Foods To Cook With Your Air Fryer This Semester
This compact, versatile kitchen appliance is perfect for college students, and these simple recipes make for much healthier alternatives to deep-fried foods.
CollegexAugust 8, 2022
Illustration by Alex Suarez, Columbia College Chicago
Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance in the past few years thanks to their compactness and versatility. This also makes them the perfect kitchen appliance for college students who may not have much counter space in their kitchens. Air-fried foods are also a healthier alternative to deep-fried foods, which many college students resort to eating in order to save money. However, investing in an air fryer can save you a lot of money in the long run and you may even spend less than you would when buying greasy fast food or frying food on your stove.
Best For Personal Use
Because of their small compact design, lightweight, power-efficient, and the latest feature, these small 2-quart air fryers are the best choice for personal use. They can be easily portable anywhere in your car cabinet. The basket size is small so you need less time to clean as compared to a big one. So these small 2-quart air fryers are the best choice for personal use.
Gowise Programmable Air Fryer
The GoWISE Programmable Air Fryer is a perfect example of an air fryer of the best value. A cooking power of 1400 Watts has a temperature range from 170F to 400F and can be digitally timed between 1 to 30 minutes. You have the options of baking, grilling, roasting, or toasting on this air fryer. It comes with eight presets with optimal temperatures that allow for optimal cooking. It has a non-stick, detachable pan and basket that will enable you to remove food from the fryer without making a mess.
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Bonus! It comes with a recipe book containing more than 50 recipes that you could use.
Pros
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Can You Have An Air Fryer In A Dorm Room
Whether you can have an air fryer in a dorm room depends on the particular rules and regulations of your college dormitories. Nevertheless, most dorms dont allow air fryers because of their potential fire risks.
Now during the beginning of your semester, if youre planning to take home appliances like an air fryer, microwave, etc, do check with your dorm policy.
Even though you are allowed to take microwaves in most dorms, its not the same with air fryers.
Air fryers are usually banned like how youre not allowed to keep open wax or candles in your dorm rooms. As dormitories are confined places with a huge number of residents, a small fire act can cause massive destruction.
Hence, if a dorm doesnt have a proper fire maintaining system, theyre most likely not to allow you to have an air fryer in your dorm room.
Is An Air Fryer Worth It
An air fryer is worth it for its versatility and efficiency in roasting and baking if you have the counter space to spare, but it’s not going to trick anyone into believing your food is deep-fried.
Laurence and Cassetty both emphasized the speed of air fryers. Air fryers take very little time, if any, to preheat, so you’re saving both time and electricity. The location of the heating element placed directly over the food creates more efficiency, explained Laurence. They also expel much less heat, which is especially handy during hot weather when you’d rather avoid turning on your oven.
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Breville Halo Rotisserie Air Fryer Oven Star Buy
Best rotisserie air fryer for chips
Pros:
- Rotisserie fork for handling hot elements safely
Cons:
- Heat released from the top
Wattage: 2000W
Star rating: 5/5
If you have the space on your countertop for another boxy appliance, Breville’s latest air fryer is a statement multifunctional gadget that, when on, will draw attention from across the room. It holds a small, trussed chicken for easy rotisserie and includes a chip basket for keeping chipped potatoes moving for even crisping.
The rotisserie function must be manually switched on, which may be confusing if you only skim-read the instruction manual. Once activated, you can turn on the internal light for checking in on its contents. One thing about crowd-pleasers is they generate the desire in people to press their nose up to the glass. After 55 minutes, this model’s glass front panel and exterior was warm but not dangerously hot, which is a tick in the safety box for adults and kids. Read our full Breville Halo Rotisserie Air Fryer review.
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Does An Air Fryer Have An Open Heating Element
Air fryers do not have an open heating element like that of a microwave. The heating element is found under the air fryer. And the air fryer works by converting electric current into heat.
You can say the working procedure of an air fryer is similar to that of a stove or toaster. However, air fryers do have chances of getting overheated and causing a fire. Sometimes, it can even lead to a massive risks.
Not to mention, theres also a potential risk of electrical damage at your house or dorms if the resistance is not too high as air fryers are meant to require a lot of electricity to heat and cook food.
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Dash Deluxe Electric6 Qt Air Fryer + Oven Cooker
The thing I love about this particular Dash air fryer is the fact that it combines an awesome retro look with the simplicity of rotary dials. If design is high on your list of air fryer priorities, then this may be the air fryer for you And those simple dials mean there is much less to go wrong, even with the rigours of student use
Just be aware that this is one of the bigger air fryers on this list and will needs bit more space. And even though you may not have heard of this brand, they are well respected in the world of air fryers.
