Air Fryer Options: What Foods Work Best?

Air fryers are countertop kitchen appliances that use convection to circulate hot air (and sometimes oil) around food to cook it. They are a healthier alternative to deep frying as they require very little oil. You can cook almost anything in an air fryer, from proteins like chicken, fish, and pork to vegetables, appetizers, desserts, and baked goods. You can also reheat food in an air fryer, which is a great way to crisp food back up.

Vegetables

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, achieving a crispy texture with less fat than traditional frying methods. Here are some tips and tricks for cooking veggies in your air fryer:

Choose the Right Vegetables

Not all vegetables are created equal when it comes to air frying. Some of the best options include:

• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Green beans
• Asparagus
• Potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Butternut squash
• Zucchini

Prepare the Vegetables

Before placing them in the air fryer, wash and cut the vegetables into uniform sizes. This helps ensure even cooking. You can also pat them dry with a kitchen towel to remove excess moisture, which can affect crispiness.

Seasoning

A little bit of oil, salt, and pepper can go a long way in enhancing the flavour of your air-fried vegetables. You can also get creative with other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or Parmesan cheese.

Cooking Time and Temperature

Air fryers typically cook vegetables at temperatures ranging from 350°F to 400°F for 5-25 minutes, depending on the type of vegetable and the desired doneness. It's important to keep an eye on your veggies and toss or flip them occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Experiment with Different Recipes

Once you get comfortable using your air fryer, you can start experimenting with different vegetable recipes. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Air fryer roasted potatoes
• Crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts
• Air fryer green beans
• Quick and easy air fryer asparagus
• Air fryer potato wedges
• Air fryer sweet potato fries
• Air fryer zucchini chips
• Air fryer beets
• Air fryer eggplant fries

Meat

Air fryers are a great way to cook meat, producing a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy. They are a healthier option than deep-frying, as they require little to no oil.

Beef

Beef is a popular choice for air frying, with cuts such as Top Sirloin, KC Strip, Ribeye, Tenderloin, and Tri-Tip working well. Ground beef is also a good option, although it may dry out more than when cooked on a stovetop. For steaks, it is recommended to use cuts that are at least 1-inch thick and to season them with salt and pepper or a dry rub. Preheat the air fryer on the steak setting for 3 minutes, then cook according to the air fryer's recommendations, flipping halfway through. For a 1-inch thick steak, this will be around 12 minutes for medium doneness.

For ground beef, use meat that is no leaner than 90% and preheat the air fryer on the meat setting for 3 minutes. Crumble the beef into the tray or basket and cook for 5 minutes. Stir and crumble to the desired consistency, then cook for an additional 3-5 minutes.

Lamb

Lamb is another option for air frying, with lamb chops being a great midweek meal. Season lamb loin chops with salt and pepper and sear in a hot frying pan until the fat renders and turns golden. Then, air fry for 8-10 minutes at 180ºC/350ºF until pink in the middle.

Pork

Pork is a versatile meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways in the air fryer. Bacon, for example, can be cooked in the air fryer, resulting in leaner strips as the extra grease drips to the bottom. Pork belly is another option, and the air fryer can help to reduce the calorie intake by allowing the excess fat to drip into the tray. To get the skin to crisp and bubble, it is important to ensure the meat is properly dry before cooking. This can be achieved by refrigerating the pork belly for 12-24 hours or by using salt to draw out the moisture.

Poultry

Air fryers are also great for cooking poultry, such as chicken wings, chicken breasts, and turkey breasts. Chicken wings can be cooked at two different temperatures to render the fat and crisp the outside: 360ºF and 390ºF. Chicken breasts can be glazed before air frying for extra flavor, and breaded chicken can also be cooked in the air fryer, resulting in a crispy, non-soggy exterior. Turkey breasts can be cooked at 360ºF for around 40 minutes, depending on their size, flipping halfway through.

Seafood

While seafood may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of air frying, it can be a great option for cooking fish, especially if you want to avoid drying it out. The steam created in the air fryer helps to keep the fish moist and flaky, giving you more control over the cooking process. Salmon fillets, for example, can be cooked in 7-9 minutes, and a whole seabass can be cooked in 12-15 minutes at 180ºC/350ºF.

Frozen foods

Air fryers are great for cooking frozen foods. You can cook almost anything in an air fryer that you would cook in an oven, and they are especially good for cooking foods you want to be extra crispy, such as French fries, fried chicken, and baked potatoes with crispy skins.

