Rising awareness of the need to eat healthier, and the concern over fat intake have made the air fryer a popular kitchen appliance in recent years. In fact, the air fryer market size is expected to reach a whopping $1425.7 million by 2026. Needless to say, the air fryer is particularly popular with healthy food enthusiasts. Here’s what you need to know before buying your own!
What is an air fryer?
Air fryers can be used to cook, grill, bake, as well as fry food items.
An air fryer has a mechanical fan that circulates hot air at high speed around the food. The same hot air also gives food a crispy, crunchy layer, without using oil.
There are many advantages of using an air fryer, which we will explore below.
What is the difference between an air fryer and a convection oven?
Both the air fryer and convection oven employ the same principle of circulating hot air to cook food. However, there are a few differences between the two appliances.
These include:
- The fan in the air fryer blows faster than that of a convection oven. Due to this, the food is crispier than in a convection oven.
- The compartment in which the food is cooked in an air fryer is smaller and has either a perforated basket or a grated rack. Due to these reasons, there is not much heat loss in transit and the air hits the food from all sides.
- Appearance is also a major difference. The convection oven looks like a box with a glass door, allowing you a peek inside; while the air fryer is cylindrical with a removable rack or basket. You cannot see how the cooking is progressing here.
- The major advantage of a convection cooker is its ability to cook a larger amount of food. An air fryer is considerably smaller and would require cooking in batches when you have a lot of cooking to do.
Want the perfect cross between an air fryer and a convection oven? The Pronti 18L Air Fryer & Convection Oven has six practical functions and is perfect for large families or parties.
What to look for in an air fryer
When buying an air fryer there are certain things to consider. These include
Fryer capacity
The capacity of your air fryer will depend upon the number of people you are feeding. If you have a family of four a fryer with a two-litre capacity should be enough. For larger families of say seven to eight people, an air fryer having a capacity between three to six litres will be more apt.
Large fryers are ideal for hosting guests and cooking bigger meals but they will take up more space.
If you are looking for an option to cook two different foods at once, there are fryers available with twin baskets. This way you can have your dishes prepared simultaneously. However, it is best to avoid overfilling the basket as the food may be left uncooked or the device may get damaged.
Wattage
The wattage of the air fryer is important too as a higher power means high temperatures will be reached in a shorter time.
Most air fryers have a wattage requirement between 800 to 1500 watts. However, there are air fryers with wattage levels of 1800 and more in the market. As most home circuits provide either 1800 or 2400 watts, fryers usually don’t have operating issues.
But do avoid using the same circuit for an air fryer and microwave or at least don't operate the two at the same time, as this could trip your breaker.
Cooking functions
An air fryer can be used for various cooking functions. You can air fry, bake, roast, crisp, broil, reheat and dehydrate foods.
Ease of cleaning
Cleaning an air fryer is not a difficult task as it has a pull-out basket that can be cleaned easily. Oftentimes even the inner basket is removable too. Also, most baskets have a nonstick coating which can easily be cleaned with a cloth and a dishwashing detergent.
Although there is not too much oil required for cooking in an air fryer, there is still going to be grease and oil naturally present in the food. These fats and oils accumulate in the bottom of the pull-out basket. Delaying cleaning the fryer will only lead to more accumulation of grease which will be harder to remove later.
Controls
Most air fryers have controls for temperature and timing. So, you can customise the temperature and set the cooking time for your food. You can even look for fryers with LED displays for the control information. New smart fryers are emerging which have wifi controls, so you can set the air fryer going from your phone.
Safety
There are some safety precautions that one must consider before buying an air fryer. These are:
- The fryer must be insulated and have cool-touch hand grips
- The base of the appliance must have non-slip feet
- It must have an auto shut-off to prevent the food from burning, as well as damage to the fryer
Your space
Air fryers come in various sizes. Although there are many fryers small enough to fit in compact spaces, if you’re looking for one to serve a larger capacity, expect your fryer to take up quite a bit of counter space.
Tips for using an air fryer
Cooking in an air fryer is quite easy and even the most amateur cook can make tasty dishes. However, here are some tips that will make your cooking experience a little easier.
- Like most cooking appliances, an air fryer gives the best results when preheated.
- Grease the basket to help prevent food from sticking.
- Do not overfill the basket as it will block the air passage and you may have uncooked food.
- Use a sprayer for coating the food and spray halfway through cooking.
- For items like wings and fries, shake the basket once or twice for all-around crispiness.
- Use a sheet of aluminium foil at the base for easier cleaning.
- Use the drippings in the inner basket.
- Check your food by removing the basket.
- Add water to the base of the fryer in the inner basket. This will reduce the amount of smoke produced.
What can I cook in an air fryer?
Don't get confused by the name! An air fryer not only fries food — it does a lot more than that. There are many things that you can quickly cook in an air fryer. These include:
Vegetables
Air-fried vegetables are super delicious and crunchy! Some of the vegetables that cook amazing in an air fryer are zucchini, broccoli, potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and onions.
Meats
Whether it's beef, chicken, or any other meat, an air fryer does an excellent job of frying and grilling. From chicken drumsticks to pork chops, meatballs to steaks, and fried chicken to grilled fish, an air fryer does it all.
Baked food
Cakes, muffins, cookies, lasagna, custards, bread, and many more things can be easily baked in an air fryer. However, at times you may need an extra accessory, such as a non-stick baking dish.
Frozen food
An air fryer is best for frozen foods as it heats the food fast and thoroughly from the outside as well as inside. So from frozen fries to frozen nuggets, all can be cooked in an air fryer.
Roasted nuts
Roast nuts in an air fryer for a quicker cook and an even roast. Nuts you can roast include almonds, walnuts, peanuts and lots more.
Is air frying really healthier?
As the fryer does not require oil, it is generally a healthier option. So you can get the same taste as a deep-fried or pan-fried food item minus the oil. Less oil corresponds to less fat, fewer calories and healthier eating.
Conclusion
An air fryer is not just for weight watchers but also for people who have a busy life and prefer healthier eating. It is for people who love their food and want to keep their health in check too. If you fall in any of the above categories do have a look at the amazing air fryers available at Klika.
