Have you met an air fryer evangelist yet? You’re at a party, sipping your drink, and then, boom: someone corners you about the unbelievable wings/ French fries/ doughnuts(!) they just air-fried. Suddenly, you’re hungry… and a convert.
Here’s how an air fryer works, what tools you need, and all the marvelous foods you can crisp up using it.
How It Works
Air fryers are sort of like countertop convection ovens. They circulate hot air around food very quickly, cooking it fast and crisping it up. You can add a little bit of oil to help with crispiness, but it’s not necessary. That’s why so many folks watching their fat intake love these gadgets.
The Tools
Remember how we said it’s a mini convection oven? It’s true! That means, with the right gear, you can also do wild things like bake bread or even muffins in it, maximizing its use of precious countertop real estate. And while you have it working, double its usable cooking space with a little rack! Or make sculpted little meatballs or donut holes in these bitelet pans. The air fryer process and tools to enhance it are constantly evolving. Our test kitchen keeps cracking the code for new ways to maximize it.
The Recipes
From easy, breezy appetizers you can whip up without all the heat, fuss, oil and smell of a deep-fryer to gorgeous entrées to sweets like donuts, you’ve got options when it comes to your air fryer. Our test kitchen has had a blast dreaming up the following crispy, crunchy, fabulous recipes.
Appetizers and Sides
2. Arancini With Grilled Red Pepper Sauce
6. Fritto Misto With Lemon and Artichokes
11. Samosas with Cilantro Sauce
12. Shrimp With Lemon and Chile
13. Sichuan Garlic Chicken Wings
14. Sour Cream and Onion Potato Poppers
17. Sweet Potatoes With Candied Walnuts
Mains
24. Mushroom-Chard Frittata With Goat Cheese
25. Salmon With Preserved Lemon Tapenade
26. Ribs With Sesame-Soy Teriyaki Sauce
28. Tonkatsu With Ginger Cabbage Slaw
Sweets
29. Cardamom Cream-Filled Doughnuts
30. Doughnuts With Matcha and Hibiscus Glaze
31. Caramel Sesame Air-Fried Doughnuts