50 Healthy Air Fryer Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest thing to cook in an air fryer? ›

Air-Fryer Chicken Cutlets are an easy, healthier alternative to my grandma's signature dinner. No oily mess, but you still get juicy chicken breasts with a crispy crunch! Meal prep these gluten-free chicken cutlets for pasta, sandwiches, atop salads, and so much more!

Summary. In conclusion, while air fryers offer certain benefits such as reduced calorie intake and faster cooking times, they are not without their limitations. Size constraints, limited cooking options, and concerns about crispiness are driving some people to look for alternatives.

What are Disadvantages of Using an Air Fryer? Air fryers vary in the amount of foods they can hold, but usually do not have a large capacity. Air fryers may not be convenient when cooking for large groups. Foods that are air fried have different sensory characteristics than foods that are deep fried.

Air-fryer chicken breasts

Simply roll oiled chicken breasts in the seasoning and put in the air-fryer to cook for 18-20 mins, then serve with rice, greens or a salad. Mix up the spices for interest or keep it plain, it's up to you.

Air-frying equipment is not known to cause cancer, but the process of air frying does result in the formation of certain compounds, like acrylamide, that are linked to cancer development. Acrylamide is classified as a probable human carcinogen.

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

While an air fryer can technically take a burger patty from raw to cooked, the exterior won't brown as quickly as it would on, say, a grill, which means medium-rare (and even medium) burgers are out of the question. You also won't get that irresistible char.

Some say it's too good to be true, that you can't effectively “fry” something with a few tablespoons of oil and hot circulating air. Some say yeah, it works but it takes up too much countertop space for what it's worth.

What is better than air fryers? ›

Air fryers have a smaller capacity than convection ovens; that's why they cook food faster. On the downside, they struggle with more than four portions (conversely, a convection oven can cook food for a crowd, thanks to multiple racks and generous surface area).

These gadgets are superb for cooking 'small things that cook quickly', but Lewis pointed out that loading the air fryer with various foods can increase energy consumption and bump up your bills.

Healthier indulgences – If you crave the flavors of deep-fried goodness without the excessive oil, the air fryer is your culinary savior. Because they require significantly less oil, temperature-adjustable air fryers let you enjoy your favorite fried treats while cutting calories by about 70–80%.

Despite their benefits, air fryers can have limited cooking capacity, take longer cook times, and struggle to achieve a truly crispy texture.

Increased air fryer recalls since 2021

Faulty wiring or user error can cause air fryers to overheat, burn the food inside or melt the machine itself, leading to several reported cases of kitchen fires and burns.

Using air fryers can promote weight loss

A higher intake of fried foods has direct links with higher obesity risk. This is because deep fried foods tend to be high in fat and calories. Switching from deep-fried foods to air-fried foods and reducing regular intake of unhealthful oils can promote weight loss.

Air-fried foods may be healthier than deep-fried foods in several ways. They're lower in fat, calories, and even some potentially harmful compounds that are found in traditionally fried foods.

Avocado oil is one of the best oils to use in the air fryer. Not only does it have a very high smoke point, it also has a neutral flavor and is rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats.