Tillie Doyle
Air fryers are a great alternative to deep frying, allowing you to cook almost anything with great results. The most common air fryer sizes range from 3.7 quarts to 5.8 quarts, but they can be as small as under 2 quarts and as large as 12 quarts. For a family of two, an air fryer size of 3-4 quarts is generally recommended, while a family of three may require an air fryer size of 4-5 quarts. If you're looking for an air fryer that can cook a full meal for 1-2 people with leftovers, a 5-quart air fryer is a good option. For a single-person household, a 6-quart air fryer should be able to handle a 3lb rotisserie chicken. When cooking with an air fryer, it is generally recommended to preheat the air fryer for 5-10 minutes at the temperature you'll be cooking at. You can cook a variety of foods in an air fryer, including chicken, fish, vegetables, and potato wedges.
How to cook using a 3.5-quart air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recommended number of servings | 1-2 |
| Recommended basket shape | Square |
| Preheat time | 5-10 minutes |
| Suitable foods | Chicken wings, chicken breasts, chicken tenders, salmon, potato wedges, baked potatoes, tortilla chips |
| Other uses | Reheating leftovers, cooking frozen foods |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken thighs
To cook chicken thighs in a 3-quart air fryer, first preheat the air fryer to 380°F for 5 minutes. Then, rub the chicken thighs with a little cooking oil to help the seasonings coat the meat evenly. For the seasonings, you can use a mix of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt, and black pepper. You can also add some lemon juice to the mix. Don't forget to season both sides of the chicken!
Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded and there is enough room for air to flow freely. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook the chicken for about 12 minutes on each side, or until the skin is golden and crispy. For an extra crispy skin, consider using cornstarch and cook skin side up for the final 2 minutes. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F, which you can check with a meat thermometer.
Your juicy and crispy air-fried chicken thighs are now ready to be served! They go well with a variety of sides, such as a green salad, roasted vegetables, quinoa salad, or even mac and cheese. Enjoy!
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$10.59 $16.99
Wings
Chicken wings are a great food to cook in an air fryer, as the air fryer's intense, evenly circulating heat cooks the wings without the need for deep frying. The speed and temperature of the air circulating in the air fryer create very crisp skin that you can't get in an oven.
Preparation:
Firstly, ensure your wings are dry. Pat them dry with a paper towel before seasoning to ensure the skin puffs up and blisters during air frying. If you're using frozen wings, thaw them in the fridge overnight before cooking. You can buy chicken wings that are already split into flats and drumettes, or you can do it yourself by cutting through the joints. You can also buy whole wings, which are usually less expensive, and cut them yourself.
Seasoning:
Before placing the raw chicken wings in the air fryer, season them generously with salt so they cook up crispy and flavorful. You can also add other seasonings like pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and baking powder. One option is to place the wings into a large bowl and toss them with olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning, and salt, shaking the bowl to coat the wings. Another option is to place the wings into a gallon-size Ziplock bag, add the olive oil, lemon pepper, and salt, then seal the bag and shake to coat the wings.
Cooking:
Preheat your air fryer to 360ºF. Place the wings into the air fryer basket in a single layer, fatty side down, leaving a slight space between each wing to ensure proper airflow and even cooking. Air fry the wings for 18-25 minutes, shaking the basket every few minutes, or until the chicken wings are golden brown. You may need to cook the wings in multiple batches depending on the size of your air fryer. If you want to ensure the wings are crispy, increase the heat to 390ºF and cook for another 5-6 minutes.
Sauce:
If you want to add sauce to your wings, it's best to do so after cooking. While the wings are cooking, melt some butter in a large microwave-safe bowl, then stir in your chosen hot sauce. When the wings come out of the air fryer, toss them in the bowl to coat. This will create crispy wings and make the air fryer basket much easier to clean.
Storage:
Store any leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat in the air fryer at 360°F for 4 minutes or in the microwave until heated through.
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Fries
Cooking Fries in a 3-Quart Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 3 large russet potatoes
- Salt
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Wash and scrub the potatoes.
