Air Fryer Gardening: What Plants Can You Grow?

Air fryers are a handy kitchen tool that can be used to cook a wide range of foods, from breakfasts to desserts. You can cook classic air fryer foods like chicken wings and potatoes, as well as fresh recipes like zucchini fries. The best foods to air fry include proteins like chicken, salmon, shrimp, tofu and steak, along with firm vegetables like zucchini, cauliflower and sweet potatoes. You can also use an air fryer to reheat food, especially desserts.

You can grow herbs in an air fryer

Air fryers are great for growing herbs because they provide a controlled environment with consistent temperature and humidity levels. This makes it easier to maintain the optimal conditions for herb growth. Additionally, air fryers have a compact size, which makes them perfect for small spaces or urban gardens.

To grow herbs in an air fryer, start by choosing the right herbs for your needs. Some popular herbs that grow well in air fryers include basil, rosemary, cilantro, and dill. You can also experiment with other herbs, such as thyme, oregano, or parsley.

Once you've selected your herbs, it's important to prepare the air fryer properly. Make sure the air fryer is clean and dry before adding a layer of soil or growing medium. You can use a potting mix specifically designed for herb gardening, or create your own mix with equal parts potting soil, perlite, and vermiculite.

After adding the soil, gently place the herb seeds or seedlings into the air fryer. Space them evenly and cover them with a thin layer of soil. Be sure to follow the specific planting instructions for each herb, as some may have unique requirements.

Finally, set the air fryer to a low temperature and maintain a consistent humidity level. Herbs typically prefer warm and humid conditions, so aim for a temperature between 65-75°F (18-24°C) and a humidity level of around 50-70%. With proper care and maintenance, your herbs will thrive in the air fryer, providing you with fresh and flavorful additions to your meals.

You can cook chicken in an air fryer

Chicken breasts are a popular choice for the air fryer, as they cook evenly and at the same rate. You can season chicken breasts with pepper and homemade seasoned salt, or a blend of salt, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. You can also marinate the chicken in Italian dressing, then drain and pat dry before air frying. Brushing or misting the chicken breasts with extra virgin olive oil before adding seasonings will ensure they stick.

You can cook chicken from frozen in an air fryer, but you will need to cook it for an extra 2-3 minutes per side. The best way to check the doneness of the chicken is to insert a knife into the thickest part. If the juices run clear, the chicken is cooked.

If you love cooking chicken in the air fryer, you can also try air fryer chicken thighs, drumsticks, whole chicken and wings.

You can cook desserts in an air fryer

You can also cook classic air fryer foods like chicken wings and potatoes, as well as fresh recipes like zucchini fries. The best foods to air fry include proteins like chicken, salmon, shrimp, tofu and steak, along with firm vegetables like zucchini, cauliflower and sweet potatoes. Typically, solid foods with a lower water content are best to air fry; for example, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts are better to air fry than lettuce or cucumbers. Cut vegetables and potatoes into smaller pieces, like medallions or cubes, to make it easier for the hot air to reach their complete surface area and result in even browning and crispiness.

You can cook breakfast in an air fryer

The air fryer is also great for reheating foods, especially desserts. So, if you have any leftover pie or baked goods that need livening up, simply pop them into your air fryer for a few minutes, and they'll taste fresh out of the oven.

In addition to breakfast and dessert options, the air fryer can also crisp up a variety of ingredients for your main meals. Proteins like chicken, salmon, shrimp, tofu, and steak, along with firm vegetables like zucchini, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes, turn out incredibly well in the air fryer. Just remember to cut vegetables and potatoes into smaller pieces to ensure even browning and crispiness.

You can cook vegetables in an air fryer

Typically, solid foods with a lower water content are best to air fry. For example, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and brussel sprouts are better to air fry than lettuce or cucumbers. Cut vegetables and potatoes into smaller pieces, like medallions or cubes, to make it easier for the hot air to reach their complete surface area and result in even browning and crispiness.

You can also make a whole range of other foods in an air fryer, from classic air fryer foods like chicken wings and potatoes to fresh recipes like zucchini fries. The best foods to air fry include proteins like chicken, salmon, shrimp, tofu and even steak.

Air fryers are also great for desserts. You can make a berry crisp, vegan zucchini chocolate cake, apple pie "baked" apples, or GF peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. If your air fryer has a dehydrate function, you can also make banana chips or any kind of fruit crisps.

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