Advantages of air fryers

LUTHO PASIYA lutho.pasiya@inl.co.za

IF YOU are looking for a way to make healthier meals, then an air fryer is a great option.

They are becoming increasingly popular, as more people become aware of their health benefits. If you are considering buying one, here are some of the advantages that you may enjoy.

Easy to operate

Coat your food item with oil and carefully place it in the preheated fryer. Using the recipe book and the control panels, set the time and temperature appropriate for the food item. Once the time is up and your food is cooked, the fryer turns itself off and you can enjoy your meal. Some models stir food as it cooks to allow for even cooking, but if yours does not, just manually stir your food occasionally.

Quicker, more efficient cooking

Air fryers take just minutes to preheat, and most of the heat stays inside the appliance. Foods cook faster than in an oven or on a stove top because heat is not lost to the surrounding air. Even frozen foods are quickly cooked because the effect of the heat is intensified by the circulating air.

It is versatile

You can make a wide range of foods, and everything is much healthier. Most brands include a fairly extensive cookbook to practise and cook any dish. If not, almost all have a website where you can find delicious recipes.

Easier clean-up

Air fryers are constructed with non-stick materials to prevent your food from adhering to the surface and to give you an easier time cleaning. This is ideal for people on-the-go and who live a fast-paced lifestyle. This appliance will definitely reduce, not only your cooking time, but your cleaning time as well.

Occupies less counter space

If you leave it on the kitchen counter, it will not take up much space. More compact than a convection oven, it can also be stored in a kitchen cupboard.

Crispy and crunchy foods

When deep frying frozen foods, the oil tends to splash because of the interaction of water and oil. With an air fryer, you will be able to avoid those accidents. It cooks frozen foods, like chips and onion rings well, with a crunchy and golden exterior. Do note that the food may not look as golden as deep-fried foods if you simply place them in the air fryer. The result will be better if you spray a little oil on the food.

Nevertheless, an air fryer will give you crispy and crunchy foods rather than soggy ones.

AIR fryer Korean-style chicken wings. | Tom McCorkle for The Washington Post