Ella Walter
Air fryers are a great way to cook your favourite foods with less oil and mess. They're perfect for creating crispy, juicy dishes without spending hours in the kitchen. From savoury meals to sweet treats, there's a lot you can cook in an air fryer. You can make everything from chicken wings, steak, and burgers to cookies, cakes, and even pizza! Air fryers are also great for reheating leftovers, making them a versatile appliance for any kitchen.
What to cook in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Chicken, steak, pork chops, burgers, sausages, bacon, turkey, Cornish hens |
| Seafood | Salmon, fish, shrimp |
| Vegetables | Broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, green beans, carrots, potatoes |
| Snacks | French fries, tortilla pizzas, nachos, potato chips, chocolate chip cookies, donuts, cakes, pies, brownies, zucchini, arancini, s'mores |
| Breakfast | Eggs, French toast, grilled cheese |
| Other | Pizza, fajitas, tacos, pasta |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken wings, thighs, legs, tenders, and nuggets
Chicken is a versatile meat that can be cooked in an air fryer in many ways. Here are some ideas for cooking chicken wings, thighs, legs, tenders, and nuggets in an air fryer:
Chicken Wings
Air fryer chicken wings are a healthier alternative to deep-fried wings, as they require less oil and cook faster. The hot air in the air fryer makes the wings crispy on the outside while keeping them tender and juicy on the inside. Before cooking, pat the wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, as this will help make the skin crispier. You can season the wings with salt, white pepper, baking powder, and neutral oil, or try other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and olive oil. Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, and cook at 380-400°F for 16-22 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. For an extra crispy skin, add some baking powder to the seasoning, as it reacts with the chicken skin to create a golden brown texture.
Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs can also be cooked in the air fryer. While there is no standard recipe, you can try seasoning them with your choice of spices and herbs. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F and place the thighs in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for 16-18 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Chicken Legs
Chicken legs can be cooked in a similar way to chicken thighs. Pat the legs dry, season them, and place them in the air fryer basket. Cook at 380°F for about 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Chicken Tenders
Chicken tenders can be cooked in the air fryer as well. You can make BBQ chicken tenders by seasoning the tenders and placing them in the air fryer basket. Cook for about 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
Chicken Nuggets
Air fryers are great for cooking chicken nuggets. You can use frozen nuggets or make them from scratch. Place the nuggets in the air fryer basket, spray them with a little oil, and cook for about 10 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally, until they are golden and crispy.
With an air fryer, you can enjoy your favorite chicken dishes with less grease and faster cooking times.
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Fish and seafood
Air fryers are a great way to cook fish and seafood, with many recipes to choose from. You can cook fish fillets, crumbed fish, salmon, and even seafood tacos in an air fryer.
For fish fillets, you can use any type of fish, such as cod, tilapia, catfish, pollock, hake, haddock, or salmon. The key to getting that crispy texture is to coat the fillets in a tablespoon of oil and cook them in the air fryer at 200°C (390°F) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. You can serve the fish fillets with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.
If you're looking for a healthier alternative, you can make crumbed fish in the air fryer. Simply dip the fish fillets in egg, coat them with breadcrumbs, and cook them in the air fryer until they're golden brown and crispy. This method gives you the flavor of fried fish without all the fat.
Salmon is another great option for the air fryer. It cooks in just 8-10 minutes and comes out perfectly medium-rare with a flaky texture. You can also add a sweet mustard topping or your favorite marinade to take it to the next level.
For a vegan option, you can make cauliflower tacos in the air fryer. The cauliflower florets come out crispy and tender, and you can serve them with a pickled slaw and spicy mayo for a delicious and healthy seafood taco.
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Vegetables
Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables. They're faster and easier than using an oven, and they use less oil than roasting. You can cook pretty much any vegetable in an air fryer, except for leafy greens, which won't weigh themselves down when the hot air circulates, so it's best to sauté them on the stovetop.
