Air fryers are all the rage in recent years. And it’s not hard to see why: everything becomes easier with an air fryer, from cooking chicken and meat to making french fries. But the truth is, most of us aren’t taking full advantage of everything it has to offer. This convenient gadget has plenty of little-known uses that will change your cooking game entirely. Whether you already have an air fryer or are considering purchasing one, you’ll be tempted to try out all these tips for making yummy food while keeping the appliance in tip-top shape.
Prevent a Smoky Air Fryer With a Little Bit of Water
It seems sometimes that air fryers are practically without fault. It’s shocking that all people don’t have them in their homes. However, they are not all perfect. While they come pretty close, one of the most annoying aspects of them is that they often get very smoky while cooking. This is usually the most relevant when it comes to cooking meats, and it can get quite annoying with the grease and oils that build up.
In order to prevent this, all you have to do is put a few tablespoons of water in the air fryer while it is cooking, and this will prevent the intense smokiness.
Make Individual Portions Using Silicone Cups
You may have thought that in life, the only thing that you can use silicone cupcake cups for would be to make good cupcakes. However, that is not the case, especially when it comes to cooking with an air fryer. Although you definitely can make cupcakes, they can also be used to cook just about anything in small individual portion sizes. You can cook mini omelets or small dishes to eat on the go.
Who doesn’t love a little mini snack that you can have on the go or just when you’re feeling a little peckish? Make snacking easy with silicone cups to cook them.
Add the Juice Leftover in the Air Fryer to Your Meal
This is probably the last thing that you expect to be able to make in an air fryer. After all, it’s not really something that is cooked. However, this isn’t the juice that you are probably thinking of, as it is not carrot or orange juice. Rather, it is the leftover juices of the foods that you cook. Don’t be skeptical just from the sounds of it. Try saving some of the juices and see how it adds flavor to other foods.
You won’t regret adding all the leftovers, spices, and juices from the food that you cook. It makes a wonderful addition to other meals.
Make Desserts in Your Air Fryer
Although you might hear the word fryer and be led to believe that the only thing an air fryer is capable of is frying food. It makes sense that you would think that; however, the name is a bit deceiving. The air fryer is much closer to an oven than a fryer, and as a result, it can be used to cook things just as you would with an oven. That cooking also extends to baking.
One of the easiest things to make is small lava cakes like these ones or pretty much anything that fits in a small baking dish like this.
Salvage Stale Pastries With Water and an Air Fryer
Nothing is more frustrating than realizing the fresh pastries and bread that you bought so recently have gone stale. Not only is it a waste of money, but it is also just a bummer that the delicious food can no longer be eaten. Don’t despair too much – if you have an air fryer. All you need is a little water and some air fryer heat, and you will be able to revive the pastries.
Just add a small amount of water to the drip pan, turn up the heat, and you will see that you have fresh pastries in just a few short moments.
Defrost Frozen Foods
There is nothing worse than being ready to make a meal only to realize that you forgot to defrost some of the ingredients for the dish. Did you know that you can use your air fryer to defrost the vegetables easily? It also allows the vegetables to defrost at the correct level so that they’ll still be delicious when they are cooked. It is also super easy and only takes a few minutes.
You can cook the vegetables in the air fryer or any other cooking mechanism that you would normally use once they are defrosted properly using the air fryer method.
Always Preheat the Air Fryer
It’s already been made quite clear that the air fryer is much closer to an oven than a fryer, but the name will continue to stick. However, you need to keep in mind that many of the things you would do with an oven are just what needs to be done when it comes to using an air fryer. For example, you need to make sure that you preheat the air fryer before putting your food in.
This is especially important when it comes to working with meats. Preheating the oven ensures that they cook evenly and properly.
Use It to Hard “Boil” Eggs
Everyone loves a nice hard-boiled egg. It is perfect to have with sandwiches or even just as a snack. It can also be perfect for breakfast. But it is always difficult to ensure that the timing is correct when you are trying to hard boil an egg. After all, do you boil the water first and then add the egg, or the other way around? How long do you leave it in the water? The questions are endless.
With an air fryer, all of your problems are solved, and you don’t even need water in order to hard boil the eggs. You just need to cook them on low heat for 15 minutes. Easy peasy.
Avoid Nonstick Cooking Sprays
Most people tend to think that nonstick cooking sprays are one of the saviors of the kitchen. Although that may be true under most circumstances, that is not the case when it comes to air fryers. Nonstick cooking sprays can actually do more harm than good. They can clog the air fryer and cause disruptions in the long run. That is why you should use olive oil instead, whenever possible, or other natural oils.
You can make your own cooking spray by placing olive oil in a spray bottle. It is easy and will keep your air fryer in the best condition possible.
Shake the Basket Every so Often
If you are used to cooking regularly, then you are probably aware of the fact that whenever you bake something in the oven, you are supposed to rotate the pans or flip the items halfway through. The exact same thing applies when it comes to cooking with an air fryer. If you just shake the basket a few times during the cooking, you will see a noticeable improvement in the end result.
This helps to ensure that all of the food is cooking evenly, and it is especially relevant when there is crispiness involved as it helps all sides to crisp evenly.
