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Why have we become fans of air fryers?
From Kiwilimón for you

Why have we become fans of air fryers?

By Shadia Asencio - 2021-03-12T11:13:46Z
Is there anyone not talking about air fryers? Also known as air fryers, they are the trend of the season and, although they are not cheap, they are causing major piggy bank breakages. The ritual of immersing everything in an Olympic-sized pool of oil – let’s face it: fat equals flavor – can be dangerous for the heart. Deep frying is magic for whatever dives into it; however, there are already options for those who want to reduce calorie intake and lovingly observe what goes into their bodies.

Think of the range of delicious things that are fried: golden tacos, filled donuts, churros covered in sugar and cinnamon, quesadillas with and without cheese, potato cakes, falafel, French fries, chicken wings. The list just keeps getting better. The issue is that there’s always an existential decision to be made: either you eat deliciously or you maintain the balance of your body; either you cling to your martyr will or you give up the guilt of overeating.

This is where air fryers come in handy. Air fryers cook through a system that circulates hot air around your food – your healthy snack – but without drying it out and preserving the crispy consistency that characterizes fried foods. What happens is that they are designed to ensure the minimum level of steam and moisture. As if that weren't enough, they sell it to you as if all you have to do is put a piece of inhospitable skin-on bird in the compartment and in a few moments, a succulent coq au vin will emerge. 

A similar boom happened with microwaves when they were showcased in store windows in the late forties. “Press a button and forget about cooking,” was more or less the message that advertised them. The point is that the air fryer does make life more practical and promises some additional benefits. 

Due to the small amount of oil required for its operation, calorie intake will be lower and, therefore, there will be a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Another is that the air fryer could reduce the formation of acrylamide, a potentially dangerous organic compound that is related to kidney cancer and other diseases. 

One of the home chefs, Alexandra Romero, says she loves cooking in it because you don’t have to calculate oil temperatures or cooking times. “I love preparing wings in there. I just spray a little oil and they come out really tasty.” She also says it’s easy to use because you just choose a cooking mode and forget about checking your food until the alarm goes off. She advises using olive oil spray and carefully checking the usage functions according to the recipe you’re planning to make. And here’s one of the disadvantages I've seen in air fryers: if you set a roasting function, you could burn your food.

Yamilette González, Kiwilimón's chef coordinator and expert in Mexican snacks, recommends using the air fryer for street food recipes. “It’s an alternative way to eat what we love, without guilt. For example, you can cook chorizo and all the fat will settle.” Another advantage she points out is the practicality and ease of using them compared to other more expensive appliances on the market, like a sous vide, which also requires some technical knowledge to make the most of it. 

That said, there are some areas of opportunity in the size of the compartment. With a small capacity, you either have to do two rounds of food or complement with side dishes if your household has insatiable appetites. The other is that not all preparations come out al dente. For example, for breaded recipes where the characteristic flavor comes from frying, Yamilette advises making a more seasoned breading mix to enhance the flavor.

A recipe that we absolutely recommend in the air fryer is spicy wings. Thanks to the fat in the skin, they come out crispy, are easy to make, and don’t leave you feeling like they lack an extra bit of oil. We share the recipe below.

Spicy Wings in the Air Fryer

1 teaspoon of salt 
1 teaspoon of pepper 
1 tablespoon of paprika 
½ tablespoon of ground cumin 
½ cup of rice flour 
¼ cup of potato flakes 
500 grams of chicken wings  
oil spray 
hot sauce 

First, cut the wings at the joints with a knife. Place the wings in a bowl and add the salt, pepper, paprika, ground cumin, rice flour, and potato flakes. Coat the wings until the ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Place the wings in the preheated air fryer. Spray with a little oil and fry for at least 20 minutes. Serve with hot sauce to taste.