5 Things I Learned from Using an Air Fryer for the First Time
When I first learned about air fryers, I was a bit skeptical I would say that I was skeptical. An appliance for the kitchen that claims crisp, crispy food, without oil? I was certain it could not be real. After a little fascination (and perhaps too much late night browsing over Pinterest recipes) I took the plunge and gave this recipe a shot. The result was one of the most successful choices I’ve made in the kitchen.
Being a novice to the air fryer world I was skeptical However, I also had my enthusiasm. Could it truly be able to replace my stovetop and oven? Would it be able to handle the meals that I’m a fan of? After the first couple of weeks using this tiny machine I’ve learned quite a bit. I’ll inform you that the air fryer’s more than simply a fashion. It’s an industry-changing device.
Below are the five lessons I’ve learned by the air fryer I used for the first time
1. It’s All About the Preheat
Before I began my cooking ventures I made my rookie error by not warming up my air fryer. This turned out to be quite a mistake. Like an oven the air fryer must become hot prior to throwing your food into it. I wasn’t aware of the magnitude the difference it could have.
When I first skipped this step, the fries turned out to be in a sloppy and unevenly cooked state. A quick glance through the instructions (yes I made that mistake) I discovered that preheating is essential to getting the perfect crispy. Air fryers work through the circulation of hot air over the food. However, if the fryer doesn’t have enough heated, circulation of air doesn’t work at the same rate. In the end, I wait for it to take a few minutes to get warm prior to throwing anything in.
It’s not a big deal that’s all it takes, but it’s the most important thing. In case you’re unfamiliar with air-frying do not rush into the food. It will take a while to get it heated up. It will be a pleasure as your food arrives perfect.
2. It’s Way Healthier (and Faster) Than I Thought
One thing I was curious about was whether an air-fryer can be able to live up to the hype as being more healthy. It’s true that I’ve heard of the claims but can it do the job? When I’ve used the air fryer for everything from chicken wings to vegetables I’m able to say I’m sold.
This is the thing: with an air fryer, you’ll be able to create food that is crispy and flavorful, but free of the plethora of oil that are used for traditional cooking. It’s not even the equivalent of a teaspoon or two. Sometimes, you just throw your food into a slight spray of oil (if there’s any). Hot air performs all the work in cooking your food evenly as well as giving it that satisfying crunch.
Consider fries for instance. I was used to cooking in pots of oil before washing them off. They’re greasy, aren’t they? With the air fryer it’s just a matter of putting the potatoes in, adjust the temperature and let the fryer go about it’s thing. Within 20 minutes, I’m able to get crispy golden fries that require only a tiny amount less oil. They’re not only healthier, they are more delicious, too. What I didn’t anticipate was that they taste better.
And did I mention how faster it’s been? I was used to waiting for hours to get my oven ready to heat up and cook certain meals. Air fryers warm up fast and cooks food within a fraction of the time. This is a win-win situation to anyone who is short on time.
3. It’s Not Just for Fries and Chicken
When I first bought my air fryer I was certain that it was just to make crispy fries or chicken wings. That’s right, they’re what everyone raves about, isn’t it? However, once I began to experiment with the air fryer, I soon realized that the air fryer can be extremely adaptable.
It’s true that wings and fries seem like a given, but I was pleasantly surprised at how various kinds of foods it is possible to cook using this gadget. I’ve cooked roasted veggies and grilled sandwiches, as well as shrimp as well as baked items like cookies and muffins. If I’m truthful, I was skeptical that it could handle everything of it. However, it can. It does it very well.
Even made a pizza once as I didn’t own an oven, therefore I put it in the basket of an air fryer. This was not the most conventional recipe however, it came out delicious, crispy and cheesy. It was generally tasty. If you believe that the air fryer is only for basic cooking, think about it. The air fryer can do better than you imagine. Do not be scared to get inventive using it.
4. Don’t Overcrowd the Basket
The thing I learnt through trial and error is the importance of reducing your intake in the basket of air fryers. Initially, I thought I could put in all the food that I could in an effort to reduce time consumption, however this only led to unbalanced cook times. What is essential is leaving enough space to allow the heat to properly circulate.
Air fryers use the circulation of hot air to cook food. That’s why that overcrowded baskets could cause unsatisfactory outcomes. Food won’t cook evenly and it could result in pieces that are cooked too long in some cases, while other parts are cooked to a lesser degree. If you’re cooking food items like fries, chicken or vegetables ensure that there’s plenty of room for the heat to circulate around every part.
It’s tempting, of course, to fill your basket up to the max particularly when you’re starving or in a hurry But trust me when I say that your meals will be better tasting and cook faster by leaving a bit of room. If you’re forced to cook make a batch of food, do it in small batches. It’s well worth the extra time.
5. It Can Be a Bit Noisy, But It’s Worth It
Let’s face it: the air fryer may not be the most quiet appliance in the kitchen. While it cooks it emits a distinct sound as heated air moves over the food. It was at first of sound frightened me. I was not used to having a constant sound while making food.
After a couple of times I was able to get used to the sound. The noise isn’t overwhelmingly loud or any however it is definitely evident. It’s true I’m not bothered any more. The benefits I receive from using the air fryer surpass the small sound it creates.
If you’re sensitive about noise at the table it’s one thing to take into consideration before you purchase one. However, for me this is a minor cost to get crispy delicious food cooked quickly.
Final Thoughts: Why I’m Hooked on My Air Fryer
There you have the five lessons I’ve learned since the use of an air fryer my first time. It’s more efficient, healthier and more flexible than I had ever thought, and it’s totally changed how I cook. It may take some time to find how to use it correctly and become comfortable with the sound, however once you’ve got it down and become comfortable with it, the air fryer will be an indispensable kitchen tool.
If you’re still undecided regarding buying one, then I suggest you go for it. It’s more than an occasional trend and I can guarantee that it’ll soon be one of the top appliances in the kitchen. From crisp snacks to fast meals Air fryers make the process much more simple.
It’s also exciting to try new things. Don’t be scared to try your hand at different recipes. Perhaps you will be the next to discover your favorite recipe!
Happy Air Frying!
