Are Air Fryers Healthy?

Air fryers are generally considered a healthier option than traditional deep fryers. They cook food by circulating hot air, requiring minimal or no added oil, resulting in lower fat and calorie content. Compared to deep frying, air fryers also help retain more nutrients in the food. Although air-fried foods may not taste exactly like deep-fried ones, they still offer a crispy exterior and a tender interior without the excess oil.

Benefits Of Air-Frying:

• Uses less oil (leading to lower calorie meals)
• Preserves more nutrients 
• Minimises the presence of acrylamide (the primary compound found in deep-fried foods)
• Uses less energy than other cooking methods

How To Use An Air Fryer?

Using an air fryer is simple. Preheat it, coat your food lightly with oil, place it in the basket, and set the time and temperature. Remember to shake or flip the food halfway through for even cooking. Keep an eye on it, and once done, enjoy your crispy and healthy air-fried meal.

Air Fryer Chips

These chips can be made with the skin still on and they don’t even require par-boiling!

• 700g floury potatoes (e.g Maris Piper) 
• 1 tbsp cornflour 
• 2 tbsp oil 
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika 

Start by washing your potatoes and cutting them into chips, around 1cm thick. Add them to a bowl and toss with the cornflour until well coated. Add in the oil and spices and toss again. Place into the air fryer and cook for 20 minutes at 190C, shaking every 5 minutes. Serve with a pinch of salt and pepper and enjoy.

(Recipe via Kitchen Sanctuary)

Air Fryer Vegetables

Cooking vegetables in an air fryer is incredibly easy. Just coat them with a bit of oil, place in the basket, set the time and temperature, and enjoy perfectly crispy and nutritious results in no time. Here are some of our favourite air fryer vegetable recipes.

• Air Fryer Honey Roasted Carrots (Recipe via Caramel & Spice)
• Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts (Recipe via BBC Good Food)
• Air Fryer Broccoli (Recipe via Love & Lemons)
• Air Fryer Mixed Vegetables (Recipe via Feel Good Foodie) 
• Leftover Roast Veg Melt Wrap Parcels (Recipe via Oddbox)

Air Fryer Tofu

• 1 block of tofu (pressed and cubed) 
• 1 tsp garlic powder 
• 1/2 tsp onion powder 
• 1 tsp paprika 
• 2 tsp cornflour 
• 1/2 tbsp soy sauce 
• 1/2 tsp oil

Add your tofu and soy sauce into a bowl and mix to coat. Then add in the remaining ingredients and mix well. Place your tofu cubes into the air fryer, ensuring that they’re not overlapping. Cook for 10 minutes at 200C, shaking after 5 minutes to ensure an even cook. Serve with your favourite sauce. 

(Recipe via Jessica In The Kitchen)

Top Tip: You can always marinade your tofu before cooking. See some delicious marinade recipes here. 

One Pot Air Fryer Meals

Cooking a one-pot meal in an air fryer is the ultimate way to achieve quick and tasty dishes, all while minimising cleanup. Simply combine your ingredients in a single pot, let the air fryer do its thing, and enjoy a delicious meal without the fuss of washing multiple dishes!

• Air Fryer Veggie Fajitas (Recipe via Happy Veggie Kitchen) 
• Air Fryer Pasta Bake (Recipe via My Food Story)
• Air Fried Cauliflower Wings (Recipe via BBC Good Food)
• Air Fryer Egg Fried Rice (Recipe via Bite On The Side)