Air fryers have become a revolutionary kitchen appliance, particularly for those looking to enjoy fried foods with less oil and fat. When cooking chicken breasts, for instance, setting the air fryer to the right temperature is crucial. It took 28 minutes for the air fryer to cook chicken breasts flawlessly, while the oven took approximately 40 minutes. A popular method for achieving a crispy exterior on your food is parboiling before air frying. For this, boil in a saucepan for 7 to 10 minutes and then air fry at 200C/400F for 20 minutes, shaking at regular intervals.
Other vegetables, such as brussels sprouts and asparagus, can also be prepared in the air fryer. The unique cooking mechanism of the air fryer gives these vegetables an enhanced taste that might make you want to eat them more often. For example, to cook a certain vegetable, place it in the air fryer and cook at 170C for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Check the notes for cooking times for different weights.
For those with a sweet tooth, you can also bake using the air fryer. Start by mixing oil, yogurt, egg, and milk in a large bowl. Then fold in the sugar, flour, and bicarbonate of soda, combining everything well. Once your batter is ready, spoon the mixture into silicone cases or an air fryer muffin tin filled with paper cases until they’re three-quarters full. If you’re looking to make a crispy jacket potato, first microwave it, then transfer it into the air fryer and cook for 8 minutes. This cooking time remains consistent regardless of the number of potatoes.
The popularity of air fryers surged in 2020, as evidenced by Google Trends data. If you’ve ever run out of space in your primary oven, an air fryer might become a mainstay in your kitchen rather than just another appliance tucked away in a cupboard. For those interested in exploring more recipes and cooking techniques, consider checking out the Epic Air Fryer Cookbook (ad). This book offers 100 inspired recipes that elevate air frying to delectably exciting new directions. 
