Air Frying Without A Basket: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a popular alternative to deep frying, using far less oil to cook food. They work by blasting hot air around the basket or oven, resulting in crispy and fluffy chips or moist chicken. While basket-style air fryers are common, with some models offering two drawers for cooking different foods, there are also oven-style air fryers that come with rotisserie accessories. Some users have reported that it is possible to cook without the basket in an air fryer, but this may cause the bottom round thing to fall out, creating a safety hazard.

Air Fryer without a Basket

Air circulation and basket design

Air fryers use an alternative cooking method to deep frying. Instead of submerging food in oil, they use very little—just one tablespoon—to bake food quickly. They cook food by blasting hot air around the basket or oven, resulting in crispy and fluffy chips or moist chicken that is healthier than deep-fried food.

Basket-style air fryers have one or two drawers where the food is placed for cooking. Those with two drawers are convenient for cooking different foods simultaneously but tend to be bulkier. Some basket-style air fryers have a full basket within a basket design, while others have a crisper plate, which is a raised disk that allows grease and liquids to drip into the crawl space. The Ninja air fryer, for example, has a crisper plate that is raised from the bottom with silicone feet, creating open air circulation. The Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer offers two independent 4.25L cooking baskets that can be converted into one XXL 8.5L basket by removing the divider.

Oven-style air fryers are also available and often come with rotisserie accessories, allowing you to roast a full chicken, for instance. These tend to be heavier appliances.

The design of the basket or cooking chamber in an air fryer is crucial for ensuring proper air circulation and even cooking. The basket or cooking surface should be elevated to allow hot air to circulate evenly around the food. This can be achieved through a mesh design or a raised crisper plate, as mentioned earlier. Proper air circulation ensures that the food cooks evenly and achieves the desired level of crispiness.

Drawbacks of cooking without a basket

While it is possible to cook without a basket in an air fryer, there are some drawbacks to this approach. Here are some disadvantages of cooking without a basket in an air fryer:

• Inefficient Use of Space: Removing the basket from an air fryer may not significantly improve its capacity. In fact, it could result in inefficient use of space. The basket holds the food in place, allowing for optimal air circulation. Without the basket, you might not be able to maximize the cooking area, especially if you're preparing multiple items or a large quantity of food.
• Uneven Cooking: The basket plays a crucial role in ensuring even cooking. It provides a platform for proper air circulation, allowing hot air to circulate around the food effectively. Without the basket, the air flow may be disrupted, leading to uneven cooking results. Some foods might cook faster than others, or you could end up with inconsistent textures within the same dish.
• Messy Cooking Experience: The basket also helps contain the food and any drippings or grease that may be released during cooking. Without the basket, these drippings can fall directly onto the heating element or the bottom of the air fryer, causing smoke and potentially affecting the taste of your food. It can also make cleaning the air fryer more challenging.
• Limited Cooking Options: Certain cooking methods and recipes may specifically require the use of a basket. For example, when cooking items that need to be flipped or shaken during the cooking process, the basket provides a convenient way to do so without disturbing the food arrangement. Without the basket, you might find it more difficult to handle certain types of food, especially smaller items that could fall through the gaps in the heating element.
• Safety Concerns: The basket also serves as a safety feature by providing a barrier between your hands and the hot cooking surface. Removing the basket might increase the risk of accidental burns when handling food inside the air fryer. Additionally, without a basket, there is a higher chance of hot components falling out when you tilt or move the air fryer after cooking, posing a safety hazard.

While cooking without a basket is possible in some air fryers, it is important to carefully consider these drawbacks and prioritize safety, cleanliness, and optimal cooking results.

