Air Fryer Tv Dinners: A Quick, Easy Meal Solution

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. They can cook food to crispy perfection without the need for excessive oil, making them a healthier alternative to deep-frying. Not only can you cook food from scratch, but you can also cook frozen meals, such as TV dinners, in an air fryer. In fact, cooking a TV dinner in an air fryer can enhance the taste and texture of the meal compared to cooking it in a microwave.

Air fryer temperature and time settings

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional frying methods, as they use hot air circulation to cook food, resulting in a crispy texture and reduced need for oil. When it comes to cooking TV dinners in an air fryer, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure the best results.

Firstly, always read and follow the instructions on the TV dinner packaging. If there are specific air fryer instructions, follow those. If not, you can use the oven directions as a guide, cooking at the same temperature but reducing the time by about 20%. It is also important to preheat your air fryer before adding your food.

When preparing your TV dinner for the air fryer, remove it from its packaging and place it inside the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure even cooking. Depending on the type of TV dinner, you may need to brush or spray a small amount of oil on the food to achieve the desired crispness.

The cooking time and temperature will depend on the specific brand and type of TV dinner. As a general guideline, cook chicken nuggets at 200°C (400°F) for 10-12 minutes, frozen pizza at 200°C (400°F) for 8-12 minutes, French fries at 200°C (400°F) for 12-15 minutes, fish sticks at 200°C (400°F) for 8-10 minutes, macaroni and cheese at 180°C (360°F) for 10-12 minutes, and vegetable medley at 180°C (360°F) for 8-10 minutes.

During the cooking process, it is important to flip or rotate the TV dinner items halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning. You may also need to shake the air fryer basket gently to ensure that the food is evenly exposed to the hot air circulation.

To enhance the flavour and texture of your TV dinner, try sprinkling grated cheese over a pasta or meat dish, brushing on barbecue sauce, or adding breadcrumbs or crushed chips to create a crispy coating.

Lastly, always clean your air fryer basket and accessories thoroughly after use. Most models have dishwasher-safe parts, but it is recommended to check your manual for specific cleaning instructions.

Air fryer safety considerations

Air fryers are a convenient and generally safe way to cook food. However, there are some safety considerations to keep in mind when using an air fryer:

Non-Stick Coating

Experts have issued warnings about the non-stick coating on most air fryers, which contains polyfluorinated molecules, also known as "forever chemicals." These chemicals have been linked to health problems, including infertility, hormone disruption, and certain types of cancer. To reduce exposure to these chemicals, it is recommended to purchase an air fryer with a stainless steel or glass coating.

Fire Hazards

Air fryers have been recalled due to faulty connections that can cause them to catch fire. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall notice in February 2023 for several brands of air fryers, including Cosori and Magic Chef. Always check for recalls before purchasing or using an air fryer.

Food Safety

When using an air fryer, it is important to follow basic food safety practices. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after preparing food. Clean and sanitize surfaces used for food preparation. Keep raw meats, poultry, and seafood separate from other foods to prevent cross-contamination. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and poultry and for fruits and vegetables. Cook foods to the appropriate minimum internal temperature, using a food thermometer to check doneness. Leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

Overcrowding

Air fryers work by circulating hot air around food, so overcrowding the appliance can prevent proper cooking. When cooking a large amount of food, it is best to do so in batches to allow for adequate air circulation.

Plastic Packaging

Never put plastic in an air fryer, as it will melt and render your food inedible. Always remove food from plastic packaging before placing it in the air fryer, and use oven-safe dishes or aluminium foil instead.

Air fryer convenience and efficiency

Air fryers are a convenient and efficient way to cook a variety of foods, including TV dinners. They are a popular countertop appliance that uses hot air to cook food to a crispy texture without the need for excessive oil. Here are some tips to enhance the convenience and efficiency of using an air fryer to cook TV dinners:

Convenience

• Oven-Safe Containers: You can cook TV dinners in their original oven-safe containers in the air fryer, saving time on transferring the food to a separate dish. However, always check the packaging to ensure it is safe for air fryer use and remove any plastic components as these can melt.
• Reduced Cooking Time: Air fryers can cook TV dinners faster than traditional ovens. For example, it took 20 minutes to cook a frozen cottage pie in an air fryer compared to 36 minutes in the oven.
• Easy to Use: Air fryers are simple to operate, with most having a temperature control and timer. Some even have preset options for different types of food, including frozen meals.
• Less Mess: Air fryers have non-stick baskets, making cleanup easier compared to traditional frying methods.