Do Air Fryers Take Up A Lot Of Kitchen Counter Space
This answer depends on the size of the air fryer you choose, for a large 10 15 quart air fryer, it can take up a bunch of space, but those air fryers are really big and can fit a whole turkey. If you buy the average sized air fryer a 4, 5 or 6 Quart air fryer which is plenty big for a family of 4, they do not take up a lot of counter space. For example our Uber Appliance Premium Air Fryer Stainless Steel 5 Qt it is cylindrical shaped with dimensions of 12in in diameter and 13in tall, pretty small foot print for a large cooking capacity.
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Cuisinart Convection Toaster Oven Air Fryer
- Cooks very quickly
- Large cooking surface
- Since foods cook quicker than most other appliances when using air fry, we recommend using a lower temp and keeping a close eye on food to help prevent burning
Cuisinart was one of the first brands to introduce a toaster oven air fryer that allows you to toast, bake, air fry and convection bake. We tested the pictured digital version, which not only made the crispiest air-fried food in the shortest amount of time but also some of the most evenly-colored toast in our toaster oven test. The rectangular 15.5- by 16-inch air fry rack offers a large cooking surface and sits atop a drip/crumb tray for easy cleanup. Since launching the toaster oven air fryer, Cuisinart also introduced a smaller, non-digital version with the same features and quality performance as well as a same-sized model with a grill pan that we’re eager to test.
Best Large-Capacity Air Fryer
Multi Cookers And Air Fryers Make Life Easier
If you’re time poor or can’t be bothered then an air fryer makes real sense
If youre serious about your food and want to explore the potential of an air fryer, head to the premium end of the spectrum as they can do pretty amazing things with a little bit of practice. Some come with apps, and recipes too. Others combine these and take you step-by-step through the process of cooking a whole meal.
You might even get a model with an app that will tailor a recipe based on what youve got in your fridge!
The same goes for multi cooker machines mind, and the benefit is that some of these models can also air fry. Ideally, it might be worth investing in an air fryer and a multi cooker but if that seems a little like overkill, make sure you dont head back to your studies without investing in at least one of the two.
- More air fryer info
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What To Know When Choosing A Air Fryer For College Students
- What is my specific application? Not everything is created equal, so youll want to make sure that the Air Fryer for College Students you choose has the features and specifications you need.
- Can I be sure that I am buying an authentic Air Fryer for College Students? You can! We work with the most reliable, largest online shopping portal in the world. If you have any issues, please refer to the items return policy.
- When will I get my Air Fryer for College Students? Our shopping partners are known for their fast shipping. You will know when your order is expected to arrive before you ever check out.
- What brand should I choose? Thats the best part about our lists. We offer the best selling items from the most well-known and best brands on the market that offer a Air Fryer for College Students. Our goal is to give you the easiest experience in buying the brands you know and love.
Insignia 32l Digital Air Fryer
Insignia 3.2L Airfryer comes with digital controls and offers a predefined menu that takes the guesswork out of cooking your favourite foods. You will find easy to use controls and options for many different temperature settings and timings. The BPA Free body provides peace of mind, and the appliance is super easy to clean.
Key Features:
- Uses little to no oil
- The 3.4qt basket can hold 1-2 servings at a time
- Preprogrammed menus for ease of use
- Dishwasher safe
Get it from here.
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Would An Air Fryer Be A Safe Option In A College Dorm
Air fryers may not be the best option for you to cook in a college dorm. Though you can make food in an air fryer effortlessly it bears potential fire damage.
For this very reason, many colleges dont allow air fryers in dorm rooms in the first place. A huge number of people draw breath in college dorms and a small fire act can cause innumerable risks.
Additionally, in college dorms, you have to share your room with roommates. Hence, it is already a congested place. Moreover, with an extra appliance, you have to be more cautious.
On top of it, the air fryer tends to get excessively hot and may take up too much electricity which can also cause electrical issues. Since the resistance and voltage setups of dorm rooms may not coincide with that of air fryers.
However, a lot of college dorms may also allow having air fryers depending on their safety policy. Ask your college authority and take permission to have one in your dorm room.
Is It Worth Getting An Air Fryer
An air fryer is a worthwhile purchase for many people, especially if you want to make quick, tasty meals with less oil. While these appliances cant help you prepare everything, they can cut down cooking time in half for foods that would normally have to be baked or deep-fried. Plus, if you choose an air fryer that doubles as a toaster oven, it can help you save space by allowing you to consolidate appliances.
