Air Fryer Magic: Endless Delicious Possibilities

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a wide range of foods, from savoury snacks to full meals. They work by circulating super-hot air, which gives food a crispy, fried texture and golden-brown colour without the need for deep-frying. This makes it possible to cook with less oil and fat, and therefore create healthier versions of your favourite fried foods.

Air fryers can be used to cook anything from chicken wings, nuggets and tenders to salmon, steak and shrimp. They can also be used for vegetables, including broccoli, green beans, potatoes, butternut squash, and even avocado and eggplant fries. You can also use them for snacks like mozzarella sticks, egg rolls, corn dogs and frozen foods, as well as desserts such as chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls and apple chips.

Air fryers can be used for any meal of the day, from breakfast tacos and French toast to lunch and dinner mains, and even hard-boiled eggs.

Breakfast foods: Omelettes, muffins, avocado toast, bacon, pancakes, French toast, etc

Air fryers are a great way to make a variety of breakfast foods, from omelettes to muffins, avocado toast, bacon, pancakes, and French toast. Here's how you can make them:

Omelettes:

Air fryer omelettes are quick, high-protein, and mess-free. All you need to do is preheat your air fryer to 350°F, and whisk together your eggs and mix-ins in a bowl or directly in an air fryer liner. Then, pour the mixture into the liner and bake for about 8-10 minutes. You can use a silicone liner or a shallow, oven-safe baking dish that fits in your air fryer.

Muffins:

You can make delicious, golden brown muffins in your air fryer by heating the air fryer to 160°C for 2 minutes. Mix the wet ingredients (oil, yogurt, egg, and milk) in a large bowl, then fold in the dry ingredients (sugar, flour, and bicarbonate of soda). Add your choice of mix-ins, such as blueberries, chocolate chips, or dried fruit. Spoon the mixture into silicone or paper cases placed in the air fryer basket and cook for 12-15 minutes.

Avocado Toast:

Avocado toast in the air fryer is a simple yet decadent combination of creamy avocado, gooey cheese, and crispy toast. Choose your favourite bread, such as sourdough, rye, or whole grain. Cut and scoop ripe avocados onto the bread, and add your preferred cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or provolone. You can also add extras like sliced tomatoes or bacon bits. Air fry at 350°F for 5-6 minutes until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted.

Bacon:

Air fryer bacon is easy to make and results in crisp, evenly cooked bacon with minimal cleanup. Simply arrange the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, without overlapping, to ensure even airflow and crisping. Air fry at 350°F for 7-10 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispness and the thickness of your bacon. No preheating or flipping is required.

Pancakes:

Making pancakes in an air fryer may seem unconventional, but it results in perfectly cooked, slightly crisp, and fluffy pancakes. You'll need a 6-inch disposable aluminum pie tin and your favourite pancake mix or homemade batter. Combine the pancake mix with water and let the batter rest for a few minutes. Spray the pie tins with cooking spray, fill them with batter, and air fry at 400°F for 7-8 minutes until the tops are golden brown.

French Toast:

Air fryer French toast is simple and tasty, resulting in a crispy exterior and a tender interior. Preheat your air fryer to 370°F and line the basket with parchment paper. Whisk together eggs, milk, melted butter, vanilla, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Dip bread slices in the egg mixture, place them in the basket without touching, and cook for 4-6 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar before serving.

So, there you have it! A delicious breakfast spread made with the convenience and ease of an air fryer. Enjoy your meal!

Appetizers and snacks: Mozzarella sticks, jalapeño poppers, tortilla chips, onion rings, etc

Appetizers and snacks

Mozzarella sticks

You can make mozzarella sticks in your air fryer in less than 20 minutes. The key is to double-coat the mozzarella sticks. First, dip the mozzarella stick in a lightly beaten egg, then in breadcrumbs, and freeze for up to an hour. Repeat this process to add a second coating before air-frying. This will prevent the coating from sliding off the cheese stick.

Jalapeño poppers

Jalapeño poppers are another easy snack to make in the air fryer. Cut medium jalapeños in half, lengthwise, and remove the seeds and membrane. Stuff each jalapeño half with cream cheese, wrap with bacon, and secure with a toothpick. Air fry at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes.

Tortilla chips

Air fryer tortilla chips are a healthy and easy-to-make snack. Lightly spray or brush both sides of corn tortillas with oil and sprinkle with salt. Cut the tortillas into wedges, place in the air fryer basket in a single layer, and air fry at 350°F for 5-7 minutes.

Onion rings

Air fryer onion rings are a fun and tasty appetizer or snack. They are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. To make them, cut a large yellow onion into 1/2-inch-thick slices and separate them into rings. Prepare three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. Dip each onion ring into the flour, followed by the egg, and then the breadcrumb mixture. Arrange the rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, drizzle with oil, and air fry at 370°F for 8-11 minutes.

You can serve these appetizers and snacks with various dips and sauces, such as ranch dressing, salsa, or guacamole.

