Should I Get An Air Fryer

Is Cooking With An Air Fryer Healthy

Advertised as a healthy, guilt-free way to enjoy your favorite fried foods, air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance.

Many claim that they help lower the fat content of popular foods like french fries, chicken wings, empanadas, and fish sticks.

But just how healthy is cooking with an air fryer?

This article will take a look at the evidence and determine whether the benefits of using an air fryer really outweigh the risks.

An air fryer is a popular kitchen appliance used to make fried foods such as meat, pastries, and potato chips.

It works by circulating hot air around the food to produce a crunchy, crispy exterior.

This also results in a chemical reaction known as the Maillard reaction. It occurs when an amino acid and a reducing sugar react in the presence of heat and leads to alterations in the color and flavor of foods .

Air-fried foods are touted as a healthy alternative to deep-fried foods, thanks to their lower content of fat and calories.

Instead of completely submerging the food in oil, air-frying requires just a tablespoon of oil to achieve a similar taste and texture to deep-fried foods.

Which Type Of Air Fryer Should You Buy

Both basket-style air fryers and air fryer toaster ovens do the job of air frying really well, so deciding between the two really comes down to counter space.

“Air fryer ovens take up more room, but they are more than just air fryers. They bake, broil, toast, warm, and some even have a rotisserie feature,” says Meredith Laurence, also known as the Blue Jean Chef, known for her air fryer recipes and cooking videos. According to Laurence, that gives your counter space more bang for its buck. “Basket-style air fryers don’t take up as much room, but they only do one thing and generally can’t do as much at one time as an air fryer oven,” Laurence adds.

If you’re the type of person who likes having a toaster oven, an air fryer toaster oven is for you.

“If you have a tight space and want to maximize that small space, putting a multi-function appliance like an air fryer toaster oven in that space is probably a good idea,” said Laurence.

On the other hand, if you think you’ll only use your air fryer now and then and have room to store it away somewhere, you could try a basket-style air fryer.

Air fryer lids for Instant Pots may help you cut down on new appliances if you already have the multi-cooker at home. In addition to air frying, the Instant Pot air fryer lid can roast, dehydrate, bake, broil, and reheat. The only thing it’s really missing? Toasting.

How Much Do Air Fryers Cost

Like anything else, you can pay a whole lot for an air fryer but in our experience, the most expensive air fryers aren’t necessarily the best. A basic air fryer is actually not a terribly complex machine so you really needn’t break the bank. Small no-frills air fryer models start at $25 or $30 and I’ve found they will do a serviceable job. That said, if you bump up another $30 or $40 you’re going to get a better build, sharper look and generally a bit more power too.

At the high end are the hybrid countertop ovens with air fry functions. These can go as high as $300 but you can get less advanced models from bargain brands or ones that are on sale for around $150.

Read Also: What Is The Best Air Fryer Oven On The Market

If You Already Have A Convection Oven Why Would You Need An Air Fryer

It cooks food faster. There may be less chance of food drying out and being overcooked.

You can use it for a variety of non-fried foods, too. It’s great for toasting nuts, cooking vegetables, and even desserts. It’s also great for reheating leftovers. Reheating leftovers in an air fryer produces food with a better texture than using a microwave.

You don’t want to heat your oven for a quick snack or small amount of food.

However, if I’m cooking a large amount of food, for example, a couple of trays of roasted vegetables for a family dinner, or a sheet pan dinner, the convection feature on my regular oven is the obvious choice.

I’ve heard that it’s great for cooking foods like frozen french fries, chicken nuggets, or tater tots. These aren’t food that I normally eat, so I’ll just have to take others’ word for it. However, I have roasted small cubes of potato, sweet potato, and butternut squash and they were absolutely delicious!

After Hearing So Many Friends And People On Social Media Raving About Their Air Fryers I Decided To Find Out What All The Fuss Was About

Throughout 2020, air fryers seemed to be the hot kitchen gadget, so when the holidays came around that year, I decided to buy myself one.

Instantly, I understood why so many people have fallen in love with the kitchen appliance. It became a game changer in my kitchen, allowing me to cook dinner in minutes and fry chicken, vegetables, and other foods without submerging them in oil.

Even though the appliance changed my cooking lifestyle for the better, there were still a few things about the air fryer that surprised me and that I wish I knew before I made the purchase.

Also Check: Amazon Best Selling Air Fryer

Choosing Your Air Fryer

This may seem simple, but when you go shopping for an air fryer it can actually be confusing. Air fryers are not sold by their physical size, in the same way a Dutch Oven or skillet might be, but by capacity size. A four quart capacity may be great for a single person or a couple if you are a larger household, you may want to go for a six quart capacity or even eight quarts.

