Air Fryer Capabilities: What Can You Cook?

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used to cook a wide range of foods, from proteins like chicken, fish, and pork to vegetable side dishes, appetizers, and even desserts. They work by circulating hot air around food placed in a perforated tray or basket, resulting in crispy, golden-fried food without the need for a pot or pan of oil. This makes air frying a healthier alternative to traditional deep frying, as it requires little to no oil. Air fryers are also known for their speed and convenience, making them ideal for quick, healthy, and delicious meals.

Air fryers can cook a wide range of foods, including chicken, steak, pork, salmon, shrimp, tofu, and vegetables

Chicken

Air fryers are great for cooking chicken breasts. The hot air blown down and around the chicken cooks it evenly, resulting in a juicy, tender, and succulent piece of meat. It is recommended to brine the chicken before cooking to enhance its flavour and texture. You can also use the air fryer to cook chicken wings.

Steak

Air fryers can cook the perfect steak. The circulating heat of the air fryer creates a crispy crust on the outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy. It is recommended to cook a 1-inch thick steak in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 minutes, flipping it halfway through.

Pork

Air fryers are an excellent way to cook pork chops, keeping them juicy and ultra-flavoursome with a slight crisp on the outside. For best results, pat the pork chops dry, coat them with olive oil, and season them with a mixture of Parmesan and spices. Cook in the air fryer at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 9-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Salmon

Air fryers are a quick and easy way to cook salmon, resulting in tender, succulent, and flaky fish with seared edges. Cut the salmon fillets into even sizes, season them, and cook them in the air fryer for 7-9 minutes.

Shrimp

Air fryers are perfect for whipping up a quick dinner of shrimp on busy weeknights. Simply peel and devein the shrimp, toss them with spices and olive oil, and cook them in the air fryer for 5-6 minutes.

Tofu

Air fryers can cook tofu in just 10 minutes, resulting in a crispy texture and well-seasoned flavour. Cut the tofu into cubes, toss them with liquid aminos, spices, and cornstarch, and cook them in the air fryer for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Vegetables

Air fryers are great for cooking a wide variety of vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, bell peppers, onions, asparagus, green beans, potatoes, butternut squash, beets, and carrots. The air fryer gives vegetables a crispy texture similar to roasting but in a fraction of the time. Simply chop the vegetables, toss them with olive oil and seasonings, and cook them in the air fryer for 10-30 minutes, depending on the type of vegetable.

They can be used to cook frozen foods, such as frozen French fries, chicken nuggets, and pizza

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen foods, such as French fries, chicken nuggets, and pizza. They can help you achieve a crispy, golden texture without having to use a lot of oil. Here are some tips and tricks for using your air fryer to cook frozen foods:

Preheating:

It is generally recommended to preheat your air fryer before placing frozen food inside. This helps the food cook properly and evenly. However, some people choose not to preheat when cooking certain foods like broccoli or Brussels sprouts, as it can help prevent burning on the edges before the centres are cooked through.

Cooking Time and Temperature:

Air fryers cook frozen foods faster than a traditional oven, so you may need to adjust your cooking time accordingly. As a guideline, most frozen foods will take around 3-6 minutes to cook in an air fryer. The temperature will depend on the type of food you are cooking. For example, pizza is typically cooked at 350°F, while fries are cooked at 350-400°F.

Food Preparation:

When cooking frozen foods in an air fryer, it is important to ensure they are not overcrowded in the basket. Arrange them in a single layer to promote even cooking. You can cook in batches if needed. It is also a good idea to flip or shake the basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning and crispiness.

Oil Usage:

Air fryers use significantly less oil than traditional frying methods, and in some cases, no oil is needed at all. However, for certain foods like French fries or chicken nuggets, a light coating of oil can help enhance crispiness. Vegetable or canola oil is usually recommended due to its higher smoke point.

Food Safety:

Always ensure that frozen foods are cooked to a safe internal temperature. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of your food before consuming it. This is especially important when cooking meats or poultry.

Clean-up:

Most air fryer baskets and racks are dishwasher-safe, making clean-up a breeze. For those that aren't, a good dish brush or some warm, soapy water will do the trick. Remember always to dry the basket and racks thoroughly before using them again.

Using an air fryer to cook frozen foods is a convenient and quick way to enjoy your favourite treats. With a few simple tips, you can achieve crispy, delicious results every time!

Air fryers are ideal for cooking foods that you want to be extra crispy or crunchy, such as French fries, fried chicken, and potato skins

French fries, for example, come out irresistibly crispy and creamy on the inside when cooked in an air fryer. Fried chicken also reaches a crunchy exterior and juicy interior without the need for excessive oil. Similarly, potato skins can be made perfectly fluffy inside with a crispy exterior.

In addition to these, air fryers are great for cooking a variety of other foods, including chicken wings, onion rings, tater tots, mozzarella sticks, blooming onions, jalapeño poppers, and even desserts like cinnamon rolls, donuts, and apple chips.

One of the main benefits of using an air fryer is the reduced use of oil, which makes it a healthier alternative to traditional deep frying. It also requires minimal preheating time, quickly heating up and ensuring even cooking. Furthermore, cleanup is easy, as most air fryer baskets and racks are dishwasher-safe.

They can be used to cook proteins such as chicken, fish, or pork, and healthy vegetable side dishes

Air fryers are a great way to cook proteins such as chicken, fish, or pork, and healthy vegetable side dishes. They can be used to cook food from scratch or to heat up frozen foods.

When cooking proteins such as chicken, steak, pork chops, or salmon, you can season them with salt and your favourite herbs and spices. Most meats are already juicy, so you don't need to add any oil. If you are cooking lean cuts of meat or foods with little or no fat, brush them with a bit of oil before seasoning.

When cooking vegetables, it is recommended to toss them in oil before air frying. You can cook a variety of vegetables in an air fryer, including broccoli florets, Brussels sprouts, baby potato halves, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, beets, green beans, peppers, carrots, asparagus, and eggplant.

The air fryer is especially good for cooking foods that you want to be extra crispy or crunchy, such as French fries, fried chicken, and baked potatoes with crispy skins. It is also a great way to cook meats such as steak or chicken, as they turn out juicy and flavorful.

Air fryers can also be used to make desserts and baked goods, such as cookies, cinnamon rolls, and donuts

Air fryers are a great way to make desserts and baked goods, such as cookies, cinnamon rolls, and donuts.

For cookies, you can make the dough from scratch or use store-bought cookie dough. You can also experiment with different types of chocolate chips or add-ins like nuts or dried fruit. Air fryer chocolate chip cookies are ready in just a few minutes and have a delicious, buttery texture.

Cinnamon rolls are another tasty treat you can make in an air fryer. Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls, for example, can be cooked in under eight minutes without any pre-heating, making them a quick and easy breakfast option.

You can also make delicious donuts in an air fryer. Homemade donuts made from scratch with yeast dough taste just like the real deal but with less fat than deep-fried donuts. Air Fryer Donuts are soft on the outside and have a fluffy, tender interior. You can dip them in a buttery glaze or roll them in cinnamon sugar for a tasty treat.

So, if you're looking to make some sweet treats, an air fryer can definitely come in handy!

Frequently asked questions