Did you just hear about air fryers and now you wanted to know what it is and how to use them?
The air fryer was first introduced in 2010 by Philips after that it becomes very popular around the world. We will explain in this post what is an air fryer. and should you really invest in one if you have a convection oven?
No doubt air fryers are in huge demand and the market will eventually grow in the future but many people still don’t know what it is. and do they really need one? Let’s find out.
What is an air fryer?
Air fryers have become immensely popular in recent years for their ability to make healthier recipes without using much oil. They are countertop convection ovens that spread rapid hot air around the food to make the food crispier from the outside and soft from the inside.
As compared with traditional cooking methods air fryer uses little to no oil or fat to cook food and still provides you the same texture and taste as deep-fried food. So if you are health conscious or want a gift for your loved ones then this will be a perfect appliance.
A digital air fryer offers multiple cooking presets which get activated just by a single touch and make the cooking process a lot easier. On the other hand, manual air fryer is simple and easy to use but they don’t have a display screen and has dial knobs that control the time, temperature, and functions of the unit. Manual air fryers are good for elders who don’t understand new technology.
Digital air fryers are comparatively more expensive than manual ones.
We also created a post on How to Choose the best Air Fryer. If you have any doubt related to buying an air fryer then you must check it out.
How does an air fryer work without oil?
An air fryer uses hot air to cook the food they don’t actually fry. At the top of the air fryer is where the heating element and fan are located which circulate hot air around the food in all directions evenly.
The fan circulates hot air all around the food inside the basket and cooks it from outside to in. It cooks food much faster than the traditional cooking methods because of the rapid circulation of the hot air which spread evenly around the food.
That’s why it requires only a tablespoon of oil for cooking in an air fryer.
Related Article: Air Fryer vs Toaster Oven How to Clean an Air Fryer
Are air fryers healthy or good for health?
An air fryer doesn’t fry food like a deep fryer it circulates hot air around the food to make it crispier from the outside and soft from inside. Oils are not bad for health but when you fry food in them it will increase the overall calories and fat. Many studies show that fried foods increase the risk of heart diseases and stroke.
In general air fryers are good but it doesn’t mean that you can eat fried food daily. There is limited research done on the impact of fried foods cooked in an air fryer. Don’t just depend on an air fryer try other cooking methods too like grilling, roasting, etc to achieve good health.
Can the air fryer go in the dishwasher?
Yes, all the removable components such as fry basket, pan, and divider are safe to put in a dishwasher but do not put the main unit inside of it, as it is an electrical unit that can deteriorate if any droplet goes inside of it. Use a moist cloth or soap (if needed) to clean the main unit.
Also, look at your respective air fryer instructions manual to check whether removable components are dishwasher safe or not.
Why air fryer is good?
The air fryer uses 80-90% less oil or fat to cook food which is far less than deep frying or other traditional methods of cooking. Many air fryers available in the market offer multiple options other than air frying such as broil, bake, roast, dehydrate, Rotisserie, etc.
An air fryer is undoubtedly a great kitchen appliance that saves you a lot of counter space and money in the long run. If you are looking for an air fryer for yourself or for others then check out our list of best air fryers that we created after hours of research.
Are air fryer fries or chips healthy?
You can make restaurant-like french fries in an air fryer very easily without using much oil. Make tasty crispy golden chips or fries in no time at your home using an air fryer.
Chips or french fries cooked in an air fryer are healthy but make sure not to eat fried food regularly as it will negatively impact your health. Everything in moderation is always good.
Are the air fryers worth it?
Yes absolutely, many air fryers offer multiple features such as roasting, grilling, frying, bake, broil, dehydrating, etc which will save you a lot of counter space in the kitchen. An air fryer is a better alternative to deep fryers, microwave ovens, etc, and requires little to no oil for cooking.
The air fryer uses a fan to circulate hot air around the food which makes food exterior crispier and interior soft. In a long run, an air fryer is definitely worth your money.
The air fryer is also available in different sizes if you have a small kitchen go for the small air fryer and if you have a large kitchen then a large air fryer will be the best option.
Can the air fryer replace the convection oven?
If your oven doesn’t have convection then you should think of buying an air fryer otherwise both are equally good and provides pretty much the same cooking results. There are a lot of differences between a convection oven and an air fryer and choosing one between them is completely depends on your need.
However, you can also buy a combination of both which is convection toaster oven air fryer we created a list of the best air fryer toaster ovens if you have time please take a look.
When air fryer was invented?
Philips launched the air fryer in the year 2010 in Berlin. For a long time, Philips was trying to create an appliance that can fry foods without the use of oil or other types of fats.
When to use an air fryer?
You can use the air fryer anytime you want whether it is breakfast time, lunch or dinner doesn’t matter. An air fryer can help you in preparing food for yourself or for your partner, parents, or kids. If you have a large air fryer then you can prepare food for birthday parties, family gatherings, etc easily.
Make sure not to eat fried foods regularly as it is not good for your health.
What air fryer should I buy? What air fryer size do I need?
Buying a good air fryer is time-consuming and confusing but don’t worry we already did the hard work for you. First, find out whether you want an air fryer with digital controls or analog controls.
After that think about how many people you have to cook food for if you have to cook for a large number of people then go for a large air fryer or if you have to cook food just for yourself then a small air fryer will do the work for you.
You can also check air fryer toaster ovens which is a combination of both the air fryers and toaster ovens.
How to find the best air fryer size?
Finding the best size air fryer for yourself is a challenging task but we classify the air fryer according to their cooking capacity. Here take a look.
- Small air fryers – If you have to just cook for yourself or for your partner then go for small air fryers they have a cooking capacity of up to 2 quarts and are a better choice for small kitchen owners.
- Medium air fryers – These air fryers have a cooking capacity of 4-6 quarts and are a good choice if you have a family of 3-5 people. You can prepare meals in it in a single go for all the members without making them wait.
- Large air fryers – If you have to prepare food for your children’s birthday party, large family gatherings, or for a dinner party then go for large air fryers. These air fryers have a cooking capacity of 6-12 quarts and can easily cook an entire chicken in them.
So, now take your decision and invest your money in an air fryer that fulfills your needs.
Hope you find the above information useful if you have any doubt in your mind then feel free to comment down below, we will happy to answer you.
