If you’re someone who is interested in healthy cooking (and I think it’s safe to say that everyone here is in that camp), it would be hard to ignore the allure of the Air Fryer. The idea of achieving deep fried goodness without tons of oil is seemingly too good to be true. Yet, chances are that you already own several large kitchen appliances and want to know if it’s worth making space for yet another “gadget”. If you’re on the fence, hopefully I can help you discern between hype and reality, and figure out if it’s something that you should add to your kitchen.
So what IS an air fryer, exactly? An air fryer is a countertop kitchen appliance that works like a convection oven, meaning it cooks food by circulating hot air at high speeds. It doesn’t actually fry your food, but results in a very similar crispy texture that you would normally achieve by cooking food in hot oil. Air fryers come in different sizes and capacities, and can run anywhere from $50-550 (most models will set you back $80-100).
I was given an air fryer as a gift a few years ago after going back and forth in my head about whether I wanted/needed one. Overall, I like it - I use it weekly, but definitely would not consider it to be an “essential” appliance, the way I would with my Vitamix blender. In full disclosure, I still use oil most of the time when I use my air fryer, just in smaller amounts than I would normally use if I were pan frying or oven roasting. Some people who follow an oil-free diet swear by the air fryer, but I find that the texture is much better with even a little high quality oil (avocado oil is good for high temperature cooking, in case you’re wondering). You do you.
My favorite part about the air fryer is that you don’t have to pre-heat it. Normally, if I were making oven fries, I’d have to wait about 20 minutes for my oven to reach 425 degrees. With the air fryer, I can pop things in and start cooking right away, which is really nice when you have limited time and hungry mouths to feed. I also love the texture it creates with the aforementioned fries, but also with chickpeas, tofu and sturdier veggies (like cauliflower or broccoli). I can feel good about using slightly less oil while still getting great consistency. Clean up is relatively easy, and the model that I own is fairly quiet. It’s also easy to use; I find it much easier to use intuitively than, say, an Instant Pot.
There are a few definite drawbacks to owning an air fryer. First, it takes up a decent amount of room (as much as a full sized Instant Pot), so if you’re short on space, you may need to consider keeping it in a separate storage area (which is what I do).
You can also debate its necessity if you have an oven with a convection setting, especially if you invest in some special “crisper trays” to use that will help you achieve that fried texture. If it weren’t for the convenience of not having to preheat the air fryer, I would consider selling mine in favor of using my oven with the convection setting/crisper tray.
Another thing to consider, is that I suspect that you very much get what you pay for. A year ago, I needed to replace my smaller Philips brand air fryer, and wanted something with a larger capacity. In an effort to save some money, I purchased a much cheaper model from a recognizable brand on Amazon, and ended up returning it due the extremely noticeable plastic smell that emanated from the machine every time it was in use. I talked to a family member about this and she told me she had the exact same experience with her air fryer, also a cheaper brand with high reviews online. I ended up (reluctantly) paying more money for the larger Philips one I currently own, and have never had any issues with toxic smells coming from it, so I would say it’s worth the extra money to avoid the potential health risks that come with using a cheaper model.
So should you buy one? If you can afford a higher quality model, have the space, and are looking to cook with less oil in less time, sure! But if you don’t mind pre-heating a convection oven and using a crisper tray, you probably don’t need it. I’m always happy to answer questions if you have them!
A few updates!
-Recently, I completed an online certification in Holistic Cancer Care. I’m so excited to add more knowledge to my cancer fighting toolbox. Aside from sharing what I’ve learned here with you here on Plant Magic, I look forward to getting more involved in the cancer community locally, especially as COVID (hopefully) continues to ease up.
-As many of you know, I’ve significantly scaled back on my alcohol consumption since my cancer diagnosis. I still enjoy red wine (it is part of the Blue Zones diet, after all!), but I’ve become a bit more selective about what I drink. I recently discovered Scout & Cellar wines, not only because they’re legitimately delicious, but because they are vegan (not all wines are!) and “Clean Crafted”. What is Clean Crafted? It’s wine grown naturally, without pesticides, preservatives, chemicals, and no added sugar. If you enjoy drinking wine and are health conscious, S&C wines are for you. If you’re interested in trying, let me know! I have a 20% off code to give to the first three people who ask! Otherwise, you can order right here (I am loving the Dove Hunt Dog Cabernet).
-Lately, I’ve been getting into audiobooks so that I be productive around the house while still making my way through the many titles that I want to read. I still prefer physical books when I read fiction, but for non-fiction, audio is perfect! I just started You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero. I’m getting very into mindset shifts as a way of finding happiness, peace and success and so far, I really like this one! If you’re feeling stuck in one or multiple areas of life, I’d recommend it.