- Cut the potatoes into fries. For a classic, rich, buttery taste, a crisp exterior, and a fluffy interior, aim for a fry size of about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. A size of 3/8 inch is also recommended for a tender interior.
- Soak the cut potatoes in cold or cool water for about an hour. This will help draw out the starch, making them crisp and preventing them from sticking to each other. You can soak them for up to 24 hours.
- Pat the potatoes completely dry.
- Toss the potatoes in olive oil and salt. You can also use other types of vegetable oil, but note that olive oil may cause the potatoes to brown more quickly.
- Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer with a little space between each fry. Do not overcrowd the basket, as this will cause the potatoes to steam instead of crisp. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
- Cook at 360-400°F for 10-20 minutes, tossing the fries every 5 minutes, until crispy and golden brown. The higher the temperature, the shorter the cooking time.
- Season with additional salt, rosemary, and/or pepper if desired.
- If you have any leftovers, you can refrigerate them, covered, for a few days. Reheat in a little oil in a hot pan or place back into the air fryer until warmed through.
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Pizza
First, preheat your air fryer to 375°F or 400°F. Roll out your pizza dough to fit the size of your air fryer basket, or cut it into smaller squares if that's easier. Place the dough in the basket, on a pizza pan, or on foil, and prick it with a fork. Spray or brush the dough with olive oil and cook for 3 minutes.
Now it's time to add your toppings. First, spread your sauce over the pre-cooked dough, leaving a little bread showing around the edges if you like a crust. Next, sprinkle over your cheese—mozzarella works well, but you can use whatever you like. Finally, add your chosen toppings. If you're making a classic margherita, simply tear up some basil leaves and scatter them over the sauce before adding the cheese. If you're making a pepperoni pizza, add your pepperoni slices now. You can also add onion, black olives, or anything else you like. Just remember that heavier toppings may require a longer cooking time.
Place the pizza back in the air fryer and cook for another 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the crust is golden brown. If you don't have a rack to keep your toppings in place, check halfway to see if anything has moved and adjust as needed. Enjoy your pizza!
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Tofu
To make tofu in an air fryer, start by removing the tofu from its package and draining it. Gently squeeze out as much water as possible without breaking the tofu. Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes. Place the tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure to leave a little space around each one so they don't touch and the air can circulate. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the tofu in batches.
For the seasoning, you can use a simple mix of Italian seasoning with dried parsley, oregano, and dried basil. You can also add liquid aminos and toss to coat the tofu. Another option is to use tamari and sriracha for a savoury, spicy flavour. If you're not gluten-free, you can substitute soy sauce for the tamari. Avocado oil will add richness to the tofu and help it crisp up, while cornstarch will create a delicious crispy coating. Toss the tofu with your choice of seasoning, making sure to coat all the pieces.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Air fry the tofu for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking. The tofu is ready when it is golden and crispy. You can serve it as-is or add it to a loaded green salad, meal prep bowls, or a vegan stir fry. It can also be tossed in a variety of sauces, such as bang bang sauce, orange sauce, peanut sauce, or barbecue sauce.
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Frequently asked questions
You can make a variety of dishes in a 3-quart air fryer, including chicken thighs, wings, potato wedges, brussels sprouts, and even hot dogs.
To cook chicken thighs, dredge them in a flour mixture and place them in the air fryer on high for 20-30 minutes. Turn the thighs once or twice during cooking.
First, steam the Brussels sprouts, then lightly smash them with a fork. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder and salt. Air fry at 200 degrees Celsius for 8 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan at minute 3 and fry for an additional 5 minutes.
A 3-quart air fryer is a space-saver for kitchens with limited counter space. It's small but mighty and can cook a variety of dishes with little to no oil needed.
The decision to upgrade depends on your needs. If you frequently cook for multiple people or want to cook larger batches, upgrading to a larger size, such as a 5-quart air fryer, might be more suitable. However, keep in mind that a 3-quart air fryer is sufficient for most individual users and can still cook a full meal for one or two people.
