What can you cook in an air fryer?

AIR fryers have become the latest trend when it comes to cooking.

Here's what you can cook in them...

What is an air fryer?

An air fryer can bake and roast just like an oven.

It is similar in size to a deep fat fryer and easily sits on a kitchen countertop.

But unlike a deep fat fryer, it uses rapidly circulated hot air and little to no oil.

The heating elements are only located on top, with a fan circulating the hot air at a high speed, producing a crisp layer on top of the food.

Most air fryers have temperature and timer adjustments that allow more precise cooking.

The food is typically cooked in a basket that sits on a drip tray.

In 2010, Philips introduced the Airfryer brand of convection oven at a consumer electronics fair in Berlin.

And by 2018, they became the latest trend.

What can you cook in an air fryer?

Air fryers can be used to heat frozen food or cook fresh food like chicken, steak, pork, salmon and veggies.

Most meats require no added oil as they are already so juicy, so once they're seasoned, they're ready to go.

Make sure you stick to dry seasonings — less moisture leads to crispier results.

If you want to cover your meat with sauce or honey, wait until the last couple of minutes of cooking.

Lean cuts of meat, or any food with little or no fat, require oil to brown and crisp up.

Chips are also a favourite for air fryer lovers and you can cook - and you can even cook them with fish too.

Vegetables will also need to be covered in oil before air frying.

Vegetable oil is usually recommended due to its higher smoke point.

Air fryers can also be great for making single-serving desserts, including small baked goods like cookies and apple fritters.

Why have air fryers become so popular?

Air fryers have become popular due to the fact that they are affordable and don't use as much oil as a traditional fryer.

They also heat food evenly and quickly.

These appliances are much healthier than deep fryers and work more rapidly than a standard convection oven.

Most come with a built-in timer, non-stick coating and parts that can go straight into the dishwasher, meaning that the clean-up afterwards couldn't be any easier.