Recently introduced and quickly trending, there must be something special about an air fryer. It is one of the most in-demand kitchen appliances nowadays. Getting an air fryer in Pakistan is also thought of now.
As people have become more conscious about their health (thankfully), they search for healthy ways of cooking food. An air fryer is one such device created for the exact purpose.
What is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a cooking appliance that fries food with hot air. It resembles a lot in working with a convection oven, except that it doesn’t bake. Also, the device is comparatively faster and can work on the countertop.
Air fryer electronics can fry food to crispy brown while cutting low on the unhealthy fat content. It is easy to use, convenient, versatile, and definitely a must-have for fried food lovers. Before doing air fryer online shopping, have a look at how this device works.
How Does an Air Fryer Work?
Air fryers work by using convection technology similar to that of ovens. It produces hot air that circulates in the machine. The hot air cooks the food, thus the name “air fryer.” High temperatures will brown the exterior of the food. In this way, an air fryer cooks as efficiently as the flames. You don’t need to add so much oil as in deep frying, keeping the fat content of the food low.
- Placing Food in the Fryer:
The first step to making any dish in the air fryer is putting the uncooked food in the basket. Air fryers in Pakistan vary in size. However, they commonly hold 2-10 liter space. Before placing the food inside, brush the basket with a little vegetable oil. You can also brush a few oil drops to the top of the food if you want it to be extra crunchy. Otherwise, keeping it oil-free is always an option.
- Adjusting the Cooking Settings:
Just like a conventional oven, you have to set a certain temperature and total cooking time. The temperature range is limited i.e. 300-400F. The cooking time will decide how tender you want the results. It usually ranges between 5-30 minutes, depending on the type of food.
Meats like bacon or chicken wings take 10-15 minutes at 375F, except the breast, which requires more than 20 minutes to cook. Soft vegetables take 8-12min, cakes and brownies take 30-45min, while making fries in an air fryer requires at least 10-20 minutes.
Note: These cooking settings vary with food size, quantity, and how tender you want it.
- Letting the Food Cook:
Now you know what to do; WAIT. Let the device run at the time you set it. For some big-sized foods, you may want to flip them over so that both sides become crispy. Take out the food tray carefully with the handle. Enjoy your hot fried food with your favorite sauce!
Air Fryer Cooking Tips
- Avoid placing foods with a running batter in an air fryer.
- Pre-heating the device will help fry much quicker.
- Shaking or flipping the food over will ensure overall crispiness.
- You can reheat the leftover food better in an air fryer.
- Buy an air fryer that comes with an easy-to-clean cooking grill.
Are There Any Drawbacks to Using an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is an efficient replacement for deep-fried food. It produces the same results as pan frying but without the excess oil.
This device may seem too good to be true to some. So, are there really any hidden drawbacks to buying an air fryer? Compared to its benefits, not much.
One thing that may bother you is the limited capacity of this device. It is not a good option if you wish to prepare a lot of food for a family gathering. You can cook in batches, but it will be time-consuming. Plus, you won’t be serving it crunchy hot. Noise may be a problem in some low-quality products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are air-fried foods healthy?
The air fryer uses little to no oil for producing fried food. It cuts down more than 80% of the bad-fat content, so the total calorie count. Frying in an air fryer is much healthier than deep frying.
What can you cook in an air fryer?
The air fryer is a multi-functional baking, frying, and roasting kitchen appliance. You can cook steak, salmon, cookies, vegetables, wedges, wings, and much more in it. Potato fries are the top trending item to make in an air fryer.
How much does an air fryer cost in Pakistan?
The air fryer price in Pakistan usually ranges from 12k-25k PKR. The cheaper devices may come with drawbacks like loud noise or slow working. You can buy an air fryer in Pakistan at the best rates at Reason by Orient.