All About Air Fryers

Air Fryers were the kitchen accessory of 2022, and it looks like we haven’t fallen out of love with them just yet. In fact, they’re still selling out at record speed, with the likes of Ninja, Tower and Salter harder to get our hands on than a PS5, which is really saying something. For those who already have one, we don’t need to convert you to this cooking machine, and for anyone still sitting on the fence, let us fill you in on why they’re so popular. In short, air fryers fry food with much less oil than your regular deep-fat frying or even pan frying methods. Using little to no oil, they cook food by rapidly circulating hot air, like a convection oven but even more powerful, creating a crispy finish, as if by magic. Plus, when it comes to cutting costs, they average around 17p per day, which is certainly a good thing, considering the current cost-of-living crisis. “The largest benefits one can get from air frying food is reducing overall fat content – in particular, saturated fats and trans fats, which can be harmful to health when eaten in excess,”   “Because air frying reduces the amount of fat content by up to 70-80 per cent in foods, this can also drastically reduce the number of calories eaten without sacrificing on the crunch and texture that frying provides,”

An Air Fryer is a small countertop convection oven designed to simulate deep frying without submerging the food in oil. A fan circulates hot air at a high speed, producing a crisp layer via browning reactions such as the Maillard reaction. Some product reviewers find that regular convection ovens or convection toaster ovens produce better results, or say that air frying is essentially the same as convection baking. It can reheat previously cooked foods and frozen foods.
Air fryers circulate hot air to cook food that would otherwise be submerged in oil. The air fryer's cooking chamber radiates heat from a heating element near the food, and a fan circulates hot air. 

The original Philips Air Fryer used radiant heat from a heating element just above the food and convection heat from a strong air stream flowing upwards through the open bottom of the food chamber, delivering heat from all sides, with a small volume of hot air forced to pass from the heater surface and over the food, with no idle air circulating as in a convection oven. A shaped guide directed the airflow over the bottom of the food. The technique was patented as Rapid Air technology. Traditional frying methods induce the Maillard reaction at temperatures 

of 140 to 165 °C (284 to 329 °F) by completely submerging foods in hot oil, well above the boiling point of water. The air fryer works by coating the food in a thin layer of oil and circulating air at up to 

200 °C (392 °F) to apply sufficient heat to cause the reaction. Most air fryers have temperature and timer adjustments that allow more precise cooking. Food is typically cooked in a basket that sits on a drip tray. The basket must be periodically agitated, either manually or by the fryer mechanism. Convection ovens and air fryers are similar in the way they cook food, but air fryers are generally smaller and give off less heat.

Air fryers are a great way to cook food quickly and evenly. They use hot air to circulate around food, cooking it without the need for oil. This makes them a healthier option than traditional frying, as they don't absorb as much fat.Air fryers are also very versatile. They can be used to cook a variety of foods, including chicken, fish, vegetables, and even frozen meals. They're also relatively easy to use, making them a good option for busy families. 

If you're looking for a healthier and more versatile way to cook food, an air fryer is a great option. Here are a few reasons why you should consider getting an air fryer:   

Air fryers cook food quickly and evenly. This is because they use hot air to circulate around food, cooking it on all sides at once.

 Air fryers are a healthier option than traditional frying. This is because they don't absorb as much fat.

Air fryers are very versatile. They can be used to cook a variety of foods, including chicken, fish, vegetables, and even frozen meals.

 Air fryers are relatively easy to use. They typically have a simple control panel and come with pre-programmed settings for different types of food.If you're looking for a healthier and more versatile way to cook food, an air fryer is a great option. With so many benefits, it's no wonder that air fryers have become so popular in recent years.Here are a few tips for using an air fryer.     

Preheat your air fryer before cooking. This will help to ensure that your food cooks evenly.   

Cut your food into small pieces. This will help the air fryer to cook your food more quickly.  

Use a light coating of oil on your food. This will help to prevent your food from sticking to the basket. 

Don't overcrowd the basket. Make sure there is enough space between your food so that the air can circulate around it. 

Check on your food regularly. Air fryers cook quickly, so you don't want to overcook your food.With a little practice, you'll be a pro at using your air fryer in no time. 

So what are you waiting for? Get cooking!

Rated as the UK's best selling Dual Zone Airfryer is the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer [AF300UK] which has two drawers and a massive 7.6 litres capacity and is said to use 75 % less fat than conventional frying.

Ninja Foodi Air Fryer [AF300UK]

Buy Your Ninja Air fryer here

For a more economical example you can have the Uten 5.5 Litre Single drawer Air Fryer

Uten 5.5 Litre single drawer air fryer

Auto-switch off timer (0-30 mins) and adjustable temperature setting (0°C-200°C) can help you to cook your food without oil in variety way, Fry, grill, bake and roast, steam, and food dehydrate all in one.

Buy your Uten Here