Air fryers have been around for in-home use since 2010 but began to gain popularity in late 2017. People began making room on their kitchen counter for this device and its popularity keeps on rising.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about the air fryer and benefits from cooking with it but basically, it’s a small scale convection oven.
Hot air circulates around food at a high speed. As the air recirculates it cooks the food crisping the outside while keeping the inside moist and tender. Unlike deep frying something to make it crispy, an air fryer requires minimal oil which makes it a healthier way to cook. For many cooks, air fryers have become their go-to kitchen gadget when they don’t want to heat up their kitchen.
They used to be very expensive and only available at more high-end retailers. Nowadays, while you can still find pricy options, there are more affordable ones too as they are more readily available at retailers like Costco, Amazon, and QVC.
We love air fryers for a few reasons. One is their convenience. It can cook food in a fraction of the time it would take in the oven which is great on a busy night. Second is how it “fries” food. It allows us to enjoy something indulgent in a healthier way. Third, it’s a great tool to have if you don’t want to heat up the kitchen. The fourth reason is an air fryer frees up oven space. If you’re cooking a chicken in the oven, why not air fry some Brussels sprouts to serve on the side at the same time.
Are you on the air fryer bandwagon too? Then, what’s your favorite thing to make in it? Tell us below!
5 Tips for Air Frying Foods
- Don’t saturate food in oil. A quick spray of oil or one tablespoon max is all you need.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. Food should be cooked in one layer so you may need to cook things (like chicken wings) in batches.
- Flip food or shake the basket halfway through cooking for items like chicken tenders, chicken wings, french fries, or zucchini chips to ensure even cooking.
- Give the food a light respray of oil when cooking time is half done.
- If your air fryer recommends pre-heating before use, do not put foods into the cold air fryer. Pre-heating will make sure your food cooks correctly. Once the air fryer comes to temperature, then add food to the basket.
Air Fryer Conversion Chart
Nearly anything you make in the oven can be converted into an air fryer recipe. Pinch this Air Fryer Conversion Chart to have handy next time you’re getting creative in the kitchen.
Easy Blue Ribbon Chicken Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fried Butterflied Stuffed Chicken Breast
"This chicken breast recipe is very low fat, juicy as all get out, and just plain delicious! Preparation time is about 5 minutes and super easy. I'm for anything that's quick and easy. The end result is just magical, in my opinion!" - Robyn
Lisa's Air Fryer Fried Chicken
"I got myself the XL Power Fryer and let me tell you, it's worth every penny. I whipped up this recipe last night for our family and hubby said it tasted just like KFC. But this is way healthier as it's cooked with no oil. Got to love that, right?" - Lisa
Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
"I have recently joined the Air Fryer Cooks and I am having so much fun cooking up recipes with my new air fryer. Having an air fryer saves time and best of all keeps the calories lower and the kitchen cooler. Which is especially nice on a hot summer day."- Cheryl
Air Fryer Pizza Chicken
"This recipe is a great alternative to regular pizza. It's just plain delicious. It's also a great meal for those who are looking for a high protein/low carb dish. From beginning to end, it takes less than a half hour to make and it's so simple to throw together." - Robyn