Christmas Wish List/Air Fryers

Do you know anything about air fryers? Well until around 2 weeks ago, I knew diddly squat. I knew a few people that had them, but I’d no idea how they worked, if they plugged in, what you could put in them or whether they were just a fashionable gimmick.

With the cost of living going through the roof (I’ve got a thing about using idioms this evening!), I need as much help as I can get. So the thought of using something to cook your food that limits oven usage is a tick in my book.

How do air fryers work?

In a nutshell they use air to fry. The hot air is blasted around the basket so that your chicken, toasted sandwiches, jacket potatoes or chips or loads more other food items, cook in a fraction of the time than using a conventional oven.

They are pretty good value for money too. Popping your oven on to bake a potato will take a good hour, but by putting one in the air fryer it will take less time. So in the long run you’re bound to save a bit of money on the energy bills.

Here’s a few things you can make:

Jacket potatoes:

2-4 potatoes (preferably Maris piper)

1/2 tbsp vegetable oil

Method:

Scrub the potatoes and pat dry with kitchen paper. Rub the oil into the skins and season with salt.

Put the potatoes into the air fryer basket and set to 200 C and cook for 40-50 minutes. Check after 20 minutes and turn them over using metal tongs. Once done, they should be crispy and fluffy inside.

Grilled cheese sandwich:

Place two pieces of cheese on a slice of bread, then cover with the other slice. Spread butter or margarine onto the outside of the bread slices. Place the sandwich on the basket inside the air fryer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes at 200 C.  Turn the sandwich over and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. They are wonderful; and how easy is that!

Honey glazed salmon:

I love fish and these taste amazing.

4 small salmon fillets

Honey

sesame seeds

salt and pepper

Method:

Set the air fryer to 200 C. All fryers are different so adjust accordingly. As long as the fish flakes at the end of the cooking time, it’s done.

Put the salmon in the basket, skin side down and cook for around 7 to 8 minutes. After 6 minutes stop the cooking time and brush the fish with honey and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Cook for the remaining few minutes. Voila!

Just a couple of ideas for you if you’re new to the air fryer cooking method. Vegetables taste great when cooked in them too.

Pros

Healthy alternative to deep frying

Quick cooking times

Versatile

Cheaper energy usage

Easy to clean

Cons

Bulky

Can only use a minimal amount of oil

Cannot cook liquid ingredients

I have a ‘Tower’ air fryer, which is one of the cheapest on the market and I must admit I’m really pleased with it. I don’t feel it to be necessary to buy a more expensive model as they all do the same thing. The basket size with mine is adequate for a family of 4.