Transform Deep-Fried Recipes With An Air Fryer

Air fryers have become a common appliance in home kitchens, promising crisp, dry-fried foods without the excess oil. But can you convert deep-fried recipes for the air fryer? The short answer is yes, but there are some adjustments to be made. Firstly, it's important to pat food dry and lightly coat it with oil to achieve a crispy texture. When it comes to temperature, air fryers require a higher temperature than deep fryers to achieve the same level of crispness. A temperature of around 390°F is recommended for anything that is traditionally deep-fried. It's also crucial to check the food frequently to avoid overcooking or undercooking, as air fryers can vary in performance. Additionally, avoid wet foods and wet batters, as these won't brown properly in an air fryer. Breaded foods work best, so opt for a standard breading procedure instead of a wet batter. Finally, don't overcrowd the air fryer basket and cook in batches if needed. With these tips, you can enjoy your favourite deep-fried treats with a healthier twist!

Use a temperature of around 375°F (190°C) for 10-20 minutes

When converting a deep-fried recipe to be cooked in an air fryer, you will need to adjust both the temperature and the cooking time.

As a general rule, you should reduce the recommended baking temperature by 25°F and the cooking time by 20%. So, if you are converting a recipe that calls for an oven temperature of 375°F (190°C), you should set your air fryer to 350°F.

The cooking time will depend on what you are cooking, but as a rough guide, for a cooking time of 10-20 minutes in the oven, you can expect to reduce this to around 8-16 minutes in the air fryer. It's important to keep an eye on your food and check for doneness about two-thirds of the way through the cooking time. You can always add more time if needed.

It's worth noting that every air fryer is different and will perform differently, so it's a good idea to check your food frequently to ensure it is cooking as expected. Additionally, using a light spray of cooking oil will help your food to brown and crisp properly.

Flip the food halfway through

Flipping your food halfway through the cooking process is an important step when converting deep-fried recipes to air fryer recipes. This is because the heating element of the air fryer is located at the top, so flipping your food ensures even browning and cooking.

When converting deep-fried recipes, it is recommended to reduce the cooking temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, if a recipe calls for 350 degrees Fahrenheit, you would set your air fryer to 325 degrees. At this reduced temperature, your food may need slightly longer to cook. Therefore, it is a good idea to start checking your food for doneness halfway through the cooking time.

In addition to flipping your food, you may also want to shake the air fryer basket a couple of times during cooking to ensure even browning. This is especially important for smaller foods like fries, tater tots, and chicken nuggets. For larger foods, such as chicken legs or wings, flipping them over halfway through is usually sufficient.

It is worth noting that some foods, such as onion rings and tempura, which are typically cooked with a wet batter, are not suitable for air frying. This is because the batter will not set up immediately and will make a mess in your air fryer. Stiff batters that stay securely attached to the food are more suitable for air frying.

For best results when converting deep-fried recipes to air fryer recipes, it is recommended to use a light coating of high-heat oil on your food. This will help to achieve the desired golden colour and crispiness. However, for foods that are already high in fat, such as chicken wings, you can skip the added oil.

By following these simple steps and making a few adjustments, you can successfully convert deep-fried recipes to air fryer recipes and enjoy your favourite fried foods with less fat and calories.

Choose the right ingredients

When converting deep-fried recipes to be cooked in an air fryer, it's important to choose the right ingredients. Opt for foods that are typically deep-fried, such as chicken wings, French fries, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks. You can also air fry vegetables like zucchini and cauliflower.

Before you start cooking, prepare your ingredients properly. Here's a simple guide:

• Pat the food dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial, as it helps ensure even cooking and a crispy texture.
• Season the food with your desired spices and coatings. This is where you can get creative and experiment with different flavors.
• Lightly coat the food with a thin layer of oil. This step is essential to achieving a crispy texture. You can use cooking spray or a small amount of oil (less than a teaspoon). Remember to oil the food, not the air fryer basket, to maintain its non-stick properties.
• Preheat the air fryer. Set it to the recommended temperature for the specific food you are cooking. Preheating ensures even cooking and a good final result.

Now you're ready to start cooking! Just remember to follow the recommended cooking times and temperatures for each type of food. You may need to adjust the temperature and time settings when converting deep-fried recipes to air fryer recipes to avoid overcooking or undercooking.

Happy frying!

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is crucial to achieving the perfect result. It kick-starts the cooking process and ensures even cooking throughout. The first step is to set the air fryer to the recommended temperature for the food you are cooking.

For example, if you are cooking chicken wings, the ideal temperature is 360°F, whereas for French fries, you would set the air fryer to 380°F. Once you have set the temperature, give the air fryer some time to preheat before adding your food. This is an important step, as it ensures your food starts cooking at the right temperature as soon as it hits the air fryer.

Depending on the model of your air fryer, it may have a preheat setting. If not, a good rule of thumb is to let it run for about 3-5 minutes before adding your food. This is also a good time to prepare your ingredients. Pat your food dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, and then season with your desired spices and coatings.

You can also lightly coat your food with a thin layer of oil before placing it in the air fryer. This will help you achieve a crispy texture. However, if your food is already high in fat, like chicken wings, you can skip this step. Once your air fryer has preheated, and your food is prepared, you are ready to start cooking!

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of meats

When converting deep-fried recipes to be cooked in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that the internal temperature of meats reaches a safe minimum standard. This is to prevent undercooking and to verify that any harmful microorganisms that may be in the food have been destroyed.

A meat thermometer should be used to check that meat has reached a safe minimum internal temperature. This is the only reliable way to ensure that meat is cooked properly. For example, ground beef may turn brown before it reaches a temperature where pathogens are destroyed. Therefore, it is important to use a thermometer to check that it has reached a safe temperature of 160 °F.

When cooking beef, pork, lamb, and veal steaks, chops, and roasts, the meat thermometer should be placed midway into the thickest part of the meat, away from any bone, fat, or gristle. The same goes for hamburgers, steaks, or chops. For whole poultry, the temperature should be checked in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. Poultry should be cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.

It is important to note that some meats require rest time after cooking. Rest time is important because it allows the innermost parts and juices of the meats to become fully and safely cooked.

Frequently asked questions