This year for Valentine’s Day, I made an odd request. You may be noticing a trend that I make odd requests on what would typically be considered romantic holidays. Instead of flowers and candy, I shared my heart’s desire – an air fryer. I’d been watching friends post about their air frying experiences and my curiosity was piqued.
I’ve always loved a good kitchen appliance fad. There was the bread maker my grandmother gave to me after she’d gone back to making her breads and doughs the old fashioned way. For a few months, we had fresh baked bread on a weekly (and sometimes even a daily) basis. And then, the rather large appliance was banished to the back of the cabinet because it hogged up too much space. Eventually, I gave grandma’s bread maker away.
After finding a barely used espresso machine at a yard sale for $2, I was confident I would become a home barista. For a season, I dominated the latte game. But then, I realized I fared much better with my basic drip coffee pot when it came to time and money spent. I packed up my coffee house dreams and gave the espresso machine to someone else to begin their own journey.
The George Foreman Grill, the panini press, the waffle iron . . . so many appliances, so many disappointments. Even though most of the items were either thrifted or gifted, I hate the idea of wasting money or time on something that didn’t deliver. I wondered if an air fryer would find its way to the appliance graveyard of the back of my kitchen cabinets.
However, six months later, I’m still loving the air fryer and the ways it has simplified dinner at our house. If you already have an air fryer or you’re considering purchasing one, these simple food prep ideas can help you make the most of yours.
Reheat Leftovers
We love the way leftovers reheat in our air fryer. Instead of pitching soggy french fries or enduring rubbery pizza, you can bring your restaurant extras back to full flavor. The reheat time rivals a microwave and everything crisps and heats evenly.
Bake Potatoes
When I realized I could make baked potatoes in my air fryer, it was a complete game changer. The process is simple and keeps my kitchen much cooler on hot summer days. Simply wash your favorite baking potato. Spray lightly with a non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle with salt. That’s it. There’s no need for pricking the potato with a fork or wrapping it in aluminum foil. Place in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 40-50 minutes. You may want to turn them about 20 minutes into cooking. When the potato is fork tender, it’s ready. I’ve loved tossing chicken or pork chops on the outdoor grill while using the air fryer to make an easy and delicious side. Each time, the potatoes turn out fluffy on the inside with a crispy skin.
Whip Up Roasted Corn
For awhile, I put anything and everything into the air fryer. I had a couple of serious fails. For instance, one time I forgot to account for the air pockets in a soft tortilla and it puffed up into a quesadilla that resembled a UFO. But my roasted corn experiment proved much more successful. Simply cover the bottom of your air fryer with frozen corn. You can drizzle with a bit of oil or spray with cooking spray but it’s really not necessary. I like to use a bit of taco seasoning, lightly coating the corn. And I’ve also added fresh garlic and a hint of lime juice, too. Air fry at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Stir and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the corn is roasted to your liking. Serve as a side dish on Taco Tuesday or add to your favorite Southwest salad.
Boil Eggs
I thought this was CRAZY, but it works. You can actually hard boil eggs in your air fryer. Place eggs in the air fryer and cook at 250 degrees for approximately 15 minutes. You can cook them a minute or two longer for a firmer yolk, a minute or two shorter for a softer yolk. Immediately pop them into an ice water bath. Once cool, peel and eat or store.
Prepare Any Frozen Food
French fries, popcorn shrimp, soft pretzels, egg rolls – we haven’t met a convenience food that hasn’t been a hit in the air fryer. Yours probably came with a guide or recipe book that suggests temperatures and times for these items. But it might also require some experimentation to find the best combination.
Essential Tip #1: Avoid Overloading
One mistake many make with an air fryer is filling it too full. Since the device requires the circulation of air to “fry” foods, it’s important that anything placed into the air fryer basket is in a single layer. Stacking too many frozen french fries on top of each other yields sad and soggy potatoes. It’s easy to get overzealous, but you’ll have much better results even if you need to serve the first round of your dish at the beginning dinner and then start another serving in case anyone wants seconds.
Essential Tip #2: Remove The Tray
Our air fryer came with a small rack in the bottom. I assumed that this metal tray was necessary to the cooking process. However, after a few bouts of stuck on foods, I decided to remove it from the basket. This greatly improved the sticking problem and I think also improved the overall flavor of foods. Every machine is different and some may have built in racks or require them to function. But if your model gives you the option, consider taking it out.
Essential Tip #3: Look for Air Fryer Deals
Like many kitchen appliances, Air Fryers routinely go on sale. If you’re in the market to purchase one, pay attention for bargains. Labor Day will likely bring with it a host of sales ushering in the fall. Brian purchased the Gourmia 5 Quart Air Fryer from Costco for me. At the time, it was $49.99. You’ll find a wide variety of brands and options. I’m always going to suggest purchasing a model that is “middle of the road” when it comes to price. So, don’t buy the farm with the priciest model and don’t go too cheap either. Carefully read reviews and use a tool like CamelCamelCamel to see price fluctuations on Amazon.
- GoWISE USA 1700-Watt 5.8-QT 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer and 50 Recipes $66.98
- Ninja Air Fryer, 1550-Watt with 4-Quart Ceramic Coated Basket $99.99
- US PIEDLE Air Fryer, 1400-Watt 3.7Qt with Detachable Nonstick Basket and 50 Recipes $79.99 (AND there’s a $20 off coupon)
It’s difficult to say how long my air frying obsession will last. It’s already outlived both the bread maker and the espresso machine eras. I’m still working on the best countertop arrangement because the air fryer does require a significant amount of premium real estate. However, it seems each week, I discover a new family favorite that speeds up dinner prep. If your budget allows, this popular appliance might be well worth the investment for you, too. Just don’t gift one on a romantic holiday unless your significant other asks for it.
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