Ella Walter
Air fryers have become increasingly popular over the years, with nearly 40% of U.S. homes owning one as of July 2020. They are a great way to cook healthier versions of traditionally deep-fried foods, such as chicken wings, french fries, and potato chips, using little to no oil. While air fryers are a convenient and healthy alternative to deep frying, it is important to add flavor to the food to enhance its taste. This can be done by using various spices, herbs, and oils, or by adding sauces and dips.
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Use herbs and spices
Using herbs and spices is a great way to add flavour to your air-fried dishes. For example, you can season chicken with garlic, rosemary, and olive oil, and stuff the cavity with fresh herbs and a halved lemon for extra moisture and flavour. You can also make a spice mix for chicken, or use a ready-made one. For tofu, a homemade spice blend of cumin, chilli powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika can be used.
Salmon fillets can be rubbed with olive oil and herb seasoning before air frying. You can also add your own choice of herbs to chicken breasts coated in garlic and sweet paprika. For a vegetarian option, halloumi can be seasoned with smoked paprika or mixed herbs.
You can also make a delicious tofu dish by slicing tofu into planks, wrapping them in a clean dish towel, and pressing them under something heavy, like a can of tomatoes, to remove moisture. Then, air fry the tofu until crispy and golden. After cooking, you can add more sauce for extra moisture and flavour.
For a quick and easy side dish, toss vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, or asparagus in the air fryer basket alongside the main protein. You can also add your favourite spices to roasted vegetables or potatoes. For example, toss sweet potato fries in sweet smoked paprika, Cajun, or BBQ seasonings.
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Oil and seasoning
Air fryers are a great way to cook food with less oil and still achieve a crispy texture. However, adding a little oil can enhance the taste and texture of your air-fried food. When using oil, it is important to remember to oil the food itself and not the air fryer basket, as this can affect the non-stick coating. A light spritz of cooking spray or a small amount of oil (less than a teaspoon) is usually enough to add flavour and colour to your dish. For foods that are already high in fat, like chicken wings, you can skip the added oil.
When it comes to seasoning, the possibilities are endless. You can use any combination of spices, herbs, and seasonings to elevate the flavour of your air-fried dishes. For example, you can season chicken with garlic, sweet paprika, and herbs, or create your own spice blend for shrimp with cumin, chilli powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. If you're cooking a whole chicken, try rubbing it with a spice mix that includes plenty of salt, garlic, rosemary, and olive oil. You can even stuff the cavity with fresh herbs and a halved lemon for extra flavour and moisture.
For tofu, removing as much moisture as possible before cooking will result in a crispy and golden texture. After cooking, you can add more sauce to introduce extra moisture and flavour. Halloumi can be sliced and sprayed with cooking spray before being tossed with seasonings like smoked paprika or mixed herbs. Salmon fillets can be rubbed with olive oil and herb seasoning before being cooked in the air fryer.
In addition to meats and seafood, vegetables can also be seasoned and air-fried. Broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus are quick-cooking veggies that can be tossed into the air fryer basket alongside salmon. Potatoes, whether in the form of fries, chips, or baked potatoes, are a versatile option that can be seasoned with various spices and herbs, such as sweet smoked paprika, Cajun, or BBQ seasonings.
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Breaded foods
To prepare breaded chicken, start by washing the chicken breasts and patting them dry. You can then gently pound the chicken to an even thickness to ensure consistent cooking. Set up three shallow dishes for the breading process: the first with flour mixed with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika; the second with beaten eggs; and the third with seasoned breadcrumbs. You can add dried herbs like oregano, thyme, or parsley to the breadcrumbs for an extra burst of flavour. After coating the chicken in each of the three mixtures, it is ready to be cooked in the air fryer.
It is important to note that overcrowding the air fryer basket should be avoided, as this prevents hot air from circulating properly and results in uneven cooking. Always cook in batches if needed. Additionally, allowing the meat to rest for a few minutes after cooking helps it maintain moisture and prevents dryness.
Other breaded foods that can be cooked in an air fryer include chicken drumsticks, wings, nuggets, and chicken parmesan. You can also get creative and experiment with different types of breaded vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, okra, or Parmesan cauliflower.
