Your air fryer questions answered
What is the best air fryer?
Choosing the best air fryer for your needs, from the vast choice on the market, can be a difficult task. For us, the Daewoo accurate smart AI air fryer came out on top. This air fryer uses AI technology to scan the food in the basket and adjust the time and temperature accordingly, and it produced consistently good results, regardless of what we were cooking.
If you want to cook a whole meal using your air fryer, or if you’re cooking for a large family, the Cuisinart airtwin XXL dual-zone is a perfect fit. With a generous 10.4l capacity, it can cook plenty for everyone. Plus, with seven cooking functions, including roast, air fry, bake and dehydrate, there’s not much you can’t do with this air fryer.
How does an air fryer work?
Food doesn’t actually fry. Rather, it is placed in a basket (or drawer) in which the airflow is designed to replicate that of deep frying in hot fat. The force of the air produces a convection effect that cooks, crisps and browns food.
How to use an air fryer
When using your air fryer, there are certain steps we’d recommend you take for excellent results – after reading the instruction manual, of course. First, heat it as you would an oven. Second, it’s important to make sure there’s plenty of space around your food, so don’t overcrowd the basket. Third, when adding oil, less is more, as it has a tendency to make food soggy. Fourth, you’ll want to shake the basket frequently to make sure the food crisps evenly. Finally, use kitchen foil or baking paper to make the clean-up quicker and easier.
What can you cook in an air fryer?
When it comes to using an air fryer, you can cook just about anything you’d ordinarily prepare in an oven or deep fryer. The general rule is: if you can bake it, grill it or fry it, you can cook it in your air fryer. Some foods are known to excel, including pre-frozen foods (for example, chicken nuggets), vegetables that you roast or grill, potatoes (including chips) and meat (sausages, bacon and chicken). Some models also have a function that enables you to toast and bake food.
Are air fryers healthy?
One of the selling points of an air fryer is that food is cooked in substantially less oil, compared with a deep-fat fryer, making it a healthier alternative. We spoke to registered dietician Megan Hilbert MS, RDN, about the health benefits of cooking in an air fryer, and she said that it “reduces the amount of fat content by up to 70 to 80 per cent in foods, this can also drastically reduce the number of calories eaten, without sacrificing the crunch and texture that frying provides”.
Are air fryers cheap to run?
“Air fryers are significantly cheaper to run than conventional ovens,” Isabella Forgione, AO’s air fryer expert, explains. “Their compact size means they use less energy and cook food faster, which can help reduce your energy bills.
“As they heat up quickly and cook in shorter bursts, air fryers are ideal for small meals or quick snacks. However, choose the appliance that best suits your cooking habits. If you’re preparing large meals or cooking in batches, a traditional oven might still be the more efficient option overall.”
How to clean an air fryer
Air fryers are easy to clean. The basket, tray and pan can be washed in the same way you’d wash any other utensil, either with soap and warm water or by putting them in the dishwasher. With the latter, it’s worth checking your specific model’s specification, just to be safe. As for the exterior, wipe it down with a damp cloth, making sure your appliance is unplugged.
“To keep your air fryer running efficiently, regular cleaning is key,” Forgione says. She suggests mixing baking soda with water to form a paste, applying it to a damp cloth, and gently scrubbing any buildup. “Rinse thoroughly, and your air fryer will be sparkling clean.”
How to choose the right air fryer for you:
The best air fryer for you will depend on your needs and budget, but there are a number of things to consider:
- Capacity – if you have a small household, you’ll want a capacity of around 1.5l to 2l, while larger households would benefit from one that has a capacity of 2.5l and above.
- Wattage – the more watts an air fryer has, the easier and quicker it will reach higher temperatures.
- Self-stirring – some air fryers come with a paddle that moves the food around as it cooks, to make sure it does so evenly. This is beneficial because it saves you from having to stir or turn the food.
- Ease of cleaning – you need to wash your air fryer after every use, so you might want to consider investing in one that has dishwasher-safe parts.
Can you put foil in an air fryer?
Yes, you can put foil in an air fryer, as well as parchment paper. This will help to make sure your appliance stays clean.
For more recommendations, check out our guide to the best dual air fryers
