Grilling With An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Air fryers have become a popular alternative to traditional frying, baking, and roasting. But can you grill with an air fryer? The short answer is yes.

Air fryers are basically mini convection ovens with powerful air circulation, so the menu possibilities are endless. You can grill chicken, steak, vegetables, and even barbecue foods like sausages and hamburgers.

To grill in an air fryer, preheat the appliance, and use oils with high smoking points like avocado or vegetable oil. Also, ensure your food is evenly sized and at room temperature before grilling.

With an air fryer, you can achieve that iconic charred flavour and those coveted grill marks using a grill plate attachment. So, if you're looking for a healthier, indoor grilling option that delivers on taste and convenience, air fryers might be your new best friend.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step to ensure your food cooks evenly and comes out with a crispy texture. While not all air fryers require preheating, it is generally recommended to do so, especially if you want that extra crunch. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to preheat your air fryer:

• Plug in your air fryer and ensure it is turned on. Check your manual to familiarise yourself with the buttons and functions. Some air fryers have a dedicated preheat button, while others require a slightly different process.
• If your air fryer has a preheat button, simply press it, set your desired temperature, and hit start. The air fryer will alert you when it reaches the desired temperature.
• If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat button, don't worry. You can manually preheat it by setting the temperature to 400 °F (204 °C) and letting it heat up for 3 to 5 minutes. You can also preheat at the cooking temperature specified in your recipe.
• After preheating, open the air fryer and spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil to prevent your food from sticking. This step is crucial, as it will save you from the hassle of scraping off stuck-on food later.
• Now that your air fryer is preheated and ready to go, it's time to add your food. Remember to refer to your recipe for specific cooking instructions, as cooking times and temperatures can vary depending on what you're cooking.
• When adding food to the air fryer, ensure that it is in a single layer to allow for proper air circulation. This will help ensure even cooking and crispy results.
• Once your food is in the air fryer, close the lid or basket and set the timer according to your recipe. Remember that air fryers cook food quickly, so your meal will likely be ready in about half the time it would take on a traditional grill or oven.
• When the timer goes off, carefully remove your food from the air fryer and enjoy!

Remember that preheating an air fryer is not always necessary, and the decision to preheat depends on the type of food you're cooking and your desired level of crispness. For example, if you're cooking thick cuts of meat, preheating may cause the outside to burn before the inside is cooked. In this case, it's better to place the meat in the air fryer before turning it on.

Use a grill plate attachment for grill marks

If you're looking for those classic char marks on your grilled food, you'll need to use a grill plate attachment in your air fryer. This attachment has grooves that will give you that iconic pattern, and it allows juices from the food to fall so they can evaporate and create more flavour.

You can buy grill plates on Amazon, and they're a great way to mimic the look and feel of traditional grilling. If your air fryer doesn't have a grill plate attachment, you can purchase a griddle plate accessory that will do the same job. These griddle plates are also available on Amazon and are a great way to get that chargrilled effect without firing up the coals of a traditional outdoor grill.

So, if you're craving those grill marks, investing in a grill plate attachment or a griddle plate accessory is a great option. Just place the grill plate in your air fryer, preheat it, and you're ready to start cooking! It's a simple way to take your indoor grilling to the next level and impress your family and friends with those perfect grill marks.

Remember, even without a grill plate, you can still achieve a grill-style effect in your air fryer by following some chef techniques and tips, such as preheating the air fryer, using smoky spice blends, and lightly misting your food with oil before cooking. But if those grill marks are a must-have, the grill plate attachment or griddle plate accessory is the way to go!

Use oils with high smoking points

When grilling in an air fryer, it is important to use oils with high smoking points. The smoke point of an oil is the temperature at which it starts to smoke, break down, and release harmful chemicals. Using an oil with a low smoke point will cause it to burn easily and impart a bitter flavour to your food.

Oils with high smoking points include avocado oil (smoke point: 520-570°F), ghee or clarified butter (smoke point: 485°F), extra light olive oil (smoke point: 465-470°F), and vegetable oil (smoke point: 400°F). You can also use oils with slightly lower smoke points, such as soybean oil (smoke point: 460°F), sunflower oil (smoke point: 450°F), coconut oil (smoke point: 400-450°F), and peanut oil (smoke point: 450°F).

When cooking with an air fryer, you don't need to use a lot of oil. A small amount of oil is enough to help prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. For example, when cooking chicken breasts in an air fryer, you can rub both sides of the chicken with olive oil before adding seasonings and placing it in the air fryer.

Pre-soak skewers to avoid burning them

When grilling in an air fryer, it's important to remember that air fryers can get very hot, very quickly. This means that food and cooking tools can burn easily if not properly prepared. To avoid burning your skewers, it's crucial to pre-soak them in water before grilling. This is the same technique you would use with a standard grill. By soaking the skewers beforehand, you reduce the risk of them catching fire or burning during the grilling process.

It's also worth noting that traditional skewers may not fit in your air fryer, so you might need to opt for shorter ones. This is an important consideration when planning your grilled meal. As with any cooking method, ensuring even cooking is essential. Cut your food into similar sizes so that everything cooks evenly and you don't end up with some pieces overcooked and others undercooked.

When it comes to the type of skewer to use, wooden skewers are a good option. However, due to the intense heat of the air fryer, they need to be pre-soaked to prevent burning. This is a simple step that can make a big difference in the overall success of your grilled dish. By taking the time to prepare your skewers properly, you can avoid the disappointment of burnt or charred skewers and enjoy perfectly grilled food.

In addition to pre-soaking your skewers, there are a few other things to keep in mind when grilling with an air fryer. Firstly, make sure to preheat your air fryer before adding your food. This is an important step in achieving the desired charring effect and maximizing the crispiness of your dish. Set your air fryer to a high temperature, such as 400°F, to replicate the high heat of a traditional grill. Once you're ready to start cooking, reduce the temperature to around 380°F to ensure your food doesn't overcook.

Season to add smokiness

While air fryers don't produce smoke in the same way as traditional smokers, you can still achieve a smoky flavour by using seasonings.

Los Angeles-based certified health coach and private chef Jaclyn Huff recommends using smoky seasonings like smoked paprika, liquid smoke, smoked salts or spices, barbecue sauce, black cardamom, mesquite seasonings, chipotle peppers, and cumin.

You can also try brining your meat before cooking. This involves submerging the meat in a mixture of water, salt, and sugar, and allowing it to sit for several hours or overnight. This will help to infuse a smoky flavour while keeping the meat moist.

Additionally, when cooking meat in an air fryer, it's best to use thicker cuts of protein as they tend to cook quickly. This will help the meat retain moisture and juiciness.

Frequently asked questions