Air Fryer Assembly: A Step-By-Step Guide

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance that can cook a variety of foods with less oil and mess than traditional deep frying. They work by using hot air convection to cook food, resulting in crispy and crunchy textures with locked-in juiciness. Air fryers are versatile and can be used for everything from breakfast to dessert, including mains, sides, and snacks. They are also great for reheating food, especially desserts and leftover pizza. With an air fryer, you can make dishes such as French fries, chicken tenders, salmon, and even fried cauliflower tacos. They are a healthier alternative to deep frying and can be used to make quick, easy meals with perfectly crispy results.

How to make air fryer chips

Air fryer chips are a healthier alternative to deep-fried chips, as they require less oil. They are also quicker to make than oven-baked chips and create less mess than parboiled potatoes.

Ingredients:

• Potatoes (Maris Piper, Rooster, or Russet potatoes are recommended)
• Oil (vegetable, olive, sunflower, or rapeseed)
• Salt
• Cornflour (optional)
• Paprika (optional)
• Other seasonings (e.g. garlic salt, chilli flakes, curry powder)

Method:

First, prepare the potatoes. You can peel them if you prefer, or leave the skin on for a more rustic look. Rinse them in cold water if they are dirty, then drain and pat dry.

Slice the potatoes into chip shapes. For straight, neat chips, trim the potatoes into rectangular blocks, then cut them into batons. If you prefer chunky chips, cut thicker slices; for crispy chips, cut thin slices. Try to make the slices even so that they cook evenly.

Place the sliced potatoes into a large bowl and toss them with a little cornflour (this adds extra crispness). Then, add the oil and salt, and toss again until the potatoes are evenly coated.

Place the potatoes into the air fryer, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. Cook at 180-205°C for 20-30 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes or so, until they are golden brown.

Air fryer chips are best served fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 200°C until crispy.

How to make air fryer chicken

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Method

• Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with a large sheet of plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your palm to lightly pound the chicken into an even thickness.
• For a dry brine: sprinkle the chicken with the salt and place in the refrigerator uncovered for 30 minutes to 1 day. If you don't have time for this, skip this step and just sprinkle the chicken with salt before cooking.
• In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. If you didn't dry brine the chicken, add the salt now.
• Place the chicken in a large bowl and drizzle with the olive oil. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the top and toss to coat the chicken, ensuring the spices are rubbed evenly over both sides.
• Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F.
• Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, smooth side down, and cook for 6 minutes.
• Remove the air fryer basket and carefully flip the chicken over with tongs. Continue cooking for 2 to 8 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts and the power of your air fryer, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips

• If you're using frozen chicken breasts, you can cook them from frozen in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and season as desired. Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray, then cook the chicken for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
• For a spicy kick, add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to your seasoning blend.
• If you prefer a different flavor profile, try marinating the chicken before cooking.

How to make air fryer cookies

Air fryer cookies are super easy to make and bake. They are delicious and can be made in small batches, making them perfect for portion control. Here is a simple recipe for you to try.

Ingredients:

• Butter (unsalted)
• Sugar (white granulated and light brown)
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Flour (plain or gluten-free)
• Cornflour (optional)
• Raising agents (e.g. bicarbonate of soda)
• Chocolate chips

Method:

• Add the butter and sugars to a bowl and beat until creamy.
• Add the egg and vanilla, and beat again.
• Add the flour, cornflour, raising agent(s), and salt. Beat until a cookie dough is formed.
• Add the chocolate chips and beat until they are well distributed.
• Portion the cookie dough. You can use a scoop to ensure each cookie is a similar size.
• Line your air fryer with a piece of parchment paper. You may need to pierce holes in the paper. This is important as it stops the cookie dough from sinking into the base of the air fryer.
• Place the cookies in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may only be able to fit 3-4 cookies at a time.
• Bake the cookies. For a standard-sized cookie, bake at 160ºc for 10 minutes. For larger cookies (around 120g each), bake at 150ºc for 13-14 minutes.
• Once baked, leave the cookies to cool for a few minutes before removing them from the air fryer. They will still be very soft, so it is best to remove them on the piece of paper.
• Allow the cookies to cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• You can chill the cookie dough before baking, but this is not necessary. Chilling can help the cookies keep their shape.
• If baking from frozen, add one minute to the cooking time.
• If your air fryer has different functions, use the basic air fryer setting.
• If your cookies are browning too quickly, try lowering the temperature of your air fryer and baking for a little longer.
• You can make the cookies without chocolate chips or add other mix-ins such as walnuts, shredded coconut, or peanut butter chips.
• You can store leftover cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week.

