I have never been one to jump on kitchen gadget trends without careful thought. Storage and counter space are always valuable real estate and any new small appliance (or really, anything that takes up space) better be well worth it. For months I had heard amazing air fryer stories with the promise of easy and healthy food prep, and easy garbanzo beans (a staple in our house). Finally after finding a super cute color fryer that perfectly matched my kitchen accent colors, I caved. I started with a small air fryer (DASH Compact 2qt), upgraded to a larger (Ninja AF101 4 qt) size shortly after and have never for a second regretted the purchases.
If you are wondering if you should get an air fryer, and if it’s worth it, the answer is, absolutely, yes. If you are wondering if it really allows you to make food healthier, it definitely depends. In terms of improving your diet, it is not foolproof and it obviously does not automatically make a food healthy that wasn’t such to start out with. There are two things an air fryer really is good for.
1.) A substitute for deep frying or roasting that allows you to cook with less added fat and still achieve a similar level of crispy goodness. In general, I have found that when cooking veggies or potatoes, I am able to achieve the same crispyness as roasting, but with about 1/3 the fat. You will need some fat to get the crispness, but if you always start with less than you think you need, you can always add more.
2.) A substitute for microwaving a prepared/frozen food when the oven would be the preferred method, but you are short on time or it’s too hot to run the oven. As for reheating foods, its a total no-brainer. There is no preheating time, it’s super fast, and clean up is a breeze.
As for a couple of safety items – always unplug the air fryer after use. There are reports of fires caused by power surges where air fryers are left plugged in. Secondly, do not touch or move any parts of the fryer (other than the handle) for a good ten minutes after use. They can get hot in strange places. Learned this the hard way.
All of my favorites listed here are cooked on air fry mode at 390. Times will vary depending on how much you try to cram in the air fryer and when you are making something for the first time, its always a good idea to check on it frequently.
#1 Sausage
All types of precooked sausage links cook very well in the air fryer. I love to use it for breakfast sausages in the morning (we love Applegate links or patties) and cut up chicken sausage for lunch or dinner. It only takes 5-10 minutes to get it perfectly crispy and there’s no need to add oil.
#2 Garbanzo Beans
My kiddos consume ridiculous amounts of garbanzo beans. They are a nutritious source of protein and fiber, so I am not one to complain. I used to roast them in the oven but tired of the mess and the heat. Now days, I toss a can or two in 1-2 tbps. olive oil, add seasoning (a combo of salt, cumin, chili powder, cayenne, paprika and sumac) and pop them in the AF for about 8 minutes.
#3 Gnocchi
I love baked gnocchi as a healthier alternative to french fries. It’s such a fun and easy carby side either on its own, dipped in whatever you fancy or tossed with traditional Italian sauces. The air fryer allows me to use a third of the oil I use when baking and still get the gnocchi nice and crispy. You can find a (roughly) one pound package in the dry pasta section of most grocers. Toss with 1 tbsp. olive oil before placing them in the air fryer for 5-10 minutes. Give them a shake occasionally and cook until desired crispness is achieved.
#4 Asparagus
Drizzle or spray asparagus with just a little bit of olive oil (we love citrus olive oil spray too). You don’t want to overcook these, so keep a close eye on them as they may be done in as little as three minutes. Finish with your favorite sauce or a little bit of balsamic glaze, salt and orange zest.
#5 Brussels Sprouts
The ultimate health food just got healthier. Halved or shaved brussels tossed with just a little oil and salt come out perfectly crispy after about 10 minutes. We love to add in variations of nuts, bacon, shallots, dried cranberries, dates, squash and persimmons and then finish with balsamic glaze or a little bit of maple syrup. You may want to line the fryer with foil for these, especially if you go with the shaved sprouts.
#6 Leftover Pizza
After just recently learning that stove top cooking is the #1 method for reheating pizza, I discovered this close second. It can be a little tricky to fit a larger piece in, but with a little confidence and a bit of maneuvering, your piece of pizza will be well on its way to reheated perfection. Since pizza reheating is a matter of (potentially serious) personal preference, check it often, until you know how long it takes for your ideal reheat. This method is also great if your takeout or delivery pizza arrives a little cold or you just want to crisp it up a bit.
#7 Bread
The air fryer is an excellent way to lightly toast baguette or any bread that is too thick for the toaster. It’s really just a replacement for the oven when it comes to heating up a small amount of bread. As long as you keep a close eye on it, it gives you more control than other methods and allows you to toast just one side (top) of the bread.
#8 Potatoes
Any way you slice them, potatoes really are made for the air fryer (or is is the air fryer made for potatoes?). Dice them, slice them or cut in wedges and toss with oil, salt and seasoning. Potatoes tend to take a bit longer – think 15+ minutes, especially if you want them extra crispy.
#9 Tofu
Another favorite of my kiddos. We started out tossing cut up tofu in oil before cooking, and realized we don’t have to – it gets perfectly crispy without the added fat. For best results, select firm or extra firm tofu, drain it and cut to your desired size. Cook for 8+ minutes, tossing occasionally and sprinkle with salt before serving.
#10 Nuggets
Who doesn’t love nuggets?? Whether you go for chicken or a plant-based alternative, they are alwaya a hit for all ages. While any frozen strips or nuggets do great in the air fryer, dino nuggets are extra fun and extra fast. Start with five minutes to get them warm and then add time as needed.