More and more families are turning to the air fryer. It’s not surprising, given that in less time and with a fraction of the oil, the machine allows you to whip up delicious dishes. The countertop appliance, which can also be used as a small convection oven, has changed the way we cook. Here are eight tips to follow for results that exceed your expectations.
1. Preheat your machine
Preheating isn’t usually required; it all depends on your air fryer. Certain models require 3 to 5 minutes of preheating before cooking. In all cases, be sure to refer to the manufacturer’s user instructions to familiarize yourself with the appliance and its functions.
2. Get rid of moisture
Be sure to properly rid any foods of moisture before putting them in the air fryer. This ensures your food comes out crispy. Otherwise, the excess moisture will generate steam, which will soften ingredients rather than make them crispy. Also, oil adheres better to foods that are free of surface moisture.
3. Use oil
Even though its use is optional, oil can improve the taste and texture of foods. Adding even just a small amount adds a golden colour and even crunchier texture. To add a thin and even layer, use a refillable oil sprayer. Avoid adding oil to naturally fatty foods, such as bacon, meat, etc.
Tasty Tip:
Combine the oil with spices and seasonings to enhance the flavours.
4. Don’t overcrowd the basket
Good air circulation is essential for your food to be evenly cooked. Cooking too much at the same time is not encouraged, particularly when foods are piled onto one another in layers.
5. Opt for small servings
Small dishes and individual servings are better suited to the air fryer. The small footprint of many of these countertop appliances makes it impossible to cook certain foods and dishes. So rather than cook a whole chicken, go with thighs or breast, and also mini pizzas or single-serve lasagna. The solution therefore is to divvy up your recipe and cook in batches.
6. Shake or turn over at the halfway mark
Remember to shake the basket before placing it in the air fryer in order to create spaces between the food, which promotes even cooking. For that reason, be sure to shake it halfway through cooking or regularly.
Oven is Best
The oven is often the better choice, notably for dishes that require a long cooking time at a low temperature, such as a stew. The evenly distributed heat of this large kitchen appliance is also the ideal choice for more delicate desserts and pastries, like a genoise cake or macarons, that’ll get the most out of it.
7. Monitor the cooking
Cooking times can vary from one air fryer model to the next, depending on its capacity and power. A number of models include pre-programmed cooking times, but for certain foods, you need to manually select the cooking temperature and time. In all cases, be sure to keep an eye on your food towards the end of the suggested cooking time, as it could cook faster than originally thought.
8. Adapt conventional recipes
For the perfect colour and texture every time, it’s easiest to follow a recipe that’s been developed for the air fryer. If you’re going with a recipe that’s normally cooked in the oven, we suggest lowering the cooking temperature by about 70°F (20°C) and decreasing the cooking time by 20%.
The air fryer is the ultimate ally when it comes to saving time in the kitchen. Its efficiency is especially appreciated on busy weeknights. You can whip up dishes that are delicious and quick to prepare, such as these two recipes:
