Introduction
The air fryer is one of the appliances that can be a health ally in the kitchen, but also a good remedy against expensive bills. Using this fryer, which would be more correct to call an oven, being a small fan oven , you can prepare crispy lunches and dinners in just a few minutes and using a much lower amount of fat than traditional frying.
Air Fryer: What is it?
The air fryer is an appliance that allows you to cook without using oil, but only with hot air, obtaining a crispy and dry cooking that resembles frying. This device consists of a cooking chamber, i.e. the basket in which the food is placed , capable of enveloping the food in air at very high constant temperatures which will cook the dishes inside, making them crispy on the outside. The air, in short, simulates the action that is normally performed by the oil when frying a food by immersion: when frying in a fryer or in a traditional pot, the food is totally immersed in the oil, in this case, instead, it is surrounded by air at a temperature of 180°-200°.
Its operation is completely similar to that of a convection oven, with the advantageous difference that the high temperature and power are far superior: the dishes are prepared in less time and with less energy expenditure, as the capacity is reduced and the space where the concentrated heat is released.
A sustainable appliance
While the air fryer consumes 800 to 2,000 watts, it currently saves energy compared to the price of gas on your bill. Not only that, it also saves on the use of oils and fats, and most of the components can be washed in the dishwasher.
Oven or fryer?
Even if, for marketing reasons, it is marketed as an air fryer, because since its inception its mission is to obtain crispy chips and cutlets like those fried in the traditional way, the air fryer is a small fan oven which, thanks to the spaces of the basket and the greater concentration of hot air, guarantees a very similar result.
Healthy cooking
Considering that the habitual consumption of fried foods is not at all healthy in terms of nutrition due to the abundance of saturated fats and calories , the air fryer can be a useful remedy that helps to compensate for the use of fats, using only heat to fry Foods.
To cook a basket of chips or chicken wings , breaded slices or squid rings , for example, a maximum of one tablespoon of oil is used, the rest is taken care of by the hot air accumulated in the cooking chamber which circulates quickly. The oils to be used with the air fryer are those vegetable oils suitable for high temperatures, i.e. with a high smoke point , so that they do not release dangerous substances.
How to use it and what to cook
Thanks to the high temperatures, the oil reaches an ideal degree of heat for frying food, acting as a uniform heat carrier. In addition to keeping foods crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside in just a few minutes, cooking with this type of convection oven is useful for keeping the properties of the food intact .
What to cook in the air fryer? There are pros here too. If the traditional fryer is only used for frying a few foods (chips, cutlets, and breaded delicacies), with the air fryer you can make excellent fries such as chips, croquettes, cutlets , but also cook vegetables , shellfish , chicken, and fish , and even sweets and savory pies . The air fryer can also be used to heat food that has already been cooked, but unlike a conventional electric or microwave oven , it does not dry out the food.
Advantages of the air fryer
In summary, the advantages of using the air fryer are:
- Fried with less fat, lighter and more digestible
- Consume fried occasionally because they are healthier
- The oil does not risk becoming toxic
- More hygiene and no bad smells
- Quick and easy cleaning
- Safe cooking
- Savings in the amount of oil used
- Cooking in less time
- More food to prepare than a traditional fryer
Fryers on offer on Prime Day
COSORI Air Fryer XXL
Cosori Air Fryer allows you to cook in a healthier way, reducing FAT by 85% but maintaining the same CRISPY and tender taste of frying . It has 11 cooking programs
Electrolux E6AF1-4ST Air Fryer
The Electrolux air fryer offers a healthier way to enjoy your favorite fries; a stream of hot air circulates to heat the ingredients from all angles for a crunchy and natural taste. It has 8 cooking programs
Moulinex EZ4018 Easy Fry Deluxe Fryer
Enjoy healthy frying with 4 cooking options: Fry, Roast, Grill and Bake; choose the recipe you prefer!
How to choose your air fryer
There are many models of air fryers on the market with different characteristics and prices. When choosing the most suitable air fryer , it is good to take into account some factors, indicated on the product packaging, such as:
- Maximum temperature not lower than 200°
- Basket capacity (1 l for two people)
- Adjustable temperature
- Heating times (no more than 3 minutes)
- Timer
Prices range from 70 to 400 euros. There are more technological and performing models that exceed 200 euros .
Most of the air fryers on the market today are sold with a special instruction manual with all the information on use and maintenance, and are also equipped with a recipe book with hints and ideas for maximizing use and not turning on the traditional oven.
The best air fryers to buy online
We have selected a series of air fryers on the Amazon store . They are the most sold and appreciated by users. Here are the best, among these you will also find some on offer.
Philips Airfryer XL Essential
Among the best-selling fryers on Amazon is the Philips Airfryer fryer with touch display and 7 preset cooking programs: it fries, bakes, roasts, grills and even heats. It has a capacity of 6.2L.
Rapid Air technology with the unique “starfish” design creates optimal circulation of hot air to cook crispy and tender food. Download our NutriU app and let yourself be inspired by the many healthy recipes customized to your taste – Follow them easily step by step
It is easy to clean, easy to use and has an excellent quality/price ratio
ARDES Air fryer
The Ardes air fryer allows healthy cooking thanks to frying without oil and therefore fewer calories, without losing taste thanks to rapid, uniform and oil-free cooking.
As versatile as an oven, it cooks evenly and quickly thanks to Rapid Air technology which generates a flow of hot air. Use up to 80% less oil, less oil consumption for frying and less odors in the kitchen.
It is easy to use because it is equipped with a touch control panel with digital display, anti-scald handle and non-slip feet, it is comfortable to use thanks to the 7 pre-set programs. Safe and easy to clean with dishwasher safe containers.
It has a capacity of 5 liters and adjustable temperature from 80 to 200°C for grilling, frying and roasting your favorite dishes.
COSORI Smart Air Fryer
No bad reviews for the Cosori Air Fryer . With the Dual Blaze system there are two heating elements, upper and lower, and a double NTC (sensor) for more precise temperature control, making it easier and simpler to get food cooked evenly.
It’s a smart fryer because with VeSync APP you can remotely control the fryer and monitor the cooking progress, and cook easily. It has a large capacity (6.4L), suitable for 4-6 servings, cooking a variety of foods at one time, meeting the needs of families and friends. According to the reviews it is easy to clean, to use and the prepared food tastes good.
