Back in March, my husband got me an AIR FRYER for my birthday. And since we had our twin baby girls the day after, I wasn’t able to experiment with it for a few weeks! But after a couple of dishes, I am here to tell you that it is a great way to enjoy crispy foods without the traditional frying methods… what a great way to slash calories and saturated fats without sacrificing taste!
So what is an air fryer? It doesn’t technically fry anything – instead, similar to a small convection oven, it circulates hot air around the food. Most models use an exhaust fan to keep the surface dry during cooking. The result? A crispy exterior and moist interior similar to deep frying.
What can you air fry? Pretty much anything! Meats, wings, fries, any veggie, and even fruits! It can also be used as a dehydrator too to make jerkies or dried fruits or veggies.
Here are some tips when using the air fryer to get the best results:
- Use the wire basket in the pullout drawer to ensure air reaches all sides of the meat, veggie, or fruit.
- Spray with a nonstick spray or lightly toss with olive oil to enhance cooking results and prevent sticking.
- Don’t over pack your food as the end result will be less crispy and the cooking time will be longer.
- Save the instructions manual for a quick reference guide on what temperature and how long to cook your favorite foods like chicken, potatoes, and apples!
So far, we’ve tried chicken breasts in several ways. Cutting it into very small pieces results in a product that is too dry! After a couple of run-throughs, I’ve found it is best to use bigger pieces and stick to the listed temperature and cooking time. We’ve also crusted chicken in whole wheat panko breadcrumbs, using an egg wash first, and it turned out delicious. Another favorite is baked apples – with a little brown sugar, it is a delicious sweet treat at the end of the night!
Do you have an air fryer? What do you love or hate about it?
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