When cooking vegetables in an air fryer, it's important not to overcrowd the basket. This will cause the vegetables to steam instead of brown. Add the vegetables in a single layer, and work in batches if necessary.
Before cooking, you can toss your vegetables in a large bowl with olive oil and spices. Spices and seasonings can include Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also add some crunch with toasted almond slices or cashew halves.
Once your vegetables are seasoned, spray the air fryer basket with some non-stick cooking spray and add the vegetables. Set the air fryer to 375°F to 400°F and cook for 7 to 15 minutes, tossing halfway through, or until the vegetables are tender and browned.
Some specific vegetables that work well in an air fryer include:
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Zucchini/squash
- Potatoes/sweet potatoes
- Carrots
- Asparagus
- Green beans
- Peppers
- Onions
- Corn
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Desserts
Air fryers can be used to make a variety of desserts, from cakes and cookies to donuts and tarts. Here are some ideas for sweet treats you can make in an air fryer:
Cookies
Air fryers are great for making cookies, including chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, and even Oreo cookies. You can also get creative and experiment with different ingredients like tahini and walnuts to add a crunchy or crispy texture to your cookies.
Cakes
Air fryers can be used to make delicious, moist cakes such as chocolate cake, lemon drizzle cake, and pineapple upside-down cake. You can also make mug cakes or ramekin cakes, which are perfect for individual servings.
Donuts and Fritters
Air fryers are perfect for making homemade donuts, such as chocolate donuts or apple fritters. They give the donuts a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy inside without the need for deep-frying.
Fruit Desserts
Air fryers can transform simple fruits into delicious desserts. Try making air fryer apples or caramelized bananas, which can be served with ice cream, whipped cream, or yogurt. You can also make apple chips, which are a healthy and crunchy snack option.
Cheesecake
Air fryer cheesecakes are a quick and easy dessert option that doesn't require preheating the oven. You can make individual servings in ramekins or a full-sized cheesecake, and top it with fresh fruit, whipped cream, or crumbled cookies.
Other Desserts
The possibilities are endless with air fryers. You can make brownies, muffins, hand pies, s'mores, beignets, churros, and even fried ice cream! So, get creative and experiment with different recipes to find your favorite air fryer desserts.
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Reheating food
The air fryer is perfect for reheating fried foods, such as chicken wings, french fries, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks. It can also be used to reheat pizza, with the crust crisping up while the cheese melts. You can even reheat steak in the air fryer, ensuring it stays juicy.
Some foods are not recommended for reheating in the air fryer, such as leafy greens, which can fly around and land on the heating vents, and whole roasts, which are better sliced before reheating. Cheese without a coating should also be avoided, as it will melt and drip through the basket (unless it's a grilling cheese like halloumi). Soups, stews, pasta, and rice can be reheated in an air fryer-safe bowl, but there are more effective methods for these foods.
When reheating food in the air fryer, it's important to leave space between the items in the basket to allow for proper air circulation. Using parchment paper or an air fryer liner can also help with cleanup. Most air fryers have a reheat" setting, which is gentler than normal air frying, and you can also experiment with different temperatures and timings to find what works best for your particular air fryer model. A good starting point is 360°F (180°C) and then adjust as needed.
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Frequently asked questions
Air fryers are great for cooking frozen foods and reheating leftovers. They can also be used to cook chicken wings, French fries, chicken legs and thighs, tortilla pizzas, nachos, asparagus, broccoli, burgers, steak, and salmon.
Air fryers can be used to make a variety of unique dishes, including Nashville hot tempeh, air fryer cauliflower tacos, and vegan zucchini chocolate cake.
When using an air fryer, it is important to remember that all air fryers are different. You may need to adjust the temperature and time settings depending on your particular air fryer. It is also a good idea to check on your food regularly and flip it over halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
Yes, air fryers can be used to make a variety of desserts, including cookies, cakes, pies, and chocolate tartlets.
Air fryers are a quick and easy way to cook food with less oil and less mess. They can also be used to reheat leftovers, making them a convenient alternative to the oven or microwave.
