Emilie Meyer
Air fryers are a fantastic kitchen appliance that can cook a wide variety of foods. They are a healthier alternative to deep frying, as they require less oil and create less mess. From mains to sides, snacks to desserts, the air fryer can do it all. You can cook anything from chicken wings to burgers, salmon to beef and broccoli, and even desserts like apple pie baked apples and vegan zucchini chocolate cake. The air fryer is also great for reheating food, especially desserts, and can cook a whole meal at once, making it a convenient and time-saving appliance.
What can be cooked in an air fryer?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Chicken, Beef, Pork, Salmon, Sausages |
| Poultry | Chicken Wings, Chicken Thighs, Chicken Legs |
| Seafood | Crab, Fish, Shrimps |
| Vegetables | Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts, Green Beans, Asparagus, Spring Carrots, Broccoli, Mushrooms, Spinach, Spring Onion, Bell Peppers, Cauliflower |
| Others | Eggs, Oreos, Ravioli, Pizza, Rice, Tofu |
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What You'll Learn
Meat and fish
Air fryers are a great way to cook meat and fish, achieving a crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy. They are also a healthier alternative to deep-frying, as they use less oil.
For meat lovers, air fryers can cook chicken wings, chicken tenders, chicken drumsticks, chicken katsu, chicken nuggets, and even a whole chicken. You can also cook up some pork chops, pork belly, meatballs, or a beef topside roasting joint. If you're feeling creative, try making mini meatloaves in silicone loaf pans designed for air fryers.
Fish and seafood options are also plentiful. You can cook salmon fillets with a honey-soy marinade, or try a whole seabass stuffed with lemon and fennel for a show-stopping dish. For a quick and easy option, breaded fish fillets are a great choice, and you can use any type of moderately thin, white, and flaky fish such as cod, haddock, or pollock. Crab cakes are another delicious option, giving you all the flavour of crab without the tedious work of extracting the meat from the shells.
If you're looking for a plant-based option, tofu batons coated in sesame seeds and served with quinoa and a salad are a tasty and healthy choice.
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Vegetables
Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables. They are quick, easy, and healthy, and can cook a wide variety of vegetables to crispy perfection.
Firstly, it is important to cut your vegetables into small, evenly sized pieces. This will ensure that they cook evenly and achieve the desired level of crispiness. It is also important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. The vegetables should be arranged in a single layer to allow hot air to contact them from all sides. If the basket is overcrowded, the vegetables will steam and soften instead of browning.
When it comes to seasoning, olive oil is a popular choice, as it helps the vegetables to brown and adds a roasted flavour. Other oils such as avocado oil, coconut oil, or cooking spray can also be used. For extra flavour, try adding Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Now, let's look at some specific vegetables and the best way to cook them in an air fryer:
- Broccoli: Cut into small florets, toss with oil, and cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8 minutes.
- Cauliflower: Cut into small florets, toss with oil, and cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes.
- Zucchini: Cut into half-moon shapes, lightly coat with olive oil and Italian seasoning, and cook until crispy.
- Squash: Cut into small pieces, toss with oil, and cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes.
- Potatoes: Cut into wedges or small pieces, toss with oil and spices, and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.
- Carrots: Cut into thin strips or small pieces, toss with oil, and cook at 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10-15 minutes.
- Brussels sprouts: These can be cooked in a variety of ways, but be sure to cut them into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Green beans: These can be cooked at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes.
- Asparagus: Cut into small pieces and cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes.
Remember, these are just guidelines, and you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time depending on your air fryer and the desired level of doneness. Enjoy experimenting with different vegetables and seasonings to find your perfect air-fried vegetable dish!
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Breakfast
Crispy Hash Browns
Air fryers are perfect for making crispy hash browns. Simply cut russet potatoes into thin slices, about a quarter of an inch thick. Microwave the potatoes with some onion powder, garlic powder, and rosemary until soft, and then place them in the air fryer. Spray the air fryer basket generously with cooking spray, and cook the potatoes until they are golden and crispy. Serve these hash browns as a side dish with some fluffy scrambled eggs, breakfast sausages, or fried eggs for a hearty breakfast.
Air Fryer Eggs
Eggs are a breeze to cook in an air fryer. You can make boiled eggs, fried eggs, or even fancy dishes like quiche, frittatas, and Scotch eggs. For boiled eggs, simply cook the eggs to your desired doneness and then place them in an ice bath. If you're feeling creative, you can also make egg gratins with Swiss cheese, sour cream, and Canadian bacon.
