Are Air Fryers Any Good? Read On To Find Out

Air Fryer – Let’s Eat!

As a passionate food lover, I’m always on the lookout for innovative cooking methods that can deliver delicious and healthier meals. Recently, I stumbled upon the concept of air fryers and was intrigued by the claims of crispy, guilt-free dishes without the excess oil. Skeptical but hopeful, I decided to give it a try and see if air fryers lived up to the hype. In this blog post, I’ll share my personal experience and discuss whether air fryers are truly any good from a first-person perspective.

How do air fryers work?

Before diving into my experience, let’s take a moment to understand the technology behind air fryers. These countertop appliances use hot air circulation, similar to a convection oven, to cook food. They employ a fan to circulate the hot air rapidly, producing a crisp outer layer while maintaining the tenderness inside. This process claims to achieve the texture of deep-fried food without the excessive oil.

Here’s the difference…the hot air in an air fryer is circulated much faster than a convection oven. Air fryers have smaller chambers which allows a higher speed air circulation than a convection oven. Because of these differences, it actually takes less time than a traditional convection oven to bake/fry foods.

You have to put the food into a perforated basket and once you turn the machine on, it cooks the food by blowing hot air around it. By using just 1 tablespoon of cooking oil rather than multiple cups, a person can produce similar results as they would with a deep fryer with a fraction of the fat and calories. Because the heated air contains oil droplets, the resulting food has characteristics that are similar to fried foods. The food turns brown and crispy as if you fried it in oil.

What are the benefits?

Air fryers can be safer than deep fryers

One of the primary reasons people are drawn to air fryers is the promise of healthier cooking. Traditional deep frying involves submerging food in a large amount of oil, which can result in calorie-dense and greasy dishes. Air fryers, on the other hand, use only a fraction of the oil or, in some cases, no oil at all. This reduction in oil consumption can significantly lower the overall fat content of your meals while still providing a satisfying crunch.

During my experimentation, I found that air fryers excel in delivering crispy results. From French fries to chicken wings, the outer layer turned out golden and delightfully crunchy. However, it’s worth noting that achieving that perfect crispness may require a bit of trial and error. Factors such as the cooking time, temperature, and the type of food being prepared can all influence the final outcome.

Air fryers reduce the risk of toxic acrylamide formation

We have all heard that frying food in oil can cause dangerous compounds to develop, such as acrylamide. This forms in certain foods during high-heat cooking methods, such as deep frying. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, acrylamide may have links to the development of some cancers.Because you are not cooking with a high-heat method, air frying can lower the risk of having acrylamide in your food.

Cutting down on deep-fried foods reduces disease risk

Cooking with oil and consuming traditional fried foods regularly has been linked to many adverse health conditions. Replacing deep frying with other cooking methods can reduce a person’s risk of these complications.

Versatility and Time-Saving

One aspect that surprised me about air fryers was their versatility. While they are known for their ability to replicate fried foods, air fryers can do so much more. I discovered that I could cook a wide range of dishes using the air fryer, including roasted vegetables, grilled cheese sandwiches, and even baked goods. This versatility makes it a valuable addition to any kitchen, especially for those who like experimenting with different recipes.

In addition to their versatility, air fryers also offer a significant time-saving advantage. The rapid hot air circulation allows for quicker cooking times compared to conventional methods. Preheating is usually unnecessary, and the air fryer’s compact size ensures that the food cooks evenly without the need for constant monitoring or flipping. This convenience is particularly appealing for busy individuals or families looking to prepare meals quickly without compromising on taste.

Potential Drawbacks and Considerations

While air fryers do have their advantages, it’s essential to consider their limitations. Firstly, they may not be suitable for cooking large quantities of food at once. The limited capacity of most air fryers means that you may need to cook in multiple batches, which can be time-consuming for larger gatherings.

Another aspect to consider is that air fryers may not produce the exact same results as traditional deep frying. While the texture can be similar, the taste may vary slightly. Some foods may not achieve the exact level of crispness that deep frying provides. However, for most people, the trade-off in taste is worth the health benefits and convenience offered by air fryers.

My decision

After carefully considering all of this information, I knew that I wanted to get one. My favorite thing to cook in this is Air Fried Chicken. There are so many different options of what to cook. I have made donuts, french fries, tater tots, vegetables, and even steak. The options are endless. The nice thing is that most of the machines come with a cookbook! Just think of what you can make. What made me make the switch was that I could still have most of my favorite foods without the drawbacks of unhealthy fats or deep frying.

I have recently added plant based meats to my diet. I have “fried” some of the Beyond Meat Burgers in my air fryer. You have to pay close attention otherwise you will burn your burgers. Mine turned out delicious. After my burgers were cooked, I sliced up some mushrooms and onions, tossed them with a little olive oil and some rosemary and put it in my air fryer.

This was the perfect addition to my meal. I like to experiment with my cooking. You should too. Don’t be afraid to try something. You might just find out you are on to something. The next thing to try is the plant based sausages. I already know I am going to cook those with some purple onions. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

Woman cooking in a tshirt — Click the image to get the shirt featured in this picture.

I strive to eat and live healthy every day. I know I exercise a lot to help stay healthy, but it really is a balance. Sure, we all like to have that junk food from time to time. I truly believe if you don’t allow yourself a “cheat” day, then you won’t stick to the healthy living and eating the other days. It is all about balance. Take it from me, it isn’t easy but it is oh… so… worth… it!

Here are a few recipes to try

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings:

Ingredients:

2 lbs (900g) chicken wings
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
In a large bowl, toss the chicken wings with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper until well coated.
Place the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the wings are golden brown and crispy.
Serve the wings with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Air Fryer Parmesan Zucchini Fries:

Ingredients:

2 medium zucchini
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs, beaten

Instructions:

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Cut the zucchini into fry-like sticks.
In a shallow bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Dip each zucchini stick into the beaten eggs, then roll it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to adhere.
Place the coated zucchini sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the zucchini fries are crispy and golden brown.
Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or marinara sauce.

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips:

Ingredients:

2 medium sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Wash and peel the sweet potatoes. Using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife, slice the sweet potatoes into thin rounds.
In a bowl, toss the sweet potato slices with olive oil, paprika, salt, and black pepper, ensuring they are evenly coated.
Place the sweet potato slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to cook them in batches.
Cook for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the chips halfway through, until they are crispy and lightly browned.
Remove the chips from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Enjoy these tasty recipes prepared with the convenience of an air fryer!

Since I have let you know my thoughts on the air fryer, check out my the path to my DINNER!