An air fryer can allow you to enjoy delicious meals anytime, anywhere. This makes them perfect for busy families. If you’ve never owned an air fryer, here are some of the best accessories to make your life easier.
What is an Air fryer?
Air frying has become very popular recently because of its health benefits. However, if you want to try air frying at home, you should know what these devices are and what they do.
Air Fryers are new devices that allow you to cook foods such as chicken, fish, vegetables, etc., without heating oil or grease. They also allow you to cook the food faster compared to conventional ovens.
Most modern air fryers come equipped with temperature control settings. It allows you to choose from various temperatures ranging between 180°C (356°F) and 240°C (475°F). Naturally, the higher the temperature, the shorter the time needed to cook the food.
How does it work?
Air Fryers are countertop oven that circulates hot air around your food. It results in even cooking and a crispy crust. They work best with foods that don’t need much browning, like vegetables, fish, and chicken.
The main difference between traditional ovens and air fryers is that the former requires placing your food over the heat source. But the second one allows you to use the fan to circulate the hot air around the food. This way, it cooks faster and better without the risk of burning yourself on the bottom.
Why is it healthier?
The air fryer is healthier because you need less oil to cook with it. Use an oil-specific sprayer to keep track of how much oil you use. This lets you coat your food evenly in a thin layer, and you only need enough oil to do the job.
How can I choose the right air fryer for me?
When choosing an air fryer, it is important to consider the following:
- Size: How much food do you cook at once?
- Features: Does the air fryer have important features like a digital display or a timer?
- Brand: Do you have a preferred brand?
- Price: How much are you willing to spend on an air fryer?
Best Size and Shape
Air fryers do come not in the exact sizes and shapes. The tower and the oven are the two most popular types. Most people use tower-style air fryers because that’s the main style made popular by infomercials on TV.
Manufacturers call these “egg-shaped air fryers” because of their shape. People Know these for having a drawer that pulls out and a metal basket where you can put your food. The other common style is the oven style, which is like an oven.
It has a door that opens from the front and perforated shelves where you can put your food. Our food team has tried both styles and found no difference in how the food turned out. Yet, they all agreed that the oven style made it much easier to flip and remove the food after cooking.
What Size of Air fryer do you need?
Choosing the proper size air fryer might be a bit challenging. But don’t worry—we have a few tips that simplify the process! If you’re cooking for a family of four, an 8-quart air fryer is a terrific choice.
It is because, as a general guideline, we tell 2 quarts for every person you’re cooking for. 2-quarts sounds little, and you’re right. If you have the space for a larger air fryer and are cooking for yourself, we still tell it.
Do I need any accessories?
Everything you need to use your air fryer comes with it. Still, some of the accessories you can buy for them can do cooking with them even easier. What could be bad about that? Even though it’s not required, you get a kit with wire racks, baking pans, and metal skewers. They will all be useful.
What are the best air fryer accessories?
An Air Fryer Mat
Silicone mats are a great way to keep food from sticking to your air fryer’s basket or wire racks. Because they are made of food-grade silicone, they can be heated to 430°F and are safe to use with food.
The best part is that cleaning is a breeze. Fish is great to cook because it comes out of the pan easily and doesn’t tear. And did we mention how easy it is to clean these silicone mats? Oh yes, we did. Just for that, the price is worth it.
Parchment Sheets
We love making foods with parchment paper so that fried chicken, wings, and other meats don’t stick. Read our article for ten reasons why you should use parchment when air-frying.
Use parchment sheets like the company that made them says is safe. And you should never preheat your air fryer with just parchment paper. They will be around and burn when they hit the heating element.
Oil Mister
You must always spray the right amount of oil in an even pattern. So an oil mister makes your life easier. You can fill it up again and again. It is made of non-toxic materials and has a fan spray. Change the nozzle so it sprays up or down, depending on what works best in your air fryer.
Don’t forget to be careful about the oil you use. If you want olive oil, choose a light version that can take more heat than extra virgin olive oil.
Silicone Basket
This is one of the best accessories for an air fryer if you want to make clean-up easy. This silicone basket will keep food from sticking to your air fryer like parchment paper. You don’t have to clean the basket of your air fryer after every use. Because the silicone basket also helps drain any extra oil from your food.
Cooking Thermometer
Ensure the meat is cooked through when you use an air fryer. After a few tries, you’ll get the hang of it, but you can never be too careful!
Using an Instant-Read Thermometer, you’ll never have to wonder if your food is done again. It can also be used with any cooking method because it is a universal tool.
Air fryer Silicone Liners
The longer your air fryer will last, the better you protect it from food bits. Plus, who wouldn’t want to clean up less? If you don’t want to use parchment paper, these silicone liners will be handy.
They can handle the heat, have holes to let air flow, are safe for food, and are much better for the environment than parchment rounds.
There are two sizes to choose from: 7.5 inches for small and medium-sized air fryers and 8.5 inches for larger ones.
