Frying Techniques: Flash Frying With An Air Fryer

Air fryers are a popular alternative to deep fryers, offering a healthier way to achieve crispy, crunchy food without the mess and waste of oil. However, air fryers cannot replace deep fryers for all tasks. Air fryers are essentially small convection ovens that circulate hot air around food, cooking it evenly and quickly. While they work well for frozen foods, cookies, bacon, and breaded items like French fries, they are not suitable for foods with wet batters, like tempura or corndogs, as the batter will not set correctly and may make a mess.

Air fryers are convection ovens

Air fryers are essentially mini convection ovens, but with some key differences. While they both use a fan to circulate hot air, the smaller size of the air fryer allows it to heat up faster and cook food quicker than a full-sized oven.

Air fryers are also more portable and can be stored away in a cupboard when not in use, whereas a convection oven will likely live on your countertop full-time.

The compact size of the air fryer means it can focus a high amount of heat onto a small cooking area, resulting in faster cooking times. However, this also means that air fryers can only accommodate a fraction of the amount of food that a convection oven can. For example, an air fryer will only cook around two servings at a time, and you may need to cook food in batches.

Air fryers often include a drip tray to collect excess oil or moisture, reducing the amount of fat and calories consumed. They also tend to be louder than convection ovens and can be more expensive.

In summary, air fryers are a type of convection oven, but with unique features that offer both benefits and drawbacks depending on your specific needs.

Dry breading works, wet batter doesn't

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep frying, as they require far less oil to achieve a similar level of crispiness. However, they are not a direct replacement for deep frying, and certain foods will not yield the same results when cooked in an air fryer.

Wet batters, such as those used for beer-battered fish or tempura vegetables, are not suitable for air frying. This is because the instant heat of the oil in a deep fryer sets the batter, creating a deliciously crunchy coating. In an air fryer, the batter may stick to or leak through the basket, creating a mess and potentially setting off smoke alarms.

Instead, dry breading works well in an air fryer. This involves using a thick coating, such as a classic three-step breading procedure of flour, egg dip, and a crisp coating. This method can be used to create crispy fish and chips or chicken, with a similar texture to deep-fried food.

If you are set on using a wet batter, it is possible to air fry previously frozen battered foods, such as store-bought battered shrimp or fish. The freezing process sets the batter, allowing it to withstand the air fryer without creating a mess. Alternatively, you can shallow pan-fry or deep-fry with a wet batter, but this can be messy and annoying.

Air-fried food is healthier

The same is true for other foods cooked in an air fryer. Brussels sprouts, for instance, come out crispy and tender in an air fryer without the need for oil. This means they won't be as greasy as if they were fried in oil. You can also cook chicken breasts in an air fryer, which results in juicier meat than cooking them in the oven or on the stovetop.

Air fryers are also great for reheating frozen foods, making them crispy without using a lot of oil. Frozen foods like nuggets, fish, and fries can all be cooked in an air fryer with less oil and less mess.

In addition to being healthier, air fryers offer other benefits such as convenience and speed. They can cook food quickly and efficiently, and they don't require preheating, making them ideal for busy cooks who want to get food on the table fast.

While air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep frying, it's important to note that they may not always produce the same results as traditional frying methods. For example, wet batters don't work well in air fryers, and certain foods may not get as crispy as they would in a deep fryer. However, for those looking to reduce their oil intake and cook healthier versions of their favourite fried foods, air fryers are a great option.

Air fryers are great for frozen food

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen food. They are perfect for people who want to cook frozen food quickly, with minimal prep, and with a crispy texture. The air fryer's small size means it heats up faster than a conventional oven, and its powerful fan and heating element provide a more intense heat than a standard oven, resulting in a crispy finish.

Frozen foods that are ideal for cooking in an air fryer include:

• French fries
• Potato skins
• Tater tots
• Steak fries
• Sweet potato fries
• Crinkle-cut fries
• Chicken nuggets
• Popcorn chicken
• Chicken fries
• Chicken tenders
• Chicken patties
• Chicken wings
• Pizza rolls
• Pizza
• Mozzarella sticks
• Corn dogs
• Onion rings
• Texas toast
• Broccoli
• Egg rolls
• Samosas
• Falafel
• Empanadas
• Potstickers, gyoza, dumplings, or wontons
• Shrimp
• Fish sticks
• Fish fillets
• Biscuits
• Hash browns
• Burgers
• Meatballs
• Pot pies
• Hot pockets
• Pretzel bites
• Cheese bread
• Mozzarella sticks
• Chicken nuggets
• Chicken empanadas
• Chicken dumplings
• Egg rolls
• Chicken egg rolls
• Chicken breast nuggets
• Chicken breast
• Breaded chicken breast nuggets
• Loaded potato skins
• Tater tots
• Onion rings
• Butterfly shrimp
• Smores bars

When cooking frozen food in an air fryer, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• There is no need to thaw frozen food before cooking.
• Preheat the air fryer before putting the frozen food in the basket.
• Do not overcrowd the basket; leave enough room around the food for the air to circulate.
• If the food is breaded and bite-sized, it can be stacked. Otherwise, place the food in a single layer.
• Use oil spray to prevent sticking, but do not use grocery store cooking spray as this can ruin the surface of the basket.
• Turn the food or shake the basket halfway through the cooking process.
• Measure the internal temperature of meats with a food thermometer to ensure food safety.

You can make cookies in an air fryer

Yes, you can make cookies in an air fryer! It's a great way to get that freshly baked taste without having to heat up your entire kitchen. Plus, there's no need for preheating, and you can make just a couple at a time if you don't want a full batch. The result? Thick, soft, and chewy cookies with gooey centres and crispy edges, baked à la minute.

Here's a recipe for chocolate chip cookies in the air fryer:

Ingredients:

• Butter
• Brown sugar
• White sugar
• Vanilla
• Flour
• Chocolate chips
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Milk
• Egg yolk

Method:

• Mix the butter and sugars together until creamy and well combined. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix again until light in colour and creamy.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet ones and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough once the flour is added, as this will make your cookies dry and cakey.
• Fold in the chocolate chips and divide the dough into 6 equal parts (or make one giant cookie).
• Put your cookies in the air fryer at 300°F and bake for 6-8 minutes for small cookies or 8-11 minutes for one giant cookie.
• Let the cookies cool on the hot pan for 5 minutes before eating.

And there you have it! Warm and chewy chocolate chip cookies, straight from your air fryer.

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