Air fryers are a versatile appliance that can be used to cook a variety of breaded and fried foods with less oil and faster cooking times. With the right techniques and ingredients, you can create delicious and healthier versions of your favorite dishes.
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Creative toppings
There are many creative toppings you can use to add flavour to your air-fried food. Here are some ideas:
For fish and seafood:
- Salmon fillets can be glazed with pomegranate molasses and served with a relish made from pomegranate arils, cilantro, and spicy serrano chiles.
- For a simple side, serve air-fried salmon with a sweet mustard topping.
- For a guilt-free snack, try air-fried fish tacos.
- For a rice bowl, toss shrimp with taco seasoning or a homemade spice blend of cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. While the shrimp cook, dice tomatoes and avocados and mince fresh cilantro. Pile the mixture onto rice flavoured with lime.
For meat:
- Chicken thighs can be coated with a spicy seasoning for a crispy, succulent dish.
- Chicken tenders can be coated in a generous amount of olive oil to mimic the crunch of deep-fried chicken.
- Chicken Parmesan can be made by coating thinly sliced boneless chicken breasts in flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs. After air frying, add marinara sauce and fresh mozzarella and cook until the cheese is melted.
- For a healthier alternative to deep-fried wings, season chicken wings with a spice rub and toss them in your favourite sauce.
- For a simple midweek meal, make salt and pepper chicken and serve with rice, spring onions, and soy sauce.
- For a lazy dinner, make a grilled cheese sandwich with spreads and add-ins such as fig jam, pesto, thinly sliced apples, hot sauce, or asparagus, and plenty of melty cheese.
- For a zesty kick, top steak with your favourite sauce.
- Pork chops can be coated in a bread crumb, Creole seasoning, and Parmesan cheese topping to seal in moisture and add flavour.
For vegetables:
- Sweet potato fries can be tossed in sweet smoked paprika, Cajun, or BBQ seasonings.
- For a simple side, air fry sprouts and add flavourings such as chilli or crispy bacon.
- For a healthier alternative to fried zucchini, coat the zucchini in a generous amount of olive oil before air frying. Serve with warm marinara sauce or creamy ranch dressing.
- For a simple snack, air fry snap peas and sprinkle with Parmesan.
- For a healthier alternative to fried potatoes, cut potatoes into very thin slices and air fry.
- For a healthier alternative to fried onion rings, air fry onion rings for easier cleanup.
- For a healthier snack, make crispy okra with a light Creole seasoning.
For tofu:
For a delicious tofu dish, remove as much moisture as possible before cooking. Slice the tofu into planks and wrap them in a clean dish towel. Place something heavy on top, like a can of tomatoes, and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Air fry until golden and crispy, then add sauce for extra moisture and flavour.
For dessert:
- Jazz up cookies with melted chocolate, chopped toffee, or candy.
- For a simple dessert, make s'mores with fun toppings like caramel or sliced fruit.
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Cooking spray
Firstly, understand the role of oil in air frying. While air fryers use hot air to cook food, a small amount of oil can be beneficial. A light coating of cooking spray on your ingredients will help achieve that golden, crispy exterior that is so desirable in fried foods. It is important not to use too much oil, as this can cause excess smoke and grease. A light spritz of cooking spray is usually enough, and you should always spray the food directly, not the air fryer basket, to maintain its non-stick properties.
Additionally, cooking spray can be used to prepare a variety of proteins in the air fryer. Chicken, shrimp, and halloumi can all benefit from a light coating of cooking spray before being seasoned and cooked. This will ensure they develop a desirable texture and flavour. For chicken, it is also recommended to lower the temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit compared to traditional frying methods to prevent over-browning.
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Frequently asked questions
A little spritz of cooking spray or a small amount of oil (less than a teaspoon) will elevate your air-fried food—it will be more golden and taste better. You can also add an extra spritz of oil for more even browning.
Air fryers are great for cooking foods that are already high in fat, like chicken wings, chicken breasts, steak, salmon, bacon, halloumi, tofu, and shrimp. You can also cook vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, and potatoes.
You can tweak a fried food recipe for an air fryer by reducing the temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, if a fried recipe calls for 350 degrees Fahrenheit, set your air fryer to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and follow the same cook time. It's also important to note that foods that are breaded work best in an air fryer, while wet batters will not work.