Efficiency

• Quick Preheating: Air fryers preheat quickly, making them ideal for busy weeknights when you need to get dinner on the table in a hurry.
• Even Cooking: Air fryers circulate hot air around the food, resulting in even cooking and crispy textures.
• No Need for Additional Oil: Air fryers require little to no additional oil, making them a healthier alternative to deep-frying.
• Versatility: Air fryers can cook a wide range of frozen foods, from ready meals to snacks and desserts. You can even cook a whole meal in an air fryer, such as a roast chicken dinner or harvest casserole.

Tips for Optimal Results:

• Defrost First: For best results, defrost frozen TV dinners for about 10 minutes at a lower temperature before air frying at a higher temperature until cooked through.
• Don't Overcrowd: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking. Depending on the size of your TV dinner, you may need to cook it in batches.
• Cover with Foil: Covering the TV dinner with aluminium foil can help retain moisture and prevent drying. Remove the foil towards the end of the cooking time if you want a crispy texture.
• Monitor Closely: Due to the efficiency of air fryers, you may need to reduce the cooking time and temperature to avoid overcooking or burning your food. Keep a close eye on your TV dinner while it's cooking and adjust the settings as needed.

Air fryer frozen food options

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen food. They are essentially a small convection oven, so you can cook anything that you would in a conventional oven.

There are a few things to consider when cooking frozen food in an air fryer. Firstly, you should always check that the packaging is safe for cooking in an air fryer. If you're unsure, it's best to transfer the food to an oven-safe dish before placing it in the air fryer. You should also avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure food cooks evenly. For breaded or wrapped foods, fill the basket halfway and shake halfway through cooking. For open-faced or uncoated foods, place them in a single layer in the basket.

It's also important to preheat your air fryer, as this will help to evaporate the water in frozen food and prevent it from becoming mushy. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, you can pop the basket open and estimate the temperature or use an oven-safe thermometer.

When it comes to temperature and cook time, the recommended time on the package will be too long, so it's best to start by reducing the time and temperature and checking on your food to avoid overcooking. If the package recommends a temperature your air fryer can reach, reduce the heat by 10 to 25 degrees and halve the cooking time.

Some great frozen food options to cook in an air fryer include:

• Pizza rolls
• Hot dogs
• Chicken wings
• Burgers
• Chicken nuggets
• Salmon fillets
• Taquitos
• Tater tots
• Mozzarella sticks
• Egg rolls
• Chicken sandwiches
• Potato skins
• Pretzel bites
• Cheese bread
• Chicken dumplings
• Chicken egg rolls

Air fryer cooking tips

Air fryers are a great alternative to microwaves when it comes to cooking ready-made frozen meals. They enhance the taste and texture of microwave meals, and are safer than deep-frying. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your air fryer:

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheating your air fryer for a few minutes before adding your food ensures that your food starts cooking immediately and develops a crispy exterior.

Don't Overcrowd the Air Fryer Basket

Overcrowding the basket can hinder proper air circulation and result in uneven cooking. Leave some space between your food items to allow hot air to circulate effectively.

Shake or Flip Your Food

Depending on what you're cooking, give the basket a gentle shake or flip your food halfway through the cooking process for uniform browning. This helps ensure even cooking and browning on all sides.

Use Oil or Cooking Spray

While air fryers use less oil than traditional frying methods, a light spritz of cooking spray or a drizzle of oil can enhance the texture and flavor of your food.

Mind the Temperature and Timing

Follow the package instructions for temperature settings and cooking times. Generally, a temperature of 350-400°F (175-200°C) works well for most frozen items. For smaller items, start checking them around eight minutes, and for larger items, check after about 10 minutes.

Use Aluminum Foil

Covering your food with aluminum foil helps retain moisture, preventing it from drying out and overcooking. If you're going for a crispy texture, remove the foil for the last few minutes of cooking.

Defrost and Partially Cook Certain Foods

For foods like frozen cottage pie, sausages, and roast beef, it's recommended to start by defrosting them in the air fryer at a lower temperature before increasing the heat to cook them through. This ensures even cooking and can help you achieve the desired level of doneness.

Remove Plastic Packaging

Always remove any plastic packaging or components before placing your food in the air fryer. Plastic can melt at high temperatures, rendering your meal inedible and creating a mess.

Choose the Right Dish

If you're transferring your food to a dish before air frying, make sure it's oven-safe. Regular dishes can crack at high temperatures, creating a mess and ruining your meal.

Frequently asked questions