AIR FRYING: WHAT IS IT, AND IS IT HEALTHY?
Air frying uses the rapid circulation of hot air, much like a convection oven, to crisp up your favorite foods. An air fryer’s perforated trays or baskets help ensure that all surfaces are exposed to direct heat and flowing air. You can air fry using a countertop air fryer and now, some full-sized ovens even have air frying capabilities.
Air frying is a popular cooking method because it delivers crispy, crunchy results with minimal effort and may also be a healthier substitute for deep frying. Instead of immersing foods in oil, air-fried recipes use very little or no oil, so you get the texture you love without some of the deep frying drawbacks.
Read on to learn more about air frying.
WHAT IS AIR FRYING?
Air frying is a cooking method that gives you results similar to deep frying without using much oil. Air frying is great for quickly making your fried favorites at home and for reheating and crisping up leftovers. Like a convection oven, an air fryer circulates hot air around food in a perforated basket or tray. By exposing all surface areas of the food to the hot air, it crisps up without requiring you to submerge your food in hot oil.
HOW DOES AN AIR FRYER WORK?
When you use an air fryer, air is warmed up by a heating element and circulated rapidly through and around the food by a fan located most often in the top section of the cooking chamber. The hot air crisps and browns your food using little to no oil, which can make it a healthier alternative to cooking your favorite fried foods. You can air fry using a dedicated appliance or an oven or microwave with convection cooking. Learn more about air fryers vs. convection ovens.
HOW DOES AN AIR FRYER COOK WITHOUT OIL?
In contrast to a conventional deep fryer where food is completely immersed in oil, the air fryer consists of a removable basket where food is cooked by the hot airflow surrounding it. As hot air blows around the food, it helps remove excess moisture from the surface. The use of a perforated basket helps expose all sides of your food to the air so you get crispy results all around.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AIR FRYING?
Air frying has a few noteworthy advantages over traditional deep frying: the significant reduction in oil, less setup and quicker cleanup. Using less oil offers a healthier alternative to meals that otherwise might have more fat and calories.There’s also no need to fill a deep fryer with oil, or dispose of it afterwards.
When you have a countertop air fryer or an oven with air frying capabilities, there are other benefits you can expect, as well.
1) IS AIR FRYING HEALTHY?
Air frying can be a healthier alternative to deep-frying since it uses less oil, generally only one to two tablespoons, or even just a light spritz.
2) REHEATING LEFTOVERS
Using your air fryer to reheat leftovers is a quick way to restore a crispy texture to most foods, making it a multipurpose appliance. Try reheating foods like pizza, french fries and chicken tenders.
3) COOKS QUICKLY
Air frying is a relatively quick cooking method compared to most traditional ovens that can help you have dinner on the table in no time.
4) VERSATILITY
You can air fry many different foods, from things you’d traditionally deep fry, like french fries and chicken wings, to other options, like steak and vegetables.
WHAT CAN YOU COOK IN AN AIR FRYER?
With a convection oven that has air fry capabilities, you can make more than fried foods, allowing you to create various dishes. Beyond the usual categories such as meat and potatoes, you can also air fry vegetables, certain baked goods and cheese-topped casseroles for a browned and crispy quick meal.
Avoid air frying foods with a more liquid consistency or wet batters such as beer battered cod or cakes. Learn more about when to use air fry vs. bake settings on your oven.
10 BEST FOODS TO AIR FRY:
There are many air fry recipes out there, so to help you get started here is an idea of what you can air fry.
Fish filets
Chicken tenders
Brussels sprouts
- French fries
- Mozzarella sticks
Pot stickers
Cauliflower bites
Zuchinni chips
Egg rolls
Potato wedges
SHOP MAYTAG® CONVECTION OVENS THAT AIR FRY
Maytag® ranges with Air Fry deliver crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside taste so you can enjoy deliciously crisp results with ease. Enjoy the benefits of an air fryer with the capacity of a full-sized oven.
