Air Fryer Spices: What You Need To Know

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance, known for their convenience and ability to quickly cook food with a deliciously crispy texture. However, when it comes to adding spices, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. While air fryers offer a healthier alternative to traditional frying by using less oil, the high-speed circulation of hot air can cause issues with dry spices and seasonings. These spices can be blown off your food, ending up inside your air fryer instead of flavouring your meal. To avoid this, it is recommended to mix dry spices with oil before coating your food, ensuring they stick to your ingredients and are less likely to be blown away. This trick allows you to use your favourite spice blends without losing flavour or creating a mess.

Why dry spices are not ideal for air fryers

Dry spices are not ideal for air fryers because the central fan that circulates hot air at high speed can blow them off your food, meaning they stick to the inside of your air fryer rather than your meal. This can be disappointing, especially if you've carefully blended Italian spices, blackened Cajun rub, or an herby lemon zest mixture.

The high-speed fan will blow the dry spices all around the air fryer, rendering your carefully prepared meal flavourless. Dry rubs also defeat the purpose of cooking your food more quickly with an air fryer if you've spent time measuring, grinding, and preparing the seasonings.

Dry herbs and spices can also clog up the filter in air fryers. The air filter helps to get rid of the smoke and smells that occur while cooking, but if it's clogged, the air fryer won't be working efficiently.

If you want to use dry spices, it's best to mix them with oil before coating your food. This will help the spices stick to your food, and they will be less likely to be blown about by the fan.

How to make spices stick to food in an air fryer

Air fryers are a fantastic way to cook food quickly and conveniently, but they can pose a challenge when it comes to keeping spices and seasonings on your food. The high-speed fan used to cook your food can blow away dry spices, leaving your meal bland and your air fryer messy. Here are some tips to ensure your spices stick to your food in an air fryer:

Use Oil as a Binder

Mixing your spices with oil before applying them to your food is a great way to ensure they stick. Oils like avocado, sesame, or vegetable oil have high smoke points, making them ideal for the high temperatures of an air fryer. Regular olive oil can also be used if you're cooking at a temperature under 375°F. Combine about one tablespoon of oil with your dry spices for every pound of food you want to season. This method will help the spices adhere to your food and prevent them from blowing around in the air fryer.

Wet Your Food

If you don't want to use extra oil, try wetting the surface of your food before applying dry spices. You can spritz or brush a small amount of water or oil onto the surface of your food to provide something for the spices to stick to. This technique may not be as effective as mixing spices with oil, but it can help prevent them from blowing away.

Season After Cooking

If you're concerned about spices burning or being blown away, you can always season your food after it's finished cooking. Remove your food from the air fryer, then toss or brush it with oil and spices. This method ensures that your spices won't blow away during cooking, but it may result in a less intense flavor compared to applying spices before cooking.

Bloom Seasonings Separately

If you want to maximize flavor without risking spice loss in the air fryer, try blooming your seasonings separately. Add a tablespoon of oil or butter to a small pot and stir in your dry seasonings. Heat this mixture over low heat for about two minutes, or until the spices become fragrant. Then, dress your cooked food with this spiced oil or butter. This technique is perfect for roasted vegetables and brings out the flavors of your dry spices.

Avoid Overcrowding

To ensure even cooking and proper spice adhesion, avoid overcrowding your air fryer. Leave space between individual pieces of food to allow the hot air to circulate properly. If needed, cook your food in batches to avoid overcrowding. This will help ensure that your spices stick and your food cooks evenly.

Final Thoughts

While air fryers are fantastic for quick and healthy cooking, they require some adjustments when it comes to seasoning. By following these tips, you can ensure that your spices stick to your food, creating flavorful and crispy meals without the hassle of spice blow-off or burnt seasonings. Happy frying!

Wet vs dry spices in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook food quickly and conveniently. However, they can be a bit tricky when it comes to using spices. Here is a detailed guide on the do's and don'ts of using wet and dry spices in an air fryer:

Wet Spices in an Air Fryer:

Wet spices or spice blends with a wet base such as spiced yogurt, wet rubs, or sauces can be used in an air fryer but should be applied sparingly. It is important to note that excess moisture can affect the crispiness of the food and may even cause it to dry out. Thus, it is recommended to use wet spices as a marinade before placing the food in the air fryer. Additionally, ensure that the food is not overcrowded in the air fryer to allow for proper air circulation, which is crucial for achieving the desired crispiness.

