An air fryer's main claim to fame is that it not only cooks healthier food, but it does so much more quickly. The "fryer" bit comes from the notion that with its swirl of intense heat in a small concentrated space, the device mimics the act of deep-frying in oil – but uses little to no oil to at all.
Benefits of an Air Fryer
An air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep frying because it uses little to no oil. This means that you can cook your favorite fried foods without all the unhealthy fat. Air fryers also cook food faster than a traditional oven, so you can have a delicious meal on the table in no time.
Because air fryers use hot air and a fan, usually just a spritz of cooking oil is needed. That makes air frying a lower-in-fat-and-calories alternative to deep-fat frying. Air fryers significantly reduce cooking time and tend to give off less heat, which makes them ideal for hot-weather cooking.
The downside
Air-frying also produces high temperatures at a very rapid rate, thus making it extremely easy to burn food. And charred food may be carcinogenic. In addition, Cucuzza adds, because most devices cook 1 to 3 pounds of food at a time, it can be challenging to air-fry meals for a large family.
Another called it “a total gamechanger when it comes to cooking”, while Gordon Ramsay claimed the results are like food “cooked in oil, but [the air fryer] locks in the juice and the flavour is extraordinary”.
Air fryers are popular because they are affordable, don't use as much oil as a traditional fryer, and heat food evenly and quickly. These appliances are much healthier than deep fryers and work more rapidly than a standard convection oven.
The pros are that air fryers are versatile, easy-to-use, and very quick allowing you to make healthier food efficiently in your own kitchen. Despite this, these rather large devices quickly take up space on your kitchen counter or in your cupboards and can be tricky to clean.
Air fryers 'fry' your food. Despite its name, an air fryer doesn't actually 'fry' your food at all – it bakes it. "The biggest misconception is that air fryers cook foods the same as deep frying," says Fiona. "They cook as an oven would, so foods are more oven baked than deep fried."
Reduced Taste Quality. Out of the top three reasons restaurants don't use air fryers, the taste is the leading cause. Air fryers have numerous benefits and can cook food efficiently. However, the taste can be subpar compared to other cooking methods available at the commercial level.
Air fryers have health benefits over deep frying, but because they cook food for longer periods of time, there is some concern about possible carcinogens in air-fried food. Studies have found that reheated oil in deep-fried food may increase the risk of cancer. Air frying doesn't require reheating oil.
Air fryers don't use a lot of electricity, with most requiring between 800 and 1800 watts (W) to run, though some large models need more. Air fryers also use less electricity than electric ovens, which typically use around 2,200 W to 5,000 W, and therefore cost more to run.
Air frying is essentially glorified convection baking — but faster. Air fryers are outfitted with internal heating elements and high-powered convection fans that work to surround your food in hot air and achieve a crispy, golden result that's similar to actual frying — without the oil.
Is It Safe to Use Aluminum Foil In the Air Fryer? An air fryer is simply a small oven that runs on convection heat. The heat is circulated around a tight space by a powerful fan that lies just below or behind the heating element. Just as in a standard oven, it is perfectly safe to use aluminum foil in the air fryer.
Air fryers cook quicker than convection ovens and don't require heating a large appliance, like your full-sized oven. Their perforated racks also allow fat to drip onto the drip pan so your food doesn't absorb excess oil, which minimizes calories and becomes crispier since it is more dry.
An air fryer cooks quicker than an oven. An air fryer is more energy efficient than an oven. An oven can cook more dishes at once than an air fryer. Ovens tend to have more capacity than air fryers (although larger air fryers are now on the market).
Since the splatter is contained inside the kitchen appliance, air frying doesn't make nearly as much of a mess in your kitchen as a deep fryer. Yet, food particles and burnt-on bits can easily build up in the nooks and crannies inside of the main unit and air fryer basket.
It depends! If speed is important and you want to enjoy crispy foods without having to deep fry, you'll probably want to buy an air fryer. If you're looking for a mini oven that can heat things up without warming your whole house, a toaster oven is a great investment.
Toasting bread in the air fryer is about as easy as it gets. Add the bread to the air fryer and cook at 390ºF until toasted to your liking. For me, this is around 4-5 minutes. Don't forget to flip halfway through for even toasting!
Roll the pizza dough on a clean lightly floured surface, and make a pizza base just large enough to fit your air fryer basket. Spread just enough marinara sauce on top of the base, leaving a border. Place the pizza in the air fryer, and cook at 375 C / 180 C for 8 minutes, or until the crust is golden.
Generally, when compared to deep frying, the air fryer is a healthier option because it has fewer calories and can result in less inflammation, potentially decreasing the risk for chronic disease down the line.