avocado, sesame, or vegetable oil.

Here's a recipe for Air Fryer Smoky Chicken that uses smoked paprika:

Ingredients:

• 2 Chicken Breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Salt
• Your choice of side dishes (e.g. balsamic air fryer mushrooms, air fryer potatoes, or air fryer tater tots)

Instructions:

• Mix the spices together and set aside.
• Remove the chicken breasts from the package and trim if needed.
• Gently pat the spice mixture onto the breasts, flip, and repeat.
• Place the breasts into the air fryer basket or tray and spritz with oil.
• Air fry at 350°F/176°C for 16-18 minutes, flipping midway and spritzing with oil again.
• Cook until the breasts reach an internal temperature of 165°F/73°C.
• Serve with your chosen side dishes and enjoy!

Use oils with high smoking points

When grilling with an air fryer, it is important to use oils with high smoking points, as the high heat of the air fryer can cause oils with lower smoking points to burn and smoke. This can result in your food taking on a charred and burnt flavour.

Avocado oil, vegetable oil, and peanut oil are all examples of oils with high smoking points that are suitable for grilling with an air fryer. These oils can withstand temperatures of up to 450°F, 400°F, and 450°F, respectively.

When using an air fryer, you only need a small amount of oil—a few teaspoons should be enough to prevent sticking and help achieve that perfect grilled texture and flavour.

In addition to avocado and vegetable oil, other oils with high smoking points include:

• Grapeseed oil (smoke point: 390°F-420°F)
• Light olive oil (smoke point: 465°F-470°F)
• Sesame oil (smoke point: 350°F-410°F)
• Ghee (clarified butter) (smoke point: 482°F-485°F)
• Refined coconut oil (smoke point: 400°F)
• Canola oil (smoke point: 400°F-450°F)

It is important to note that while extra virgin olive oil is a popular choice for cooking, its low smoking point of 375°F makes it less suitable for air frying, especially at temperatures above 375°F.

By choosing oils with high smoking points, you can avoid burning and smoking, and ensure your food turns out perfectly grilled every time.

Pre-soak skewers to avoid burning them

When grilling in an air fryer, it's important to remember that air fryers can get extremely hot, very quickly. This means that your food and cooking tools can burn if not properly prepared. If you're using wooden skewers, it's essential to pre-soak them in water before grilling. This will help prevent the skewers from burning.

To prepare your skewers for the air fryer, follow these steps:

• Soak the skewers in water: Just like you would with a standard grill, soaking wooden skewers in water will help prevent them from burning.
• Use shorter skewers: Traditional-length skewers may not fit in your air fryer, so opt for shorter ones to ensure they fit comfortably.
• Cut food into similar sizes: For even cooking, make sure the food pieces on the skewers are of similar sizes. This will ensure that everything cooks at the same rate.

By following these simple steps, you can avoid burning your skewers and achieve perfectly grilled food in your air fryer. Remember to allow enough time for the skewers to soak before you start cooking. This extra step will make a big difference in the overall success of your air fryer grilling experience.

Additionally, when it comes to grilling in an air fryer, it's not just about the skewers. Here are a few more tips to enhance your grilling experience:

• Preheat your air fryer: To replicate the high heat of a grill, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. This will give you that desirable charring effect.
• Lower the temperature after preheating: Once you put your food in, reduce the temperature to around 380°F to prevent overcooking. This lower temperature will ensure your food cooks evenly inside and out.
• Choose the right oil: Opt for oils with high smoking points, such as avocado or vegetable oil. You only need a small amount to prevent sticking, so a few teaspoons should be sufficient.

Frequently asked questions