22 Apr Is it Worth Getting An Air Fryer?

Air fryers are definitely having a moment. Even though this kitchen appliance has been around for a number of years, their popularity has recently increased pretty meaningfully. I have been using my air fryer for a few years now and to be honest, I wasn’t sure about getting one in the first place, since I don’t fry foods that often. I wasn’t sure if I would use it. Fast forward, I am using my air fryer a few times a week and love its ease and versatility, it is an appliance that I really enjoy using. I have the T-Fal ActiFry Family size. The air fryer is super easy to use, virtually hands-free plus it is really easy to clean. Cooking pre-frozen foods like fries and onion rings in the air fryer is amazing – the texture and taste are virtually identical to frying. With foods made from scratch, I need to play around a bit to get the same texture as frying. Depending on what I am making, I might use a pastry brush to baste oil on the food items, which helps develop a nice golden brown colour. I also shake the paddle or flip the food halfway through the cook to help ensure everything is evenly cooked. I think an air fryer is a great investment if you are an avid home cook who would like to make healthier meals.

If you are thinking about investing in an air fryer, keep reading on how an air fryer can help you make delicious, quick, and healthy meals.

1)  A Healthy Way to Cook.  Using an air fryer is a healthier option vs. a deep fryer because an air fryer uses a lot less oil to cook. An air fryer works by circulating hot air in a cooking chamber. The air gets swirled very quickly in a circular fashion — so it does an excellent job of reaching all food surfaces and creating a crisp coating. You don’t need to use much oil at all; 1 tbsp. or even less is all you need.  You can use your air fryer to cook or fry almost anything! I love using it to roast veggies, making fries, onion rings, chicken, tofu, samosas, pita chips, and falafels. You can also make desserts in your air fryer — I haven’t done much experimenting with baked goods yet. Using an air fryer cuts calories by 70% and uses a fraction of the oil compared to deep frying —a great win for anyone trying to lose weight or manage a health condition such as type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol.

2) Saves Time and Energy. Another great feature of the air fryer is that it takes less time to cook and uses less energy than a conventional oven. As air fryers have smaller chambers and higher speed air circulation than an oven, it takes about 20% less time to cook. Less time equals less energy.  If something usually takes 20 min to cook in the oven, you can use an air fryer and cook it for 16 min.

3) Not all Air Fryers are Equal. There are mainly two types of air-fryers. One type has a basket or a paddle that your food is placed in. The other type is a countertop oven and may include more functions such as baking and broiling.  The basket and paddle air fryers require you to check-in and give your food a shake to get everything cooking evenly. Do your research and read reviews on different models to determine which air fryer might be best for you. If you own an Instant Pot, getting the air fryer lid may be a great option.

4) Space and Time. Air fryers are bulky and take up counter space. I store mine in my basement even though I use mine a few times a week. Also, you may need to cook in batches. You don’t want to overcrowd your air fryer and many air fryers are built on the smaller size to maximize the space the hot air has to circulate. Depending on what you are making, you may want to use your oven or be prepared to cook in batches.

I would love to learn what you think of the air fryer and if its an appliance that you currently use!