Emilie Meyer
Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a wide range of dishes. They are known for producing crispy and crunchy foods while retaining moisture and locking in juiciness. From mains to sides, appetisers to desserts, the air fryer can do it all. You can cook proteins such as chicken, steak, tofu, fish and meatballs, as well as vegetables like potatoes, sprouts, broccoli and mushrooms. You can even bake cakes, muffins and pies, or fry up some homemade sausage rolls or loaded fries. The options are endless, and with a few tweaks, you can create healthy, delicious meals with minimal oil and mess.
What can you cook in a dry air fryer?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Proteins | Chicken, tofu, chicken drumsticks, meatballs, pork chops, steak, bacon, hamburger, fish, whole chicken, chicken nuggets, chicken thighs, chicken skewers, eggs |
| Vegetables | Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, yams, beans, carrots, peppers, spinach, avocado |
| Carbs | Chips, tortilla chips, pizza, pasta, sandwiches, muffins, cakes, cookies, bagels, doughnuts |
| Dairy | Cheese, halloumi |
| Fruit | Lemons, berries, apples, oranges |
| Other | Popcorn, nuts, chocolate, desserts |
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What You'll Learn
Meat and fish
When it comes to meat and fish, an air fryer offers a convenient and healthy way to cook a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas and instructions for cooking meat and fish in a dry air fryer:
Fish
Air fryers are excellent for cooking fish, with the ability to fry frozen or fresh seafood to perfection. The circulating hot air ensures even cooking, resulting in fish that is tender, flaky, and golden brown. It is best to use moderately thin, white, and flaky fish such as cod, haddock, pollock, or mahi-mahi. Thicker fish like tuna or swordfish may take longer to cook.
Before cooking, remember to preheat your air fryer for at least 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. If using a thawed frozen fillet, pat it dry with a paper towel. Cut the fish into strips, then follow the standard breading procedure: dredge the fish in flour, shaking off the excess, dip in egg, and finally coat with breadcrumbs. Place the fish in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. Spray the fish with a light coat of oil to achieve a crispy texture.
Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the fillets and the model of the air fryer, but on average, it will take around 10 to 12 minutes for the fish to cook through. Check the fish after 10 minutes and cook for an additional 2 minutes if needed. The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and has a golden-brown colour.
For a simple and delicious recipe, try air fryer fish and chips. Cut a cod fillet into strips, then coat with a mixture of flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Dip the fish in egg to allow breadcrumbs to stick, and finally, coat with panko breadcrumbs. Place the fish in the air fryer and cook for 10-12 minutes until golden and flaky. Serve with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.
Meat
Air fryers are also fantastic for cooking meat, from proteins like tofu and meatballs to classic favourites such as fried chicken and steak. You can even cook an entire chicken in a medium-sized air fryer. Here are some specific ideas and instructions:
- Chicken Wings: For crunchy chicken wings without the mess, place the wings in the air fryer. They will turn out super crispy, just like the deep-fried kind.
- Chicken Drumsticks: For juicy and perfectly cooked chicken drumsticks, the air fryer does an excellent job of crisping the outside while keeping the inside moist.
- Pork Belly: Score the skin of a 1kg slab of pork belly diagonally with a sharp knife. Season well with flaky salt and leave uncovered in the fridge overnight for perfect crackling. Toast and grind fennel seeds, peppercorns, and cumin seeds, then mix with salt and rub over the pork. Cook skin-side up at 220ºC/425ºF for 30 minutes until the skin blisters. Reduce the heat to 160ºC/325ºF and cook for an additional hour until tender.
- Pork Chops: For juicy and flavourful pork chops, the air fryer is a great option. The intense heat circulation crisps the outside while keeping the inside moist.
- Whole Chicken: In a medium-sized air fryer, you can fit a 1.6kg whole chicken. Push flavoured butter with garlic, lemon, thyme, and rosemary under the skin. Cook for 45-50 minutes at 190ºC/375ºF until the skin is golden and crispy, and the juices run clear.
- Turkey Crown: Dry brine a turkey crown with salt, brown sugar, and dried herbs for at least a day before cooking. Push butter under the skin, ensuring it covers the entire crown. Cook in the air fryer until done.
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Vegetables
Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, offering a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare a variety of veggies with a delicious crispy texture.
Preparation
Firstly, wash and dry your chosen vegetables. You can peel them if you like, but this is optional. You can also soak root vegetables in cold water to help get rid of starch and make them crunchier. After soaking, be sure to rinse, drain, and pat the vegetables dry.
Next, chop your veggies into uniform pieces. Smaller pieces will cook faster and ensure even cooking. If you're cooking a variety of vegetables, it's best to put the denser, harder veggies in the air fryer first, followed by the softer, quicker-cooking varieties.
Now, it's time to season. Toss your veggies in a bowl with your chosen spices and a light drizzle of oil. You can also add oil and herbs after cooking for a fresh burst of flavor.
Cooking
Preheat your air fryer to around 375°F to 400°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes. Add your veggies in a single layer, ensuring they aren't overcrowded, as this will cause them to steam rather than brown.
Cook for 8 to 20 minutes, depending on the type of vegetable and the size of the pieces. Tender veggies like zucchini, asparagus, and green beans will take less time, while denser options like carrots or sweet potatoes can take up to 15 to 20 minutes. Shake the basket or stir the veggies halfway through cooking to promote even cooking and browning.
Serving
Air fryer vegetables are a tasty and healthy side dish, and can be served with a squeeze of lemon juice, fresh herbs, and grated Parmesan cheese or vegan Parmesan.
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Snacks and appetisers
Air fryers are a great way to cook snacks and appetisers, and they can be quicker than using an oven. Here are some snack and appetiser ideas you can cook in a dry air fryer:
Chips and Potato-Based Snacks
Air fryers are great for cooking potatoes, and you can make super-crispy air-fried chips with fluffy insides and golden outsides. You can also make sweet potato fries in an air fryer, tossing them in seasonings like sweet smoked paprika, Cajun or BBQ spices. For a healthier snack, you can also make potato wedges by cutting tortillas into wedges, tossing them with a little oil, salt and pepper, and air-frying until crispy.
Meat and Proteins
You can cook a variety of meats and proteins in an air fryer, including chicken drumsticks, chicken skewers, meatballs, pork chops, steak, bacon, and sausages. For chicken, it is recommended to dry brine before cooking, and you can also coat it in a flour mixture with seasonings like garlic granules, smoked paprika and celery salt. For a healthier alternative to frying, you can cook halloumi in an air fryer, seasoning it with smoked paprika or mixed herbs.
Vegetables
Air fryers are perfect for roasting vegetables, including Brussels sprouts, potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, cauliflower, and broccoli. Vegetables benefit from a light coating of oil to help them brown. You can also make a veggie-packed omelette, although you may need to pop it back in the air fryer for a minute to ensure it is fully cooked.
Other Snacks
In addition to the above, you can make a variety of other snacks in an air fryer, including muffins, sandwiches, pizza, and even desserts like cakes and chocolate tartlets. You can also make fried Oreos by wrapping them in crescent roll dough and baking them in the air fryer.
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Desserts
Air fryers can be used to make a variety of desserts, from cookies and brownies to cakes and apple chips. Here are some ideas for sweet treats you can make in an air fryer:
Cookies and Brownies
Air fryers are perfect for making individual servings of cookies and brownies. You can make crispy and gooey chocolate chip cookies, or get creative with different flavours like peanut butter, oatmeal-raisin with tahini and walnuts, or raspberry, almond and oat. For a fun twist, try making "pizookies" (pan cookies) or "cookie fries" served with strawberry-chipotle "ketchup" and lemon curd "mustard". If brownies are more your style, you can make fudgy, double chocolate brownies with dark chocolate and white chocolate chips in your air fryer.
Cakes
While air fryers may not be ideal for perfectly even cakes, they can still produce delicious, moist cakes with less prep time. Try a chocolate cake topped with fresh berries or confectioner's sugar, or a banana cake with pecans and chocolate chips. For a fuss-free option, make a lemon drizzle loaf cake or a carrot cake with dried cranberries and pumpkin spice.
Fruit-Based Treats
Air fryers are great for cooking fruit-based desserts like apple chips. Sprinkle Honeycrisp apples with warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, then air fry and dip into honey or vanilla yoghurt. You can also make air fryer apples with cinnamon and orange zest, sweetened with maple syrup, or apple fritters served with vanilla ice cream. For a tropical treat, try air fryer wontons filled with banana, pineapple, and coconut, drizzled with a strawberry glaze.
Other Desserts
The options for air fryer desserts are endless, including churros, doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, French toast sticks, and even fried ice cream. For a healthier option, make air fryer beignets with less oil, or try air fryer s'mores dip with melted chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers. If you're in the mood for something creamy, make mini cheesecakes or a full-sized one with zero-calorie sweetener and no crust.
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Breakfasts
Air fryers are a great way to cook breakfast, as they can make food crispy with little to no oil, and they cut down the cooking time by more than half compared to using a stovetop or oven.
If you're looking for a quick and easy breakfast, you can cook frozen waffles in the air fryer in just five minutes. You can top them with maple syrup or hot sauce. You can also make French toast sticks, which are a fun breakfast treat. Simply cut bread slices into fingers, soak them in a French-toast egg mixture, coat them in crushed cornflakes, and air-fry them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for eight to nine minutes. You can also make French toast cups with bananas, peanut butter, oats, and whole wheat flour, which can be served with a simple raspberry sauce or drizzled with maple syrup.
For a more savoury option, you can make Scotch eggs, a UK dish consisting of hard-boiled eggs wrapped in sausage and deep-fried. You can use the air fryer to create a lighter version with a crisp exterior by using crushed cornflakes. You can also make eggs in a basket, also known as egg in a hole, by making indentations in slices of bread, cracking an egg into the indents, and air-frying. You can also make a frittata by pouring the mix into a sprayed air fryer basket and cooking it for 25 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you're looking for a breakfast side, you can make hash browns, home fries, or roasted potatoes in the air fryer. You can also make sweet potato fries or shred your sweet potatoes and air-fry them as hash brown nests.
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Frequently asked questions
You can cook a variety of foods in an air fryer, including chicken, steak, bacon, tofu, meatballs, eggs, vegetables, and potatoes.
It is best to avoid cooking recipes with wet batter, such as fried chicken, as the lack of hot oil will cause the batter to drip and burn the air fryer basket. Broccoli is also not recommended as it can dry out and become bitter.
Yes, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Avoid overfilling the air fryer to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Vegetables benefit from a light coating of oil to help them brown.
- Cooking greasy foods? Add water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to catch the grease and prevent smoking.