Main dishes: Fried chicken, steak, salmon, tofu, pork chops, chicken parmesan, etc

Air fryers are a great way to make main dishes such as fried chicken, steak, salmon, tofu, pork chops, and chicken parmesan. Here are some recipes and tips for each:

Fried Chicken

You can make delicious, crispy fried chicken in your air fryer with a fraction of the oil used in traditional methods. For the best results, use bone-in chicken pieces like thighs, drumsticks, or breasts. You can remove the skin and trim any excess fat to reduce the fat content. Marinate the chicken in a mixture of buttermilk and hot sauce for up to 24 hours, then bread it with a mixture of flour and Old Bay Seasoning. Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit, coat the chicken with oil, and cook for about 25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Steak

Air fryers are great for cooking steaks, especially thicker cuts like sirloin that are at least 1 inch thick. Let your steaks come to room temperature 30 minutes before cooking, and pat them dry with paper towels to remove moisture. Rub the steaks with a little oil and a dry rub of spices like garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the steaks for 10-12 minutes for medium-rare to medium, flipping halfway through. Let the steaks rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Salmon

Cooking salmon in an air fryer is quick and easy, resulting in tender, flaky fish with seared edges. Cut your salmon fillets into even sizes and preheat your air fryer. Season the fillets with garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper, and drizzle with olive oil. Place the salmon in the air fryer and cook for 7-9 minutes, depending on the thickness, until it flakes easily with a fork. Serve with a salad, grains, or vegetables.

Tofu

Air fryer tofu is a quick and easy way to get crispy, well-seasoned tofu. Use extra-firm tofu and press any excess liquid out before cutting it into cubes. Marinate the tofu in a mixture of liquid aminos, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and sesame oil. Place the tofu in a single layer in your air fryer, set it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and cook for about 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Serve the tofu as-is or with your favorite dip.

Pork Chops

For juicy and tender air fryer pork chops, use thick, center-cut, bone-in chops that are between 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick. Make a rub with brown sugar, paprika, ground mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and coat the pork chops with olive oil before rubbing in the spice mixture. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the pork chops for about 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the pork chops rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Chicken Parmesan

Air fryer chicken parmesan is a healthier alternative to the traditional fried version. Pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts into thin slices, then dip them in egg and dredge them in a mixture of breadcrumbs and shredded Parmesan cheese. Place the breaded chicken in your air fryer, set it to 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit, and cook for about 6 minutes. Flip the chicken, top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Side dishes: Broccoli, potatoes, green beans, butternut squash, carrots, etc

Air fryers are a great way to cook side dishes quickly and easily. Here are some ideas for side dishes that can be made in an air fryer:

Broccoli

Air fryer broccoli is a quick and easy way to get crispy, tender broccoli. Simply toss the broccoli florets with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and then arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 390°F (200°C) for 7 to 9 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, and you'll have a perfectly cooked side dish in no time!

Potatoes

Air fryer potatoes are a delicious and crispy side dish. Cut potatoes into one-inch pieces, and combine them with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Add them to the air fryer basket and cook at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Then, toss the potatoes and continue cooking for 8-10 minutes, or until they are tender and crispy.

Green Beans

Air fryer green beans are a quick and easy side dish. Simply trim the stem ends from the beans, pat them dry, and toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add them to the preheated air fryer in a single layer and cook at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, tossing halfway through, for a delicious blistered, crisp-tender side.

Butternut Squash

Air fryer butternut squash is a tasty and healthy side dish. Cut the squash into one-inch cubes, spray them with olive oil, and air fry at 340°F for 20-23 minutes, shaking the basket a few times during cooking. Then, toss the cooked squash with olive oil and a spice mix of onion powder, garlic powder, sweet paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, and you'll have a delicious and healthy side.

Carrots

Air fryer carrots are a quick, healthy, and tasty side dish. Peel and cut the carrots into 2-inch chunks, then toss them with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees and cook the carrots for 15-18 minutes, shaking the basket every few minutes, until they are tender.

There are endless possibilities for side dishes that can be made in an air fryer, allowing you to easily cook delicious and healthy meals.

Desserts: Cookies, donuts, apple cider donuts, chocolate-covered Oreos, etc

Air fryers can be used to make a variety of desserts, including cookies, donuts, apple cider donuts, and chocolate-covered Oreos.

Cookies

Air fryer cookies are thick, soft, and chewy. They are also versatile, as you can air fry any type of cookie. The cooking time is only 7 minutes, and there is no need for pre-heating. The recipe for air fryer cookies typically includes all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, white and brown sugar, butter, milk, vanilla extract, and chocolate chips. The preparation process involves mixing the wet and dry ingredients separately, making the cookie dough, shaping it into balls, and then baking in the air fryer for 7-8 minutes.

Donuts

Air fryer donuts are soft on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They are made from scratch with yeast dough, and the process is similar to making deep-fried donuts. The recipe typically includes milk, yeast, sugar, butter, and flour. The dough is prepared by activating the yeast with lukewarm milk and sugar, adding the remaining ingredients, and then kneading the dough. After letting the dough rise, it is rolled out, cut into donut shapes, and then cooked in the air fryer for about 4 minutes.

Apple Cider Donuts

Apple cider donuts are a fall favorite and can be made in an air fryer. The liquid in the donut dough is a combination of boiled-down apple cider and milk, giving the donuts a sweet apple taste. The recipe typically includes all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, salt, butter, and milk. The preparation process involves mixing the dry ingredients, working in grated butter, adding the liquid, shaping the dough, and then air frying. The cooked donuts are then dipped in melted butter and coated in cinnamon sugar.

Chocolate-Covered Oreos

Air fryer chocolate-covered Oreos are a simple dessert made with only 3 ingredients: Oreos, crescent rolls, and powdered sugar (optional). The preparation process involves wrapping each Oreo in a crescent roll, air frying for 5 minutes, and then sprinkling with powdered sugar.

Frequently asked questions