Air fryers are becoming an increasingly popular item to have in the kitchen.
Not only do they offer a healthier alternative to deep fat frying, but they can also help save money on energy bills, a handy tool amid the cost of living crisis that is gripping households across the UK.
The kitchen appliance works by circulating hot air around the food, creating a crispy, crunchy exterior which requires minimal fat. From crispy roast potatoes in minutes to gooey cookie recipes, many people have been sharing their top tips on social media.
READ MORE: Seven-minute gooey cookie air fryer recipe you have to try
However, despite the rise in popularity of air fryers, research from Ocado has highlighted that many of us are still playing it safe when it comes to cooking, with chicken and chips topping the list of foods people are most likely to air fry. But Ocado recipe developer Jules Domanski has shared her top tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your air fryer.
From smart recipe hacks to the foods you didn’t know you could cook in them, Jules said: "Air fryers are a great way of making quick, energy-efficient meals and they go far beyond simply making great crispy chips. We know our customers are after more creative ways to use their air fryers, so we’ve compiled our top ten hacks to feed the whole family, from quick and easy dinners, to speedy lunchbox or after school snacks."
Here are ten tasty new recipes to try:
French toast
For an indulgent morning treat, coat sliced bread in a custard mixture of beaten egg, milk, vanilla extract and cinnamon, shaking off any excess liquid before adding to your air fryer to cook for around three minutes on each side. It’s also a good idea to use a liner in the basket to catch any residual liquid.
Crispy Tofu
The texture of tofu can be divisive, but crisp it up and it completely transforms. Use firm tofu, pressing as much moisture out of it as possible, before cutting into cubes and coating with cornflour, soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil and a smattering of chilli flakes. Air fry for 10-15 minutes for the perfect crunch.
Pizza
For a speedy way of making mini homemade pizzas, use pitta bread or tortilla wraps as an alternative base, spread over tomato sauce, and air fry for around 8 minutes until crisped up around the edges. Add your cheese and toppings, pressing them firmly into the base to prevent them flying around, and cook for a further three minutes until the cheese is deliciously molten.
S’mores
Air fryers can be used for more than just savoury treats. An American classic, it’s about time we embraced s’mores this side of the pond. For a British twist, grab your chocolate digestives, split large marshmallows in half and press the sticky side down onto the biscuit. Cook for seven minutes until the marshmallow tops are golden and gooey (check after four). Remove and top with a square of milk chocolate, finishing with another digestive on top to encase your oozy choccy sandwich.
Cookies
For a quick fix dessert, whip up your favourite choc chip cookie recipe, refrigerating the cookie dough for an hour to firm up. Line the air fryer with baking paper or an air fryer liner and break off bits of your dough before rolling them into golf-sized balls. Place them into the basket and cook for six to seven minutes until the edges crisp up but the centre remains gooey. Leave in the fryer for five minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack, or if you can’t wait, enjoy them warm with a glass of cold milk.
Pasta Chips
Jules said: "Although we don’t recommend cooking traditional pasta dishes in the air fryer, pasta chips are a tasty snack that can be cooked to crisp perfection with this appliance". It is recommended to boil the pasta first until al dente before draining and patting dry with kitchen paper, toss the pasta with grated parmesan and your favourite seasonings. You can also season with salt and paprika before cooking in the air fryer for seven to 10 minutes until golden and crunchy, and serve with aïoli or tangy tomato dipping sauce.
Fruit and Veggie Crisps
Thinly sliced apple, parsnip, sweet potato and beetroot are all great options for a healthier take on your usual bag of crisps. No oil involved. Use a sharp knife to thinly slice your chosen fruit or veg and toss through with salt and pepper for a savoury snack, or cinnamon and nutmeg for something sweet. Cook in a single layer for four to five minutes or until crisp.
Avocado fries
Slice your avocado halves into long fingers and coat each in flour seasoned with a pinch of salt and pepper. Dip the floured fingers into beaten egg and then roll them in panko breadcrumbs. Repeat this process twice for a thick, crunchy coating. Pop your fries into the basket and cook for seven minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time.
Crispy Chickpeas
Chickpeas aren’t only delicious in curries and salads, they’re also a great standalone snack. Drain and rinse your chickpeas before patting them dry with kitchen paper. Coat them in a spicy paprika seasoning made up of salt, black pepper and smoked paprika then cook the chickpeas for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket a couple of times during the cooking time to prevent sticking and to ensure even crisping.
Mozzarella Sticks
Take string cheese and coat in seasoned flour (dried oregano, salt and pepper will do the trick), beaten egg and then breadcrumbs, repeating the process twice through . Cook for six to seven minutes until golden-brown and molten.
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