Air Fryer Revolution: Can You Air Fry?

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance that can help you prepare crispy food with little to no oil. They are essentially small, powerful ovens that use hot air to cook food, resulting in a similar texture and colour to deep-fried food. Air fryers are great for cooking a variety of foods, including chicken, fish, vegetables, and even desserts. They are also convenient for reheating leftovers and experimenting with new recipes. However, it's important to note that air fryers have limited capacity and may not be suitable for cooking large batches of food.

Air fryer breakfast recipes

Air fryers are a great way to make breakfast quickly and conveniently. Here are some delicious air fryer breakfast recipes to try:

Air Fryer Frittata

This protein-packed breakfast dish is easy to make and can be customised with your favourite ingredients. Simply combine eggs, cheese, vegetables, and meat in an oven-safe dish and cook in the air fryer for around 20 minutes. You can also make mini frittatas or frittata cups for a fun and portable option.

Air Fryer French Toast

For a sweet breakfast treat, try air fryer French toast. Soak bread slices in an egg custard mixture, coat them in crushed cornflakes, and air fry until crispy. You can also make French toast cups by layering bread, cream cheese, and fruit in a baking dish and air frying until golden.

Air Fryer Hash Browns

Crispy hash browns are a perfect side dish for breakfast. Simply coat shredded potatoes in oil and spices, and air fry until crispy. You can also add bell peppers, onions, and garlic for extra flavour.

Air Fryer Breakfast Burritos

These breakfast burritos are a hearty and satisfying option. Fill tortillas with scrambled eggs, sausage, potatoes, and cheese, and air fry until heated through. You can also freeze them for future breakfasts.

Air Fryer Bacon and Egg Cups

A fun and portable breakfast option, bacon and egg cups are a breeze to make in the air fryer. Line custard cups with bacon, fill with scrambled eggs and whole eggs, and air fry until cooked to your liking.

Air Fryer Breakfast Bowl

Inspired by the Chick-Fil-A Breakfast Bowl, this recipe is a filling and customisable option. Cook chicken nuggets and tater tots in the air fryer, chop them into bite-sized pieces, and mix with scrambled eggs and your choice of toppings.

Air Fryer Apple Fritters

For a sweet breakfast treat, try air fryer apple fritters. Mix diced apples with a batter made from flour, sugar, cinnamon, and milk, and air fry until crispy. Top with a cinnamon glaze for an extra indulgent touch.

Air Fryer Banana Bread

This air fryer banana bread is a quick and delicious breakfast option. Simply mix ripe bananas with a batter made from flour, sugar, and eggs, and air fry until golden. You can also add nuts or chocolate chips for extra flavour.

Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls

Start your day with a sweet and indulgent treat by air frying Pillsbury cinnamon rolls. You can also make them from scratch by mixing a dough of flour, sugar, milk, and cinnamon, and air frying until golden. Top with a cream cheese frosting for an extra special touch.

Air fryer appetizers and snacks

Air fryers are a great way to cook appetizers and snacks with less oil and mess, and they can be healthier than deep-fried options. Here are some ideas for air fryer appetizers and snacks:

Air Fryer Appetizers

• Mozzarella sticks – string cheese coated in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs.
• Chicken wings – fresh chicken wings with a spice rub.
• Sweet potato fries – sweet potatoes with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt.
• Avocado fries – avocado slices with an egg coating and seasonings, served with salsa or spicy ranch dressing.
• Ravioli – frozen beef ravioli with breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, and flour.
• Egg rolls – ground chicken, egg roll wrappers, spinach, coleslaw mix, green onions, garlic, and sauces.
• Crab Rangoon – crabmeat, cream cheese, and wonton wrappers.
• Samosas – red potatoes, garam masala, chilli powder, egg roll wrappers, and mango chutney.
• Chicken tenders – chicken tenders with a panko breadcrumb coating.
• Onion rings – sliced onions, dredged and air-fried.
• Pickles – dill pickle slices coated in breadcrumbs and ranch seasoning.
• Bacon-wrapped asparagus – asparagus wrapped in bacon.
• Mini chimichangas – ground beef, egg roll wrappers, taco seasoning, cheese, sour cream, and green chillies.
• Quinoa arancini – quinoa, eggs, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan.
• Coconut shrimp – shrimp coated in shredded coconut and panko breadcrumbs.
• Crab cakes – crabmeat, breadcrumbs, red pepper, celery, onions, eggs, mayonnaise, and wasabi.
• Blooming onion – a traditional blooming onion recipe.
• Mac and cheese bites – macaroni and cheese, deep-fried.
• Tortilla chips – tortillas, olive oil, and salt.
• Lemon pepper wings – chicken wings cooked in lemon pepper seasoning and coated in a lemon pepper honey sauce.
• Zucchini chips – zucchini coated in breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
• Calamari – calamari coated in flour, egg, milk, and panko breadcrumbs.
• Garlic knots – pizza dough with garlic and Parmesan.
• Buffalo chicken egg rolls – chicken, buffalo sauce, and cheese in a crunchy shell.
• Spring rolls – a plant-based option with a sweet chilli dipping sauce.
• Shishito peppers – shishito peppers with simple seasonings.

