Air fryers have quickly become a kitchen staple across the nation. There are a lot of reasons that contribute to this handy kitchen tool’s success and popularity. Gone are the days of excessive oil, or intimidating deep frying! Now you can get delicious, crispy vegetables, or chicken wings, or hashbrowns, anything you can think of and probably more, within minutes and a fraction of the oil!
What is the difference between an air fryer and a deep fryer?
If you’re on the fence about which one you should invest in – we’re here to help! Air fryers bake food at a high temperature with a high-powered fan, while deep fryers cook food in a vat of oil that has been heated up to a specific temperature. Both cook food quickly, but an air fryer requires practically zero preheat time while a deep fryer can take upwards of 10 minutes. Air fryers also require little to no oil and deep fryers require a lot that absorb into the food. If you’re looking for a healthier, quicker option – we recommend getting an air fryer.
Is it really healthier?
As we’ve said, the taste and texture of air fried food is comparable to the results of a deep fryer: Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. The appeal is that you only need to use a tiny amount of oil, if any at all! (depending on what you’re preparing). Therefore, you can definitely say that cooking in the air fryer drastically reduces the amount of oil needed to prepare your meals and has healthy benefits.
Also, as we’ll see – air frying vegetables has become a really popular and fun way to crisp up veggies that may have been overlooked: brussel sprouts, cauliflower, squash, etc. Sure, you could roast them in the oven, but people have been really loving the crispy finish that vegetables get after being prepared in the air fryer.
What can you cook in the air fryer?
- Different kinds of meat: Bacon, Chicken breast, chicken wings, pork chops, even steak!
- Fish and seafood
- Vegetables
- French fries
Air fryers are great to reheat your food too! Have a slice of cold pizza or some fries that went cold? Stick them in your air fryer!
Not sure where to start or what to make first? We’ve got you covered!
Chicken Breast (6oz):
Temperature: 380°F
Time: 10-15 min
Prep: Brush with oil, season and flip halfway through cooking.
Chicken Wings (split, 1lb):
Temperature: 400°F
Time: 20-25 min
Prep: Toss with seasoning
Steak (1-inch thick)
Temperature: 400°F
Time: 10-15 min
Prep: Season and flip halfway through cooking
Fish Filets (1-inch thick, 6oz each)
Temperature: 400°F
Time: 8-10 min
Prep: Brush with oil and season
Sweet Potatoes (cut into 1inch wedges)
Temperature: 400°F
Time: 12-15 min
Prep: Toss with oil, season and shake basket halfway through cooking.
Brussel Sprouts (halved)
Temperature: 400°F
Time: 10-15 min
Prep: Toss with oil, season and shake basket twice during cooking.
French Fries (Frozen)
Temperature: 400°F
Time: 15-20 min
Prep: Shake twice during cooking.
Air frying has become so popular, there are tons of creative recipes out there. This is the perfect kitchen appliance for those who are just getting into cooks, as well as the seasoned home chefs. Looking for the right air fryer?
We’ve got you!
Comment below if you have any questions related to air frying or air fryers, we would love to help!