Air Fryer Recipes that are both quick & nutritious the Whole Family will love - Cathy Richards, RD (2024)

FAQs

What do pro chefs think of air fryers? ›

'From a chef's perspective, air fryers can be a great gift option. They have become popular due to their ability to provide a healthier cooking alternative to deep frying. Air fryers use hot air circulation to cook food, requiring little to no oil, which can result in crispy and delicious results.

Cook food in a single layer, in batches

The air fryer is all about — well — air. Meaning, you need to allow for good airflow to create all the browning and crisping the appliance was designed for. As such, you don't want to crowd the food in the basket too much, leaving space for the air to circulate.

You can also make your main dish IN the air fryer. It works magic with proteins like tofu, chicken drumsticks, meatballs, pork chops, fried chicken… even steak.

Some of the popular things to make in the air fryer are potatoes (chips, roasted, baked), muffins, scones, and cakes. It's also great for getting dinner on the table fast – we love to use our air fryer to make fritters, rissoles, nuggets, and pork belly (yes, you can cook raw meat in an air fryer).

Air fryers have a limited cooking capacity compared to traditional ovens or deep fryers, making them unsuitable for larger families or cooking larger portions.

Summary. In conclusion, while air fryers offer certain benefits such as reduced calorie intake and faster cooking times, they are not without their limitations. Size constraints, limited cooking options, and concerns about crispiness are driving some people to look for alternatives.

What are the first things you should cook in your new air fryer? Steak, chicken or fish will come out amazing. So will roasted vegetables or homemade fries. Potato fries, sweet potato fries, and even carrot or apple fries are all delicious, healthy and pretty easy.

Parchment paper is good for food that might stick to the basket, like chicken wings, making clean up a bit easier. If you're tempted to use parchment every day or are simply waste-conscious, consider instead a silicone liner for air fryers. They're reusable and dishwasher safe, cutting down on both waste and worry.

An air fryer is usually limited to the convection-like air frying function, while a toaster oven or countertop oven can offer a wider range of functions such as broil, roast and bake. Some countertop ovens even feature an Air Fry setting, maximizing your appliance's functions.

What does Gordon Ramsay think of air fryers? ›

With an air fryer, I can whip up a batch of crispy calamari or fish and chips in minutes, freeing up valuable time to focus on the more intricate dishes. It's like having an extra pair of hands in the kitchen, and let me tell you, big boy, every chef could use a few more of those.

As with all dry-heat cooker methods (grilling, broiling, pan frying and oven roasting), tender beef cuts perform best in the air fryer. Those cuts include Top Sirloin, KC Strip, Ribeye, Tenderloin and Tri Tip. Ground beef also can be easily prepared in an air fryer.

Households are shelving their air fryers in favour of another kitchen appliance that is cheaper to run, and just as healthy.

Yes, many restaurants use air fryers to prepare dishes with less oil, making them a popular choice for healthier and crispy alternatives to deep frying.

Air frying uses less oil

This means that your food has fewer calories. Still, food isn't necessarily healthier just because it contains less oil. Extra virgin olive oil, for example, is rich in polyphenols and has known heart health benefits. Overall, air frying is healthier than deep-frying.