OK So What Is An Air Fryer?
What is an air fryer? Air fryers are appliances that cook by circulating hot air around food. This is otherwise known as dry frying. Basically, the food is fried in the same sense as that of deep hot oil, with the difference of using hot air instead. Learn how an air fryer works.
Similar to deep frying, using hot oil air frying creates a nice crisp exterior to anything cooked with this method. You get a crispy outer crust without using barely any oil, so it’s basically guilt-free, right?
While it may seem like an innovative and unique method of cooking, it also has its own advantages and disadvantages. But we have more to tell you about what is an air fryer.
Extra High Temperatures
High cooking temperatures are usually what puts this method above all others. This high-powered feature results in a high risk of burning the food. Usually, with an air fryer, food is cooked at very high temperatures that can peak up to 400° Fahrenheit.
That being said, you will need a lot of focus and attention directed toward your cooking in order to minimize the risk of overcooking the food and coming up with a burnt and blackened crust. Your food will simply taste like charcoal and your efforts into creating an air-fried masterpiece will all go down the drain.
If you do happen to salvage your food from completely burning and blackening, you may be in danger of cancerous compounds that develop around burnt food. These compounds are usually found in the blackened areas around fried or grilled food, so it would be wise to first remove these blackened portions before consuming the food for a safer and healthier meal.
Food Is Cooked Quickly
However, since the temperatures reach so high with this cooking method, you can expect that your food will cook a lot faster than the conventional methods, which is such a great advantage for anyone who wants food fast, or who operates a fast-paced food business that needs the quick output of product every now and then. Just make sure to keep a close eye on your cooking every time and determine if you’ve cooked your food to the optimal state.
Practice Until Perfect
Since the food cooks quickly, you can also expect that the food will tend to dry out quite fast as well. You may need some practice in getting the hang of using this method when cooking food in order to achieve the right balance or crustiness and moisture that you want from your food as the results may vary greatly from the conventional way of cooking. Once you get the hang of it, you can greatly improve the quality of your output.
When you have improved and mastered the art of air frying, you may now reap the wonderful benefits of using this cooking method over the conventional cooking methods such as pan-frying, roasting, grilling, or deep frying.
Air Fryers Have Shut-Off Features
Most air frying appliances have a built-in shut-off feature that automatically turns off the heating once the food is adequately cooked.
This greatly minimizes the chances of burning. However, for some models, you may need to manually set the time for cooking, so it is better to practice and note down the right temperatures and time for each type of food to be air fried.
Faster Cooking = More Nutrition
Also, once you’ve mastered the art of air frying, you will find that it is indeed a healthier alternative to conventional cooking methods because aside from a faster cooking experience, you will consume fewer fats in your diet since this method does not use any oils.
Also, it has less of a tendency to leech out the nutrients within the food, unlike many other conventional cooking methods such as boiling. This way, you can be assured of truly healthy cooking and eating experience.
Now that the question of “what is an air fryer” has been sufficiently answered, your doubts about its use and benefits have been somewhat lessened.
Multi-Function = Less Appliances
Many of the air fryers which we review also replace other kitchen appliances. So if you choose wisely you may be able to reduce the number of appliances you have in your kitchen. A multi-function device may also include:
- Steamer
- Yogurt maker
- Rice cooker
- Stew function
- Sear Saute
- Slow Cook
- Fries
- Bakes
- Roasts
- Dehydrator
- Broils
Conclusion
If you’re concerned about the quality of the food you eat and prepare for your family, an air fryer is one of the changes you can implement in your kitchen. And the fact that it can handle a wide array of cooking makes it a completely versatile product. There is no doubt that this appliance is indeed a worthy investment.