Air Fryer Snacks

• Chickpeas – with olive oil, chilli powder, cumin, lime, and salt.
• Potato chips – thinly sliced potatoes with olive oil-flavoured cooking spray, sea salt, and parsley.
• Kale chips – kale with olive oil, seafood seasoning, and sea salt.
• Tortellini – prosciutto tortellini with breadcrumbs, Pecorino Romano, tomato puree, eggs, and milk.
• Beef Wellington wontons – ground beef, mushrooms, red wine, and wonton wrappers.
• Cinnamon almonds – almonds with egg white, vanilla extract, sugar, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
• Crab au gratin – crabmeat, mushrooms, cheese, breadcrumbs, milk, white wine, and seasonings.
• Pickles – dill pickle slices coated in breadcrumbs and ranch seasoning.
• Pepper poppers – cream cheese, cheddar, Monterey Jack cheese, bacon, jalapenos, breadcrumbs, and seasonings.
• Onion rings – sliced onions, dredged and air-fried.
• Potato skins – potatoes with a fluffy filling, topped with cheese, bacon bits, and green onions.
• Popcorn – homemade popcorn with a brown paper bag.
• Tater tots – frozen tater tots.
• Quesadillas – tortillas with taco meat and cheese.
• Texas toast – thick, buttery bread with a crunchy outside and soft inside.
• Waffle fries – frozen waffle fries.
• Egg rolls – frozen egg rolls with a crispy exterior and soft filling.
• Tortilla chips – tortillas, olive oil, and salt.
• Popcorn shrimp – frozen shrimp, cooked without any added oil.
• Jalapeno poppers – frozen jalapeno poppers with molten cheese.
• Green bean fries – frozen green beans served with a sauce.
• French fries – frozen or homemade.

Air fryer main dishes

Air fryers are a great way to cook a variety of main dishes, from meats to seafood to vegetarian options. Here are some ideas for air fryer main dishes:

Meats

Air fryers are perfect for cooking meats such as chicken, beef, and pork. You can make air fryer chicken wings, tenders, or breasts. For a juicy and tender option, try air fryer chicken thighs with a spicy coating. There's also the classic fried chicken, chicken sandwiches, or chicken parmesan. If you're in the mood for beef, try crispy chilli beef or an air fryer beef joint. Or, if you're craving pork, go for air fryer pork chops.

Seafood

If you're a seafood lover, air fryers can cook up some delicious options. Try air fryer salmon bites or fillets coated in herb seasoning. You can also make air fryer fish and chips, shrimp, or crab cakes.

Vegetarian

For vegetarian main dishes, air fryers are versatile. You can make everything from air fryer tofu, tofu nuggets, or vegetable-based snacks like buffalo cauliflower wings, zucchini fries, or onion rings. You can also cook up some crispy Brussels sprouts, sweet potato fries, or potato wedges.

Air fryer desserts

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional deep-frying, creating crispy and delicious desserts with minimal oil. They are also a convenient option for those who want to avoid turning on their oven and heating up their house. Here are some mouth-watering dessert ideas to try in your air fryer:

Air Fryer Bread Pudding

This classic dessert is transformed in the air fryer, resulting in a crispy top and a soft, jiggly interior. The best part is that it can be made with just four simple ingredients: bread, eggs, milk, and sugar. You can also get creative and add your favourite toppings, such as ice cream, honey, raisins, coconut, or chocolate.

Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are a classic for a reason. The air fryer gives them a crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and chewy. It's a quick and easy dessert that will satisfy any sweet tooth.