Here’s How You Should Place Parchment Paper
Although parchment paper is great for most cooking adventures, the exception comes when you are working with an air fryer. You can still use parchment paper. However, there are a few rules that you need to keep in mind when using parchment paper. You need to make sure there are holes in the paper so that the air can escape and it doesn’t burn the parchment paper in the cooking process.
If you want to avoid the hassles of dealing with an air fryer and parchment paper, then you can just use a simpler alternative like aluminum foil instead.
Dehydrate Your Fruit
Now, this is one of the more unique items on this list of fun and interesting things to do with your air fryer in the kitchen. Most of the hacks have been focused on how to cook savory foods or bake different goods. However, you can also use it for other purposes, such as dehydrating fruit. If you have a little bit of extra fruit that is about to spoil, put it in the air fryer.
There is no need to be a dehydrator when you can just use the air fryer, and it works just as well (if not even better). One device can do it all!
You Shouldn’t Place Your Air Fryer in a Kitchen Corner or Crowded Between Other Appliances
Although it might seem trivial, where you place your air fryer while it is doing the hard work of cooking is actually quite important. People are often tempted to try and push it into the small spaces that they have in their kitchens due to the small and convenient size. While this does work, in theory, it will affect how the air fryer cooks the food in the long run.
Just like any oven, the air fryer needs the air to be able to circulate properly so that the food can cook properly. That cannot be done if it is squished in a small place.
Parboil Potatoes Before Placing Them Inside and Get Delicious Results
It is no secret that cooking potatoes can be a time-consuming endeavor. After all, they are thick and big vegetables, so it takes some time before they are actually cooked all the way through. That is why, if you are thinking of cooking a potato whole in the air fryer, you should parboil it before sticking it directly in the air fryer. This will help them cook better and faster in the long run.
All you have to do is boil the potatoes in water for about five minutes before you place them in the air fryer to reach crispy perfection.
Use Dishwashing Tablets to Easily Clean the Appliance
Perhaps the number one downside of an air fryer is the fact that it is difficult to clean. People love to use these to cook, but they become a little confused when cleanup time comes around. It’s not so intuitive; after all, it is a pretty foreign cooking mechanism. However, it’s easier than you might think. All you need is a dishwashing tablet and some boiling water, and you are good to go.
Make sure that the basket is completely submerged in the liquid, along with the dishwashing tablet, for at least 15 minutes. When you remove it, you’ll be surprised by the amazing results.
Stop Using the Microwave to Reheat Leftovers – It’s Yummier With an Air Fryer
Although microwaves are great for heating up leftover food in a hurry, no one can deny that microwaved food is usually not the tastiest. It often comes out hot but also soggy and lacking some of its original flavor. If you have an air fryer, then you are in luck, and you can even consider getting rid of your microwave entirely. Heat up your leftovers in the air fryer instead of the microwave.
You’ll see that the food tastes almost as good as if it was made fresh. It is not even comparable to how the food would taste after it comes out of the microwave.
Use the Right Oil to Get the Perfect Smoking Point
Using the right oil in your air fryer can make all of the difference in your cooking experience. You have to make sure that you have the right smoking point, and in order to do that, you have to use the right oil. That means that you have to make sure to use the right oil at the bottom of the air fryer. Soybean and safflower oil are good alternatives.
They will cook at a better level so that it does not get too smoky, and it will make the food very tasty. These oils can also be less expensive, so it’s a win-win.
Aluminum Foil Helps Keep the Basket Clean
In case you are among those in the world who hate the cleanup side of cooking more than anything, then this hack is for you. You might be avoiding the use of your air fryer just because you don’t want to deal with the cleanup, but there is no need to worry about that. With the help of a little bit of aluminum foil, you can cover the entire basket of the air fryer to ensure an easy cleanup.
When you are done cooking, all you have to do is remove all of the food contained within the aluminum foil, and voila! No cleaning up is necessary.
Make the Yummiest Grilled Cheese in Your Air Fryer
Who doesn’t love a yummy grilled cheese sandwich? There is hardly a person on earth who won’t go for a tasty grilled cheese for a snack or as a nice little lunch. Forget about the sandwich maker, the stovetop, or even the microwave. All you need is an air fryer, and you will be able to make the most perfect grilled cheese in just a few moments. It is easy, simple, and delicious.
This one hardly even needs an explanation. All you have to do is turn the heat up, assemble the sandwiches, and then make sure that the cheese melts to perfection.
When Cooking Meat, Make Sure to Space Out the Pieces so That They Cook Properly
Nobody likes to be in overly cramped settings. After all, there are quite a few people who actually are claustrophobic and cannot handle being in too close quarters as others or in small spaces. Think about that being the same when it comes to meat when you cook it in an air fryer. You need to make sure that your meat is properly spread out when you cook it in the air fryer.
This ensures that all of the meat cooks properly and evenly. Even if you are trying to save time by squishing it all together, it won’t be worth it in the end!
Stack Food but Don’t Overcrowd
If you are looking to cook many pieces of food at once, then you probably will end up stacking your food in the air fryer. Although the simple act of stacking could work perfectly fine for some foods, others will end up sticking to each other and destroying them in the process. In order to avoid that, you have to get something to stack the foods in the tray but still keep them separated.