• Frozen chicken wings
• Frozen French fries
• Frozen chicken tenders
• Frozen tater tots
• Frozen mozzarella sticks
• Frozen fish and chips
• Frozen chicken nuggets
• Frozen corn dogs
• Frozen pizza
• Frozen chicken patties
• Frozen vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or green beans

Breakfast foods

The air fryer is a versatile appliance that can be used to make a variety of breakfast foods, from savoury to sweet options. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Savoury Breakfast Ideas:

• Bacon – The air fryer is a perfect way to cook bacon, as it limits the splatter and makes the bacon crispy. You can cook it on a flat tray or use a wire rack to allow the excess fat to drip away.
• Sausages – Cooking sausages in the air fryer helps to reduce excess fat and grease. Place them in a perforated or mesh basket to allow the fat to drip away and achieve crispier results.
• Hash Browns – You can make delicious, crispy hash browns in the air fryer with minimal oil. Simply cut potatoes into slices or shred them, coat them in olive oil, add spices, and air fry until crispy.
• Eggs – The air fryer is great for making fried, poached, or hard-boiled eggs. You can also get creative and make egg cups, frittatas, or breakfast burritos with your favourite fillings.
• Breakfast Sandwiches – Make your own breakfast sandwiches by cooking eggs, sausage patties, and toast in the air fryer. You can even use croissant dough or English muffins for a more indulgent treat.
• Veggie Dishes – Try making a hash with diced potatoes, onions, bell peppers, and carrots. You can also air fry broccoli, spinach, or other vegetables for a healthy breakfast option.

Sweet Breakfast Ideas:

• French Toast – The air fryer gives French toast a crispy exterior and fluffy interior. You can make French toast sticks or slices and serve them with maple syrup, fruit, or yogurt.
• Cinnamon Rolls – Make your own cinnamon rolls using homemade or premade dough. Simply roll out the dough, brush with butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and air fry for a decadent breakfast treat.
• Doughnuts – Air-fried doughnuts are less messy than deep-fried ones and taste just as good. You can use canned biscuit dough or make your own dough for a sweet breakfast treat.
• Fruit-Based Treats – Try making apple fritters, banana bread, or strawberry pop-tarts in your air fryer. These options are perfect for those who prefer a sweet and fruity breakfast.
• Granola – Instead of buying store-bought granola, which is often loaded with sugar, make your own in the air fryer for a healthy and substantial pre-workout breakfast option.
• Waffles – The air fryer is great for cooking frozen waffles perfectly without any fuss. Top them with maple syrup, fruit, or your favourite toppings for a quick and easy breakfast.

Baked goods

Air fryers are a great alternative to baking goods in a conventional oven, especially when cooking in small batches or when it's hot outside. They are also more energy-efficient, cheaper to run, and faster than traditional ovens.

When baking in an air fryer, it is important to note that the cooking time and temperature may need to be adjusted. It is recommended to decrease the temperature by about 25 degrees Fahrenheit and the cooking time by about 20%. For example, if a recipe calls for baking at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour, you would instead bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 48 minutes.

Cookies and Biscuits: Cookies and biscuits are a great place to start when baking in an air fryer. It is recommended to use parchment paper to prevent sticking and to ensure even cooking. Some sources suggest preheating the air fryer for cookies, while others advise against it, so it may be worth experimenting to find what works best for your air fryer model.

Cakes: Air fryers are not ideal for perfectly even cakes, but they can still produce delicious results. It is important to blind-bake the cake shell first if you plan to add a filling, as the air fryer may not be able to penetrate the filling to cook the crust properly. Covering the cake with foil once the top is cooked can help prevent the top from burning while the inside continues to cook.

Bread: Air fryers are perfect for baking small loaves of bread, such as banana bread. You can also use frozen cookie dough or store-bought biscuit dough to make air fryer doughnuts in about five minutes.

Muffins and Cupcakes: Air fryers can produce beautifully golden brown muffins and cupcakes in about half the time it takes in a conventional oven. You can personalize your muffins with mix-ins like blueberries, chocolate chips, or dried fruit.

Brownies: Fudgy, double chocolate brownies can be made in an air fryer with minimal prep time. The air fryer is also great for baking blondies, or brownie-like bars, such as lemon drizzle cake.

Pies: Air fryers are perfect for baking small, individual pies, such as blueberry hand pies or mince pies.

Other Desserts: Air fryers can also be used to make a variety of other desserts, including cinnamon rolls, donuts, chocolate fondants, peach cobbler, and tarts.

Frequently asked questions