Of course, you have to weigh cooking capacity with your own kitchen counter space limitations. Im dealing with a tiny New York City studio apartment with very limited space. After getting hooked on my small, starter air fryer, I eventually wanted to upgrade. To justify it, I got rid of my toaster. After all, the air fryer can toast, too, so no reason to have a dedicated appliance competing for prime real estate.

Is It Worth Getting An Air Fryer

With numerous models on the market, this popular appliance has come down in price in the last few yearsmany models cost less than $200 and some cost less than $100. Springing for an air fryer is worth it if you whip up fried foodseither frozen or homemadeon the regular, reheat leftovers often or like to experiment with new cooking appliances.

Also Check: Nuwave Brio Air Fryer 3 Quart

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They Can Refresh Takeout That’s Got ‘sweaty’ In Transit

You know what we mean. If you’ve used a takeout app to order thick fries , you’ll know they’ll either come wrapped in paper or delivered in a polystyrene container… and how the hot air will spoil the crispiness of your fried potatoes.

So if you want that just-served texture, pop ’em in your airfryer to revive their crispy texture. Because no one likes a limp fry. Same goes for soggy samosas or bhajis if you’ve overordered at your fave curry house.

Recommended Reading: Food To Cook In The Air Fryer

Air Fryers Save Space

Whether youre short on space or just prefer a more streamlined kitchen aesthetic, air fryers are much smaller than traditional deep fryers, toaster ovens or let alone traditional ovens. In fact, theyre classified as countertop appliances. This is a big reason why air fryers are worth it, since most of us dont have a huge kitchen where everything fits.

Most air fryers have a footprint of about 16 by 12 inches and stand just over 15 inches high. By comparison, one of the highest rated deep fryer measures 19 inches wide by 13-1/2 inches deep and stands 10-1/2 inches high.

I know from personal experience that when I get a new kitchen appliance, its tempting to leave it out on the counter all the timebut not everyone has that kind of space. One of the great things about air fryers is how easy they are to store away when not in use: You can either keep them in a cupboard or tuck them on a shelf if you dont have any shelves available.

Similarly You Can’t Cook The Meat And The Vegetables At The Same Time

I’m used to baking chicken and vegetables on one giant sheet in the oven. That’s not possible in an air fryer because of its size.

One night I was cooking chicken, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, and they all needed to go in the air fryer, according to their recipes. Instead of putting them all on one tray, as I would have with a traditional oven, I had to cook the chicken first, then the vegetables. By the time everything was finished cooking, the meat was cold.

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There Are A Couple Things You’ll Want To Take Into Consideration Like An Air Fryer’s High Price

Air fryers range in price anywhere from $60 to $300, which can feel like a lot if you’re not super into fried food . But you don’t need to spend a lot for one that works well. Larsen uses a NuWave Air Fryer, which she says works great and will only put you back about $100compared to full-size convection ovens, which can cost up to thousands of dollars, that’s a steal.

Is Air Frying Healthy

In comparison to deep-fat frying, air frying is a healthier alternative â using convection cooking rather than oil means there’s less fat in the finished food, which in turn means fewer calories. However, air frying does have some negatives, so it should be considered as part of a balanced diet. Read more about the health credentials of air fryers in our guide â is air frying healthy?

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There Are So Many Different Types To Choose From

The top air fryers Ive tested come in a range of designs and sizes. My absolute favorite is the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone , because you can cook two elements of a meal simultaneously, in different drawers and even in different modes. Some air fryers are more like miniature ovens, such as the Tower Xpress Pro Combo Air Fryer review I conducted, that not only had multiple layers for cooking different elements of a meal at once, but also had an attachment to rotisserie a whole chicken. Truly, delicious.

Wanna know even more about the first machine? Take a look at our Ninja Foodi Dual Zone review.

Air Fryers Can Take Up A Lot Of Counter Space

Though some are small enough to fit in a cabinet, the air fryer I bought could not easily be stored away. Measuring 11.75 inches by 12 inches, my air fryer needed plenty of counter space, which surprised me. When I unboxed the new appliance, I needed to find 2 feet of counter space in my small Brooklyn apartment.

Eventually, I found a spot next to my microwave it has become what I call the appliance corner.

