It's faster, cleaner, and healthier!
I bought an air fryer a couple of months ago, and I haven't looked back! (This is one of our favorite air fryers!) There are unlimited recipes and surprising foods you’ve never thought of air frying that turn out great. You still use a little oil with some recipes—usually not more than a tablespoon, but you nix calories and clean-up is easy. Try some of these ideas below. Trust us, you’ll be hooked.
French Fries
Courtesy of Pixabay.com
There’s nothing better than fresh-cut french fries with the skin on. Air frying a single serving of fries generates only 176 calories versus deep frying at around 470 calories. To make amazing fries, wash, pat dry, and then cut up four potatoes, as thick or thin as you want them. Toss with one tablespoon of oil (you don’t have to use any–but a tiny bit makes them perfect) and put in the air fryer. Fry at 400 degrees for around 9 minutes, and make sure you check every 5 minutes, then stir to make sure air gets evenly distributed until desired crispness. Salt and enjoy.
Banana Chips
Courtesy of Pixabay.com
I buy bananas every week, and they turn brown so I am forced to throw them away. But banana chips made in an air fryer are not only a delicious snack that kids love to eat but your bananas won't go to waste. Nice yellow-almost green bananas make the crispiest chips. Toss sliced bananas with one tablespoon olive oil and salt to your taste. Air fry at 350 degrees for around 10 minutes or until desired crispness and/or brownness. Want them sweet? Add cinnamon and sugar instead of salt. (Apple chips are just as easy!)
Chicken Wings
Courtesy of Pixabay.com
Oh, the glorious chicken wing! An air fryer is one of the best ways to get a crispy wing all around. Air fry wings at 400 degrees and check every 10 minutes. Take the super crispy wings and toss them with any sauce you want!
Fried Pickles
A favorite appetizer or snack, air-fried pickles are low fat and delicious. You’ll need 1 16-oz jar pickle chips, 1/2 cup cornmeal, 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup milk, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, and 1 teaspoon paprika. Combine cornmeal, breadcrumbs, flour, garlic salt, and paprika in a bowl. Whisk egg and milk in a separate bowl. The drier the pickles, the crispier the pickles. Pat pickles dry with paper towel then dip in egg/milk mixture before dipping in the dry coating mixture. It's important to put pickle chips in a single layer in the air fryer. Fry at 400 degrees F for 8-9 minutes. Serve with Ranch dressing to dip.
Brussel Sprouts
Courtesy of Pixabay.com
Brussel sprouts have become a favorite on menus with their versatility and scrumptious texture. It’s the browned crispness on the top of Brussel sprouts that make them so delectable—an air fryer can get this perfect. However, you like your Brussel sprouts, cut 1 pound of Brussel sprouts in half and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, squeeze of lemon, garlic salt. Worchester, balsamic, Italian dressing also make for nice flavor. Cook in the air fryer at 375 degrees for up to 15 minutes, checking every 5 and shaking the basket. Top with crumbled bacon or pistachios when finished, if desired.
Bonus: Any Frozen Fried Food
Mozzarella sticks, onion rings, egg rolls, chicken fingers, etc. They are all crispier in the air fryer and won't stick to the bottom of a baking pan or be soggy on their underbellies. As with any food in an air fryer, give it 5 minutes and then check on it. Cook until desired crispness/brownness.
What is your favorite thing to make in an air fryer? Let us know in the comments.
