Air Fryers

Airfryers are small Benchtop Appliances that can cook food with the taste, texture and golden brown colour of fried cooking but without the need for excessive oils and fats. The device itself works a lot more like a Convection Oven than a fryer with a fan forced heating drawer or basket that can reach around 200°C or more, with the option to add a tablespoon or less of oil to the food to make sure chips and roast veggies stay moist, and batters get crispy and golden.

Because it works in a similar way to small Ovens, Air Fryers can prepare a wide variety of dishes beyond what a Deep Fryer can do. Cakes, vegetables, homemade fries, roasted meats and more can all be prepared and there’s also plenty of recipe books that outline plenty of great meal and snack ideas.

An Air Fryer is great for preparing convenient meals and cooking frozen foods like chicken tenders, fish fingers, spring rolls, potato chips and wedges. For the best results remember to shake or rotate the food mid cook to make sure every side is crisp and evenly cooked.

Another great use for Air Fryers is reheating because they do not need to be pre-heated, so they can quickly reheat leftover pizza or chicken schnitzel. Air Fryers give the same crispy, flavourful reheating results as an oven in a fraction of the cooking time.

Depending on the type of food being reheated, Microwaves generally heat leftovers quicker than an Air Fryer. The big difference is in the quality of the meal after reheating as microwaves can leave foods soggy, whereas an Air Fryer plate up crispy delicious leftovers as if they have been cooked for the first time. For the best results, cook the leftovers in the Air Fryer the same way as you would cook it the first time but on a reduced heat.

Although Air Fryers are great at reheating they aren't able to reheat large quantities of food at once. For multiple dishes or servings, a Microwave is more efficient. Depending on the type of food being reheated an oven may work best. Today more and more Air Fryers are popping up as hybrid types that can air fry or grill like some of Tefal's options, or air fry, slow cook, reheat and bake with some Breville Air Fryers doubling as mini ovens.
 

A quick clean after every use will keep an Air Fryer running efficiently and save more intensive cleaning later by preventing grease, grime and food building up. Always make sure it is unplugged and cool enough to handle before cleaning. If the unit is still warm but not hot it will make it easier to wipe up oils and spills before they dry on.

Because of their smaller countertop size, most of the parts of an Air Fryer that need regular cleaning are removeable and will fit in a kitchen sink. Warm water with dish detergent and a clean microfibre cloth generally get the job done. Avoid abrasive sponges as these can damage non stick coatings of the bowls. Air Fryer baskets or trays can be Dishwasher safe but always check the user manual for the recommended method on how to clean and maintain them.

Before clearing out the pan, basket, drawer and tray, clean out any excess fats and oils and dispose of them. Do not pour excess fats and oils down the drain as they can get stuck to the inside of pipes and lead to blockages.

Air Fryers have many benefits as a healthy way to enjoy cooking and there's no shortage of people who swear by them. With plenty of recipes and cooking tips being shared online, many people are using their Air Fryer more than their oven.

If you're cooking for a small household or don’t have access to a good oven, an Air Fryer is a fantastic, cheap and space saving alternative to one. Having said that, the quantity of food that can be cooked at a time is limited, generally to one type at a time. Avoid the temptation to overcrowd the basket, as this can lead to uneven cooking. Keep an eye out for the quoted capacity with some ranging from around 7L for about 1kg worth of fries to models of up to 22 litres.

Air Fryers are easy and safe to use which makes them a great option for older kids who are starting to get used to cooking for themselves. Look out for models with easy temperature and cooking time settings, plus pre-programmed settings for popular foods like Philips or Ninja Air Fryers.