How does an air fryer even work?
Does everything come out fried?
Its actually all pretty simple.
What is an air fryer?
When I think of fried food, I think deep or shallow fried.
Basically, I think of a puddle of oil.
Whatever it is, the hot oil aggressively cooks the item by being in direct contact with the food.
An air fryer is not a deep fryer.
Its not even a shallow fryer.
Friends, wishesdocome true.
The heating element, whether electric or gas, activates and the enclosed space heats up.
From here, the two ovens take different paths.
Conventional ovens have heating elements on the top and bottom, and thats pretty much where the story ends.
How do air fryers work?
When youturn on the appliance, the coil heats up and the fan rapidly circulates the hot air.
This difference seems small, but that fan makes a huge difference in cooking time.
Rapid convection cooking can look similar to how items can cook in a pool of oil.
The hot circulating winds speed up browning and flavor development through theMaillard reaction.
Are air fryers healthy?
That’s less oil absorbed by our food and entering our bodies.
If you want to know more about it,read here.
Note that a “healthy diet” is relative and what you put in the air fryer matters.
That said, air fryers make killer roasted vegetables and do so far faster than the conventional oven.
(More on what to cook in your air fryer later.)
A basket model air fryerhas a drawer that you pull out of the front of the machine.
Read here for the best air fryersfrom both categories.
Both types are effective and great choices.
It really depends on your personal preference, budget, and what you most prefer to cook.
If your air fryer has a window then that makes it easier.
Every three to five minutes isn’t over-doing it.
Check here for helpfultips on air fryingwithout package directions.
What are good foods to air fry?
What shouldnt you leave outside in a hurricane?
Things that can be picked up by the wind.
Lightweight food items can get knocked around in an air fryer.
Its also not helpful for frying anything thats been dipped in a loose batter.
Battered fish or tempura vegetables will still need a deep fryer to turn out right.
Additionally, youre limited by space.
This compact size is great for mobility, but lousy for roasting a 15-pound turkey.
There are always going to be times when that big ol conventional oven just makes more sense.
That said, Ill never give back my air fryer.