How to make air fryer vegetables

Air-fried vegetables are a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook veggies. They are perfectly tender, with a nice bite and a charred taste. Plus, you can use any combination of vegetables you like!

Ingredients

You can use any vegetables you like, but here are some suggestions:

• Zucchini
• Yellow squash
• Red bell pepper
• Mushrooms
• Red onion
• Carrot
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Beets
• Green beans
• Asparagus
• Brussels sprouts
• Tomatoes
• Eggplant

For seasoning:

• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• Lemon juice
• Fresh parsley
• Parmesan cheese

Method

First, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). While that’s warming up, chop your chosen vegetables and place them in a large bowl. Add the olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the veggies in the oil and seasonings.

Next, arrange the vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the vegetables in batches. Overcrowding the basket will cause the vegetables to steam instead of brown.

Air fry the vegetables for 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender and browned. Toss halfway through the cooking time so that they brown evenly.

Finally, season to taste and serve! Squeeze the air-fried veggies with fresh lemon juice, and top them with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Tips

• Cut any firm vegetables into fairly small pieces so that they cook evenly.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will ensure that the vegetables become caramelized and crisp.
• You can also cook frozen vegetables in the air fryer. Just add a few minutes to the cooking time to account for the thawing process, and be sure to give space between the veggies to ensure they become perfectly roasted.

How to make air fryer breakfasts

Air fryers are a great way to make a variety of breakfast foods, from sweet to savoury options. Here are some ideas for how to make a delicious breakfast using an air fryer:

Air Fryer Breakfast Ideas:

• Frittatas: You can make a breakfast frittata in an air fryer using a cake pan that fits inside. Try a sausage, egg, and cheese frittata, or mix it up with your favourite ingredients.
• French Toast: Air fryers are perfect for achieving that crispy exterior and fluffy interior of French toast. Cut the bread into sticks and coat them in crushed cornflakes for an extra crunch.
• Bacon: The air fryer is an excellent way to cook bacon, as it limits splatter and makes the bacon nice and crispy. You can also make candied bacon or turkey bacon in the air fryer.
• Hash Browns: Hash browns are a breakfast classic, and the air fryer lets you enjoy them crispy and fluffy without the grease.
• Burritos: Breakfast burritos are a great portable option. Fill them with scrambled eggs, sausage, cheese, and other ingredients of your choice.
• Cinnamon Rolls: For a sweet breakfast treat, air fry some cinnamon rolls. You can use homemade or premade dough and finish them off with a glaze or frosting.
• Potatoes: The air fryer is perfect for cooking breakfast potatoes. Try home fries or breakfast potato pancakes for a hearty morning meal.
• Eggs: Air fryers are versatile when it comes to eggs. You can make fried eggs, poached eggs, soft-boiled eggs, or use the air fryer to make egg cups or egg rolls.
• Baked Goods: Believe it or not, you can bake in an air fryer! Try making banana bread, blueberry muffins, or even donuts and cinnamon rolls.

Tips for Using an Air Fryer:

• No preheating is required for most air fryer models, but you can preheat if you have the time, as it may help brown your food.
• You can cook raw eggs in an air fryer; it's a great way to make hard-boiled eggs or poached eggs.
• You can use aluminium foil or parchment paper in an air fryer, but be cautious with acidic ingredients like tomato sauce, as they can react with the foil.

With an air fryer, you can easily make a variety of delicious breakfast options with minimal grease and maximal flavour!

Frequently asked questions