Silicone liners work like parchment rounds. They are great for making Apple Fritters and Cinnamon Rolls in the Air Fryer.
Air fryer Silicone Tongs
Silicone tongs are another must-have accessory for your air fryer that you’ll want to have in your kitchen. Made of high-quality silicone and stainless steel, these won’t rust and are easy to use.
This set of silicone tongs includes one 9 inches long and one 12 inches long. Both sizes are made to fit your hand well. When you’re done using these tongs, they lock so they’re easy to put away.
Long Oven Mitts
Air fryers get hot, and I can’t tell you how many people have told me they’ve burned themselves because they don’t use these mitts.
The silicone used to make these long oven mitts is resistant to heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The length of the oven mitts, which is 14.7 inches, will give you more protection. They also have a rough surface to help you hold on to them.
Cake Pan
With an air fryer it’s so easy to bake with an air fryer, and if you use this special cake pan for air fryers, it’ll be easy to clean up. It works perfectly with models from 3.4 to 10 quarts. It is made of anodized 16-gauge aluminum, which will never peel or rust.
Basting Brushes
On this list, you’ll see that many of the best air fryer accessories are silicone. This material can handle high temperatures and is very easy to clean. If you use an air fryer, these silicone basting brushes are a lifesaver for brushing on oils, sauces, and marinades.
These accessories can help you get the most out of your air fryer and make your life easier.
What are the best air fryers on the market?
The best air fryers on the market come with various food cooking functions, a large capacity, and a detachable basket for easy cleaning. Some of the best air fryers also have a built-in timer so that you can set it and forget it.
What are some tips for using an air fryer?
- Preheat My Air fryer before adding food.
- Cut food into small, even pieces so it cooks evenly.
- Season food before cooking it in the air fryer.
- Add a little oil to the food before air frying it.
- Check on food while it’s cooking.
- Let food cool slightly before removing it from the air fryer.
With these tips in mind, using an air fryer is a breeze.
How do I clean my air fryer?
The best way to clean your air fryer is to use mild soap and warm water. You can also use a vinegar and water solution to help remove any stubborn grease or grime. Be sure to dry your air fryer thoroughly after cleaning to prevent rusting.
What are some common air fryer problems?
- Air fryers can be noisy. Some models have a fan that kicks on when the unit is turned on, which can be disruptive if you’re trying to cook quietly.
- Air fryers can be smelly. Food cooked in an air fryer can release strong smells that can linger in your kitchen.
- Air fryers can be messy. If you don’t line the basket with foil or parchment paper, food can stick to the sides and be difficult to clean.
- Air fryers can be dangerous. If you don’t follow the instructions for using your air fryer, you could end up with burns or start a fire.
Where can I find more information about air fryers?
Check out our buyer’s guide if you want more information about air fryers. In it, we cover everything from how air fryers work to what you can make in them. We also include a list of our top picks for air fryers so that you can find the perfect one for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1. What Is The Easiest Thing To Make In An Air Fryer?
The easiest thing to make in an air fryer is french fries. But, you must be careful when cooking them since they may burn easily. Also, try using only one potato at a time instead of two.
2. Do You Need Special Accessories For An Air Fryer?
No, the air fryer has everything needed to cook food using hot air. Yet, you may consider buying extra accessories such as a nonstick surface, oil spray bottle, baking sheet, etc.
3. Can Anyone Put Aluminum Foil In An Air Fryer?
Yes, you can use aluminum foil in an air fryer. Yet, you should be careful about using too much. Otherwise, it may cause damage to your appliance.
Aluminum foil has a high melting point, which melts at around 600 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature inside an air fryer is usually between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Placing aluminum foil directly into an air fryer could melt and burn up your food.
4. What Cannot Be Cooked In Airfryer?
Most foods cannot be cooked in air fryers. But some food items like chicken wings, fish, steak, and vegetables can be cooked. If you want to cook these types of food items, then you should use an oven instead of an air fryer.
5. Can You Fry Eggs In An Air Fryer?
Yes, you can fry eggs in an air fryer. Yet, they may be slightly burnt at the edges. Air fryers are great for cooking food healthier and easier. They work like convection ovens. And instead of heating up from below, heat comes directly from above. This makes them ideal for frying fries, chicken nuggets, and fish sticks.
6. Can You Put Raw Meat In An Air Fryer?
Yes, you can put raw meat in air fryers, but you need to be careful about how much fat the food contains. For example, if you want to cook bacon, use a grill pan instead of putting the meat directly into the oven. Also, make sure that the meat has been cooked through before eating.
Conclusion
Use these must-have air fryer accessories to get the most out of your meals. These essential tools will make cleaning your favorite kitchen appliance less time-consuming. In addition, these keep you from getting burned and tell you when your food is done.
The above list of the best air fryer accessories is just a tiny sample of what you can buy for your appliance. Consider what you need and look at this list to find the best accessories.
Welcome to Cooking Hacks, a place for all the food lovers out there! I have always been passionate about cooking and finding new ways to make it easier and more enjoyable.
