If you enjoy cooking, you’ll love knowing about these 10 air fryer benefits (plus a few bonus benefits) listed below. The features of most air fryers take cooking to a whole new level of deliciousness and fun.
This wonderful kitchen appliance is super easy to use, and there are so many things you can make. In fact, almost anything you cook in a frying pan or in the oven can be made in an air fryer.
When I first got mine, I assumed it would be mostly for making French fries and heating up leftovers. But it didn’t take long to discover some of the other wonderful things about it.
I love a variety of cooking methods, but I have to admit that my air fryer is one of my favorite cooking appliances. It’s a great option for a variety of foods, including prepared items that simply need to be reheated.
Convection Oven Air Frying
An air fryer is basically a small convection oven that circulates the hot air with a fan. As the circulating air blows over the food, the outside gets a crispy texture, leaving the inside moist.
Many standard size ovens and toaster ovens have a convection setting. In fact, I have both a larger oven with convection and a toaster oven that can be a secondary air fryer. However, the dedicated air fryer does a much better job, and I love how easy it is to clean.
Choosing an Air Fryer
The first thing I recommend is determining how much counter space you can dedicate to your new air fryer. Second, know how much you can afford to spend.
And third, determine what extra features you want. Although mine has a variety of settings, I always use the air fryer setting. Once I press the button, the powerful fan comes on and cooks everything ins the cooking basket to perfection.
The good news about choosing an air fryer is that most of the brands are good.
Deep Frying vs. Air Frying
In my opinion, air fryers are inexpensive if you look at the long-term benefits. You’re not heating the larger oven which in turn heats the whole kitchen. Instead, you’re keeping the heat contained in the smaller air fryer.
Since deep frying involves a massive amount of oil or some sort of fat, I hardly ever did it. However, I do like the taste of deep-fried food.
I just don’t care for immersing the ingredients in a vat of fat and then having to figure out what to do with it later. Most of the time, I wound up disposing of it, which is such a waste.
When I air fry, I usually spritz the food with some sort of oil. It only takes a small amount, so you’re not wasting a bunch of expensive olive oil or avocado oil. I like the fact that you don’t need as much oil to air fry as you do when you deep fry.
There are actually some foods that have enough fat on them, so you don’t have to spray them. This includes foods like skin-on chicken thighs, frozen fries, and other prepared foods.
Air Fryer Advantages
Cost – In my opinion, air fryers are inexpensive if you look at the long-term benefits. You’re not heating the larger oven which in turn heats the whole kitchen.
Instead, you’re keeping the heat contained in the smaller air fryer, so you’re using less energy.
Cooking time – Because of the air fryer cooking process, you’ll cut your cooking time by approximately one-third. Since the food will cook in less time, you’ll have supper on the table much more quickly.
So you can take the time for a conventional oven and cut the time you air fry it. For example, if the standard recipe states to cook the food for 30 minutes, you can typically cut the time to 20 minutes.
If you’re ever in a hurry, you’ll love the fact that food cooks so much faster in an air fryer. It’s an easy way to give the family what they want when they’re hungry.
Flavor – When you like the taste of fried food but don’t want so much fat, you can cook it in your air fryer. You’ll love the fact that you can enjoy crispy fried chicken for fewer calories.
Since air frying is a healthy way to enjoy your favorite foods, you can make them more often.
More Benefits of an Air Fryer
There are actually more than 10 air fryer benefits, and you’ll discover that as you use this wonderful appliance. Some of the benefits overlap, though (i.e., using less oil and healthier cooking).
Crunchy texture – You’ll love the crispy texture of chicken wings cooked in an air fryer. Just a little oil spritzed on the food is all you need. Most of the time, you’ll only need a tablespoon of oil at the most.
Whether you cook chicken wings, sweet potato fries, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, or Brussels sprouts, they turn out crispy on the outside and moist in the center.
Health benefits – Air fryers also provide you a healthier option than deep fat fryers since you’ll use less oil. Your food won’t be as greasy as it would be in a traditional deep fryer.
According to Healthline, air fryers deliver cooked food with a significantly lower fat content.
This healthier alternative to frying will probably pique your desire to experiment with a larger variety of foods in the kitchen. Also, who doesn’t want to cook healthy meals for the family?
Another benefit of cooking in an air fryer is that it’s a great tool if you’re dieting. Simply by cutting the amount of fat intake, you’re likely to experience weight loss.
Requires less space – Whether you have a small kitchen or you’re cooking in a dorm room, an air fryer makes it possible to prepare healthy foods on your own. It doesn’t take much space, so you can cook on a small countertop, standard desk, or even a nightstand if you have to.
Easy cleanup – When it’s time to clean up after the meal, you’ll be happy to know that using your air fryer also makes that super easy.
Summary of 10 Air Fryer Benefits
Here’s a quick list of 10 air fryer benefits — some obvious ones and others that aren’t so obvious:
- Easy-to-push buttons
- Perfect for small portions
- Cooks with very little fat
- Save money on oil
- Easy to clean
- Quick meals
- Safe to use if directions are followed
- Perfect for beginners in the kitchen
- Easy to clean
- Comes in a variety of sizes
Favorite Air Fried Foods
Since I’ve had my air fryer I’ve cooked a wide variety of foods. Here are some of my favorites:
Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Breast – When you want lean proteins that taste delicious, try making this.
You can enjoy it as a main dish or cut it up and use it as an ingredient in soups or casseroles.
Air Fryer “Boiled” Eggs – Although they’re not technically boiled, no one will know the difference.
It’s so much easier to cook them in an air fryer, and they come out just like you like them.
Frozen Waffle Fries – The air fryer is a great way to make frozen waffle fries taste even more special. Y
ou can enjoy them with a little shake of salt or doctor them up with seasonings and sauces.
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños – These are great appetizers that will disappear so fast your head will spin.
So make enough for everyone to have seconds … and maybe even thirds.
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders – You can make these as the main dish or appetizer.
Regardless of how you serve them, everyone will ask for more.
Air Fryer Carrots – Looking for a way to get the kiddos to eat their veggies?
Here’s one they’ll request over and over. There’s something about the air fryer that brings out the sweetness in carrots, and you don’t even have to add sugar.
Ranch Chickpeas – Once you make these, you’ll want to add it to your list of regular snack foods.
The crunchy goodness from the high heat and delicious seasoning will send your tastebuds into orbit.
