Still trying to decide whether you should buy an air fryer? These amazing recipes might convince you!
RECIPES AND FOOD STYLING: MAXINE CLARK
I COOKERY
Air Fryer Top Tips
Air fryers circulate hot air to cook food, similar to a fan oven, but need little or no oil to achieve this, and as it is basically a very small oven, running costs are lower.
However, like any new piece of kitchen equipment, it takes time to get to know your air fryer, so here are some hints and tips to help.
It’s worth doing some research when choosing an air fryer, particularly into sizes, what you would use it for and how frequently. There are many to choose from – single basket, two baskets, machines that stir the contents – and new to the market is an incredible air fryer/steamer with separate and combination functions. See page 23 for details on how to win this one for yourself!
Knowing what capacity you require is key. Whether it is for family use, just for two or solo use, there will be one to fit your needs. The bigger you go, the more versatile it is likely to be.
Like all ovens, some run hotter and some run cooler, so times and temperatures may have to be adjusted. It’s always best to check whether something is cooked rather than relying on exact timings. Opening the basket and checking the food is easy, and closing will start the cooking process from where it left off. Times and temperatures are easy to adjust.
Use any oven/heatproof dish that you would use in the oven that fits in your air fryer basket(s) – metal, enamel, Pyrex, terracotta, reused foil trays or containers, all work in an air fryer. Silicone cookware made for air fryers is useful and easy to clean.
Air fryer baskets are coated with a non-stick surface so only silicone, wooden or heatproof plastic tools should be used when stirring etc to prevent damage to the surface.
Use an oil spray. Spray the food with minimal oil and toss well to coat evenly. This makes sure that the food is coated but not saturated in oil, which not only helps the food cook better but has health benefits, too.
Cutting vegetables into smaller cubes will speed up the cooking process.
Shaking the basket and stirring the contents halfway through cooking time will help cut and cubed foods cook and brown evenly ie chips, roast potatoes and roasted veggies.
Try to cook things in a single layer in the basket allowing the hot air to circulate all round preventing them from steaming and not c
