Air fryers have generated a massive hype in the community of diet-conscious people. They are considered the go-to option for preparing food that might otherwise have many calories. Therefore, many fitness gurus are now turning toward air fryers to upgrade their method of cooking to enjoy the food they love without compromising on the number of calories. You can whip up anything in an air fryer from healthy dishes to starters and even desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth. But, some people are still confused about whether air fryers are all that they claim to be. Are they just smaller-sized conventional ovens? Are air fryers worth it? This article will answer all your queries regarding air fryers, just continue reading to find out.
Is Getting An Air Fryer A Good Investment?
There are many perks of having an air fryer on your kitchen counter top. But, it all depends on how you feel about it. The first and highly sought-after reason for owning an air fryer is that it aids you in maintaining a healthy lifestyle by limiting your intake of oil and grease in food. Therefore, if you are one of those people who wish to reduce fats from their diet, then an air fryer is your best bet.
How Does An Air Fryer Compare To A Conventional Oven?
For a small family, cooking food in an air fryer is quicker and yields a good result as compared to cooking it in the oven. In a conventional oven, the air circulating in the oven is a bit slow as compared to that in an air fryer. This makes the food in the oven less crispy than that made in an air fryer. So, for those people who have a small family and prefer food that is as close to fried food as possible, an air fryer is the way to go.
Other than this, food cooked in the air fryer is more evenly browned than that in the conventional oven. This is because hot air circulates from all sides to give an even result. Air Fryers are also more energy-efficient and can reduce the cooking time of food because of their smaller size.
What Can You Cook In An Air Fryer?
There are many versatile options to choose from when deciding what to cook in an air fryer. It can be used to prepare sweet treats as well as indulgent meals. Here are some air- fryer-friendly foods that you can try to create in your air fryer as a beginner:
- Frozen foods
- Egg rolls
- French fries
- Chicken tenders
- Roast potatoes
- Crispy bacon
- Roast chicken
- Burgers
- Sweet treats like cookies and lava cakes
- Hard-boiled eggs
Recommended Air Fryers
If you have made up your mind to jump on the air fryer band-wagon, then here are some suggestions that you can think about buying:
Cosori Pro XL Air Fryer
PROS:
- It is easy to use and turns off automatically when you pull the basket out.
- It has a large capacity that can hold a whole 5-pound chicken.
- It also has a recipe book to help you get started.
CONS:
- Some steam may leak from the basket which can make a puddle on the surface.
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Elite Gourmet 2.1 Qt. Hot Air Fryer
PROS:
- Recommended for beginners and amateur cooks.
- Great for a small family or one-person use.
- Easy to use and clean.
CONS:
- The timer knob may not be as accurate.
- It does not have an ‘off’ switch so if you want to stop cooking midway, you have to unplug the air fryer.
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Instant Pot Vortex 4-in-1
PROS:
- It offers baking, air-frying, roasting, and reheating all in one pot.
- It is reasonably easy to clean.
- It heats up quickly.
CONS:
- It might give off a plastic smell when in use.
- Takes up a fair bit of counter space.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the downside to owning an air fryer?
Although air fryers can be an asset to have in the kitchen, there are some downsides to them as well:
- They can be a bit challenging to clean.
- The food might burn because of the quickly increasing temperature.
- They have a small capacity so it is difficult to prepare food for a large family.
- They can be loud.
- They might give off smoke and smell.
Do I need to use oil in an air fryer?
No. you do not need to use oil before putting your food in the air fryer basket. However, you can just lightly spray your food with oil before putting it in the air fryer if you want it to be more crunchy and have a good color on it.
Is it difficult to cook food in an air fryer?
It might be a bit challenging to get started with an air fryer. You will need to perform trial and error with the way you cook food to get it just right in the first few tries. However, once you get the hang of it, air fryers can open a whole new world of possibilities for you. You can master the art of inventing new recipes in the air fryer.
Conclusion
Whether you are pro air fryers or against them, air fryers are here to stay for some time. They can be termed as the next best cooking gadgets besides the conventional oven. Despite their disadvantages, they have made their mark on the people who advocate for less oily and greasy food in their diet. If you are wondering whether you should buy an air fryer or not, you should assess your needs and the pros and cons of owning one, and then make an informed decision. After all, it is you who gets to decide if the air fryers are actually worth it.