50 Healthy Air Fryer Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest thing to cook in an air fryer? ›

Air-Fryer Chicken Cutlets are an easy, healthier alternative to my grandma's signature dinner. No oily mess, but you still get juicy chicken breasts with a crispy crunch! Meal prep these gluten-free chicken cutlets for pasta, sandwiches, atop salads, and so much more!

People getting rid of air fryers in favour of kitchen appliance that's cheaper to run. Households are shelving their air fryers in favour of another kitchen appliance that is cheaper to run, and just as healthy.

Air frying uses less oil

This means that your food has fewer calories. Still, food isn't necessarily healthier just because it contains less oil. Extra virgin olive oil, for example, is rich in polyphenols and has known heart health benefits. Overall, air frying is healthier than deep-frying.

Make homemade sweetcorn and spring onion fritters in the air fryer for easy, energy-efficient cooking. These would be perfect as a veggie lunch, starter or side.

Because cooking in the oven and air frying utilize similar heating techniques (i.e., hot air), food will generally end up with the same nutrient profile regardless of the appliance you choose. However, any time a food is cooked, its composition changes, and inflammatory compounds can form.

When cleaning the inside of an air fryer, it's best to avoid the use of soap, since residual soap could taint food the next time you cook. And saturating it with too much water could potentially damage the functionality of the coils.

Uncooked Grains

Air fryers are designed to cook dry foods, and rice and other grains need to be cooked in water. Even with an insert that can hold water, the air fryer likely won't get hot enough for the water to boil and cook the grains, resulting in a mushy mess.

It is safe to cook raw meat in the air fryer if it is fully defrosted, seasoned, and monitored. Some fully cooked foods, including chicken tenders or fries, can be placed frozen in the air fryer. However, with raw meat, it's recommended to thoroughly defrost to allow more even cooking and a tasty final product.

Some say it's too good to be true, that you can't effectively “fry” something with a few tablespoons of oil and hot circulating air. Some say yeah, it works but it takes up too much countertop space for what it's worth.

What are people replacing air fryers with? ›

Instead of having multiple appliances crowding my countertop, the countertop oven does the work of many. It toasts bread and bagels, sure, but it also has the capability to do convection baking, air frying, dehydrating and dough proofing.

A convection oven has the same advantages over an air fryer as a regular oven—size. If you're making multiple dishes or batches of food, a convection oven can help prepare it all at once.

Which is better: an air fryer or a microwave? An air fryer is ideal for cooking healthier, crispy dishes, while a microwave is best for quick reheating and defrosting. Choose the appliance that aligns with your specific cooking needs and preferences.

Acrylamide can be reduced by not cooking food at a too high temperature for too long. Consumers should aim for a golden yellow colour or lighter when frying (including air frying), baking, toasting or roasting food.

Some of the popular things to make in the air fryer are potatoes (chips, roasted, baked), muffins, scones, and cakes. It's also great for getting dinner on the table fast – we love to use our air fryer to make fritters, rissoles, nuggets, and pork belly (yes, you can cook raw meat in an air fryer).

Healthier indulgences – If you crave the flavors of deep-fried goodness without the excessive oil, the air fryer is your culinary savior. Because they require significantly less oil, temperature-adjustable air fryers let you enjoy your favorite fried treats while cutting calories by about 70–80%.

TOASTER OVEN. An air fryer is usually limited to the convection-like air frying function, while a toaster oven or countertop oven can offer a wider range of functions such as broil, roast and bake. Some countertop ovens even feature an Air Fry setting, maximizing your appliance's functions.