You’d Be Smart to Cook dinner These 8 Meals Solely in an Air Fryer From Now On

I used to spend untold quantities of time ready for potatoes to slowly bake within the oven or water to boil only for a scorching canine. Then the air fryer got here together with all its speedy, crispy, no-mess glory and every little thing modified. Not each meals is finest made within the air fryer, after all, however I’ve gotten used to cooking some issues in mine — lots of which I by no means thought I’d.

From salmon filets to whole-roasted hen and even just a few grilling requirements, it seems like each few days I add one other to the record of meals I will make solely in an air fryer. Beneath i’ve listed eight air fryer all stars which may come as a shock. 

When you’re questioning what an air fryer is and the way it works, take a look at this full information to air fryers. When you’ve already obtained one and are able to discover recipes, listed below are just a few meals I will prepare dinner solely within the air fryer any more.

1. Salmon filets

Broiled salmon is a straightforward, wholesome weeknight dinner staple. It is not tough to make within the oven, however in the event you’re solely cooking for one or two folks, the preheating time is a ache and you may waste a whole lot of vitality for a small quantity of meals. Pan-seared salmon is nice and fast, however there’s nearly no strategy to prepare dinner salmon on the range with out creating an oily and odorous mess. 

I attempted cooking roasted salmon within the air fryer, and it got here out completely in about 10 minutes, together with preheating time. The closed cooking chamber captures the entire grease and even hides a few of the fishy scent from taking on the house. 

OK, so that you would possibly catch me throwing the occasional filet of salmon on the grill throughout hotter months, however gone are the times of me wiping fish grease from the backsplash behind my kitchen range. 

This is easy methods to make excellent air fryer salmon.

2. Entire hen

This one shocked me probably the most since I make a roast hen most Sundays and had change into content material with my technique of utilizing the oven. I realized quick that the air fryer does an excellent higher job because it’s in a position to crisp the pores and skin rapidly with out overcooking the meat. Air-fryer roasted hen takes about 45 minutes — about 15% faster than the oven — and it is practically inconceivable to screw up.

This is easy methods to make a fast roasted hen within the air fryer.

3. Bacon cheeseburgers 

Air fryer cheeseburgers have change into a staple round my residence. The exception is throughout summer season when the grill is in full swing, however throughout cooler months, I flip to the air fryer for this American traditional. It is not solely cleaner than pan frying, however the burger does not prepare dinner in its personal grease, so that you get a lighter, more healthy meal (in the event you’re into that kind of factor). It’s also possible to stick the bun and a few slices of bacon in with the burger and you’ve got the complete meal with nearly no cleanup to handle.

This is easy methods to make a cheeseburger from high to backside within the air fryer.

4. Hen cutlets 

Earlier than the air fryer, I used to pan-fry breaded hen cutlets for hen Parmesan and different recipes, however the air fryer does the identical job with much less mess and produces much less oily fried hen too. 

Watch this: Finest Air Fryers: Low-cost vs. Costly

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I like to recommend utilizing boneless hen thighs, which have sufficient fats content material to resist all that convection warmth with out drying out. Merely coat the hen in overwhelmed egg wash adopted by bread crumbs blended with salt, pepper and different spices. Cook dinner at 375 levels for about quarter-hour.

You may spray the cutlets frivolously with a little bit of oil earlier than cooking to get an additional crispy crust, but it surely’s not crucial. I’ve tried the identical technique with hen breasts; it really works nicely, however there’s extra danger of drying out the meat.

5. Cauliflower steak

Considered one of my favourite issues to prepare dinner within the air fryer is cauliflower. A slab of cauliflower makes a superb hearty facet dish or primary course in the event you’re going plant-based. Merely toss a thick slice or two of cauliflower with olive oil and salt and pepper, or some seasoning of your selection, and air fry for 10 or 12 minutes on excessive. The air fryer provides it an attractive caramelized crust, and it cooks the dense veggie quick sufficient in order that the within of the cauliflower does not change into mushy.

6. Leftover pizza

Whereas not each sort of meals is finest reheated within the air fryer, a whole lot of them are. Air fryers are the proper strategy to revive leftover pizza, fried hen, grilled meats and greens. A microwave heats meals inconsistently and tends to impart a rubbery texture. Air fryers give meals a second life by way of convection warmth for a crispy crust and even heating. 

This is the finest strategy to reheat each sort of leftover.

7. Sizzling canine

It is laborious to screw up a scorching canine, however in order for you a wonderfully charred wiener in beneath 5 minutes with basically no cleanup to handle, look to the air fryer. Air fryer scorching canine are so simple as easy will get, and the tremendous convection oven provides them an ideal browning in two or three minutes. 

This is easy methods to make scorching canine within the air fryer all summer season.

8. Baked potatoes

OK, so technically this one begins out within the microwave after which will get completed within the air fryer. The microwave softens the within in beneath 8 minutes whereas the air fryer blasts the sides and pores and skin to a crispy perfection. It is a restaurant-quality baked potato in beneath 12 minutes. This is easy methods to make the finest air fryer baked potato ever.