Cinnamon Rolls and Breakfast Cookies
Air fryers are great for baking breakfast treats like cinnamon rolls and cookies. You can also get creative and make doughnut French toast by soaking bread in a mixture of eggs, milk, and vanilla extract, and then cooking it in the air fryer. Don't forget to sprinkle some powdered sugar on top for an extra indulgent breakfast!
Baked Potatoes
Air fryers can give you perfectly crispy baked potatoes. Cut potatoes into the desired size, season them, and air fry until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. You can top them with classic toppings such as bacon, cheese, or chives, or get creative with kimchi and green onions.
Crab Cakes
Crab cakes are another excellent breakfast option in the air fryer. Assemble the crab cakes with mustard, Old Bay seasoning, chives, and Saltine cracker crumbs. Air fry them to golden perfection and serve with hollandaise sauce and poached eggs for a light and tasty breakfast.
You can easily make a delicious breakfast sandwich in your air fryer. Cook some bacon and fry an egg in the air fryer, and toast a sliced bun. Assemble the sandwich with sliced tomatoes, cheese, and your favourite condiments.
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Desserts
Air fryers can be used to make a variety of desserts, from cookies and brownies to cakes and pies. Here are some ideas for sweet treats you can make in an air fryer:
Cookies
Air fryers are great for making cookies, including chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal-raisin cookies, and peanut butter cookies. You can also get creative and experiment with different ingredients like tahini, walnuts, and chocolate chips. Cookies made in an air fryer are crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. For a fun twist, cut cookie dough into shortbread 'fries' and serve them with strawberry-chipotle 'ketchup' and lemon curd 'mustard'.
Brownies
Air fryer brownies are a popular choice, as they are easy to make and yield delicious results. You can make individual servings or a full batch, depending on your preference. For a decadent treat, top your brownies with a scoop of ice cream.
Cakes
While air fryers may not be ideal for perfectly even cakes, they can still be used to make delicious fuss-free bakes like banana bread, lemon drizzle cake, and chocolate cake. You can also make cupcakes and top them with silky mocha buttercream for an extra indulgent treat.
Pies and Tarts
Air fryers can be used to make a variety of pies and tarts, including apple hand pies, peach hand pies, and upside-down tarts. For a classic dessert, try making s'mores hand pies or regular s'mores with chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers.
Fruit Desserts
Air fryers are perfect for preparing fruit-based desserts. You can make air fryer apples with cinnamon and orange zest, caramelized bananas, or honeyed pears. These can be served with a variety of toppings, such as yogurt, ice cream, or whipped cream.
Other Desserts
The possibilities with air fryers are endless. You can make churros, beignets, cannoli, muffins, cheesecake, and even donuts. Experiment with different recipes and ingredients to find your favorite air fryer desserts!
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Reheating
For example, you can reheat leftover pizza in an air fryer for a few minutes to give it a whole new life. You can also reheat desserts like a warm brownie with your ice cream or a baked good that needs livening up. Reheating in an air fryer is also a great way to save energy, as you don't have to heat up your whole oven.
If you're reheating something that's already cooked, like chicken wings, you can simply pop them in the air fryer at 400 degrees for about 9 minutes. You can also reheat egg bites; simply heat the air fryer to 350°F and air fry for 5 minutes, until piping hot all the way through.
If you're reheating something that requires cooking as well, like a muffin, you can lightly spray four silicone muffin cups with oil, pour the mixture into each cup, and air fry at 350°F for 7-10 minutes, or until puffed up and cooked through with a golden top.
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Frequently asked questions
You can make a protein-packed breakfast in an air fryer by mashing a banana in a heatproof dish and adding rolled oats, milk, frozen blueberries, honey, and almond extract. You can also make egg bites by whisking eggs with milk, cheese, and vegetables.
Air fryer recipes for beginners include crispy potatoes, roasted vegetables like asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and green beans, and frozen pre-made sausage rolls. You can also make a simple side dish or main course with a slab of cauliflower tossed with olive oil and seasoning.
You can make a variety of desserts in an air fryer, such as berry crisp, vegan zucchini chocolate cake, apple pie "baked" apples, and gluten-free peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. You can also reheat desserts like leftover pie or brownies in the air fryer to give them a fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.
You can make a variety of main courses in an air fryer, such as whole-roasted chicken, flaky salmon, chicken wings, and cheeseburgers. You can also make crab cakes, fried rice, and beef and broccoli.
