Frying In An Air Fryer: Batter Or Not?

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance due to their ability to imitate deep-frying results with less oil and a healthier outcome. While air fryers can cook a wide variety of foods, not all foods are suitable for this appliance. One common question is whether you can batter fry in an air fryer. The answer is yes, you can batter fry in an air fryer, but there are some important things to keep in mind. Firstly, avoid placing wet batter in the air fryer as it will create a mess and won't produce the desired crunchy shell. Instead, coat your food in a dry mixture of flour, egg, and breadcrumbs before placing it in the air fryer. Additionally, make sure to spray the food with cooking spray to help achieve the desired crispiness.

Battered fish in an air fryer

Yes, you can batter fry in an air fryer. However, it is one of the few deep-fried foods that can be challenging to replicate in an air fryer. The wet batter tends to run off the food and through the holes in the air fryer basket. But, with a few adjustments, you can achieve a delicious, crispy, battered fish in your air fryer.

Tips for Battering in an Air Fryer:

• Use a thick batter and dredge in flour to create a coating that will stay put when air frying.
• Ensure your fish fillet is thick (at least 1 inch/2.5 cm thick). This is to prevent overcooking the fish while waiting for the outside to brown.
• Generously spritz the coated fish with oil to ensure even cooking and to prevent the flour from drying out and tasting raw.

Beer-Battered Fish in an Air Fryer:

For a classic, crispy, beer-battered fish, here is a recipe you can try in your air fryer:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) of fresh cod, cut into 4 fillets
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon of onion powder
• ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper
• 12 ounces (350ml) of your favourite beer (a light wheat beer is recommended)
• Pickled onions, for serving
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Tartar sauce, for serving
• Pinch of salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

• Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels.
• In a bowl, combine 1 cup of flour with a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to mix.
• In another bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 cup of flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
• Pour in the beer and whisk until a smooth, thick batter forms.
• Dip each piece of fish into the beer batter, coating completely. Then, dip it into the seasoned flour and gently press so the flour adheres. Ensure the fish is well-coated to prevent the batter from dripping off.
• Spray the air fryer basket generously with a non-stick/olive oil spray.
• Heat the air fryer to 380-390°F (190-199°C).
• Place the fish in the basket and spray all over with the oil spray.
• Set the timer for 12-15 minutes, checking once or twice during the cooking process to ensure the batter doesn't dry out.
• Gently remove the fish from the air fryer and serve with tartar sauce, pickled onions, and lemon wedges.

Variations and Serving Suggestions:

• Serve your beer-battered fish with a side of coleslaw, French fries, and malt vinegar for a classic fish and chips meal.
• If you prefer not to use beer, you can substitute it with ginger ale or club soda.
• For a complete meal, serve your battered fish with tartar sauce, flavour slaw, and lemon wedges.

Final Thoughts:

While air-fried battered fish may not be identical to its deep-fried counterpart, it is a delicious, healthier alternative that can be easily prepared in your air fryer with a few adjustments to the battering technique. Enjoy experimenting with this classic dish, and feel free to adjust the spices and serving suggestions to suit your taste preferences!

Wet batter vs dry batter

Overview

Batters are used to protect delicate foods from the heat of the fryer and to create a crispy shell that acts as a barrier to the oil. This allows the food inside to steam in its own juices.

Wet batter

Wet batters usually contain more ingredients than dry batters as they allow more material to adhere to the side of the food. After frying, wet batters will likely be thicker and crunchier. Wet batters need the right balance of protein and starch, though, because if they're too wet, they will splatter in the oil.

Dry batter

Dry batters dehydrate the food surface, making it brown more easily. This works well for foods with a lot of fat in their skin, like chicken. Drying out the skin with flour or starch before frying makes it easier to crisp and brown.

There is no definitive answer to which batter is best. It depends on the food and the desired effect. If you're cooking something delicate with a short cooking time, like fish, you probably want a thicker batter to give the food more time to cook in the oil. Fried fish and seafood, as well as delicate veggies like onion rings or zucchini flowers, tend to have a thick wet batter.

If you're cooking something that is more heat-resistant like poultry or pork, a dry batter may be more appropriate since the food doesn't need as much protection in the fryer. But a dry batter will not get as crispy as a wet one, so it will also depend on crisping the protein itself.

