Learning to cook with an air fryer is a simple task. However, despite how easy they are to operate, a lot of people don’t use their air fryers to their full potential. They are perfect for cooking far more than your standard fried chicken and fries. Social media is constantly abuzz with the latest air fryer cooking hack and we could be more excited!
If done right, an air fryer can almost completely replace your other kitchen appliances. They are great for cooking the main meal of ravioli or baked potato. Desserts are a breeze, especially if you love lava cake and cookies. They can even be used to prepare a healthy snack of pumpkin seeds! The possibilities are endless, all that is needed is your creative flare.
Recommended Air Fryers and Accessories
When you purchase an air fryer, one of the key questions you need to ask is what size you need. If you are only cooking for one or two people, a small air fryer that is around 3-4 quarts is something you could consider. However, if you are a larger family, you may need to look into a larger unit. A 5.6 quarts air fryer should be able to accommodate families of 6. Whatever your circumstance, you should make sure you know exactly what size you are looking for.
Amazon Basics Air Fryer
An air fryer is a convection oven that sits on your countertop. They were made to make your food taste like it is deep-fried, without the extra oil. This is not only better for your health but also reduces your cooking oil costs.
PROS:
- Uses less oil to cook food saving you money
- Versatile. Air fryers can be used to cook hundreds of different meals.
- Capacity of 3.2 Quarts/3 Liters
- Inbuilt cooking timer
- Automatically shuts off at the end of cooking time
- Can fry, grill, or bake with just one device
CONS:
- Takes up more space in the cupboard
- Can be expensive to purchase
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Ninja DZ201 Foodi
The Ninja DZ201 is a much larger air fryer and can cook up to 4lbs of chicken at one time making it perfect for families. The double draw also allows you to cook more than one item at a time speeding up your cooking time!
Pros
- Larger capacity of 8 quarts
- Offers dual baskets that allow you to cook more than one thing at a time
- 6 in 1 machine that can air fry, air broil, roast, bake, reheat, and dehydrate
- Easy clean baskets
- Dishwasher safe crisper plates
Cons
- Heavy, weighs 17.89lbs
- Large external size of 15.63 x 13.86 x 12.4 inches
- More expensive than other air fryers
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Air Fryer Liners
One thing many air fryer enthusiasts say is that you should never cook fresh cheese or freshly battered items in your air fryer. They generally melt off and create a mess in your draws. These liners are perfect if you want to experiment with messier foods without the added cleanup.
PROS:
- Liners come in a bowl shape design that fits most air fryers (There are multiple sizes to choose from)
- Makes cleaning a breeze, just take out the liner and throw it away
- A single pack lets you cook mess-free 100 times!
- Can withstand heat of up to 482f/250c
CONS:
- Single-use item is not environmentally friendly
- Adds additional cost to your air fryer usage
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Air Fryer Double Layer Skewer Rack
These skewer racks are great if you love a good lamp skewer. Rather than laying them on the bottom of the draw and hoping they cook evenly, simply place them in the skewer rack for even cooking and easy removal.
Pros
- Uses food-grade stainless steel
- Good portion size with 7.9inch length
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Only suitable for air fryers 4.2 quarts and above (check the dimensions before purchasing)
- More accessories to store
- Some customer reviews indicate that you can only use one layer at a time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What can’t be cooked in an air fryer?
As a general rule, you shouldn’t cook anything likely to turn to liquid and create a mess in your draw. This includes things like fresh cheese or freshly battered food. However, frozen cheese and frozen battered food seem to be fine.
Can I cook vegetables in my air fryer?
Yes, you can! Potatoes and Brussel sprouts are both popular air fryer choices. Other fresh vegetables should be ‘roasted’ in your air fryer. Frozen vegetables also cook very well in air fryers and are a great tie saver when cooking your meal. Remember that one of the best things about using an air fryer is that it is healthier than using a regular fryer, click here to read more about if an air fryer is good for your health.
Do I have to pre-heat my air fryer?
As a general rule yes. But unlike an oven, an air fryer does not need 45 minutes of pre-hearing time. Air fryers usually only need a few minutes to pre-heat before cooking your main meal. If you want you can skip the pre-heating process but keep in mind that your food will take 3-4 times longer to cook.
Do I need to clean my air fryer?
Yes, an air fryer needs to be cleaned just like any other kitchen appliance. However, air fryers make clean-up a breeze. Most air fryers have dishwasher-safe draws for easy cleaning. Simply remove them from the unit and add them to your usual wash. You should also wipe down the outside of the air fryer every few uses to prevent food buildup.
Conclusion
Air fryers are a fabulous new way of cooking that saves time, money, and your health. Between the low oil usage, how easy they are to use, and how quickly they cook, they are an essential item in any kitchen. You can replace a number of your other devices with an air fryer including the sandwich toaster! That’s right, air fryers make delicious toasted sandwiches!
All in all, they are a fantastic investment and should be considered by every household whether you are a single person or a family.