Air Frying 101: Mastering The Art Of Cooking With Air

Air fryers are a great way to cook food without heating up your kitchen. You can cook just about anything in an air fryer, from proteins like chicken, fish or pork, to healthy vegetable side dishes, appetizers and even desserts and baked goods. Air fryers are designed for air frying, not traditional oil frying, so you should never fill the basket with oil. Always cook in a well-ventilated area and leave plenty of space around the air fryer for the exhaust to ventilate.

How to cook cauliflower in an air fryer

Air fryers are designed for air frying, not traditional oil frying, so you should never fill the basket with oil. Always cook in a well-ventilated area, leaving plenty of space around the air fryer for the exhaust to ventilate.

Cauliflower is a great vegetable to cook in an air fryer. It can be served as a hearty side dish or as a main course if you're going plant-based. To cook cauliflower in an air fryer, first, remove the leaves and wash the cauliflower head. Then, pat it completely dry and cut off the stalk. Slice the cauliflower in half vertically and remove the core. Place the cauliflower in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, or some seasoning of your choice. Toss to coat the florets in the seasoning mixture. Place the cauliflower in the air fryer basket in a single layer, shaking it to ensure that it is spread out evenly. Air fry until the cauliflower is crisp-tender and browned in places, about 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket once halfway through the cooking time. You may need to cook in batches if the basket is too crowded. When the air frying process is done, remove the cauliflower from the air fryer basket and serve on a plate. It can be enjoyed either warm or cold with freshly squeezed lemon juice.

How to cook chicken in an air fryer

Air fryers are designed for air frying, not traditional oil frying, so you should never fill the basket with oil. Always cook in a well-ventilated area, leaving plenty of space around the air fryer for the exhaust to ventilate. Don't overcrowd the basket – food should always be in a single layer in the basket, not stacked or layered. You can cook in batches if needed.

You can cook chicken breasts or thighs in an air fryer. To cook chicken breasts, first combine salt and spices with oil to create a paste. Coat the chicken breasts with the paste, then place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 370°F for 10 minutes, then flip the chicken and cook for an additional 4-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Tent the chicken with tin foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

If you find that your chicken is undercooked, return it to the air fryer and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until it is no longer pink inside and the juices run clear. You can add vegetables like zucchini, brussel sprouts, red peppers, broccoli and asparagus. Add them to the air fryer basket at the halfway point. You can also try marinating your chicken overnight in some Italian dressing.

How to cook bacon in an air fryer

Air fryers are designed for air frying, not traditional oil frying, so you should never fill the basket with oil. Always cook in a well-ventilated area, leaving plenty of space around the air fryer for the exhaust to ventilate.

When cooking bacon in an air fryer, it's important to be aware of the smoke point of the fat that you are cooking. It’s best to cook bacon at a temperature lower than the smoke point of bacon grease, to prevent the bacon from smoking or burning. To prevent this, you can add about 1 cup of water to the bottom of your air fryer basket. This water will catch the grease and will prevent smoke.

Place the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, trying not to overlap them. Some slight overlapping is okay. For thin-cut bacon, check the bacon after 5-6 minutes, as thin-cut will cook faster. For regular-cut bacon, cook at 350˚F for 7-9 minutes, or until bacon is browned and reaches desired crispiness. For thick-cut bacon, cook at 400˚F for 10-12 minutes.

Once the bacon is cooked, remove the basket from the air fryer and carefully flip the bacon, placing them back in without overlapping. At this point, you can sprinkle brown sugar on top and drizzle a little Sriracha, if you’d like. Transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate and serve.

How to cook zucchini fries in an air fryer

Air fryers are designed for air frying, not traditional oil frying, so you should never fill the basket with oil. Always cook in a well-ventilated area, leaving plenty of space around the air fryer for the exhaust to ventilate.

To make zucchini fries in an air fryer, you'll need to cut the zucchini into 3-inch long fries. Then, dip each fry into a flour and seasoning mixture, followed by egg, and finally breadcrumbs. Place the zucchini fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, which should be coated with cooking oil. Spray the zucchini with a light coat of cooking oil and air fry at 400°F for 9 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking.

You can serve the zucchini fries with a ranch dip, or with marinara or ranch sauce.

How to cook pizza in an air fryer

Cooking pizza in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious meal. Here's how to do it:

Firstly, cut your pizza dough into four equal parts and roll them into thin, round shapes to make the pizza crusts. You can use store-bought pizza dough or make your own. If you're using homemade dough, you might need to pre-bake the crust. Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper and put it in the air fryer. Cook for around 3 minutes, then flip the crust and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Next, it's time to assemble your pizza. Spread tomato sauce or pizza sauce onto the crust, then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. You can add cheese both under and on top of the toppings to help hold them down. Add your favourite toppings—pepperoni, onion, basil, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan all work well. You can also add extra cheese on top of the toppings to hold them down.

Finally, place an air fryer rack on top of the pizza to prevent the toppings from blowing around. Cook for another 4 to 5 minutes at 375 F, or until the cheese has melted and browned. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer, so check frequently to avoid overcooking.

And that's it! You now have a delicious, crispy air-fried pizza. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions