Cody Casey
The Tower Compact Air Fryer is a small but efficient appliance, ideal for those with limited kitchen space or couples and single-person households. With its fast warm-up time, the air fryer is a convenient way to cook a variety of foods, from mains to snacks and party food. The air fryer uses Vortx technology to cook food 30% faster than traditional cooking methods, resulting in a crispy texture and succulent meat. It is also a healthier alternative, requiring less oil and resulting in food with 99% less fat. So, what can you cook in a Tower Compact Air Fryer?
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What You'll Learn
Chicken, including wings, breasts and thighs
Chicken is a great option to cook in a tower compact air fryer. You can cook chicken wings, breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and even a whole chicken in an air fryer.
Chicken breasts are lean, so they benefit from high-temperature baking for a shorter period of time. The air fryer offers this cooking style in abundance. You can also cut chicken breasts into strips and oil them up a bit to get a tasty result.
To cook chicken breasts in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and season as desired. Then, cook the chicken (smooth side down) at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 minutes. Flip the chicken over and cook for another 2 to 8 minutes. Let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes, and then it's ready to eat!
Chicken thighs are excellent in an air fryer because they are very fatty. To cook chicken thighs, lightly pound the chicken on a cutting board and season with salt. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and then let the chicken come to room temperature. Combine the chicken with olive oil and a spice mixture. Cook the chicken at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for another 2 to 8 minutes. Let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Chicken wings are also a great option for an air fryer as they are extremely well-suited to air frying. To cook chicken wings, spray them with a good amount of oil and cook at 180 degrees Celsius/360 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes. Once the beeper goes off, turn the wings over, spray them again, and cook for another 12 minutes. Then, turn the air fryer up to 210 degrees Celsius/410 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for another 6 minutes to get the wings crispy and 'fried hard'.
You can also cook a whole chicken in an air fryer, but this can be a very different art. The results can be mind-blowing, but they can also be mediocre.
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Chips, including sweet potato fries
Firstly, peel and slice your potatoes. For sweet potatoes, cut them into even 1/4-inch thick sticks or slices. For regular potatoes, you can cut them into your desired chip size, but keep in mind that thinner slices will result in crispier chips.
Next, place the potato slices in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle them with oil, such as olive oil, and toss to coat evenly. You can also add seasonings at this stage to add extra flavour. Some popular seasoning options include salt, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, Cajun seasoning, BBQ spice, or mixed herbs.
Now you're ready to start frying! Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. If you have a Tower 3 Litre Manual Air Fryer, you can adjust the temperature and cooking time dials accordingly. For sweet potato fries, a temperature of around 350-380°F is recommended, and they should cook in about 10-15 minutes. Regular potato chips may take a little longer, around 30 minutes at 180°C. Remember to shake the basket or turn the chips halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking and browning.
Once the chips are golden and crispy, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
You can also cook other types of potatoes in your Tower Compact Air Fryer, such as baked potatoes or roast potatoes. These will take a little longer to cook, but the air fryer will give them a fluffy centre and a crisp skin.
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Meat, including steak and meatballs
You can cook a variety of meat dishes in a tower compact air fryer, including steak and meatballs.
Steak
Air fryers can be used to cook steak to perfection. Start by seasoning your steak with a little bit of oil, salt, and pepper to get a perfect sear and bring out the flavour. Then, place the steak in the air fryer and cook to your desired level of doneness. Remember to turn the steak partway through for an even cook. Air-fried steak can be served with your favourite sauce, air-fryer chips, a leafy green salad, or roasted vegetables.
Meatballs
Air fryers are also perfect for cooking meatballs made with various types of ground meat, including beef, pork, lamb, or chicken. To make meatballs, simply combine the ingredients, shape the mixture into balls, and air fry. The air fryer creates a crispy exterior while keeping the interior juicy and tender.
For cooking, preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have enough space for hot air to circulate. For even cooking, it is important to flip the meatballs halfway through. Smaller meatballs (around 1-2 inches in diameter) will cook faster, taking about 8-10 minutes. Larger meatballs (2-3 inches) might take closer to 12-15 minutes. To ensure food safety, use a meat thermometer to check that the meatballs have reached an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
You can coat your meatballs in a sauce before or after cooking. For example, you can give them an Asian twist by coating them in bulgogi sauce, katsu sauce, or eel sauce. Meatballs can be served as a standalone appetizer or alongside a larger meal, such as spaghetti, mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.
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Pizza and bread
Pizza
Air-frying pizza is a quick and easy way to get a crispy, golden crust without overcooking the toppings. You can use store-bought or homemade pizza dough, rolled-out crescent rolls, or a tortilla—a 12-inch piece of dough will make two personal pizzas.
To start, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and spray the basket with oil. Roll out your dough to the size of the basket, then brush it with olive oil and prick it with a fork. Cook the dough for 3 minutes, then flip it over.
Next, add your toppings. Spread a light layer of tomato sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. You can also add toppings like pepperoni, black olives, onions, basil, red pepper flakes, or steak. Air fry for about 7 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese has melted.
If you're using fresh ingredients like mozzarella, pat them dry with paper towels to prevent a soggy pizza. You can also pre-cook the crust to achieve a crispier bottom, but remember to flip it over after the initial cook to prevent a white bottom.
Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer brand and size, so check frequently to ensure your pizza doesn't overcook or burn.
Bread
Making bread in an air fryer is a simple process that yields a perfect loaf with a soft interior and a golden crust. It's faster than baking in a conventional oven and produces delicious results.
To make air fryer bread, you'll need a deep cake tin that fits easily into your air fryer. The basic ingredients for the dough are flour, yeast, salt, and water. You can also add sugar and melted butter to enhance the flavor.
First, shape the dough into a ball. Place it in a springform pan lined with parchment paper or lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil. Cover the pan with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size.
Once the dough has risen, remove the cover and lightly brush the top of the loaf with an egg wash. Place the pan in the air fryer basket and air fry at 320°F (160°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown.
Remove the bread from the pan and transfer it to a cooling rack. Allow it to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container to preserve its freshness and prevent moisture buildup.
To check if your bread is cooked on the inside, tap the bottom—if it sounds hollow, it's done. The bottom of the bread should not feel doughy. If it's still doughy, return it to the air fryer and cook for a few more minutes.
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Vegetables, including kale chips and roasted potatoes
You can cook a variety of vegetables in a Tower Compact Air Fryer, including kale chips, roasted potatoes, and more.
Kale Chips
Kale chips are a popular choice for air fryer enthusiasts. They are a healthy, vegan, gluten-free, and low-calorie snack that can be made in under 20 minutes. To make kale chips, start by washing and drying the kale leaves. Cut the leaves away from the spine and tear them into bite-sized pieces. You can use any variety of kale, such as curly kale or dinosaur kale. Next, massage oil into the leaves, ensuring each piece is thinly coated. You can use olive oil or avocado oil spray. Season the kale with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and other spices of your choice. Toss the kale to coat it evenly with the oil and seasonings. Place the kale in the air fryer basket and cook at 350-375°F for about 6-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Keep a close eye on the kale, as it can go from crisp to burnt very quickly.
Roasted Potatoes
Air fryer roasted potatoes are a delicious and convenient option. You can make traditional roasted potatoes or get creative with potato nuggets. Here's a simple recipe for roasted potatoes:
- Cut the potatoes into uniform-sized pieces.
- Boil the potatoes in a saucepan until tender, which usually takes about 30 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes and transfer them to a bowl.
- Add milk, salt, and pepper to the potatoes and mash them with a fork or potato masher.
- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F for 5 minutes.
- Roll the mashed potato mixture into 1-inch nuggets.
- Spritz the air fryer basket with vegetable oil or olive oil.
- Place the potato nuggets in the air fryer and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket at the 6-minute mark, until they are golden brown.
In addition to these recipes, you can also experiment with different types of potatoes, such as sweet potatoes, and explore various seasonings to find your favorite flavor combinations.
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Frequently asked questions
The Tower Compact Air Fryer is ideal for singles or couples with its small 1.5L capacity basket. Here are some quick and easy meals you can cook in it:
- Chips—you can cook them from frozen and they will be crispy with just a little bit of oil.
- Chicken—add a little bit of oil to get crispy skin. Battered chicken will retain a crisp texture with succulent meat inside.
- Salmon fillets—simply rub with olive oil and herb seasoning, and cook at 180C for 8-10 minutes.
- Chicken fajitas—cook strips of chicken with sliced peppers and onions, seasoned with your choice of spice blend.
Here are some vegetarian options that you can cook in a Tower Compact Air Fryer:
- Sweet potato fries—cook at a lower temperature first to ensure they are cooked through, then raise the temperature to crisp them up.
- Buffalo-style cauliflower—a great veggie main or spicy side dish.
- Crispy tofu—coat in breadcrumbs and flavour with garlic and paprika.
- Leafy green vegetables—turn them into a crispy snack by seasoning with salt, paprika, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
Yes, you can reheat ready-made food in a Tower Compact Air Fryer. For example, you can reheat chicken wings to crispy perfection. You can also bake a small individual pizza or a small loaf of bread, remembering to turn it halfway through to prevent burning.
