Use Marinades in an Air Fryer Oven
An air fryer oven is a compact, powerful appliance that can do much more than just fries. Air fryers are able to produce foods that have the same crispiness and texture as deep-fried foods, but with less oil. This makes them ideal for healthy cooking at home, as they eliminate the excess fat that comes with frying. Often, lean cuts of meat and foods with little or no added fat benefit from being marinated to help tenderize them. This recipe for air fryer chicken breasts in a citrus marinade uses a mix of zesty lime, tangy orange, fresh herbs, and warm spices. The result is delicious, easy, and quick to prepare.
When cooking in an air fryer, it’s important to remember that hot air circulates around the food, so it’s essential that you flip your food during cooking to ensure even cooking and browning. You should also invest in a kitchen thermometer, as it’s important to make sure that your food is thoroughly cooked.
To prevent your food from sticking to the air fryer basket, it’s essential that you pat it dry before cooking. This helps the air fryer to cook your food evenly and it allows the flavor of the food to be retained without being diluted by extra moisture.
Can You Use Marinades in an Air Fryer Oven?
If you want your food to be crispy in an air fryer, it’s essential that you use cooking oils that can stand up to high temperatures. Avocado, grapeseed, and peanut oils are all good choices for air frying because they have a high smoke point that doesn’t allow them to become rancid at high temperatures. You can use these oils in a spray bottle to lightly coat your food before cooking, or you can brush them on.
Another way to get crispy results is by using a baking sheet in your air fryer when cooking dishes that require a layer of toppings or sauce. This prevents the bottom of your food from getting burnt and can reduce cleanup, as you only have to wash one tray versus a basket. You can also find models of air fryers that come with a baking sheet and drip pan for more ease when cooking meals that require multiple layers of food.
Air fryer ovens have gained immense popularity in recent years as a versatile and efficient kitchen appliance. These devices utilize hot air circulation to cook food, providing a healthier alternative to traditional deep frying. One common concern among users is how air fryers handle food with batter or breading, as achieving a crispy and golden texture without submerging the food in oil might seem challenging. However, air fryer oven have proven to be quite adept at handling such dishes.
The primary mechanism behind air fryers is convection cooking. In a conventional oven, hot air circulates to cook food evenly. Air fryers take this concept a step further by combining convection with a powerful fan that rapidly circulates the hot air around the food. This ensures that the exterior of the food becomes crispy and golden, mimicking the texture achieved through deep frying.