Air fryers, the latest obsession in kitchen gadgets! It’s like everyone suddenly realised that they can make crispy food without drowning it in oil. And now, everyone and their mother is raving about how amazing they are.
Your neighbour’s sister loves hers, your brother is obsessed with his and your best friend won’t stop talking about how theirs is the best thing since sliced bread. No, I’m not talking about the latest mobile phone; I’m talking about air fryers. But let’s be honest, is it really worth all the fuss? Is it worth joining the air force? I mean, sure, it’s a healthier way to fry your food. But let’s not forget that we’re still frying our food. At least now we’re doing it with hot air instead of a pool of oil. And I must admit that air fryers make life so much easier in the kitchen, especially for busy families. You can have a crispy meal in minutes, without the hassle of heating up the oven or deep frying.
Air fryers are touted as the healthier alternative to deep fryers, helping to create your chewy, crispy favourite meals like potato chips or chicken schnitzels at home without all the fat.
Air fryers circulate hot, dry air to produce golden, crispy food with little to no oil. Sounds pretty great, right? As you all know, I’m a fan of wholesome homemade cooking. Cooking at home liberates you to understand what goes into the food you’re consuming. It tends to leave out the high amounts of sodium, additives and trans fats that you typically find in meals that you order out or on delivery apps.
Air fryers are safer than deep fryers and make crispy goodies available and accessible at home. They also cook a lot more quickly than a conventional oven. Because of this, I think they’re marvellous, especially for busy households and people wanting quick and easy meals.
That being said, using nutritious ingredients will really take your air fryer to the next level. Using an air fryer doesn’t automatically ensure that your meals are more nutritious, but they do encourage more people to cook from home and be less reliant on takeaways.
As you know, the best kind of diet is one that is diverse and focuses on fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein, good fats and whole grains, and there’s no reason at all that you can’t cook healthy meals in an air fryer.
When choosing an air fryer, some can be bulky and take up a lot of space on the benchtop, so it’s a good idea to look for
a compact model that doesn’t look out- of-place every time you open the door!
When looking for an air fryer, there are a few things to consider to ensure you choose the right one for your needs. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:
Size: Air fryers come in a range of sizes, from compact models that can fit on
a countertop to larger models that can cook for a family. Consider how much food you need to cook at once and how much counter space you have available.
Capacity: Along with size, capacity is an important factor. Make sure the air fryer you choose can accommodate the amount of food you typically cook. If you have a large family or entertain often, you may want a larger capacity.
Power: The power of the air fryer affects how quickly it can cook food. Higher wattage generally means faster cooking times, but it can also mean higher energy consumption.
Temperature range: Look for an air fryer with a wide temperature range, as this will give you more flexibility in the types of foods you can cook.
Cooking presets: Many air fryers come with preset cooking options for specific foods like chicken, fish or sweet potato fries. These can be helpful for beginners or anyone looking for quick and easy cooking options.
Ease of use: Consider how easy the air fryer is to use and clean. Look for models with intuitive controls and dishwasher-safe parts for easy clean-up.
Price: Air fryers can range in price from under $50 to over $200. Consider your budget and how much you’re willing to spend before making a purchase.
By keeping these factors in mind, you can choose an air fryer that meets your needs and helps you make delicious, crispy food with little to no oil.
Now, if you’re looking for an easy recipe to try out your air fryer, I’ve got just the thing for you. It’s my crispy air-fried chicken recipe. It’s so easy to make and it’s finger-licking good. I used extra-virgin olive oil spray to coat the chicken as it contains anti-inflammatory properties and is excellent for your skin and your hormones.
All you need is some chicken thighs, flour, eggs, garlic powder and your favourite spices. Coat the chicken in the flour mixture, dip it in the egg, then do it again. Pop it in the air fryer and voilà! You’ve got yourself a delicious and crispy chicken dinner.
This recipe brings you all the flavour, crispiness and juicy goodness in every single bite. It’s also a meal that puts dinner on the table in less than 25 minutes — a real miracle.
Recipe: Crispy Air-Fried Chicken
Ingredients
- ½ cup gluten-free flour
- 1 egg, beaten
- 4 chicken thighs, skin on
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika (optional)
- Pinch Celtic sea salt
- Olive oil cooking spray
- Preheat air fryer to 180°C.
- In a separate bowl mix flour, salt and seasonings.
- Working with one at a time, place chicken pieces into the flour mixture then dip into the egg mixture.
- Dip again in the flour mixture until the chicken is covered.
- Spray with olive oil or oil of choice.
- Place chicken into the air fryer and cook for 20–25 mins until chicken is golden
- Plate and serve with fresh salad.
