Chicago Home and Lifestyles – 4 essential air fryer tips
Air fryers are the best!
They’ve become very popular since being introduced in 2010, and it’s easy to see why. They are much healthier as you don’t need much oil, they don’t heat up the kitchen or take up much counter space, and they reduce cooking time. Plus, they make the absolute best French fries!
There are many types and sizes of air fryers on the market, so be sure to read the instructions first for your machine. Here are some general tips to get the most out of your air fryer.
Don’t overcrowd the basket. It’s better to do two batches instead. This mistake blocks air flow, preventing the air fryer from cooking your food evenly. Foods should be spread in a single layer with a little space in-between.
Skip pre-heating. Many people think it’s necessary to preheat the air fryer to get a crispy crust on your food. But most cooking times figure in the preheat time so you may end up over cooking your food. So, unless your recipe specifically says to pre-heat you can skip this step. I’m always sure to check the food a couple of minutes early just in case.
Use a liner. You’ll thank me later. A thin lining like parchment paper won’t block the air flow and it will cook just fine. It really reduces the mess in the basket and makes cleanup so much easier. I bought 125 count air fryer liners from Amazon for around $12. This helps also to keep residue build-up from forming on the basket, especially from aerosol sprays. In addition, it’s best to oil your food before placing it in the fryer. Using a liner means that you really don’t need to clean the fryer every time you use it.
Cook dry foods. Even with using liners it’s best to stick with foods that have a somewhat dry exterior. Coated foods (like battered meat) end up losing their sticky coating in the tray. Don’t forget to turn your food about halfway through cooking time to ensure even texture and thorough cooking!
Air fryers are the greatest for leftover heating. No soggy half cold results like the microwave. They are also better than the microwave for cooking frozen meat, veggies and meals. Faster and cooler than the oven with crispier results than the microwave!
Do you have any other air fryer tips?
Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago
