Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Kitchen Gadgets - Let's Talk Air Frying

Mindy here, wondering if you all have seen these new air fryers that are on the market. They claim you can fry with little or no oil, yet get the same results as regular frying. I was intrigued, so I asked for one for my birthday.
And, since it was the only thing I asked for, I received.


Guess what?

I love it!
Okay, so I've only used it for a few frozen foods so far, but I am pleased with the results. Best of all, cleanup is a breeze.

We love frozen boneless wings and though we usually cook them in the oven, they just aren't as crisp their fried counterparts. So, we put them into the air fryer and voila!
Crispy on the outside, moist and juicy on the inside.

Cool!

Well, that inspired me to keep playing, so I threw in some frozen sweet potato fries and let them cook for approximately 14 minutes.
All of the deliciousness, none of the added fat. Hubby especially likes those brown ends. Crispy, but with no burned taste.

According to the manufacturer, you can even bake, sauté, grill and roast in it. Of course, I haven't tried any of those things yet. Still, the option is there. You can even make homemade French fries and fried chicken. Oh, and cleanup is a breeze. Simply rinse or wipe out the basket and holder and you're done.

For now, I will enjoy my favorite frozen fried foods without guilt. Something that is especially convenient on those days when we are busy prepping the house to go on the market. The clock is ticking and there's still so much to do.

Now it's your turn. Have you ever tried an air fryer? Would you try one?
What are your thoughts?



Mindy Obenhaus lives in Texas with her husband and kids. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com

12 comments:

  1. Mindy, you know I love frying things, that part of me should have been Southern!!! I don't get how this works unless it's like reprojecting the natural oils in the foods??? How cool would that be?

    I need to hear more about this, it's intriguing, but it's small. With this crazy big family, I already have to man the fryer for an hour to do fish fries for people... or chicken tenders... Or fried dough.... (now I desperately want fried dough) But I am so interested in this!

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    1. Ruthy, they call it "super-heated air" that's cooking the foods. And yes, you do add oil to some things. Like if you were cutting up your own potatoes to fry, you would toss them in a very small amount of oil before cooking them.

      The fryer I have is 2.4 quart, but they also make a 3.4 quart and a 5.3 quart. That said, if I were frying fish or making chicken fried steak/venison, I'm frying the old fashioned way. But when it's just hubby and I, or if I need to whip up some frozen finger foods for the kids, I will definitely use this.

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  2. I've never heard of one of these, but I'm intrigued! Sweet potato fries? Fried chicken? Egg rolls?

    All the wonderful foods that have gone to the "once in a blue moon" eating schedule. :(

    I also wonder if they have a commercial version. Now that would be great! Many hospital cafeterias don't have fryers anymore, but one of these could be a healthy option.

    But, oh Ruthy, why did you have to mention fried dough? Now I desperately want it!

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    1. Jan, you must have read my mind because I was thinking I needed to try some egg rolls in this, too. And I was also wondering about commercial versions.

      I'm trying to ignore the fried dough comment for fear I'll want some.

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  3. Oohhh...so an air fryer without nasty, scary boiling oil????? I'm in!!!! I'd never heard of them either but I'm going to check it out.Mulling over all the vegetarian options that might work in such a machine.

    Hope all is going well with the staging and packing up and moving out. And your recovery!!!!

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    1. That's right, Kav, no boiling oil. Just super hot air. The only vegetarian option popping into my head is fried mushrooms. Oh, how I love those things.

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  4. I've always wanted to try one! I'm so glad you told us about it. So are you supposed to put frozen food in? Or is that just for convenience? I'm assuming you could put fresh wings in there as well. I wonder if you can bread veggies and put them in? Inquiring minds want to know! :)

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    1. No, foods do not have to be frozen, Missy. Absolutely you can put in your raw chicken wings. Cook them, remove to douse in sauce and return for a while longer to get that crispy coating! The book that came with mine even has recipes for Mac'n cheese balls, garlic knots, Stromboli, coconut shrimp and more. I'm definitely going to have to try some of those. Be still my heart, there's even a recipe for donuts. Did you hear that, Ruthy? You can make donuts in it. As for the veggies, Missy, I'm sure it would work fine. There's a recipe for a Blooming Onion (LOVE those), so I don't see why you couldn't do other stuff.

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  5. Well, isn't this cool! I've never heard of it either. I'm guessing hubby would be the one putting this on his birthday list. He's always trying (mostly unsuccessfully) to get me to fry things for him.

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    1. Just think, Mary Cate. Now you COULD fry things for him without the guilt. And it would be SO much easier for you. You should totally get him one. When's his birthday? Just think of how much more he would love you. ;-)

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  6. Does it take away the stink that frying with oil fryers have? I don't do much fried food at home as I dislike the smell the fry oil leaves.

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    1. Yes! I hadn't really thought about that, Katie, but because there's no oil, you don't have that lingering smell. Just the tempting aromas of the food.

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