Emilie Meyer
Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance, known for their speed and convenience. They cook food by circulating hot air around it, resulting in a crispy texture similar to deep-fried food but with less oil. Air fryers come in various sizes, from compact models suitable for one or two people to larger ones perfect for feeding big groups. With their versatility, air fryers can cook a wide range of dishes, from appetisers to main courses and even desserts. So, what can you cook in an air fryer? The options are nearly limitless, but here are some popular choices: crispy chilli beef, chicken nuggets, salmon, chocolate chip cookies, and more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Speed | Air fryers are faster than conventional ovens |
| Ease of use | Air fryers are easy to use and require little to no maintenance |
| Health | Air fryers can cook food with less oil and fat than traditional frying methods |
| Versatility | Air fryers can cook a wide range of foods, including meat, vegetables, fish, baked goods, and frozen foods |
| Size | Air fryers come in various sizes, from small to large, to suit different needs |
| Multi-tasking | Some air fryers have multiple functions, such as grilling, baking, roasting, and reheating |
| Pre-heating | Air fryers do not require pre-heating |
| Cleanliness | Air fryers are easy to clean |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken, fish and meat
Chicken, fish, and meat are all great options for air frying. Here are some ideas for each:
Chicken
Air fryers are perfect for cooking chicken, with many recipes available online. A popular option is to thinly slice chicken breasts, coat them with spices, brown sugar, and cornstarch, and air fry to a golden, juicy perfection. This method gives the chicken a crisp exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy. You can also experiment with different types of paprika to add a rich, savoury flavour to the dish.
Fish
Air fryers are also excellent for cooking fish fillets, creating a crispy and crunchy exterior while keeping the fish soft and moist inside. You can use various types of fish, such as cod, tilapia, catfish, pollock, hake, haddock, or salmon. It is recommended to coat the fish with oil and breading before air frying, and you can serve it with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.
Meat
For meat lovers, air fryers can cook steak bites, and you can add mushrooms or vegetables like potatoes and cauliflower. It is important to note that overcooking meat in an air fryer can lead to shrinkage and dryness, so timing is crucial. Pre-cooked meat can be warmed up in the air fryer for a few minutes, and you can experiment with seasonings and oils to enhance the flavour.
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Vegetables
Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, and they can be used to make a variety of veggie dishes. Here are some ideas for what you can cook in an air fryer, with a focus on vegetables:
Frozen and Fresh Veggies
Air fryers are perfect for cooking frozen vegetables and fresh plant-based foods. You can cook frozen veggies like frozen green beans, peas, or broccoli. For fresh veggies, try air-frying Brussels sprouts, which come out crispy without the extra oil used in roasting. Sprinkle them with Parmesan and garlic powder for extra flavour.
Zoodles
Air fryers are also great for making zoodles, which are strips of zucchini/courgette that resemble noodles. Courgettes naturally release a lot of water during cooking, so air fryers are ideal for creating perfect zoodles without the mush.
Sweet Potato Fries
Cut sweet potatoes into fries, toss them in a little oil, and season with smoked paprika, Cajun spices, or BBQ seasoning. Then, air fry them to get crispy fries with very little oil.
Cauliflower
Cut cauliflower into bite-sized pieces and toss them in olive oil, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt before air frying. You can also make sticky sesame cauliflower wings by coating the cauliflower in sesame seeds.
Apple Chips
Slice apples into thin rounds and place them in a single layer in the air fryer. Add cinnamon for an extra special touch. Air fryers make apple chips extra crispy and crunchy.
Tofu
Air fry tofu coated in sesame seeds and serve with quinoa and an edamame, white cabbage, and apple salad. You can also make tofu croutons for a salad.
Hash Browns
Make hash browns in an air fryer for a crispy breakfast side dish or snack.
Pizza
Reheat leftover pizza slices in the air fryer. Set the temperature to 180°C for five minutes to get crispy, golden pizza.
Eggs
You can even boil eggs in an air fryer without using any water. Preheat the air fryer to 120°C and then cook the eggs for about eight minutes for soft-boiled eggs.
These are just a few ideas for vegetable-based dishes you can make in an air fryer. With its ability to cook food with little to no oil, an air fryer is a versatile and healthy cooking option.
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Tofu and other vegetarian options
Tofu is a great vegetarian option to cook in an air fryer, yielding a crispy and crunchy texture with soft and pillowy insides. It is also a healthy protein source, especially beneficial for women as it may help balance estrogen.
To make tofu in an air fryer, start by pressing the tofu to remove excess moisture. It is important not to buy silken tofu, as it will break apart when pressed. Marinate the tofu for up to 24 hours to infuse it with flavour. A simple marinade can be made with liquid aminos, oil, and garlic. You can also add Italian seasoning with dried parsley, oregano, and basil. For a saltier flavour, use soy sauce instead of liquid aminos.
Once the tofu is marinated, place the cubes in a single row in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space around each piece. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 10 minutes, shaking the basket after 5 minutes. For extra crispy tofu, use super-firm vacuum-sealed tofu. You can also freeze and then thaw the tofu before pressing it for a better texture.
In addition to tofu, there are several other vegetarian options that can be cooked in an air fryer. These include halloumi, sweet potato fries, sprouts, and buffalo-style cauliflower. Air fryers can also be used to boil or fry eggs, and to toast muffins.
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Baked goods
You can use an air fryer to make a variety of baked goods, from sweet treats to breakfast pastries. Here are some ideas:
Brownies and bars: Air fryers are great for making rich, fudgy brownies. You can also use them to make blondies or lemon bars. For the best results, use a small, square pan that fits comfortably in your air fryer basket.
Cookies and biscuits: You can bake cookies in an air fryer, and they'll turn out just as delicious as those made in a traditional oven. Try classic chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, or peanut butter cookies. For a special treat, make biscuit dough and cut into small circles or fun shapes before air frying.
Muffins and cupcakes: From blueberry muffins to funfetti cupcakes, you can easily bake a small batch of muffins or cupcakes in your air fryer. Simply place the paper liners in a muffin pan, fill them with batter, and air fry until cooked through.
Quick breads: Banana bread, zucchini bread, and other quick breads can be made in an air fryer. Adjust the baking time as needed, and keep an eye on it to ensure the top doesn't burn.
Pastry: Air fryers are great for baking pastries such as croissants, pain au chocolat, and cinnamon rolls. You can also make your own doughnuts by frying proofed dough and then topping them with sugar, cinnamon, or icing.
When using an air fryer to bake goods, keep in mind that temperatures and cooking times may vary, so it's important to keep an eye on your treats to ensure they don't overcook or burn. Additionally, some recipes may need to be adjusted for smaller batch sizes or to fit in the air fryer basket.
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Boiling and frying
Frying in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods, as it requires little to no oil. For example, air-fried hot chips have 4–6g of fat compared to 17g for deep-fried chips. You can fry anything from chicken wings and chicken strips to potato chip-crusted "fried" fish, chicken thighs, and chicken nuggets in an air fryer. You can even make tofu batons coated in sesame seeds, turning them into crunchy and delicious finger food.
Air fryers are also great for frying frozen foods, such as frozen vegetables, and fresh plant-based foods. For instance, you can make crispy Brussel sprouts without the extra oil that comes with roasting. You can also make buffalo-style cauliflower, a vegetarian main or spicy side dish, by cutting cauliflower into bite-sized pieces, coating them with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt, and then placing them in the air fryer.
In addition to food items, air fryers can also fry jarred foods like gherkins. To make fried gherkins, slice them lengthwise, pat them dry, coat them in a flour and garlic powder mixture, dip them in an egg mix, and then coat them in panko breadcrumbs before placing them in the air fryer for 5–10 minutes until brown and crispy.
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Frequently asked questions
You can cook a variety of vegetarian dishes in an air fryer, including zoodles, sprouts, and tofu. You can also make vegetarian sausage and bean casseroles, pizza, and even baked goods like chocolate chip cookies.
You can cook several meat dishes in an air fryer, including chicken wings, chicken nuggets, chicken breasts, meatballs, and whole chicken. You can also cook steak, sausages, and salmon.
Air fryers can be used to cook unique dishes such as apple chips, pickle chips, and even eggs. You can also cook pizza, crumbed items, and pastries in an air fryer to restore their crisp texture.
Air fryers offer several benefits, including speed, convenience, and the ability to cook food with less oil and fat, making it a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. They are also easy to clean and can cook frozen foods well.
When using an air fryer, it is important to remember that they cook food much faster than a conventional oven, so you will need to reduce the cooking time and temperature. It is also important to use oil sparingly and avoid using baking paper, as it can catch fire.
