One of the most useful and versatile tools that you can have in your kitchen is an air fryer. Ever since they came about, these amazing cooking gadgets have taken the world by storm. In fact, most kitchens these days have an air fryer that is regularly being used.
(Check out my Air Fryer recipes that are healthy and tastes just amazing.)
The best thing about this gadget is that there will always be a model to fit any budget. Whether you’re a college student looking for an economical model for your dorm room or you want the latest model with all the bells and whistles, there’s one out there for you.
But is an air fryer really worth all the hype?
Let’s find out!
ADVANTAGES OF AN AIR FRYER
Are you thinking of getting an air fryer? Here are five advantages that you will enjoy when you take the plunge and get an air fryer for your home.
1. Healthier Meals
The most touted benefit that you’ll hear from air fryer enthusiasts is that using an air fryer helps you cook healthier meals. Since you’ll be cutting out a lot of fat when you cook, this is true! Even if you make food that would usually need a lot of oil (like when you’re deep-frying French fries or chicken wings, for instance), you won’t need to add nearly as much when you use an air fryer.
If the recipe you’re using does call for oil, you’ll only need to add a tablespoon or so to help make the exterior of the food crisp. There’s no denying that a tablespoon is much less compared to what you would use in a conventional pan fry.
2. Cooks Foods Faster
Air fryers don’t need to be preheated like ovens, nor do they need time to heat up their cooking surface like a frying pan. Simply pop in the food, turn the air fryer on, and you’re good to go! You don’t even have to defrost frozen food items – simply get them straight from the freezer.
On average, cooking with an air fryer cuts down your cooking time by 40-50%! If you’re a busy person who doesn’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen, air frying is definitely handy.
3. Multi-Purpose
While they’re called an air fryer, you can use this amazing kitchen tool for so much more than just frying. You can also bake and roast different types of food. Essentially, as long as the cooking method is “dry”, you can use an air fryer. However, you can’t use an air fryer for “wet” cooking methods such as steaming and boiling. But there are some multicookers like Instant Pot and Ninja Foodi that have an additional feature of air-frying the food along with pressure cooking. You can also use an Air-frying lid like an Instant Pot lid or Mealthy Crip Lid over your Instant Pot for air-frying.
Even if you can’t boil or steam with an air fryer, you will still be able to make tons of recipes. A simple Google search for “air fryer recipes” will net you thousands of great recipes to try.
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4. Great for Novices in the Kitchen
If you don’t have a lot of time or patience to learn how to cook, an air fryer is one of the best ways to still make great-tasting dishes. Most air fryers are easy to operate; simply place your food in the basket, turn it on, and walk away. After the time is up, you can come back to a freshly-cooked meal!
This is why air fryers are so popular with students and the elderly. You don’t need any background at all when operating an air fryer. Just follow the instructions and you’ll be good to go.
5. EASY TO CLEAN
Do you hate cleaning up a ton of pots and pans after cooking and baking? Then an air fryer is perfect for you. Most models have a basket that has a non-stick surface and can be cleaned in a dishwasher! What’s more, the design of an air fryer prevents all those annoying oil splatters.
SURPISING THINGS YOU CAN MAKE IN AN AIR FRYER
As you might already know, there are foods that you can cook easily in an air fryer. Fried food items are a breeze to make, and they can even come out crispier and less oily. However, there are also some surprising things you might not have considered making in an air fryer.
Did you know that you can make ravioli in an air fryer? Throw in some raw ravioli, and you’ll end up with crisp baked ravioli with a crunchy exterior and gooey interior. You can also bake bread, toast pumpkin seeds, and even make your own potato chips at home.
Perhaps the most surprising thing that you can make in an air fryer is hard-boiled eggs! You don’t need to add water; just put in the raw eggs into the basket, turn the machine, and wait for a few minutes. You’ll be left with perfect hard-boiled eggs that you can add into salads or eat on their own.
CONCLUSION
If you’re a huge fan of fried food but you want to switch to a healthier diet, using an air fryer gives you a great compromise. Even if you’re not a fan of fried food, you can still benefit from an air fryer because it’s so easy, quick, and fuss-free to use. Your air fryer might quickly become your favorite kitchen appliance!
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