What you can cook in your air fryer

The latest kitchen appliance taking Australia by storm and makes healthy eating so much easier.

Apr 03, 2022 11:15pm
From the Thermomix to the Pie Maker we really love our appliances. There's another kitchen tool we're in love with that makes eating healthy so much easier. The beloved air fryer lets you make fried foods without all the oil and it can be used for so much more. Here are some of the most incredible things you can make in one, from mains to sides to desserts and snacks.
An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that cooks by circulating hot air around the food using the convection mechanism
The technology circulates the air to temperatures up to 200 degrees, and the cooking chamber keeps the food close to the heating elements, allowing your food to be cooked in 10 to 20 minutes.
The air fryer is extremely easy to use, and requires little to no maintenance. In addition to making the process of frying easier, it also results in healthier and tastier results.
Learn more about Air Fryers.
Air fryers are renowned for replicating the crisp texture of deep-frying with a fraction of the oil. This amped-up benchtop convection oven works by pushing hot air around food. The rapid circulation of air is what helps to make food crisp, but with much less oil. For example, air-fried hot chips provide 4–6g fat compared to 17g for the deep-fried equivalent. There are many sizes of air fryers; however, in the Air Fryer Cookbook we've used a popular well-priced and mid-sized 5.3-litre model. If you have a larger appliance, you will be able to cook larger amounts of food, while for a smaller one, you will need to decrease the quantities accordingly.
SAFETY
Before starting any recipe, read the manufacturer's instructions for your appliance first. The machine can get hot, so allow sufficient space on the benchtop around it. Once the basket is pulled out of the appliance, treat it like opening an oven door – it will be hot! Take care when adding and removing items from the air-fryer basket.
HACKS & TIPS
Avoid baking paper as a cover for food as it will catch fire. Instead, use aluminium foil, which may need to be weighed down with metal spoons. Seeds and loose seasonings should also be avoided, as these will fly around the appliance and burn. To assist with cleaning, line under the basket with baking paper or foil to catch any oil drippings. To ensure even browning, turn food halfway through cooking time. To prevent overbrowning, ensure there is sufficient distance between the top of the food and the element, or cover the food with foil.
OIL
Use it sparingly or it will burn. Aim for 1-2 tablespoons (olive or canola oil). No additional oil is required for naturally fattier foods like sausages or meatballs. For battered, floured and crumbed recipes, spray the basket and the food lightly with oil. Some oil is required to assist with browning.
ADAPTING
To convert a deep-fried, baking or roasting recipe for the air fryer, reduce the cooking temperature by 20°C.
REHEATING
Use the air fryer to return pizza, crumbed items and pastry to their former crisp glory. Five minutes at 180°C is all that's needed to reheat a slice of pizza!
For even more recipes you can pick up a copy of The Australian Women's Weekly Super Easy Air Fryer cookbook online or from Big W or your favourite book stores.
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Air fryer chicken nuggets

See what all the rage is about.

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It's not just chicken - these baked lamb cutlets with crumbed eggplant, parmesan crumbed cutlets and baked cutlets can all be made in the air fryer too.

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Let's not forget fish and seafood. Whether it's home-made fish fingers or salt and pepper squid.

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Crisp-skinned air fryer salmon with salsa verde

Make tender, succulent salmon with a delightful crispy skin in 25 minutes in your air fryer and top it off with a fresh salsa verde. You'll love it!

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All of your favourite burgers recipes can also be prepared in your air fryer for a reduction of fat content.

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Air fryer mozzarella mushroom burgers

Create this easy vegetarian burger in less than 30 minutes in your air fryer. With earthy mushrooms, creamy mozzarella and basil pesto for extra oomph.

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Your Air Fryer is perfect for creating crisp flaky pastry. Whether it's butter chicken hand pies, sweet blueberry and ricotta handpies or [cheese filo triangles(https://www.womensweeklyfood.com.au/recipes/cheese-filo-triangles-6701|target="_blank").

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Air fryer berry frangipane galette

Your air fryer is for more than just chips and nuggets! You can make this gorgeous berry rustic pie for dessert in this handy appliance and impress.

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This handy appliance is also great for making super-tasty vegies. Whether it's fried cauliflower, eggplant fritters, crumbed zucchini wraps or the ultimate fried food - frickles

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The air fryer isn't just for fried foods. The wonder of this appliance is in its versatility. It also works for baking salmon, baked eggplant or

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Whether you're into baked potatoes or prefer jacket sweet potatoes then the air fryer can help you out. Perfectly baked spuds, without the fat.

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Experiment with these spinach and feta pinwheels when you next get a chance! We also have cheesymite scrolls and these olive and cheese scrolls to make in your Air Fryer.

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Air fryer basic vanilla butter cookies

Make these simple vanilla butter cookies in your air fryer with a baking time of 12 mins. Add any flavours you like including nuts, choc chips or M & M's.

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Did you know you can even roast a whole chicken or roast lamb in your Air Fryer?

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Air fryer lemon curd scones

Yes! You can even bake scones in your air fryer. Bake light, fluffy scones using lemon curd in only 17 mins in the handy appliance.

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Understandably, the first recipe we'd expect to be able to make in the airfryer is the epitome of fried food - the humble potato chip. Try our six ways with air fryer chips and wedges.

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Air fryer Cajun sweet potato wedges

You'll love these spiced kumara wedges with Cajun spices They're cooked in the air fryer for a tasty snack with all the flavour but only a little oil.

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Air fryer potato gratin

Like potato bake - but fancy! With onions, gruyere cheese and cream, potato gratin in your air fryer makes it simple to add a touch of class to dinner

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A very close second - arguably more important than the chips - is that of fried chicken. Whether you are a schnitzel fan, prefer your chicken in nugget form (we've got a gluten-free version asweel), mini bites or chicken strips the air fryer gives you a great crispy crumb with 90% less oil required. You will not be disappointed.

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