Air Fryer Apple Crisp

This dessert is a fall favourite, and for a good reason. The air fryer brings out the perfect texture in the apples, making them tender with a crunchy granola topping. It's a quick and easy dessert that can be made in just 15 minutes.

Air Fryer Churros

Who doesn't love a good churro? The air fryer gives them a crispy, golden texture, and coating them in cinnamon sugar adds that extra touch. They are perfect for dipping in chocolate sauce or enjoying on their own.

Air Fryer Banana Bread

This spin on a classic delivers a moist and fluffy banana bread thanks to the air fryer's intense heat and air circulation. You can also add your own twist by including ingredients like pumpkin pie spice, chocolate chips, or your choice of nuts.

Air Fryer Brownies

Fudgy and decadent, these air fryer brownies are a must-try. They have a crispy top and a soft, gooey centre. You can even add a little instant coffee or espresso to enhance the chocolate flavour.

Air Fryer Doughnuts

These doughnuts have a slightly different texture from their deep-fried counterparts, but they are just as delicious and use less oil. They come out fluffy and are best enjoyed with a glaze or a coating of sugar and cinnamon.

Air Fryer Cheesecake

This creamy dessert is perfect for those who want an individual serving. The air fryer cheesecakes are cooked in ramekins, resulting in a creamy texture without the need to preheat the oven. Serve them with whipped cream and fresh fruit for an extra touch of elegance.

Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies

With just three ingredients, these cookies are a quick and easy treat. The air fryer ensures they bake evenly, resulting in a crispy exterior and a soft, peanut butter-filled interior.

Air Fryer Apple Fritters

These apple fritters are a healthier alternative to traditional fritters, but they don't compromise on taste. The air fryer gives them a crispy exterior, and the browned butter icing adds a nutty, butterscotch flavour.

Air Fryer Chocolate Cherry Cobbler

This dessert is a chocolate lover's dream, requiring only five simple ingredients and 15 minutes of cooking time. The air fryer creates a delicious, gooey texture that will satisfy any sweet tooth.

There are endless possibilities for desserts in the air fryer, so get creative and enjoy experimenting with different recipes!

Air fryer cleaning and maintenance

Air fryers are a convenient and healthier alternative to deep frying, but they do require regular cleaning and maintenance to function optimally and avoid foodborne illnesses. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for cleaning and maintaining your air fryer:

Step-by-Step Cleaning Process:

• Unplug and Let Cool: Before cleaning your air fryer, always make sure to unplug it from the power source and let it cool down for at least 30 minutes.
• Remove Removable Parts: Take out all the removable parts, such as the basket, tray, and pan. These parts can be cleaned separately.
• Wash Removable Parts: Wash the removable parts with warm soapy water. If there is baked-on grease or charred food, let them soak in hot soapy water for about 10-15 minutes before scrubbing with a non-abrasive sponge. Alternatively, if your air fryer parts are dishwasher-safe, you can put them in the dishwasher.
• Clean the Interior: Use a damp microfiber cloth or sponge with a mild detergent to wipe down the interior of the air fryer, including the heating element. Make sure to remove any food residue or grease buildup.
• Clean the Exterior: Wipe down the exterior of the air fryer with a damp cloth and a mild detergent. Ensure that the air fryer is unplugged before cleaning the exterior.
• Reassemble and Dry: Before reassembling your air fryer, make sure that all the parts are thoroughly dried. Use a towel to dry the components, or let them air dry completely.

Frequency of Cleaning:

Ideally, you should clean your air fryer after each use to prevent charred food and grease buildup. The removable parts, such as the basket, tray, and pan, should be washed after every use, either by hand or in the dishwasher, depending on the manufacturer's instructions. The interior and exterior of the air fryer can be wiped down after each use or every few uses.

Tips for Effective Cleaning:

• Avoid Metal Utensils: Do not use metal utensils or abrasive sponges/scrubbers to remove stuck-on food, as these can damage the non-stick coating of the air fryer.
• Use Baking Soda and Vinegar: For stubborn grease or food residue, create a paste with baking soda and water, or use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. Apply it to the affected area, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub with a soft-bristle brush.
• Avoid Disinfectants: Do not use disinfectants to clean your air fryer unless they are specifically approved for food-contact surfaces.
• Use Air-Fryer Liners: To make cleaning easier, consider using air-fryer liners, which are disposable parchment papers that fit perfectly at the bottom of your basket. These liners catch any food residue and grease, making cleanup quicker.

Frequently asked questions