Air-Frying 101: Easy, Quick, And Healthy Meals

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance that can cook a wide variety of foods, from savoury to sweet. They work by circulating super-hot air to cook food, giving it a crispy-fried texture and golden-brown colour without needing to deep-fry.

You can cook anything from chicken wings, potato chips, and chocolate chip cookies to avocado toast, salmon, and even an entire turkey breast in an air fryer.

Air fryers are a great option for those who want to enjoy deep-fried foods without all the oil, mess, and cleanup involved. They are also more energy-efficient and faster than traditional frying methods.

To get started with using an air fryer, it is important to read the safety precautions in the manual that comes with your specific model. Additionally, always cook in a well-ventilated area, pat food dry before placing it in the fryer, and avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure even cooking.

How to cook meat in an air fryer

Air fryers are a convenient, hands-free approach to preparing meat, and they can cook a variety of proteins, including steak, chicken, pork chops, salmon, shrimp, bacon, and hot dogs in under 20 minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook meat in an air fryer:

Defrost and Prepare the Meat:

Start by ensuring your meat is fully defrosted and thoroughly pat dry with a paper towel. For optimal results, bring your steaks to room temperature 30 minutes before cooking.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 375°F and 400°F for meat. Some recipes may call for lower temperatures than conventional cooking methods, so refer to your recipe and air fryer manual for guidance.

Oil and Season the Meat:

Lightly brush or rub each serving of meat with a teaspoon of oil. This helps with browning and ensures the meat doesn't stick to the air fryer. Season the meat with salt, pepper, and any desired spices or dry rubs.

Place the Meat in the Air Fryer:

Place the meat on the air fryer rack or in the basket, leaving at least one inch between portions. This spacing ensures proper airflow and even cooking. Overcrowding the air fryer can lead to uneven cooking and less browning.

Cook According to Recommendations:

Refer to your air fryer's cooking guide or a reliable recipe for recommended cooking times and temperatures for your specific type of meat. Most proteins will need to be flipped halfway through the cooking process, except for delicate fish fillets like salmon, which can fall apart if flipped.

Check the Doneness with a Meat Thermometer:

To ensure food safety and desired doneness, use a high-quality meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your meat. Steak can be cooked to your preferred level, while pork and seafood should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F, and chicken to 165°F.

Remove and Rest the Meat:

Once your meat has reached the desired internal temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a juicy, flavorful final product.

Common Tips for Cooking Meat in an Air Fryer:

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer to ensure proper airflow and even cooking.
• Flip meats halfway through cooking, except for delicate fish fillets.
• Lightly oil the meat to prevent sticking and promote browning.
• Monitor the internal temperature of your meat with a meat thermometer to ensure doneness.
• Defrost meat thoroughly before cooking to allow for even cooking.

How to cook vegetables in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, giving them a crispy texture similar to roasting but in less time. You can cook almost any vegetable in an air fryer, from tender veggies like zucchini and bell peppers to firmer ones like potatoes and carrots. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get the best results:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to between 375°F (190°C) and 400°F. This step ensures that your vegetables cook evenly and efficiently.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables

While the air fryer is preheating, wash and chop your chosen vegetables into uniform sizes. For firmer vegetables like potatoes and carrots, cut them into smaller pieces to ensure even cooking. Place the chopped vegetables in a large bowl.

Step 3: Season the Vegetables

Drizzle your vegetables with a small amount of oil, such as extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil. You can also use cooking spray. The oil helps the vegetables brown and adds a crispy texture. Then, season your vegetables with your favourite herbs and spices. You can use a simple combination of salt and pepper, or try garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, or onion powder for extra flavour. Toss the vegetables well to ensure they are evenly coated.

Step 4: Arrange the Vegetables in the Air Fryer

Place the seasoned vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can cause the vegetables to steam instead of crisp. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the vegetables in batches.

Step 5: Cook the Vegetables

Set the air fryer to the recommended temperature and cooking time based on the type of vegetable you are cooking. Tender vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers will take around 10-15 minutes to cook, while firmer vegetables like potatoes and carrots may need 20-30 minutes. Shake or flip the basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning.

Step 6: Season and Serve

Once the vegetables are tender and browned, remove them from the air fryer and season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also squeeze some fresh lemon juice over them for added flavour. Serve immediately. For an extra indulgent touch, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Tips for Success:

• Always shake or flip the air fryer basket periodically to ensure even cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the basket, as this can lead to mushy vegetables.
• Use a light hand with oil, as too much can prevent crisping.
• Cut vegetables into small, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Experiment with different seasonings and vegetable combinations to find your favourite flavour profiles.

