Air fryer, the small household appliance that changes everyday cooking by promising crispiness, speed and much less oil. Why have an air fryer? Here are all the good reasons!
The air fryer has been installed in kitchens with a particularly attractive promise: rediscovering the pleasure of crispiness with very little fat, without waiting for an oven to preheat or wafting the smell of frying throughout the house. And if his first hours of glory were associated with fries and nuggets, today he knows how to do much more than that.
Meat, fish, vegetables, potatoes, breaded preparations, but also cakes and yeast doughs: this little hot air machine has become a real ally for cooking quickly and simply.
1. To get crispy with very little oil
This is obviously his main argument. The air fryer circulates superheated air at high speed around the food, allowing it to be cooked and browned with a very reduced amount of fat. In the vast majority of recipes, a tablespoon of oil can be enough to obtain a crispy breading.
Enough to prepare fries, potatoes or roasted vegetables with that golden and crunchy texture that we love so much, without resorting to an oil bath.
And vegetables are particularly interesting to cook this way. Eggplant, zucchini, peppers, cauliflower, tomatoes or kale can become beautifully roasted side dishes or gourmet chips in just a few minutes.
2. Because it is much faster than an oven
Little or no preheating depending on the model: the air fryer is ready to receive food almost immediately. For an impromptu dinner, a quick lunch or simply when you don’t want to wait, it’s a difficult advantage to ignore.
A portion of potatoes, a few vegetables, breaded fish or puff pastry can be thrown directly into the drawer. A way to reduce the time spent in front of the stove while maintaining the pleasure of a hot and crispy dish.
3. Because he only knows how to make fries
The name “air fryer” still sticks with it, but it only tells part of the story. An air fryer also functions like a small forced-heat oven and allows you to cook, roast or grill a multitude of foods.
It is precisely this versatility that makes it an interesting everyday device. A chicken thigh for dinner, roasted vegetables, crispy potatoes to accompany fish, but also muffins or a cake can find their place in the same appliance.
4. To cook vegetables with much more deliciousness
The air fryer could well reconcile the most recalcitrant with vegetables. A lightly oiled and seasoned zucchini, golden cauliflower florets, roasted eggplant or a few grilled peppers quickly take on a completely different look.
The principle is simple: the circulation of hot air promotes coloring and crispiness, while the vegetables remain soft at the core.
And to go even further, why not turn beetroot into crispy chips or eggplant into a generous side dish? The possibilities are numerous.
5. To prepare complete meals without multiplying pots and pans
The air fryer is particularly practical when cooking for yourself or the family. In the same appliance, you can prepare meat, fish, vegetables or potatoes, depending on the capacity chosen.
Double drawer models go even further: they allow you to cook two different preparations simultaneously or double the quantities. One drawer for vegetables, the other for falafel; fries on one side and chicken on the other… Enough to make the whole table dinner with a single batch when the model is large enough.
6. Because it is quite easy to clean
Another pleasure, less spectacular but very appreciable: the maintenance. The main unit is simply cleaned with a damp cloth, while the basket, grill and accessories can be washed in soapy water before drying in the open air or with a cloth. And very often, these accessories are dishwasher safe!
No large pan filled with oil to empty, no greasy splashes on the hob. And above all, less dishes when it occasionally replaces the oven or several cooking utensils.
7. Because it avoids the persistent smell of frying
Who says frying often means smell of frying. And even when the fries are delicious, it’s hard to ignore the aroma that wafts through the kitchen, or even throughout the house.
The air fryer works with hot air and very little oil: it therefore constitutes an interesting alternative for achieving crispiness while limiting that sensation of frying smell which traditionally accompanies cooking in an oil bath.
8. Because he can also take care of dessert
We think about it less, and yet the air fryer also knows how to play the role of pastry chef. Muffins, small and large cakes, biscuits or puff pastries can be made provided you use a suitable mold when the preparation is liquid. The grill allows food to be elevated so that air circulates properly all around.
It is therefore enough to provide a few small molds compatible with the dimensions of the drawer. And why not finish a dinner of roast chicken and vegetables with some little chocolate fondants?
Which air fryer to choose?
Before you give in, a few criteria are worth looking at. The capacity is obviously determining depending on the number of people in your family or if you like to entertain.
The number of drawers also matters. A simple model is more than enough for a small kitchen and classic daily use. A model with two drawers becomes interesting for preparing two recipes at the same time or cooking larger quantities.
The little rules to really enjoy it
An air fryer performs best when air can circulate freely. You should therefore avoid stacking foods on top of each other and prefer several batches if the drawer is small.
The grill supplied with the appliance is essential to let air pass all around the food and promote even and crispy cooking. Kitchen tongs can also be very useful for turning dishes halfway through cooking.
As for cooking times, each appliance having its own power and capacity, cooking times remain indicative: it is better to rely on the manufacturer’s recommendations and monitor the first cooking times.
So, why have an air fryer in your kitchen?
For those who like to cook quickly, simply and deliciously, the air fryer ticks a lot of boxes. It provides crispiness with little oil, allows you to roast and cook much more than potatoes, requires little maintenance and can become a valuable ally for everyday meals.
The real secret is ultimately to give it a place on the work surface. Because an appliance stored in the back of a cupboard is likely to stay there… whereas an accessible air fryer has every chance of becoming one of those small pieces of equipment that we use almost every day.
Cover visual © Cosori