Air frying

Air fryers can imitate the results of deep frying with intense hot air and only a fraction of the oil. However, you should avoid placing wet batter in an air fryer as it will create a mess, and the batter won't set in the same way as it does when submerged in oil, so the food won't have a crunchy shell.

If you want to add crispiness and get your food perfectly golden, coat it in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. You can also use a buttermilk marinade, making sure to spritz any visible flour spots with oil during the cooking process.

Oil spray vs mayonnaise coating

Oil Spray

Oil spray is a convenient way to add a small amount of oil to your food before air frying. It is important to use a pure oil spray, such as avocado oil spray, rather than a nonstick cooking spray like PAM, which can damage the lining of the air fryer basket. With an oil spray, you can evenly disperse a small amount of oil over the food, preventing excess pooling or splattering. This is especially useful for breaded foods, as it helps to prevent dry spots and ensures even browning.

Mayonnaise Coating

Mayonnaise is a thick, creamy condiment made from egg yolks, oil, and vinegar. When used as a coating for fish, it helps to keep the fish moist and adds flavour to the dish. Mayonnaise can be a good choice for those who want a crispy outer layer without the dryness that can sometimes occur with egg coatings. However, it is important to note that mayonnaise can also make the fish greasy, so it may not be suitable for those who prefer a lighter texture.

Comparison

Both oil spray and mayonnaise coating have their advantages and disadvantages. Oil spray is a healthier option as it uses minimal oil, while mayonnaise coating can add flavour and moisture to the dish. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on personal preference and the type of food being cooked. For example, if you are cooking breaded chicken, oil spray may be the best option to prevent dry spots. On the other hand, if you are frying fish and want to add flavour and moisture, a mayonnaise coating might be the better choice.

Pre-fried and frozen foods

When cooking with an air fryer, it is important to remember that it is essentially a convection oven, so the recommended cook time on food packaging will be too long. Reduce the heat by 10 to 25 degrees and halve the cooking time. You can then check on your food and adjust the cooking time as needed. It is also important to preheat your air fryer, as this will help evaporate the water in your frozen food and prevent it from becoming mushy.

Some recommended frozen foods that are ideal for the air fryer include:

• Mozzarella sticks
• Chicken nuggets
• Tater tots
• Egg rolls
• Potato skins
• Chicken wings
• Onion rings
• Shrimp
• Steak
• Chicken breasts
• Salmon
• Green beans
• Curly fries
• Waffles
• Jalapeno poppers
• Mini corn dogs
• Bagel bites
• Pizza
• Dumplings
• Hash browns

Frozen vegetables can be a bit more tricky, as they are prone to drying out or becoming soggy. Broccoli, for example, can turn brittle and dry, while zucchini can result in a water-logged mess. It is recommended to use frozen vegetables in soups, stews, or smoothies instead.

Batter alternatives

While wet batter is not recommended for air fryers, there are several batter alternatives you can use to achieve a crispy, golden finish on your food. Here are some methods to consider:

Flour, Egg, and Breadcrumbs

Coating your food in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs is a classic breading technique that works well in an air fryer. This method creates a dry, crispy coating that will not drip or create a mess in the air fryer basket. You can season the flour with spices like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper to add extra flavour to your dish. This breading technique is perfect for foods like fish, chicken, or vegetables.

Double Dipping with Beer Batter and Flour

If you are set on using a batter, a creative solution is to use a double-dipping technique. First, dip your food in a beer batter, and then coat it with flour. The flour will help the batter stick to your food and prevent it from dripping off. You can also spray the food with olive oil to help the coating crisp up. This method works well for fish, resulting in a tender, flaky texture with a hearty and thick coating.

Pre-Fried and Frozen Battered Food

If you are looking for a quick and convenient option, you can purchase pre-fried and frozen battered food from the freezer aisle. These items have already been fried in oil, so they will hold up well in the air fryer. Examples include frozen mozzarella sticks or battered fish fillets.

Potato Chip Crust

For an extra crunchy and flavourful coating, you can use crushed potato chips as a batter alternative. This method works well with fish, adding a crispy texture and a tangy flavour.

Lemon-Garlic Coating

For a zesty and savoury option, you can create a batter alternative using lemon and garlic. This coating is an excellent choice for fish sticks, adding a burst of flavour to your dish.

In summary, while wet batter is not ideal for air fryers, there are numerous alternatives to achieve a crispy, golden finish on your food. Experiment with different coatings and techniques to find the ones that work best for your favourite dishes.

Frequently asked questions