Air Fryers work as little hot air ovens. They move hot air around the food to cook it. They do not fry in the old way, but give you a crusty surface, almost like deep frying in oil.

The name is a bit of a cheat. You could call them mini ovens because they cook almost everything you cook in normal ovens. You can have them as a separate device on the table or built into the stove or range so you can make crispy brown dishes without big amounts of oil in a jar or pan.

Air Fryers: What They Are and How to Use Them

The main benefit is the taste and crunch of fried meals, but with much less oil than deep frying. A secret tip is to spray some light oil on the surface of the food. Air Fryers use up to 75 percent less fat than old frying methods.

Some models of Air Fryers have a smart chip that controls a wide range of temperatures and automatically adjusts the fan based on the kind of cook. Thanks to that you can prepare two batches of fries with only a bit or none of oil. They work for frying, roasting, baking, drying, and reheating meals.

Some versions even have two heaters, one up and one below, to cook both sides evenly without a lot of turning or flipping. There are models with 15 programs, including pizza, steak, grilling, frozen meals, and reheating.

To choose the right size, you must think about your needs. Small Air Fryers with 2.5 to 3 liters work well for one person. Those of 3 to 4 liters work for pairs and cook two servings of meet or fish together with vegetables.

For three or four folks, medium ones work better. Big families benefit from 6-liter or bigger ones, that fit a whole chicken or a whole package of frozen fries. Generally, one liter per serving is a good measure.

Frozen meals, like egg rolls or burritos, come out great in an Air Fryer. Also potatoes bake well. They reheat pizzas and fried foods much better than a microwave, which usually leaves them dry.

Some folks dump their microwave, though it still works better for soups and pasta.

You can use a metal tray in an Air Fryer, but leave space for the air to move, so that the food cooks evenly. Do not cover the whole surface and weigh it down with the food, so that it does not fly. Avoid laying the tray in thebottom part.

Air Fryers have big popularity for healthy and fast Cooking Time. They do have limited space and take up room on the table. Basket style models copy best the action of oil in a deep fryer.