There are infinite kitchen appliances that are available. Which one(s) do you find the most helpful in your daily cooking? I love my Kuvings juicer; it makes amazing green juice, which I enjoy. Today, though, I want to talk about the air fryer. I’ll be honest, my husband wanted one of these for years. The product name contains ‘fryer’. How does nutrition fit with ‘fryer’ – I was skeptical. After reading more about the technology and how it truly is only air circulating at a high temperature that cooks the food, I was willing to try it out. And since then, we make so many of our foods using the air fryer. Is it a necessity? Of course not, but I do like that it cooks foods more quickly and is easy to clean. Can you replicate its effects in an oven? Absolutely, it just takes longer. An air fryer really functions more as a mini convection oven and does not technically fry food. The goal – for your food to have a crunchy, crispy exterior yet remaining soft on the inside.
We cook all different vegetables in the air fryer – including onions, carrots, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, peppers, and more. I even throw baby kale in there and in 5 minutes, I have some crunchy kale chips. And for protein, we’ve made fish, chicken, turkey burgers, tempeh, tofu, and even poached eggs (but I like the traditional poached egg a little better). Sweet potatoes, butternut squash, polenta, you name it.
Now, can you place all of those items in there at once? That would be one very large air fryer, so no, likely not. If you’re cooking for 1-4 people, I find that it works well in regards to portions (for one food type at a time). If you’re cooking for 20 people, I would opt for the oven. You have amazing culinary skills, a highly sophisticated palate, and you savor the time in your kitchen to prepare meals – the air fryer may not be for you. You want your food to taste good and time is of essence – you and the air fryer may mesh well.
Bottom line: it’s a versatile tool, food cooks more quickly, adds a crunch, and it’s relatively easy to clean. Must you buy one? Absolutely not.
If you wish to share your thoughts and/or any recipes using the air fryer, I'm happy to receive them and share if that is ok with you.
All the best,
Natalie