7 Advantages of Air Fryer

Haven’t you thought that it’s a bit unfair that all the foods that you love indulging in can negatively affect your health in one way or another? Whether it is vada pavs, samosas, bhajias or kebabs, these authentic and scrumptious Indian street foods just keep your hearts wanting for more, but this isn’t necessarily a good thing. These meals are always deep-fried and cooked in large amounts of oil; enter cholesterol.

Foods that have large amounts of oil are high in calories and fats. This makes you prone to certain health conditions like weight gain, heart disease and diabetes, to name a few. Fortunately, there is a much better alternative to eating delicious and crispy food that is both healthy and flavourful; enter air fryer. In this article, we explore the numerous air fryer uses and benefits.

1. Air Fryer: An Overview and How It Works

   An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that cooks food by circulating hot air around it by using convection technology. It provides a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods due to its low to no oil requirement. However, the result is crispier foods that taste similar to fried foods. The air fryer is backed by convection heating technology. Here, a heating element at the top of the appliance produces hot air that is rapidly circulated around the food by a powerful fan. This circulating hot air cooks the food evenly from all sides, resulting in a crispy texture similar to deep-frying but with significantly less oil. Air Fryer for Reduced Oil Consumption An air fryer works in a similar way to a convection oven. The heating coil in the air fryer can create heat that goes up to 200°C which starts cooking the food inside while creating a crisp and brown outer layer. As the food starts cooking, the oils that come out from the food drop into the basket below. This is why you hardly need any oil while cooking with an air fryer. Crompton’s super-helix heating element and jet turbo fins showcase a quick fry technology that can cook perfect vadas in no time. We even provide free tongs and an oil brush to apply oil to the surface of the food so it doesn’t burn.
   One of the air fryer advantages is being able to cook your food while using minimal oil. Because of the advanced heating system, you will end up with crispy foods that would’ve otherwise been achieved by deep frying them in oil.

2. Contribution to Weight Loss

   With the significant reduction in oil consumption, cooking with an air fryer is a fun and simple way to work towards weight loss. Indian meals are often packed with fats, which makes it difficult to achieve our weight loss goals. One of the best benefits of cooking with an air fryer is losing a few more calories while eating delicious food.
   While an air fryer itself does not directly contribute to weight loss, it can be a useful tool for individuals looking to maintain a healthy weight or make healthier dietary choices. By using little to no oil or using healthier alternatives such as olive oil spray, you can significantly reduce the overall calorie content of fried foods. This can help lower your daily calorie intake, which is essential for weight loss. Air fryers can be used to cook a wide variety of foods, including vegetables, lean meats, and seafood. By incorporating more nutrient-dense and lower-calorie ingredients into your meals, you can create healthier dishes that support weight loss goals.

3. Air Fryer for Reducing the Risk of Heart-Related Problems

   Eating oily foods regularly can increase your cholesterol levels and create an imbalance in your blood pressure. This can lead to various heart diseases like heart strokes and in severe cases, heart attacks.
   By using minimal amounts of oil or even cooking without oil altogether, air frying reduces the intake of unhealthy fats, such as saturated and trans fats. High consumption of these fats is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, as they can raise levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol or bad cholesterol in the blood. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
   By reducing the consumption of fried foods cooked in excessive amounts of oil, air fryers help lower the intake of artery-clogging fats. This, in turn, can reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular complications. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for heart health, as obesity is a significant risk factor for heart disease. Air fryers can support weight management efforts by promoting the consumption of lower-calorie, nutrient-dense foods cooked with minimal added fats. If you or somebody in your house is at risk of heart-related diseases, then switching to an air fryer can be beneficial. You can prepare the same foods you cook daily while using less oil.

4. Versatility: Multiple Uses of Air Fryer

   Another benefit of using air fryer is the versatile cooking techniques you can access. The uses of air fryers go beyond simply frying. Here’s what you can do with your air fryer:

   • Fry
     While air fryers are often associated with frying, they can fry foods with significantly less oil than conventional deep fryers. From crispy French fries and onion rings to fried chicken and fish, air fryers can achieve the same golden-brown texture and delicious taste without the excess grease.
   • Bake
     Air fryers are capable of baking a variety of sweet and savoury dishes, including cakes, muffins, cookies, and even bread. The convection heating technology ensures even cooking and browning, resulting in perfectly baked goods with a moist interior and crispy exterior.
   • Grill
     Air fryers can mimic the grilling process by cooking meats, poultry, seafood, and vegetables to perfection. The circulating hot air cooks food evenly on all sides, creating grill marks and caramelisation for that signature grilled flavour and texture.
   • Roast
     Air fryers also excel at roasting meats, vegetables, and even whole poultry. Whether you're cooking juicy chicken or flavourful roasted vegetables, air fryers can achieve excellent results with minimal effort, space and energy.
   • Reheat
     Air fryers allow you to reheat leftovers. They can revive previously cooked food and restore its crispiness and texture. Whether it's pizza, fries, or fried chicken, air fryers can reheat leftovers evenly and quickly.
   • Dehydrate
     You can set your air fryer at extremely low temperatures for long periods to remove moisture from foods. You can make homemade dried fruits, vegetables and herbs. This way, air fryers can preserve their nutritional value and extend their shelf life for snacking or cooking purposes.
   • Toast
     Air fryers can toast bread, bagels, and other baked goods to perfection, producing crispy and golden slices with ease. Whether you prefer a light toast or a darker, crunchier texture, air fryers allow for customisable settings to suit your preferences.

    

5. Easy Clean-Up

   One simple advantage of an air fryer is its easy clean-up process. Deep frying always requires a burdensome process of filling a utensil with oil and looking for a place to store the oil after you’re done cooking so that you can wash the utensil afterwards. 
   Crompton’s air fryer comes with a large removable inner basket. After you’re done cooking, you can simply take out this basket, wash it with some soap and water or even pop it in the dishwasher as it is dishwasher safe. It’s as easy as that!

6. Consistent Results

   Air fryers tend to provide consistent results that are necessary in the cooking world. Here’s how:

   • Uniform Heat Distribution
     Air fryers use convection heating technology, where a powerful fan circulates hot air around the food at high speed. This rapid circulation of hot air ensures that every part of the food receives consistent heat, resulting in uniform cooking and browning.
   • Eliminates Hot Spots
     Unlike traditional ovens or stovetops, which may have hot spots that can cause uneven cooking, air fryers distribute heat evenly throughout the cooking chamber. This eliminates the risk of certain areas of the food being undercooked or overcooked. This ensures that every bite is cooked to perfection.
   • Minimal Flipping Required
     Another air fryer benefit is that there's no need to flip or rotate food halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning. The circulating hot air cooks the food from all sides simultaneously, resulting in consistent texture and doneness without the hassle of manual intervention.

7. Air Fryers for Minimising Nutrient Loss

   An important benefit of air fryer cooking is nutrient retention. Air fryers cook food quickly and efficiently, reducing the overall cooking time compared to traditional methods like deep frying or baking in a conventional oven. The shorter cooking duration helps minimise nutrient loss due to exposure to heat and oxygen, preserving the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants present in the food. Also, the air fryer’s convection heating technology allows the food to cook evenly at lower temperatures. By cooking at lower temperatures, air fryers may prevent the degradation of heat-sensitive nutrients, such as antioxidants, which can be lost when exposed to high heat.
   Many plant-based foods contain beneficial compounds called phytochemicals, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Air frying may help preserve these phytochemicals by cooking foods quickly and at lower temperatures which allows them to retain their health-promoting benefits.

Types Of Foods To Make With An Air Fryer

An air fryer does not limit your cooking, if anything it can expand your cooking repertoire even more. With Crompton’s air fryer, you will also receive a recipe book with recipes for oil-free dishes, so that you may never run out of ideas. A few common foods people cook in an air fryer are:

• Fried Potato Wedge: Cut potatoes into wedges, and season with olive oil, salt, and your favourite spices. Place in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.
• Chicken Wings: Toss chicken wings with olive oil and your preferred seasonings. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 380°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and cooked through.
• Onion Bhajias: Mix sliced onions with chickpea flour, spices, and water to form a thick batter. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, until golden and crispy.
• Aloo Gobi: Toss cauliflower florets and cubed potatoes with oil and spices. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 380°F for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and golden brown.
• Paneer Tikka: Marinate paneer cubes in yoghurt and spices. Thread onto skewers and place in the air fryer basket. Cook at 380°F for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through, until paneer is golden and lightly charred.
• Samosa: Fill the samosa pastry with a mixture of spiced potatoes and peas. Brush with oil and place in the air fryer basket. Cook at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, until golden and crispy.
• Chicken Tandoori: Marinate chicken pieces in yoghurt, lemon juice, and tandoori spices. Place in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, until chicken is cooked through and charred in spots.

Ready to Buy an Air Fryer? Consider the Following Essential Factors

Now that you know the benefits of an air fryer, you may want to consider upgrading your kitchen with one. And whenever you do, take note of these essential factors:

• Capacity: Choose an air fryer with a capacity that suits your household's needs. Sizes typically range across a few litres.
• Power: Look for an air fryer with sufficient power to ensure efficient cooking. Higher-wattage models generally cook faster and more evenly.
• Temperature Control: Opt for an air fryer with adjustable temperature settings to allow for precise cooking. This way, you can cook a variety of foods.
• Timer: Ensure the air fryer has a timer function that allows you to set cooking times accurately. This feature helps prevent overcooking and allows for hands-free cooking.
• Ease of Cleaning: Choose an air fryer with removable parts that are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. Non-stick baskets and trays also simplify cleaning and maintenance.
• Safety Features: Look for safety features such as automatic shut-off and cool-touch handles to prevent accidents and ensure safe operation.
• Additional Features: Consider additional features such as pre-programmed cooking functions, cooking accessories, and recipe guides.
• Reviews and Ratings: Research customer reviews and ratings to gauge the performance and reliability of the air fryer. Consider models with positive feedback and high ratings.
• Cost: Determine your budget and compare prices across different brands and models. The more the features, the higher the price tends to be.
• Warranty: Check the warranty coverage offered by the manufacturer to ensure protection against defects and malfunctions. A longer warranty is usually preferable.

Takeaway

The air fryer benefits are endless, making it an excellent addition to your kitchen. It allows you to cook a multitude of recipes without excess oil. You can consider Crompton’s range of air fryers. The air fryers come with super-helix heating element and jet turbo fins that allow you to cook food quickly while also retaining its crispiness. The 4.5-litre capacity is perfect for medium to large-sized families. You can control the temperature and set timers.

FAQs on Air Fryers Advantages

• Are air fryers safe to use?
  Air fryers are safe to use when operated per the manufacturer's instructions. Also, air fryers cook food by circulating hot air which eliminates the risks associated with traditional deep frying. Ensure you follow safety guidelines and avoid overcrowding the cooking chamber to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking.
• Can I use air fryers to reheat leftovers?
  Yes, you can. Air fryers can be used to reheat leftovers. Simply place the leftovers in the air fryer basket and heat at a moderate temperature until warmed through for even heating and crispiness.
• Are air fryers energy-efficient?
  Air fryers are generally energy efficient. They use convection heating technology to cook food quickly and evenly, reducing overall cooking time and energy consumption compared to conventional ovens. Additionally, air fryers often have shorter preheating times, further contributing to their energy efficiency.
• How can air fryers help with weight loss goals?
  Air fryers can be a helpful tool for weight loss as they allow you to enjoy fried foods with fewer calories and less fat. By using minimal oil for cooking and promoting portion control, air fryers can support your weight loss efforts when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise.
• How can I clean an air fryer?
  Air fryers are relatively easy to clean, as most models come with removable trays or baskets that are also dishwasher safe. Empty the drip tray and remove food residue after every use. Regularly clean the surfaces by wiping them with a damp cloth or sponge.