How to cook fish in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook fish, achieving a crispy texture with less fat. Here is a guide on how to cook fish in an air fryer:

Preparation

Before cooking, you should defrost your fish fillets by either leaving them in the fridge overnight or, if they are not too big, by leaving them on the counter for an hour submerged in ice-cold water. You can use any kind of fish fillets, such as cod, tilapia, catfish, pollock, hake, haddock, or salmon.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 350-390°F (180-200°C). While it is preheating, coat the fillets in olive oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil. Then, in a shallow dish, mix either homemade or store-bought dried breadcrumbs with any spices you like, such as onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, black pepper, or salt. You can also add an egg to the shallow dish and dip the fillets in it before coating them with the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure to coat the fillets evenly and fully, shaking off any excess.

Once your air fryer is preheated, place the coated fillets inside it, being careful not to overcrowd the basket, as this will prevent the fish from crisping. Cook the fish for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through at the 8-10 minute mark. The fish is ready when it is easily flaked with a fork.

Serving

Serve the fish hot with tartar sauce and lemon wedges. You can also serve it with sides such as air fryer asparagus and mushrooms, oven-baked fries or potato wedges, or cheesy mashed potato cakes.

How to cook frozen food in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen food, as they can produce crispy results faster than a conventional oven. Here's a guide on how to cook frozen food in an air fryer:

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer before adding the frozen food. Some models have a preheat light to indicate when it's ready. If yours doesn't have a preheat setting, you can estimate the temperature by opening the basket or using an oven-safe thermometer.

Adjust Temperature and Cook Time

Air fryers are essentially convection ovens, so the cook time on the package will be too long. If the package recommends a temperature your air fryer can reach, reduce it by 10-25°F. As a general rule, cut the suggested cook time in half and check your food, adding more time as needed.

Use Grease Sparingly

Lightly coat the basket and food with oil or fat, but only if necessary. If your food already has some fat, you may not need any extra grease. Avoid using cooking spray, as it can damage the non-stick coating of the air fryer over time. Instead, use a brush to apply oil.

Avoid Overcrowding the Basket

Don't overfill your air fryer's basket. For breaded or wrapped foods, fill the basket halfway and shake it halfway through cooking. For open-faced or uncoated foods, place them in a single layer. This ensures even cooking and helps prevent sogginess.

Turn or Shake the Basket

Turn or shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even heat exposure and better browning. For larger items, like breaded fish fillets, flip them instead.

Choose the Right Frozen Foods

Not all frozen foods are created equal in an air fryer. Pre-cooked, breaded, wrapped, or bite-sized foods tend to work well, such as dumplings, fish sticks, fries, and mini meatballs. Frozen vegetables can be trickier; broccoli, for example, may become dry, while zucchini can result in a watery mess.

How to cook sweet treats in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to make sweet treats. They are versatile and can cook almost anything that you would bake in an oven. Here are some tips and tricks for making sweet treats using your air fryer:

• Always ensure your air fryer is preheated before adding your ingredients. Most air fryers need only a few minutes to preheat.
• Make sure your food is dry before placing it in the fryer. The drier your food is, the crispier it will be.
• Use a light hand with oil. You can use a non-stick cooking spray, but it is best to toss your food in oil instead.
• Do not overcrowd the basket. Food should always be in a single layer in the air fryer basket to promote even cooking. You can cook in batches if needed.
• Shake or flip your food halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and browning.
• When cooking something moist like cake, use a lower temperature than you would in a conventional oven. This will help prevent the outside from burning before the inside is cooked.
• You can also use your air fryer to reheat desserts. It is a great way to warm up treats like brownies without turning on your oven.
• Muffins: Add blueberries, chocolate chips, or dried fruit to your mixture. You can even double the mixture to make more.
• Cookies: Try making chocolate chip, peanut butter, or even cinnamon cookies.
• Donuts: For an easy treat, use canned biscuit dough and slice it into rounds. Cut out the centres and top with a cinnamon-sugar mix or icing.
• Cake: You can bake a cake in your air fryer, but you will need to adjust the temperature to be lower than you would use in a conventional oven.
• Apple Chips: Toss apple slices in cinnamon and nutmeg before air-frying for a crispy, healthy snack.

Frequently asked questions