That said, they arent the right choice for everyone. If you have a large family, even the biggest model might not offer enough cooking space to make all of the food you need. And if you do choose a bigger option or a two- or three-in-one design, they can take up a lot of counter space.
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Best Small Air Fryers In 2022
The air fryer has taken Americas kitchens by storm. Everybody wants to have one in their kitchen. There is a myriad of makers and sellers. The number of different brands of air fryers available has also increased over the years. Are you hesitating to purchase one due to a lack of space on your kitchen counter? Fortunately, manufacturers now make the best small air fryer that works as good as those large cooking capacity air fryers.
This appliance works more like a convection oven than a deep fryer, as it does not submerge the food in a bath of oil. It makes use of the rapid heated air movement to cook the food in the cooking basket. The cooking times are much shorter than in convection ovens, but the cooking results are similar.
If youre looking for an air fryer that wont take up too much space in your kitchen, you may want to consider getting a small air fryer for 1 to 2 people. These air fryers are small enough to fit on most countertops, and they come in a variety of colors and styles to suit your kitchen décor. While most small air fryers have similar features, there are a few things you should keep in mind when shopping for one. So, what is the best small air fryer to buy?
Today I have compiled a list of the 8 best small capacity air fryers perfect for singles, students, or even smaller families who love fried foods.
Contents
Are Air Fryers Energy Efficient
Air fryers vary in their energy efficiency, but it is possible to calculate how much energy an appliance will use, which in turn will help you cost up the impact it’ll have on your bills. Here’s how:
Take the appliance’s wattage and multiply it by the gadget’s hours of use per day, then divide the total by 1000. The result will be the appliance’s daily kilowatt-hour .
The cost per kilowatt-hour will vary depending on your energy tariff and area. If you have a smart meter installed at home, you’ll be able to see the cost per use during cooking without having to calculate it.
One of the many useful qualities of air fryers is the countertop size. These gadgets are much faster to heat up and designed to circulate hot air efficiently, meaning food can be cooked much quicker than in a traditional oven. For smaller quantities and specific ingredients, air fryers will be switched on for considerably less time, which equates to less electricity consumption.
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How We Test Air Fryers
We’ve tested more than 40 air fryers in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab, including traditional basket-style air fryers, air fryer ovens, air fryer toaster ovens and even several microwaves and multi-cookers with air fry capabilities. We also cook with them quite regularly and have developed countless recipes for them.
When we test air fryers, we evaluate their performance and ease of use by air frying frozen and fresh french fries as well as chicken wings. We don’t test baked goods like cake because cake and most other desserts benefit from an even distribution of gentle heat and most air fryers don’t have heating elements on the bottom in addition to the top . We score the food on its crispiness, juiciness and evenness, and we consider details like how quickly it cooks, how helpful the user guide is and whether the machine is loud. We also evaluate features like the control panel, temperature range and whether the accessories are dishwasher-safe.
Is An Air Fryer Good For College Students
It does seem like no matter how little money you have, theres always something else that costs money you dont have at all. But research has us that this isnt necessarily true. You can actually stock up on a few groceries from the bodega down the street and have all you need to create a nice meal without spending too much money.
In any case, it is always a great option for people who may be low on cash but dont want to eat Ramen noodles every day. You can use it almost anywhere and its ready in minutes. Its incredibly easy to carry around your dorm room while entertaining friends because of its size. And just like that, it will become one of the most used items in your room.
It does seem like no matter how little money you have, theres always something else that costs money you dont have at all. But research has us that this isnt necessarily true. You can actually stock up on a few groceries from the bodega down the street and have all you need to create a nice meal without spending too much money.
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Criteria for choosing the best air fryers
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How To Use An Air Fryer
These devices are easy to use and often easy to clean. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions, but most will follow these basic procedures:
1. Preheat before cookingMany air fryers need time to come to temperature before cooking. In general, preheat to 375°F for 3-5 minutes, depending on the size of the fryer.
2. Dont overcrowd the food and lay food down flatJust like conventional frying, overloading your air fryerespecially with frozen foodscould produce soggy or uneven results. Plus, it could also increase the cooking time.
3. Flip while fryingDon’t forget to batter and/or bread items properly before dropping them into the air fryer, and be sure to flip your food halfway through the cooking process.
Also, keep an eye on your food while it cooks. This will let you adjust timing as necessary and help get you used to your new appliance.
4. Clean the air fryer when you’re doneDont forget to clean the appliance after cooking and the device has cooled down. Food particles can get lodged in the nooks and crannies, building up over time and causing issues down the line.