You can use a metal divider like the one in this photo if you want to cook things like hashbrowns. It helps you to get the crunch evenly distributed as well.
Use Your Air Fryer to Make a Casserole
Casseroles are probably one of the best foods that a parent can make. Well, of course, anyone can make a delicious casserole. However, there is something about parenthood and casseroles that just go hand in hand. It’s hard to separate them. Turn up your casserole game with an air fryer. It is easy to prepare, easy to cook, and easy to clean afterward. What is stopping you from trying it out?
You can make all sorts of different casseroles. All you need are the ingredients, a pot that fits into the air fryer and can contain liquids for a casserole, and you are set!
Cook Delicious Garlic
Garlic is essential in just about every kitchen. There is hardly a savory dish out there that does not taste better with the addition of a little bit of garlic. If you don’t know how to cook your garlic, be it individual cloves or the entire head at once, the air fryer is there to help you. You just need a little bit of aluminum foil, olive oil, and about 15 minutes of your time.
Cook it at 375 degrees, and you will be amazed at how delicious it tastes, how easy the cleanup is, and how versatile the end result is.
Make Your Own Chicken Stock
It’s a shame to waste any food, especially food that is flavorful and can be delicious when it is turned into something else and used in a different dish. Chicken broth is exactly one of those items. Instead of making a whole container of chicken broth, though, you should consider saving the leftover liquids from your chicken cooking experiences in your air fryer and turn them into chicken stock.
It will be flavorful, delicious, and resourceful. That is not to mention that it will also be very cheap! You don’t have to buy any new ingredients to make this one!
Chicken Nuggets Just Like at Your Favorite Fast Food Restaurant
There is something so addicting about fast food restaurants food. For whatever reason, you just can’t deny the delicious food, no matter how bad it is for you. And for that reason, it is great for people to learn how to make it on their own at home. It can save them a lot of time in driving to a drive-through and eating food that isn’t that good for you.
Your food might get to the level that your chicken nuggets will rival those of Mcdonald’s or Chick-fil-A. Then you wouldn’t even have to eat at the fast food restaurants ever again!
The Trick to Perfect French Fries: The Perfect Temperature
French fries are one of the most beloved foods in the world. Despite how much people love them around the world, the mystery of how to cook the perfect french fries still remains somewhat of a secret. It’s difficult to get the right combination of crunchy and soft. They either end up overcooked or soggy, and no one likes a soggy French fry. If you want to know the truth, the secret is out, and the perfect temperature is 375 degrees.
If you put your air fryer at around 375 degrees and then place the french fries inside, you will see that you end up with some of the most perfect fries ever.
Use Dawn Powerwash to Clean Your Air Fryer
Cleaning up doesn’t always have to be the hard part when it comes to cooking. If you are worried about not knowing how to clean your air fryer when you are done cooking, this trick will bring peace to your heart. Just take a little bit of Dawn Powerwash, add it to a little bit of hot water, let it soak, and you are right on your way to a clean air fryer.
This can be even better than using water in some circumstances. And if there are some tough spots, then just add in the use of a magic eraser to ensure that every spot is clean.
Make Delicious Non-Greasy Bacon
Right along with french fries, bacon is perhaps the second most loved food on this list. Despite the connotations of unhealthiness, people are more than happy to eat plenty of this food because it’s just too tasty. However, there is one thing that can make even bacon not taste very good, and that is too much grease. But that can easily be prevented if you have an air fryer!
And the best part about air fryer bacon is that it is super easy to make, and it only takes a few minutes. All you have to do is cook it for about five minutes at 375 degrees.
Use Olive Oil in a Spray Bottle on Air Fried Foods
Everyone knows by now that olive oil is a great oil to include in your diet. It is healthy and is a major part of the Mediterranean diet, one of the healthiest diets in the world. However, unfortunately, olive oil is not very cheap. If you want to incorporate it into your diet but also not break the bank, then all you have to do is buy a spray bottle and use it to distribute the olive oil.
You don’t need to use a lot of olive oil when you cook with an air fryer. That is another reason that they are so great.
Easily Make Impressive Snacks for Guests
Some people think that their air fryers are used mostly for full dishes and main meals, but that couldn’t be further from the case. Of course, you can use your air fryer for that purpose, and it will do a good job, but there are so many other things you can cook in your air fryer. If you’re having a small party or a get-together, then your air fryer will come in very handy.
You can cook some crunchy potatoes, garbanzo beans to make a crunchy snack, or even shrimp and prawns. The options are endless when it comes to crunchifying your foods and snacks.
Make Your Own Roasted Nuts
Who doesn’t love some nuts? They are healthy, full of good fats, and simply delicious. If you like to eat them raw, then maybe this hack isn’t for you, but there is something so delicious about a roasted nut that is cooked to perfection. With an air fryer, that process is made nice and easy. You can roast cashews, almonds, or walnuts in just a matter of a few minutes.
You can also add a little bit of salt to them if you want to make them extra tasty. But keep the salt on the lower side if you want to keep the nuts healthy.