Air fryer: The new favorite for healthy and delicious cooking

 

What is an air fryer?

The air fryer is an innovative kitchen appliance that uses high-speed air circulation technology to cook food, achieving an effect similar to traditional deep-frying. Its working principle is to rapidly heat the air through the heating element at the top, and then use a high-power fan to circulate the hot air at high speed inside the pot, fully wrapping the food. When cooking, hot air can quickly dehydrate the surface of food, forming a crispy crust, while locking in the internal moisture, making the texture of the food similar to that of fried food. For instance, when roasting chicken wings, an air fryer can make the outer skin golden and crispy while the inner meat is tender and juicy.

Compared with traditional frying methods, the greatest advantage of air fryers lies in their healthiness. Traditional deep-frying requires a large amount of cooking oil, which significantly increases the fat and calorie content of food. In contrast, an air fryer only needs a small amount or no additional oil to complete the cooking process, greatly reducing fat intake and lowering health risks such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Take French fries for example. When fried in a traditional way, the fries absorb a large amount of oil. However, the fries made in an air fryer have a significantly lower oil content but still retain a crispy texture.

The development history of air fryers

The origin of air fryers can be traced back to Europe in the 1950s, when they were mainly used in the commercial catering field for quick and efficient cooking of food. With the continuous advancement of technology and the reduction of costs, air fryers began to enter ordinary households at the beginning of the 21st century. In 2007, Tefal of France launched the world's first household air fryer, opening a new chapter in home cooking. In 2010, Philips launched an improved version of the air fryer at the International Consumer Electronics Show and officially named it "Airfryer". This product quickly attracted attention in the global market.

In China, air fryers were initially niche products, with few people knowing about and using them. However, with people's increasingly strong pursuit of healthy diets and the promotion by e-commerce platforms and social media, air fryers have gradually come into the public eye. During the period of 2019-2020, the attention paid to air fryers in the domestic market began to increase significantly, making them a popular category among kitchen small appliances. Especially in 2022, the popularity of air fryers soared, with sales on major e-commerce platforms surging. Many brands launched products of various styles and functions to meet the diverse needs of consumers.

The advantages of air fryers

The reason why air fryers have become popular all over the world in a short period of time is mainly because they have many advantages and perfectly meet the demands of the current fast-paced life and healthy diet.

In terms of healthy cooking, the air fryer is undoubtedly a major innovation. Studies show that the amount of oil used in an air fryer when cooking food is only one fifth or even less than that used in traditional frying. Take fried chicken legs as an example. The traditional frying method requires the chicken legs to be completely immersed in a large amount of oil, while the air fryer only needs to brush a thin layer of oil on the surface of the chicken legs, or even no oil at all, to make the outer skin of the chicken legs golden and crispy, and the inside tender and juicy. This not only significantly reduces the fat and calories in food, but also lessens health problems such as obesity and hyperlipidemia caused by excessive fat intake. Meanwhile, the harmful substances such as acrylamide produced during the cooking process in air fryers are relatively less, further ensuring a healthy diet.

From the perspective of energy conservation and environmental protection, air fryers also perform exceptionally well. Due to its highly efficient hot air circulation system, the cooking time of an air fryer is significantly shorter than that of a traditional oven, and its energy consumption is only about one-third of that of a traditional oil fryer. In today's environment that advocates energy conservation and emission reduction, air fryers can not only help you save on electricity bills but also contribute to the cause of environmental protection. For instance, when toasting bread slices, preheating and baking in a traditional oven might take 15 to 20 minutes, while an air fryer can easily handle it in just 3 to 5 minutes.

Easy operation is also a major highlight of the air fryer. Most air fryers are equipped with a simple and clear operation interface, allowing even kitchen novices to quickly get started. Some high-end models also feature an intelligent preset function. With just one click, they can automatically set the optimal cooking temperature and time for different ingredients. Just like making French fries, you just need to put the sliced potato strips into the frying basket, select the "fries" mode, and then just wait for the delicious food to be ready. There's no need to stay by the pan all the time, which is very convenient.

A guide to choosing an air fryer

Capacity selection

The capacity of an air fryer is directly related to its applicable scenarios and user experience. For single people or couples, an air fryer with a capacity of 2-4L is quite suitable. This type of capacity is small and lightweight, which can meet the daily needs of baking small portions of food, such as baking a sandwich or frying a few fries. Moreover, it takes up little space and is easy to clean. Like the Little Bear QZG-E16A5 air fryer with a 3.5L capacity, it is very suitable for a young couple to use.

For families of three or four, it is recommended to choose an air fryer with a capacity of 4 to 6 liters. This capacity can be used to roast whole chickens, pizzas, etc., meeting the dining needs of the entire family. For instance, the Supor KD60D830 air fryer, with a large capacity of 6L, can easily handle daily cooking at home.

If there are many family members or you often hold family gatherings and entertain friends, an air fryer with a capacity of over 6 liters is the best choice. It can make a large amount of delicious food at one time and is also capable of baking a large amount of accumulated ingredients. For instance, the Oaks 10L air fryer features a large capacity design and can easily hold an entire chicken.

Functional features

The intelligent preset function is a major highlight of the air fryer. It sets the corresponding optimal cooking temperature and time for different ingredients, such as French fries, chicken wings, cakes, etc. Kitchen novices can easily make delicious dishes with just one click, without having to figure out complex cooking parameters by themselves. For instance, the Midea MF-KZE5502 air fryer is equipped with a variety of preset functions, making it convenient for users to operate.

The timing function is equally practical. It can precisely control the cooking time, preventing food from getting burnt due to excessive cooking time or not being fully cooked due to insufficient cooking time. When roasting chicken wings, set the time for 15 to 20 minutes. Then, users can rest assured to do other things. Once the time is up, the delicious food will be ready automatically.

The temperature adjustment function is also indispensable. A wide temperature adjustment range can meet more diverse cooking needs. The temperature adjustment range of a general air fryer is between 40 and 200℃. At low temperatures, it can be used for thawing and fermentation, while at high temperatures, it can be used for rapid baking and frying. For instance, the Midea KZE6019 air fryer has a wide temperature range of 40 to 200℃, which can meet the cooking temperature requirements of various ingredients.

Brand and Price

There are numerous brands of air fryers in the market, and different brands vary in terms of product quality, performance and price. Well-known brands such as Philips, Midea, Supor, and Joyoung, with years of technological accumulation and a good market reputation, offer more reliable product quality and after-sales service. Philips air fryers are renowned for their innovative technology and high quality, with prices typically ranging from 500 to 3,000 yuan. Midea air fryers are feature-rich and cost-effective, with a price range of 200 to 1,500 yuan. Supor air fryers focus on practicality and safety, with prices mostly ranging from 300 to 1,000 yuan. Joyoung air fryers are favored by consumers for their diverse functions and affordable prices, typically ranging from 200 to 800 yuan.

Emerging brands such as Bear and Yamamoto are also gradually coming to the fore. They often attract consumers with personalized designs, innovative functions and relatively high cost performance. The Little Bear air fryer has a cute appearance and complete functions. Its price ranges from 100 to 600 yuan. Yamamoto air fryers focus on the air fryer field. Their product performance is good, and the prices are mostly between 200 and 500 yuan. Consumers can choose the air fryer that suits them based on their budget and their trust in the brand.

Tips for using an air fryer

Pretreatment of food ingredients

Before using an air fryer, the pre-treatment of food ingredients is of vital importance. For vegetables, it is essential to thoroughly wash them to remove surface soil, impurities and residual pesticides to ensure food safety. For vegetables like lettuce and broccoli, it is recommended to rinse them under running water. Lettuce can be broken apart one by one for washing, while broccoli can be soaked in salt water for a while before rinsing.

When cooking meat, it is necessary to remove the excess fat and tendons. On the one hand, this can reduce the intake of fat; on the other hand, it can prevent the fat from melting and generating excessive fumes during cooking. For instance, when handling streaky pork, carefully remove the thicker fat layer on the surface with a knife. When cutting ingredients, ensure they are of uniform size. Generally, the size of block-shaped or strip-shaped ingredients should be controlled at 1 to 2 centimeters. This can ensure that the ingredients are heated evenly in the air fryer. When cutting potato strips, try to make them as uniform in thickness as possible, with each strip having a similar length and width to ensure a consistent texture after frying.

