What can you cook with an air fryer?

It’s a fact: air fryers are here to stay. After all, who could resist integrating into their life an appliance that not only saves us time but also promises to help us prepare a wide variety of simply delicious dishes?Like thousands of people around the world, we at kiwilimón are fascinated by this incredible device officially known as Airfryer in English. If you’ve made it this far, you are probably a fan of this appliance or about to become one, so if you’re looking for ideas on what can be cooked with an air fryer, you’re in the right place.The Crunchy History of the Air FryerDid you know that French fries are responsible for the birth of the air fryer?You may not have heard of Fred van der Weij, but it is thanks to this inventor born in the Netherlands that we can enjoy the crispy perfection of food prepared in an air fryer today. In 2005, this food-loving inventor began searching for a better way to fry French fries, as described by the innovation platform Exnovate.By 2007, after years of research and hard work, he was able to develop the technology needed to design a prototype. In 2009, after his proposal was rejected by Braun, Van der Weij managed to partner with Philips to produce this innovative and easy-to-use appliance, which also aligned with the tech giant's quest for healthier ways to fry food.It was in September 2010 when the Airfryer was presented at the Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin (IFA), one of Germany's most important industrial trade fairs, ranking in the top 5 inventions of the IFA and grabbing the spotlight worldwide in the following years.Today, the air fryer continues to be a resounding commercial success in many countries, and as a testament, between 2020 and 2021, more than 25 million air fryers were sold in the United States, according to reports from The NPD Group.You can also read: Why have we become fans of air fryers?How does an air fryer work?Being a versatile and simple appliance that can prepare countless exquisite dishes, it was expected that the air fryer would cause the craze that followed its launch, but how does frying with air work? Here we explain how air fryers work.An air fryer has a heating element located at the top of the cavity where the food tray is placed, as noted by the Federal Consumer Prosecutor's Office (PROFECO). This heating element is responsible for heating the air that passes through it and then circulates inside the fryer, thus heating the food in question and frying it if it contains a little oil. This process allows frying all kinds of food using up to 80% less oil than with a conventional fryer.Benefits of Air FryersWhat is the key behind the popularity of hot air fryers? This innovative appliance has multiple benefits that make it an excellent option for preparing food that is both healthy and tasty, but its advantages are not limited to that feature.Cooks with less oil. It’s not an exaggeration; air fryers are indeed healthier than conventional fryers. Since you don’t have to submerge the food in oil to fry it, you can significantly reduce the amount of fat and cholesterol consumed. This, as noted by the health and wellness website Healthline, can be beneficial for health since consuming less fat from vegetable oils is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases and inflammation.They are easy to use. Forget about struggling with precise times and temperatures. Cooking your food in an air fryer is very simple! First, you need to place the food you want to fry in the tray and insert it into the cavity. Then, you need to select the cooking time and temperature using the buttons, knobs, or touch panel of your fryer. If necessary, you can shake the tray to ensure that your food fries evenly and then place it back in the cavity. Just wait for the alert from your air fryer at the end of the cooking time to take out your food and get ready to enjoy it. Don’t forget to use tongs and handle the food carefully as it will be very hot initially.They are easy to clean. The tedious task of cleaning a conventional fryer or multiple pots with lots of oil will be a thing of the past when you use your air fryer. Although there are different models of air fryers, in general, you can clean this appliance using just hot water, liquid detergent, and a soft sponge, according to Philips. First, wait 30 minutes for it to cool down, and then proceed to clean it. Do not use any metal or abrasive objects to clean your fryer to avoid damaging its non-stick coating.Although air fryers are usually easy to clean, this doesn’t mean you can forget this important step after preparing your food. Remember to clean your hot air fryer thoroughly after each use to get rid of any traces of grease or food residues that may have remained inside; otherwise, you might face bad odors, stuck grease, or other issues arising from lack of cleanliness. If this is your case, don’t panic; you can clean your air fryer thoroughly by following the manufacturer's instructions.Say goodbye to burns. With your air fryer, you won’t have to worry about burning yourself with hot oil anymore. While fried food is delicious, many people hesitate to prepare it for fear of burns from oil splattering during the cooking process, but this is not a problem when using an air fryer since it uses minimal oil and the food is fried inside the appliance, thus avoiding the risk of burns.You can also read: How to make the most of your air fryerWhat can you prepare in an air fryer?One of the main reasons why air fryers have become so popular is that you can prepare a wide variety of foods in them. Dare to experiment beyond French fries in the air fryer and enjoy unparalleled crispy dishes!It doesn’t matter if you prefer savory food or if you have a craving for something sweet; your hot air fryer is versatile enough to help you prepare dishes full of flavor and for all tastes.With your air fryer, you can cook all kinds of vegetables. Broccoli, carrots, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and squash are just a few of the vegetable options you can cook perfectly with the help of your air fryer. Whether you choose to simply season them and fry them as if they were roasted vegetables or prefer to follow a more elaborate recipe, your air fryer vegetables will always come out crispy and delicious.If you’re into animal protein, you’ll have a great ally in your air fryer. Chicken wings, nuggets, fish sticks, bacon, and even certain cuts of beef are just some of the options you can cook with your air fryer.Did you know that you can also prepare desserts in an air fryer? Cookies, donuts, churros, empanadas, and even cake are just a few ideas for the many sweet dishes you can prepare with your air fryer.Lastly, remember that your air fryer is perfect for cooking frozen foods, so don’t forget to check that section on your next visit to the supermarket to have even more options for food that can be cooked in an air fryer.The best air fryer recipesNow that you know all about air fryers, it’s time to get to work to make the most of this appliance by preparing your favorite fried dishes.At kiwilimón, you can find a plethora of recipes you can prepare with your air fryer, and here are some of them:BBQ Fries Wrapped in BaconKFC Style Chicken TendersCauliflower Boneless in Air FryerBacon-Wrapped Shrimp with Chipotle DressingAl Pastor WingsCarnitas in Air FryerEasy Cajun ChickenArgentinian Empanadas in Air FryerCookies in Air FryerTable Chocolate Churros