Dry Spices in an Air Fryer:

Dry spices, such as Italian spices, Cajun rub, or lemon zest, are not ideal for air fryers. The powerful fan in the air fryer can blow the dry spices off the food, causing them to stick to the inside of the appliance rather than your meal. This results in a waste of spices and a flavourless dish. However, if you still want to use dry spices, it is recommended to mix them with a little oil before coating your food. Oils with a high smoke point, such as avocado, sesame, or vegetable oil, are best suited for air frying due to the high temperatures. This mixture will help the spices stick to the food and reduce the chances of them being blown away.

In conclusion, while both wet and dry spices can be used in an air fryer, it is crucial to consider the potential impact on the cooking process and the flavour of the final dish. Always remember to follow the recommended guidelines to ensure a tasty and successful air-frying experience.

Best oils to use with spices in an air fryer

Air fryers are a unique kitchen tool that uses the power of air to quickly cook your food, resulting in an incredibly crispy texture. While they are a convenient way to cook, a simple seasoning mistake could mean you're wasting time and money, especially when using dry spices. The central fan in an air fryer circulates hot air at high speed, and dry seasonings or loose, leafy herbs can be blown off your food during the cooking process.

The key to preventing this is to mix your dry rubs with a little oil before coating your food. The oil will help the spices stick to whatever you're cooking, and the seasonings will be less likely to be blown about by the fan. Given the high temperatures of an air fryer, it's best to use an oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, sesame oil, or vegetable oil. Regular olive oil can also be used if you're cooking at a temperature under 375°F.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil has a high smoke point of around 520°F (270°C) to 570°F, making it an excellent choice for air frying. It has a mild flavour and is stable at high temperatures, making it ideal for cooking a wide range of foods. It's also one of the healthiest oils available.

Peanut Oil

Peanut oil is another good option for air frying due to its high smoke point of around 448°F (230°C). It has a neutral flavour and can withstand high heat, making it suitable for use in air fryers.

Canola Oil

Canola oil is a popular choice for cooking in air fryers due to its high smoke point of around 400°F (204°C) and neutral flavour. It is a versatile oil that can be used for a variety of cooking methods.

Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is a light, mild-tasting oil with a high smoke point of around 450°F (232°C). It is a good option for air frying a wide range of foods.

Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil has a high smoke point of around 420°F (216°C) and a mild flavour, making it suitable for use in air fryers. It is often used in commercial kitchens for high-temperature cooking.

Coconut Oil

Refined coconut oil has a high smoke point of 400°F (204°C), making it safe to use in air fryer cooking.

Refined Olive Oil or Extra Light Olive Oil

These oils have a smoke point of up to 470°F (243°C) and are safe to use in an air fryer.

It's important to note that while most frozen foods do not require additional oil, some recipes may benefit from a light coat of oil to prevent sticking and enhance flavour. Always refer to your air fryer's manual for recommended cooking temperatures and oil usage guidelines.

How to season food after cooking in an air fryer

Air fryers are a unique kitchen tool that uses hot air circulated at high speed by a central fan to cook your food faster. However, this also means that dry seasonings or loose, leafy herbs can be blown off your food and end up sticking to the inside of your air fryer.

• If you want to season your food before cooking it in the air fryer, mix your dry spices with oil first. The oil will help the spices stick to your food and prevent them from blowing around in the air fryer. Use a high smoke point oil like avocado, sesame, or vegetable oil.
• For everyday seasonings like salt and pepper, it is best to season your food after taking it out of the air fryer. Salt does not burn, so you can also toss your food with salt and oil before placing it in the air fryer.
• If you want to add dry herbs and powdered seasonings to your food, it is best to bloom them separately in a pot on the stove while your food is cooking in the air fryer. Add a tablespoon of olive oil or butter to a pot, stir in the dry seasonings, and heat over low heat for about two minutes. Then, dress your cooked food with the spiced oil or butter.
• For vegetables, a simple dressing of lemon juice, zest, and extra virgin olive oil, or a spicy tahini vinaigrette can be drizzled over them after cooking.

Frequently asked questions