Marianne Martinez
Oil-less fryers are a healthier alternative to traditional deep fryers, which use hot oil heated by an external burner. The Big Easy by Char-Broil is a popular oil-less fryer that uses infrared cooking technology to create an even heat with no flare-ups. It can cook a 16-pound turkey in about 15 minutes per pound, resulting in a juicy and crispy bird. In addition to turkey, the Big Easy can also be used to cook other meats such as chicken, pork, and beef, as well as vegetables. Oil-less fryers are safe, quiet, and easy to use, making them a great option for home cooks who want to try frying without the mess and intimidation of traditional oil-filled fryers.
What can you cook in an oil-less fryer?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Turkey, chicken, pork, ribs, wings, beef |
| Accessories | Hook, skewers, S hooks, basket, cover, 22-piece accessory kit |
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What You'll Learn
Turkey
There are a few different types of oil-less turkey fryers on the market, but the most popular is The Big Easy oil-less turkey fryer, a model made by Char-Broil. This gadget uses infrared cooking technology (powered by propane) that's said to create an even heat with no flare-ups. It connects to a propane tank and cooks the turkey outside, freeing up your oven during big feasts and dinners. The Char-Broil Big Easy can cook a bird of up to 16 pounds, and there is a ring of flames at the base that leads into a hollow-walled chamber. Hot circulating air inside the chamber cooks the turkey, with the legs and breast meat cooking evenly. This type of oil-less fryer is for outdoor use only.
Another option is the Big Boss air fryer, which uses convection technology with circulating hot air from a halogen infrared light. This type of fryer is also suitable for cooking a whole turkey.
To prepare your turkey for the oil-less fryer, you should wash it inside and out and remove the giblet bag and neck bone. You can then inject the turkey to add flavour to the meat and rub it with olive oil and seasoning. It is recommended that you do not stuff the turkey and instead cook the stuffing separately. Make sure your turkey is fully thawed before cooking, and add herbs about 20 minutes before the end of cooking time.
Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your turkey, but a good rule of thumb is about 10 minutes per pound in the Char-Broil Oil Less Deep Fryer. For example, a 14-pound turkey will take about 2.3–3 hours, and a 7-pound turkey breast will take about 75 minutes at 350 degrees F. You can use a remote thermometer to check when your turkey is cooked. Once cooked, let the turkey rest for 15–30 minutes before carving.
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Chicken wings
To achieve this, you can season the chicken wings with a mixture of spices such as smoked paprika, dried parsley, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. You can also add a small amount of baking powder to the spice mixture to help absorb moisture and make the wings crispier. After seasoning, it is recommended to let the wings rest in the refrigerator for a day to allow the flavours to develop.
When you are ready to cook, preheat your oil-less fryer. The exact temperature and time will depend on the model of your fryer, but a good guideline is to cook the wings for around 10 minutes at 350°F (180°C). You may want to use the wire mesh lid provided with your fryer if you are cooking in cold or windy conditions, as this can help regulate the temperature.
Once the fryer is preheated, you can place the chicken wings inside. If your fryer has a basket, you can place the wings directly inside. Alternatively, some fryers have a pole that can be inserted into the centre of the wings to keep them in place without leaving marks.
After 10 minutes, check the internal temperature of the wings to ensure they have reached a safe temperature. The wings should be cooked through and crispy. If you prefer extra crispy wings, you can double fry them by letting them cool down, refrigerating them, and then frying them again briefly before serving.
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Roast beef
Oil-less fryers are a great option for cooking roast beef, as they can produce a seared crust on the outside and a perfectly cooked, juicy centre. They are also much faster than a regular oven, as they emit infrared heat, which cooks food directly.
When cooking roast beef in an oil-less fryer, it is recommended to use a tender cut of beef with a bit of marbling, such as a top sirloin roast, prime rib roast, rump roast, or top-round roast. For the best results, remove the roast from the fridge 30 minutes to one hour before cooking and allow it to come to room temperature. This helps to ensure even cooking throughout.
Before cooking, pat the surface of the roast dry with a paper towel and rub a little oil all over it. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or any type of cooking oil with a high smoke point. Once the roast is coated in oil, sprinkle it with a herb mixture. This can include salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and garlic powder, or your favourite steak seasoning. Ensure that all sides of the roast are well-coated.
Place the roast in the basket of the oil-less fryer, bones down, with the fat side up. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the beef and cook until the desired internal temperature is reached. For a medium-rare roast, cook until the internal temperature reaches 127-135°F.
The cooking time will depend on the size and type of roast, but a 2-pound roast will take around 30 minutes to cook. For larger roasts, it is recommended to start with a lower temperature to avoid charring the outside before the inside is sufficiently cooked.
Once the roast is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the fryer and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
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Prime rib
Oil-less fryers, such as the Char-Broil Big Easy, are a great option for cooking a variety of foods, including prime rib. This cooking method is perfect for holidays or special occasions, as it delivers delicious, tender, and flavourful meat with a crispy exterior, all without the mess and guilt of traditional deep frying.
To cook prime rib in an oil-less fryer, start by applying olive oil to all sides of the meat. Then, season the prime rib with salt and pepper, and your choice of steak seasoning, ensuring it is low sugar to prevent burning. Preheat your oil-less fryer for about 15 minutes, and if it's your first time using it, consider preseasoning the unit to protect it from rust and make it more non-stick.
Next, place the seasoned prime rib into the fryer basket and insert a cooking thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. The cooking time will depend on your desired doneness. For a rare roast, cook until the internal temperature reaches 125°F. If you prefer your meat medium-rare, aim for 127°F. This will typically take around 15-20 minutes per pound.
Once the desired temperature is reached, remove the prime rib from the fryer and let it rest. For a rare roast, let the meat rest for about 20 minutes before slicing and serving. If you're aiming for medium-well or well-done, slice the meat first, then finish it on a grill instead of cooking the entire roast to a higher temperature.
The oil-less fryer's innovative design circulates hot air around the prime rib, ensuring even cooking without the need for oil. This results in a juicy and flavourful roast with a crispy exterior, making it a convenient and healthier alternative to traditional frying methods.
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Vegetables
Oil-less fryers, such as the Philips Airfryer XXL, can be used to cook a variety of vegetables. These appliances can fry, bake, roast, grill, reheat, dehydrate, and even toast food with up to 90% less fat than a conventional deep-fat fryer.
When using an oil-less fryer, you can prepare colourful vegetable chips or sweet potato fries. You can also roast a variety of vegetables, including potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and other crispy veggies. It is recommended to season the vegetables with spices, herbs, vegetable stock, or a light soy sauce mixture before placing them in the fryer.
To achieve a crispy texture, you can use a non-stick pan, a silicone baking mat, or parchment paper. Additionally, you can fry the vegetables with a small amount of water or vegetable broth instead of oil. It is important to note that the cooking time may be longer when using an oil-less fryer, but you will still get delicious and healthy results.
Another option for cooking vegetables without oil is to bake them. You can create delicious, breaded veggies by dipping them in a slurry of arrowroot powder or cornstarch mixed with water or plant milk, and then coating them with whole-grain breadcrumbs or cornmeal before baking. This method provides a crispy and healthy alternative to deep-fried vegetables.
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Frequently asked questions
The Big Easy oil-less fryer is the most popular model, made by Char-Broil. It uses infrared cooking technology to create an even heat with no flare-ups.
You can cook a variety of foods in an oil-less fryer, including whole turkeys, chickens, pork loins, ham, chicken wings, beer can chicken, roast beef, and prime rib.
Oil-less fryers use infrared heat and convection heat to cook food. They create an even heat with no flare-ups, making them a safe and easy option for cooking.
Assembling an oil-less fryer typically takes around 30 minutes to an hour. You must season the interior stainless steel cooking drum with oil before use and then heat it until it turns dark inside and stops smoking.
Cooking time for a turkey in an oil-less fryer is approximately 10 minutes per pound. For example, a 7-pound turkey breast would take around 75 minutes to cook to 165 degrees F.
