A relatively recent invention, the air fryer has quickly cemented itself as a must-have kitchen appliance when it comes to cooking. But why? Well, an air fryer is one of the most versatile items, allowing you to create a range of dishes with minimal fuss and hassle. Importantly, with the recent onus on healthy eating, this is exactly what an air fryer provides.
With minimal oil, air fryers can create that desirable crisp, fried finish on food without the need to deep fry. As such, it’s vastly healthier, and quicker too. The air fryer also has speedy heat-up times, which beat out the oven, and is more energy-efficient too. Better still, they are easy to clean up after, which makes this a strong option in all areas of the kitchen.
What is an Air Fryer and How Does it Work?
An air fryer uses hot air circulation to cook food. Instead of needing to submerge the food in vats of hot oil to cook it like a traditional deep fryer, the heat from the air fryer does the job. Of course, the name is a little misleading, for, in fact, there is no frying involved at all. Rather, the convection technology creates the same crispy texture that frying achieves.
It’s actually more similar to oven baking and cooking. With ovens, hot coils are used to heat up the oven and thus cook food. But, unlike the air fryer, ovens are slower to heat up and take a lot longer to cook. They’re also often not able to get that crispy texture in the same way. All of this is coupled with lower oil usage even than an oven, which, once again, puts the air fryer out on top.
Health Benefits of Air Frying
Because of the minimal oil used in air fryers, there are some major health benefits. For one, the calorie intake of similar foods is vastly reduced when compared to that of deep frying.
Additionally, using an air fryer can reduce harmful compounds such as acrylamide, which are often part and parcel of deep frying. This compound is often linked to heart disease and some cancers. So, for those looking for a healthy, weight management solution, an air fryer is a great option to switch to lighter alternatives, away from traditionally fried foods.
Leading Air Fryer Brands and the Value of Choosing the Right One
There are many different air fryers on the market now. Some of these are hugely popular and offer great quality, durability, reliability, and innovative features, making them stand out from the crowd. Some top brands include Ninja Kitchen, ProCook, Breville, and Cosori. Ninja Kitchen, for example, is already a well-known kitchen equipment brand. It’s known for producing durable, high-quality air fryers, all of which provide really great cooking results. Of course, some of these air fryers are expensive, which can be hard shelling out for that initial purchase.
Luckily, there are various ways you can save. For instance, Ninja Kitchen often has coupon codes and special promotions available listed on specialized websites, which can be used to make air fryers an affordable, and worthwhile investment. Using codes like these can mean you can get yourself a premium product without breaking the bank. And, once that initial investment is paid, you’re going to be saving more money down the line when it comes to your energy bills.
Cooking Tips for a Healthy, Safe Air Frying Experience
When using your air fryer, you should go in armed with some hot tips to maximize the health benefits this method of cooking offers. For one, make sure you are using a minimal amount of oil, as this will prevent needlessly increasing your calorie intake.
You should also avoid using aerosol cooking sprays as they can actually damage the air fryer. Unlike a deep fryer or frying pan, these can damage the non-stick coating within the air fryer. For a truly well-rounded healthy meal preparation, pair air frying with steaming or baking. And make sure you follow all guidelines from the air fryer’s manufacturer to avoid overheating.
Why Air Fryers Are Here to Stay
Not only are air fryers a healthy option, but they are energy-efficient too. Compact, convenient, and quick, they make cooking a healthy meal easy and fun. While expensive, there are many discounts available from reliable brands. So, explore air frying as a smart way to enjoy healthier, crispy food that’s still delicious.
