Ok, we have such a variety of cooking methods these days and sometime it might appear to be an overload.
We have pressure cookers or instant pots as they call them these days, for speedy meals.
We have slow cookers for 4-8 hour cooking while we shop or go to the movies.
We have deep fryers for that oh so good “fatty” flavor for french fries or onion rings.
And the list goes on and a couple years ago, I added an air fryer to my collection of “gadgets”.
And after a bit of experimenting, I have found recipes that are perfect.
The bacon above took 5 minutes of a set it and forget it while I prepared the eggs and toast.
You can work out a time for however you prefer your bacon cooked. I like mine crisp.
Clean up from bacon is a breeze. Some people put their bacon in the oven, but there are still splatters whereas in the fryer it is self contained.
It is true that the air fryer works with processed foods, such as frozen onion rings, fries, chicken nuggets, etc.
BUT, I didn’t want my air fryer for those foods.
I wanted it for “fried” chicken, chicken wings, hamburgers, chicken breasts, fresh seafood, bacon, sausage, “roasted” potatoes/vegetables, cakes, desserts…well pretty much anything one would fry or bake.
I make my own fries from Idaho potatoes, although I have popped a frozen french fry or two in the fryer when I am in a hurry. 🙁
And yes, I have put a steak in the air fryer along with veggies such as steak fries….and it is true the steak does not have that outdoor grilled flavor, it is still delicious especially when onions, herbs and mushrooms are added.
I am here to tell you that I am loving the air fryer.
First, I do not receive any endorsement monies, in fact you can choose your own brand of choice because they all basically work the same.
Some have a few more bells and whistles but the basics of air frying are what I am after….and my air fryer is so simple to use, it has pictures on the front.
A no-brainer.
I have found that most foods I put in the air fryer don’t need that squirt of olive oil, which usually amounts to a quarter teaspoon to a teaspoon of oil.
Many foods I put in the air fryer cook just fine without added oil which makes for even healthier cooking. Below is a chart for suggested cooking times.
I love hamburgers and fries made this way and I have ground up chicken, mixed in a few spices, shaped the chicken into patties and made chicken sandwiches.
Fresh salmon filets are so moist and delicious.
For the Captain and I …tossing in asparagus or broccoli or quartered potatoes that I have seasoned, along with the salmon or chicken gives me a complete meal in just a matter of minutes AND the clean up is so much easier as everything is contained in one “pan” and can be put in the dishwasher.
So tell me, dear readers. Do you have an air fryer and do you use it to make healthier meals?
I would love your comments.
Have a blessed day.
Rita C. says
Thank you for this review! I have hesitated, simply for not wanting to add another gadget, but this really is the best endorsement. How big is yours and what would you recommend?
Kari says
Hi Rita, Mine is the large one because I can always cook less if need be. Cook’s Essentials 5.3qt Digital Air Fryer w/ 10 Presets & Pan is what I have. It does take up space which is why mine sits in a cabinet OR in my butler pantry area, But I am one of those who likes no clutter on my counter tops. My toaster and mixer are always put away too. In fact the mixer has it’s own space and a lift out and up shelf that the Captain installed for me. Love it! No lifting a heavy appliance for me. But I digress, I have baked cake and cookies in my air fryer and it does not heat up my kitchen. It does take a little experimenting as to times, crispness or darkness of food. Example: I love crispy fries and I just add a few more minutes to the cooking time to crisp them up. A turkey breast or whole chicken could be a learning curve to keep it nice and juicy yet crispy on the outside but I never have a problem with that now that I have figured out how many minutes to add, etc. Mine has presets OR manual settings. Here are other brands that you can check out:
Philips Airfryer XXL.
Cuisinart Airfryer Toaster Oven.
Krups Fry Delight.
Breville the Smart Oven Air.
GoWise 8-in-1 Air Fryer XL 5.9 Qt.
Power Air Fryer XL.
Black and Decker 2L Purifry Air Fryer.
NuWave Brio Digital Air Fryer 6 Quart.
I believe the Philips was the original one to introduce air frying, but I like my Cooks Essentials.
Just remember to season your food just as you would if baking or frying.
I hope this helps.
the Painted Apron says
Wow, you really do get great use out of it Kari! We got one for Christmas a few years ago, and tried a variety of things without much success, nothing seemed to have any flavor. We ended up taking it back. I know it’s a very healthy way to cook, and it’s great that you are loving it…maybe the newer models are better. One down side I thought was the size, ours was huge and I hated how it looked on the counter. Now if I had cooked crispy bacon in 5 minutes, I might have changed my mind 🙂
Jenna
Kari says
Jenna, Bacon does make a believer out of you just to eliminate the mess alone. LOL I did experiment with foods before I found the best times, etc. I also think seasoning is important because you season food when deep frying etc. For instance I don’t use salt but the Captain loves salt so as soon as the fries come out of the air fryer, I remove mine and let him salt away. LOL
It is a large appliance but I put mine in a cabinet or in my butler’s pantry area (I like that area because I can set it and forget it while I prepare the rest of dinner) Mine would fit under a cabinet but I don’t like appliances sitting on my counter tops. 🙁
the Painted Apron says
That’s my problem, I need a butler’s pantry 😂