Cody Casey
Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a wide range of foods. They are particularly good for achieving a crispy, golden texture without the need for large amounts of oil. As such, they are excellent for cooking foods such as chicken wings, potatoes, and salmon. Air fryers can also be used for cooking vegetables, including asparagus, carrots, and Brussels sprouts. In addition, air fryers are great for reheating food, especially desserts, and can be used for cooking a variety of dishes, from breakfast to dessert.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | Air fryers are faster than ovens and can cook food in less than half the time. |
| Oil | Air fryers require minimal oil and are a healthier alternative to deep frying. |
| Clean-up | Air fryers are less messy than deep frying and require less clean-up. |
| Food | Air fryers can cook a variety of foods including chicken, steak, fish, bacon, eggs, vegetables, cookies, cakes, and more. |
| Moisture | Air fryers lock in juiciness and moisture. |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken wings, tenders, breasts, thighs, and legs
Chicken Wings
Chicken wings can be cooked in an air fryer in less than 20 minutes. Before cooking, pat the wings dry and marinate them in olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add some hot sauce to the marinade. Leave the wings to rest for at least 30 minutes. Place the wings in the air fryer so that they are not touching and cook for 10 minutes. Then, increase the temperature and cook until they are golden brown. You can also cook wings in an air fryer without a marinade. Simply spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray, season the wings with salt and pepper, and cook for 10–20 minutes.
Chicken Tenders
Chicken tenders can be cooked in an air fryer in around 10–12 minutes. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and dip each tender in egg before coating in a breadcrumb and panko mixture. Spray the tenders with olive oil spray and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 5–6 minutes on each side, turning halfway, until the chicken is cooked through and crispy and golden on the outside.
Chicken Breasts
Chicken breasts can be cooked in an air fryer in around 6 minutes. Season the chicken with salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. You can also brine the chicken for 30 minutes before cooking to keep it moist and flavourful. Place the chicken in the air fryer smooth side down and cook at 375°F for 6 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs can be cooked in an air fryer in around 24 minutes. Season the chicken with lemon juice and spices such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dried herbs. Place the chicken in the air fryer skin side down and cook at 400°F for 12 minutes on each side, until golden and crispy.
Chicken Legs
Chicken legs can be cooked in an air fryer in around 22 minutes. Season the chicken legs and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring no pieces overlap. Air fry for 12 minutes on the first side, then flip the legs over and air fry for another 10 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165–175°F.
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Fish, including salmon
To cook fish fillets in an air fryer, you can coat them in a breadcrumb and seasoning mix, or simply rub with an oil and spice mix. If you are using frozen fish, you should ensure it is completely thawed before cooking. You can do this by leaving it in the fridge overnight, or for a quicker method, leave it on the counter submerged in ice-cold water for an hour. It is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will prevent the fish from crisping. Cook the fish for around 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, and serve with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.
Salmon is a popular choice for air frying, as it is quick, easy, and super flavorful. You can season the salmon fillets with a variety of spices and sauces, such as garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and soy sauce. You can also brush the salmon with glazes such as maple syrup and Dijon mustard, or teriyaki sauce. The cooking time for salmon will depend on the thickness of the fillets, but it typically takes around 7-10 minutes for the salmon to be cooked to a flaky perfection.
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Burgers and cheeseburgers
To make the patties, combine ground beef with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder in a bowl. You can also add in BBQ sauce and brush the mixture onto the patties before cooking. Form the mixture into four equally-sized patties, making a small indent in the centre of each with your thumb to prevent them from swelling during cooking. Place the patties in the air fryer in a single layer and cook for 6 minutes. Flip the burgers and cook for another 3-5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the patties and your desired level of doneness. For a cheeseburger, add cheese on top of the patty and cook for an additional minute.
It is important to note that cook times may vary depending on the air fryer model and the thickness of the patties. To ensure the desired level of doneness, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the patty, which should reach 160°F for a fully cooked burger.
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Vegetables, including potatoes, asparagus, and cauliflower
Air fryers are a fantastic, healthier option for cooking vegetables, as they require significantly less oil than traditional frying methods. They are also a great way to cook vegetables quickly, without having to heat up your oven.
Potatoes
Potatoes are a root vegetable, and root vegetables generally take longer to cook in an air fryer than other types of vegetables. They are, however, a very good option for air frying, as they cook evenly and develop a delectable crispness. To cook potatoes in an air fryer, slice them into thin strips or small cubes, and drizzle with a little oil. You can also marinate potato pieces in yoghurt and spices, thread them onto skewers, and cook them in the air fryer for a tasty appetiser.
Asparagus
Asparagus is a tender vegetable that cooks well in an air fryer. To prepare, trim off any tough ends, and drizzle with oil and seasoning. Toss the spears in a lemon-garlic dressing before roasting for a flavourful side dish.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is another vegetable that cooks well in an air fryer. Break the cauliflower into small florets, and drizzle with oil and seasoning. For a tasty, low-carb side dish, top with a cilantro yoghurt sauce. For a more indulgent option, try buffalo cauliflower bites, coated in a crumb coating.
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Desserts, including cakes, pies, and cookies
Air fryers can be used to make a wide variety of desserts, including cakes, pies, and cookies.
If you're craving something sweet and cake-based, you can use an air fryer to make a fuss-free lemon drizzle loaf cake, a moist chocolate cake, or even a batch of brownies. For something a little more fruity, you could try making pineapple upside-down cake or apple fritters topped with a cinnamon glaze.
If you're after a pie, you could try making a cookie pie with a melty layer of Nutella in the middle, or some hand pies with a store-bought crust and a blueberry filling. For a more traditional option, you could make an apple pie or some mince pies using ready-made shortcrust pastry.
In the mood for cookies? You could make chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, or even thumbprint cookies. For something a little different, you could try making cookies with an oatmeal-raisin base and adding tahini and walnuts, or raspberry, almond, and oat cookies.
And remember, one of the best things about making desserts in your air fryer is that you can make individual servings!
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Frequently asked questions
You can cook a variety of foods in an air fryer, including chicken wings, burgers, steak, salmon, and vegetables like potatoes, asparagus, and cauliflower.
Yes, you can cook frozen foods in an air fryer. For example, you can cook frozen chicken tenders or pre-made puff pastry.
Yes, you can cook almost any breakfast in an air fryer, including eggs, avocado fries, and even toast.
Yes, you can cook desserts in an air fryer. Some examples include berry crisp, zucchini chocolate cake, apple pie baked apples, and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.