Air fryer alternatives

Air fryers are a convenient kitchen appliance that can cook food with much less oil than traditional frying methods. They work by rapidly circulating hot air around the ingredients, making them a healthier alternative to deep-fat frying or pan-frying. However, if you're looking for alternatives to an air fryer, there are a few options to consider:

Convection Oven

Convection ovens are essentially larger versions of air fryers. They use the same principle of circulating hot air to cook food, but they offer more capacity and can be used for a wider range of dishes. Convection ovens are a good choice if you're cooking for a larger group or if you want the option to prepare a variety of meals. They may also be more cost-effective if you're looking for an oven upgrade, as some high-end models can rival the price of a good air fryer.

Traditional Frying

If you're looking for a similar result to air frying, traditional frying with oil can achieve a similar crispy texture. This method may be more time-consuming and require more clean-up, but it can be a good alternative if you're cooking in small batches or don't have access to an air fryer.

Other Kitchen Appliances

There are also other kitchen appliances that can provide similar functionality to an air fryer. For example, toaster ovens with an air fryer function offer the convenience of two appliances in one, saving counter space and potentially money. Some models, like the Ninja Foodi, have received positive reviews for their air fryer capabilities.

Basket-Style Air Fryers

While not exactly an alternative, it's worth noting that there are different styles of air fryers available. The basket-style air fryer, for instance, has a removable basket that can make handling and cleaning easier. This style may be preferable if you're concerned about the mess or difficulty of dumping the contents of an air fryer without a basket.

In summary, while air fryers offer convenience and healthier cooking, there are alternatives available. Convection ovens and traditional frying are direct substitutes, while toaster oven combos and different styles of air fryers can also provide similar functionality with some unique features and benefits.

Cooking different foods simultaneously

Yes, you can cook without a basket in an air fryer, and you can cook multiple different foods simultaneously. Cooking different foods at the same time in an air fryer can save time and energy, and it can also reduce stress in the kitchen by eliminating the need to juggle multiple cooking times.

To cook different foods simultaneously, it is important to understand the compatibility of the ingredients you are using. Different foods have different cooking times and temperature requirements, so it is crucial to select foods with similar cooking times and temperatures. For example, you could cook frozen chicken and frozen vegetables at the same time and temperature, but you would need to remove the chicken a few minutes before the vegetables to avoid overcooking it.

There are a few other things to keep in mind when cooking multiple foods in your air fryer. Firstly, overcrowding the air fryer can hinder proper air circulation, resulting in uneven cooking, so be sure to refer to your air fryer's user manual for specific guidelines on capacity. Secondly, it is important to preheat your air fryer before adding the food to ensure even cooking. Finally, if your air fryer has separate compartments or accessories like racks or dividers, use them to create distinct cooking areas and prevent flavor transfer between dishes.

Cleaning air fryer accessories

Air fryers are convenient kitchen appliances that can cook food in a fraction of the time. However, they require regular cleaning to prevent built-up grease, unpleasant odours, and crumbs. Here are some tips for cleaning your air fryer accessories:

Cleaning the Basket, Tray, and Pan:

• Remove the basket, tray, and pan from the air fryer.
• Wash these accessories with warm soapy water, just like regular dishes. You can also use a dishwasher if your air fryer accessories are dishwasher-safe (check the instruction manual for your specific model).
• For stubborn residue, let the accessories soak in warm soapy water before scrubbing.
• To cut through grease, you can use a grease-cutting dish soap like Dawn Powerwash and a sturdy sponge like Scrub Daddy.
• For a more intensive clean, create a baking soda paste by mixing two tablespoons of baking soda with lemon juice and a teaspoon of hot water. Pour the paste into the basket and scrub with a soft toothbrush or sponge.

Cleaning the Main Unit:

• Always unplug the air fryer and let it cool down completely before cleaning.
• Never immerse the main unit in water. Instead, use a damp cloth to wipe down the exterior, control panel, and interior to remove food splatters and grease.
• Check the heating coil for any residue. If there is, let the unplugged machine cool down, then wipe the coil with a damp cloth or soft brush.

Additional Tips:

• Use silicone basket liners or disposable paper liners to reduce cleaning needs.
• Perform daily wipe-downs and routine deep cleans to prevent grime and food residue buildup.

Frequently asked questions