Air fryers are known for juicy chicken wings and crispy fries, but this powerful super convection oven can make so much more than just party food. From flavorful vegetables to roasts that fall off the bone with ease, I’ve been raving about using air fryers to prepare a variety of dishes for a while now. Forget the microwave; no oven required. These countertop cookers can whip up some seriously delicious food in minutes. Now that I’ve discovered its superpowers, there are some dishes I’ll never go back to cooking the “normal” way.
The biggest reason I use my air fryer so often is for the reliable results. Air fryers use fan-powered convection cooking to give your food great sear marks. They also require less time to cook than most other cooking methods. But that’s not all. Air fryers are easy to clean because most have a nonstick basket that only requires a quick rinse with soapy water. There’s little to no need to scrub food that’s stuck to the bottom. The air fryer basket also contains splatters that can stain your counters and stovetop.
While there are still some dishes I cook in a big oven or on the stove, that list is getting shorter every year. From now on, I’ll show you 7 dishes I cook exclusively in my air fryer.
salmon
In just 8 minutes, your air fryer will produce perfectly cooked medium rare salmon.
Roasted salmon is a simple, healthy dish that’s a staple for weeknight dinners. It’s not difficult to make in the oven, but if you’re only making it for one or two people, the time it takes to preheat can be a pain. Pan-seared salmon is tasty and quick, but cooking salmon on the stovetop rarely results in an oily, fishy mess. Plus, Cleaning pot after that.
I cooked roasted salmon in the air fryer and it came out perfectly in about 10 minutes, including preheat time. The enclosed cooking chamber also helps prevent fishy smells from permeating your apartment.
Okay, sometimes I Grilled Salmon That’s true in the warmer months, but gone are the days of wiping fish grease off the backsplash behind the kitchen stove.
Here’s how to make it Perfect Air Fryer Salmon.
Roast Chicken
Air fryer roasted chicken is amazing.
This was the biggest surprise, since I make roast chicken most Sundays and was happy with the oven method. I quickly discovered that the air fryer can do it even better, by crisping the skin quickly without overcooking the meat. It takes about 45 minutes to make roast chicken in the air fryer, about 15% less time than in the oven, and it’s virtually foolproof.
Here’s a simple way to make it Roast chicken in an air fryer.
cheeseburger
With an air fryer, you can cook your burgers to a perfect medium or medium rare.
Air fryer cheeseburgers are a staple in our house, except in the summer. grill Burgers are in season now, but in the colder months, I like to cook this American classic in my air fryer. It’s cleaner than pan-frying, and it’s not cooked in the burger’s own oils, making for a lighter, healthier meal (if that’s your thing). I also like to serve it with a bun and a few slices of burger. bacon Pair it with a burger and you have a complete meal with very little cleanup afterwards.
Method is as follows Make a cheeseburger from top to bottom in an air fryer.
Chicken cutlet
Using an air fryer can help you create picture-perfect chicken cutlets.
Before I had an air fryer, I would pan-fry breaded chicken cutlets for my Chicken Parmesan and other recipes, but the air fryer allows me to do the same job with less mess and less greasy fried chicken.
Look at this: Best Air Fryers: Cheap vs. Expensive
We recommend using boneless chicken thighs, which have enough fat to withstand convection heat without drying out. Dip the chicken in the beaten egg mixture, then coat in breadcrumbs mixed with salt, pepper, and other spices. Cook at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes.
Lightly spraying the cutlets with a little oil before cooking will give them an extra crispy crust, but it’s not essential — I’ve tried the same method with chicken breasts, and it worked well, but you run the risk of the meat drying out.
Cauliflower steak
Air fryer cauliflower steaks have become a staple side dish in my kitchen.
One of my favorite things to cook in the air fryer is cauliflower. Sliced cauliflower is the perfect hearty side dish or main course if you’re using plant-based ingredients. Simply toss thick slices of cauliflower with olive oil and salt and pepper, or your favorite seasonings, and fry in the air fryer on high heat for 10 to 12 minutes. The air fryer creates a beautiful caramelized crust on the outside of the cauliflower and cooks this rich vegetable quickly without making the inside of the cauliflower mushy.
french fries
Frozen French fries made in an air fryer come out golden brown and delicious.
Admittedly, I didn’t make french fries that often before I got my air fryer, but since I got my air fryer, that’s all I use. Frozen french fries tend to dry out when cooked in a large oven, which takes longer to cook.
Air fryers’ compact cooking chamber and fast-moving air allow them to quickly create a skin on the outside of fries in just a few minutes without drying out the potatoes. Frozen fries can be cooked in an air fryer in as little as five to six minutes, while making fries from scratch takes about 15 minutes.
Most leftover food
This leftover pizza took on a whole new life with just a little cooking in the air fryer.
Not all types of foods are suitable for reheating in an air fryer, but many are. Air fryers are a great way to revive leftovers. pizzafried chicken, grilled meats and vegetables. Microwaves tend to heat foods unevenly and leave them with a rubbery texture. Air fryers give foods a second life with convection heat, resulting in crispy crusts and even cooking.
This is The best way to reheat leftovers.