Read Also: Single Wall Oven With Air Fryer

It Is More Convenient To Use The Air Fryer

In most cases, the functions of the multifunctional electric oven and the air fryer seem to overlap, but even for a simple recipe like roasting sweet potatoes, it often takes a long time for the oven to finish it, while if the air fryer is used, the required time is relatively short. Therefore, when an air fryer is used, its overall convenience is indeed very prominent, and it has become a good choice.

Benefits Of Using An Air Fryer

Air-fried foods may be healthier than deep-fried foods in several ways.

Theyre lower in fat, calories, and even some potentially harmful compounds that are found in traditionally fried foods.

If youre looking to lose weight or lower your fat intake, switching to an air fryer may be a good choice instead of deep-frying.

Its also worth considering that since an air fryer uses less oil than a deep fryer, it may be easier to spring for higher quality but more expensive oils, such as avocado oil .

However, keep in mind that just because it may be a better option than deep-frying doesnt mean that its the best option when it comes to your overall health.

Also Check: Walmart Ninja Air Fryer Max Xl

Instant Vortex Plus Clearcook

Air fryers from Instant, the same brand that makes Instant Pot multicookers, have been on our list of best air fryers since we started testing them. The ones we tested, including this one, are easy to program and high-performing. This one particularly stands out for its see-through window design, which allows you to peer inside without pulling out the basket. It also has a light that can be turned on manually and that turns on automatically right before the timer goes off.

Type of air fryer: Basket-styleDimensions: 12.8″ x 11.8″ x 14.9″Capacity: 6 quartsFunctions: Air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat and dehydrate

Why You Should Invest In An Air

Air-fryers are quick and easy to use, with dishes from sweet potato fries to whole chicken being perfectly cooked in record time. Sweet potato fries come out soft and fluffy inside, and crunchy on the outside, while whole chicken is juicy and tender, with golden, crisp skin. Theres no denying that air-fryers work, and well at that. Plus, theres no oily mess to clean up, and none of the risks associated with cooking with hot oil.

MUST-TRY RECIPE: Air-fried small batch banana bread

If we compare air-frying to deep-fat frying, air-fryer is certainly a healthier option. It uses little to no oil , so produces food with considerably fewer calories. An air-fryer can therefore be a great choice if you are trying to live a healthier lifestyle but struggling to cut out those deep-fried favourites. In addition, it is thought that air-frying may preserve more nutrients in foods, as well as reduce carcinogenic acrylamide, which is created when starchy foods are cooked at high temperatures. They are also particularly useful when it comes to reheating food. Its a much quicker and cheaper option than turning on the oven and, unlike a microwave, which can make things soggy, an air-fryer keeps things crisp.

READ: Your ultimate guide to air frying vegetables

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Air Frying Toaster Oven: Bake Broil Roast And Toast

These models look and function much like a standard countertop toaster oven but they have an air fry function as well. An advanced version is almost like adding a second main oven to your kitchen since they can broil, roast, bake, toast and much more. Some even come with a rotisserie function. For someone who hosts Thanksgiving or big family gatherings, the extra oven space these provide may feel like a godsend. Plus, they air fry although due to their larger size, these models usually don’t cook as quickly or quite as intensely as smaller solo air fryer ovens.

Breville makes an excellent model as do KitchenAid and Cuisinart. My favorite in a test of these types air frying toaster ovens was Ninja’s Foodi, which blasted chicken wings and french fries to crispy golden perfection — I suspect that was large in part due to the smaller cooking cavity which helps the air fry function work properly. It also made wonderful broiled salmon and perfect toast.

These air fryers start at around $150 and go up from there.

If you’re shopping for a countertop toaster, why not get one that air fries too?

Read more: Best countertop oven and air fryer in 2022

There’s A War Going On In The Air Fryer Community

The classic air fryer shape

Most people think an air fryer looks like the above. Strictly speaking, that is exactly what most of them do look like. However, there are a load of ‘air fryers’ that are actually multi-cookers which include an air frying function. Rob Clymo loves his Tefal Actifry Genius XL 2in1. I won’t be parted from the multi-function monster that is the 15-in-1 Ninja Foodi SmartLid OL750UK. I think it’s great that in one device I can do air frying and Instant Pot-style pressure cooking, not to mention slow cooking, steam roasting and 11 other things that I admittedly don’t really need to do.

However, on the other side of the divide, air fryer fundamentalist Carrie Marshall regrets buying a multi-function device to replace her old air fryer, and swears the results from the specialised fryers are more crispy. I haven’t asked Millie Fender what she thinks, but most of her 47-or-so air fryers seem to be the compact, air fry-only type.

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