Some ingredients can be pickled to enhance their flavor. The pickling time is selected based on the ingredients and seasonings, usually ranging from 30 minutes to 1 hour. When marinating chicken wings, marinate them with light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, cooking wine, ginger slices, minced garlic and other seasonings for about 40 minutes. This allows the chicken wings to fully absorb the seasonings, and the roasted chicken wings will have a rich aroma.

Oil quantity control

When cooking with an air fryer, the principle of using less oil should be followed, which is also the core of its healthy cooking. Usually, just a small amount of oil, such as a few drops of olive oil, is needed to achieve a crispy effect similar to traditional deep-frying. When frying tofu, just gently brush a thin layer of olive oil on the surface of the tofu, and the outer skin of the tofu will turn golden and crispy.

It is crucial to choose high smoke point oil products, such as sunflower oil and peanut oil. These oils do not smoke easily at high temperatures, which can prevent the production of harmful substances and avoid affecting cooking results and health. Avoid using oils that smoke easily, such as flaxseed oil. It has a low smoke point and is prone to smoking in the high-temperature environment of an air fryer, which can damage the taste of food and the kitchen environment.

Control the amount of oil reasonably according to the types of ingredients and cooking time. For instance, for meats with a relatively high fat content, such as streaky pork and chicken wings, less oil or no oil at all can be used, as they will release their own fat during the cooking process. For some vegetables, such as sweet potatoes and pumpkins, a small amount of oil can be sprayed or brushed on appropriately to enhance the crispness. Too much oil can make food greasy, affecting its taste and health.

Cooking time and temperature

When cooking in an air fryer, choosing the appropriate temperature and time based on the ingredients is the key to making delicious food. Generally speaking, it is recommended that meat be kept at 160-180 ℃, as meat requires a higher temperature and a longer time to ensure thorough cooking and achieve the desired texture. Take roasted chicken legs as an example. Roasting them at 180℃ for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping them over in the middle, can make the outer skin golden and crispy while the inside is tender and juicy.

Vegetables are suitable for cooking at a temperature of 120 to 150 degrees Celsius, as they require a lower temperature and a shorter cooking time to remain tender and nutritious. For instance, roasting sweet potato chips at 150℃ for 10 to 15 minutes can keep them both sweet and crispy. The cooking time should be adjusted according to the size and thickness of the ingredients. Generally, small pieces of ingredients take 10 to 20 minutes, while thick or large pieces may take more than 30 minutes. For instance, when roasting a whole chicken, due to its large size, it might need to be roasted at 180℃ for 40 to 50 minutes.

During the cooking process, it is necessary to constantly observe the state of the food, adjust the temperature and time in a timely manner, and ensure that the food is thoroughly cooked and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. If you find that the surface color of the food is too dark but the inside is not fully cooked, you can appropriately lower the temperature and extend the cooking time. If the surface color of the food is relatively light, the temperature can be appropriately increased.

Common Faults and Solutions

When using an air fryer, you may encounter some common malfunctions. Mastering the corresponding solutions can ensure the normal operation of the equipment.

If the air fryer fails to start up, first check if the power plug is tightly inserted and if the socket is supplying power normally. Try connecting it to another socket. Check if the switch of the air fryer is turned on. Some air fryers also have a child lock function, so make sure it is unlocked. If it still fails to power on, it might be due to a damaged power cord or an internal circuit fault. In such cases, it is recommended to contact the manufacturer's after-sales service for repair.

If the food is not thoroughly cooked, it might be due to an excessive amount of food, which causes the air to not circulate evenly. You can reduce the amount of food to ensure there is enough space between the ingredients. Cooking time that is too short can also cause food to be undercooked. According to the characteristics of the ingredients and the instructions of the equipment, the cooking time should be appropriately extended. In addition, uneven food sizes and irregular placement will cause uneven heating. Food should be cut into uniform sizes and placed evenly.

If the temperature of the air fryer is abnormal, especially if it is too high, it might be a fault with the temperature controller. You need to contact a professional for maintenance or replacement of the temperature controller. If the temperature is too low, first check if the temperature setting is correct and increase it appropriately. Damage to the heating element can also cause abnormal temperatures. In such cases, the heating element needs to be replaced.

Cleaning and maintenance of air fryers

Keeping the air fryer clean not only extends its service life but also ensures that the food made each time is healthy and hygienic. After each use of the air fryer, be sure to clean it thoroughly. Frequently used air fryers may accumulate a lot of oil stains and residues. If not cleaned in time, it will cause the taste of food to be contaminated and even affect the performance of the fryer. Therefore, when cleaning an air fryer, you can wipe the detachable parts (such as the fryer basket, fryer can, etc.) clean with a mild detergent and sponge, then rinse them with clean water and let them dry.

The fryer basket is the part of the air fryer that is most prone to oil stains. Soak the frying basket in warm water and a small amount of detergent, and let it stand for a few minutes to soften the grease. Then gently scrub with a sponge, especially for those areas with stubborn oil stains, you can use a soft brush to gently scrub. Note that do not use metal brushes or other hard objects to avoid scratching the coating of the blast basket. If there is some stubborn dirt on the frying basket that is hard to remove, you can try mixing baking soda with water to form a paste, apply it to the dirt, let it stand for a while, and then clean it. Baking soda has an excellent cleaning effect and can help you easily remove stubborn oil stains. The base is the core part of an air fryer. Although it does not come into direct contact with food, it can still get dirty due to cooking fumes. Wipe the base with a damp cloth, and be careful not to let water flow into the electrical parts. You can mix a small amount of detergent with water and gently wipe the surface of the base to ensure there is no oil residue. If there are food residues on the base, you can gently scrub it with a soft brush to ensure thorough cleaning. After cleaning, dry it with a clean cloth to avoid water residue. The cleaning of the shell is relatively simple. Just wipe it with a damp cloth. A small amount of detergent can be used to gently wipe the surface of the shell to keep it smooth and clean. Be careful not to let water flow into the control panel and power sockets to avoid causing electrical malfunctions. After cleaning all the components, make sure they are completely dry before assembly. The frying basket and the base can be placed in a well-ventilated area to dry, or wiped dry with a clean cloth. Never put wet parts directly back into the air fryer, as this can easily breed bacteria and affect the hygiene for the next use.

The heating elements of the air fryer also need to be inspected and cleaned regularly. Due to long-term use, some oil stains and food debris may remain on the heating elements, which may lead to uneven heating or the production of unpleasant odors. To solve this problem, you can use a soft brush or cotton swab to gently clean the surface of the heating element to ensure it is clean and tidy. However, when cleaning the heating element, be sure to cut off the power and wait for it to cool down completely to avoid the risk of electric shock. The control panel of the air fryer also needs to be inspected and cleaned regularly. There may be some food residues or oil stains accumulated on the control panel. If not cleaned in time, it may cause the buttons to malfunction or fail to display normally. To prevent this from happening, you can gently wipe the control panel with a clean damp cloth and make sure it is completely dry after cleaning. When the air fryer is not in use for a long time, it is recommended to store it in a dry and well-ventilated place to avoid the invasion of moisture and dust. If it is not used for a long time, it can be placed in the original packaging box to reduce the accumulation of dust.

Recipe recommendations for air fryers

Air fryers can create a wide variety of delicious foods. Here are several classic dishes and their simple cooking steps recommended for you.

Fried chicken wings

Baked French fries

Roasted vegetables

Conclusion

As an innovative kitchen appliance, the air fryer has brought many conveniences to our lives with its features of health, convenience and efficiency. It not only changes the traditional cooking methods, allowing us to enjoy delicious food while reducing oil intake, but also better meets modern people's pursuit of healthy diets. From toasted bread and fried eggs for breakfast, to fried chicken legs and grilled vegetables for lunch, and then to roasted sweet potatoes and dried fruits for dinner and other snacks, the air fryer can handle them all with ease, satisfying the diverse taste preferences of a family. If you are still troubled by kitchen fumes or torn between delicious food and health, you might as well try getting an air fryer and start a healthy and delicious cooking journey. I believe it will bring you unexpected surprises.