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Air Fryers: Are They Worth It?
program • special • 2023
PG
program • special • 2023
PG
The name suggests that an airfryer would be good for things like chips and fried chicken – and it is (we're looking at you, airfryer chicken tenders). But there's a whole array of other things you can make in this handy benchtop appliance. Here are some great alternative airfryer recipes, from giant choc-chip cookies to 'cheat's falafels'.
Your airfryer can create goodness for any meal of the day, including breakfast! Add any of your favourite ingredients, such as dried fruits, cranberries, nuts or seeds, to this very easy airfryer granola recipe from nutritionist and sports coach Élodie Colombel.
Vegan granola. Credit: Murdoch Books / Léila Castello
Curry in the airfryer? If you have a small cake tin or similar meal pan that fits inside your fryer basket, you can make this delicious curry for two. Pathia curries are sweet and sour in flavour. Although they are usually quite mild, they can be rather spicy at some restaurants, so Dan Toombs suggests you can add more chilli powder to taste to his recipe.
Chicken pathia. Credit: Quadrille / Kris Kirkham
Jamie Oliver's air fryer cheese soda bread, studded with melty cheese, is perfect served warm. The criss-cross pattern scored in the dough before baking makes this look even more inviting, with some of the cheesy bits in the bread oozing out.
Jamie Oliver's herby cheese soda bread. Credit: David Loftus.
Recipe creator Becky Excell call's this a 'cheat's version' because it uses canned chickpeas rather than soaked dried chickpeas. That's not the only thing that makes these a little easier for those short on time: A food processor makes making these a breeze, and the airfryer is quick to use, too. Served drizzled with tahini and yoghurt sauce (and perhaps stuffed in Excell's gluten-free mozzarella stuffed airfryer flatbreads!)
Gluten-free air-fryer falafel wiht tahini sauce. Credit: Quadrille / Hannah Hughes
"Is this a biscuit or is this a dessert? Whatever it is, this airfryer recipe is delicious!" says Katy Greenward of her pretty-in-pink creation. (And there's a bonus: Greenward says the leftover syrup from the rhubarb is fantastic drizzled over vanilla ice cream, or stirred into cocktails.) Greenward's recipe shows how good an airfryer can be for baking (especially in summer, when you might not want the oven heating up your home).
Rhubarb crumble slice. Credit: Hardie Grant Books / Ant Duncan
This satisfying plant-based meal or shared snack of potatoes, panko-crumbed pickles (both cooked in the airfryer) served with quickly pan-fried satay tofu feels like an indulgent takeaway without any of the messy deep-frying.
Credit: Jiwon Kim
Dan Hong uses this popular kitchen appliance to make the crispiest pork belly, scented with five-spice and Shaoxing wine.
Credit: Adrian Patra
Don't throw out your root veg peelings! Instead, try this fantastic way to use them up. Parsnips, carrots, potatoes and beetroot all work well with this idea.
Airfryer root veg crisps. Credit: Quadrille / Rita Platts
Crisp on top and gooey in the middle... these are fantastic served while still warm! Easier than making individual cookies, these giant ones can be cut into wedges to serve. You can make the dough ahead and refrigerate it, then bake the cookies to order (the recipe makes two giant cookies).
Giant peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies. Credit: Quadrille / Rita Platts
Make a delicious and hearty meal in your airfryer, with this combination of seasoned meatballs and golden potato rosti.
Airfryer meatballs and potato rosti. Credit: Murdoch Books / Léila Castello
In this recipe which Elly-May Barnes shares on The Cook Up with Adam Liaw, wonton skins are turned into airfried crisp apple dumplings and serve with whipped cream on the side for dipping.
Credit: Jiwon Kim
"We all love a delicious fried rice, and you could literally put any ingredients in a rice dish to make it your own, but my 'Doody's chaotic rice dish' is simple and easy to make. The inspiration for this dish comes from western Chinese cuisine," says Daniel Doody of his recipe, which uses the airfryer to cook tender, marinated chicken thigh fillets.
Doody’s chaotic rice dish Credit: Adam Liaw
When you crumb and air-fry the ever-popular squeaky cheese, you get these little bombs of deliciousness! Serve these crisp-coated haloumi bites as party food, or for lunch in a salad. (And if gluten is not your friend, good news – this recipe comes from gluten-free recipe writer Becky Excell, so it uses gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs).
Air-fryer haloumi popcorn. Credit: Quadrille / Hannah Hughes
Here, Camellia Ling Aebischer makes a rich delight featuring peanut butter and bananas (no flour!) that can be cooked in a regular oven or an airfryer.
Hot and gooey Credit: Camellia Aebischer
This airfryer chicken tikka recipe is delicious served on its own with a few dips or the pieces can be added to a chicken curry (the cooked pieces can be frozen to use when you need them).
Chicken tikka. Credit: Quadrille / Kris Kirkham
If you've got a little more time on your hands, try making this yeasted cheese and garlic tear-apart loaf (you'll need to allow about an hour and a half for the dough to rise).
Airfryer cheese and garlic tear and share. Credit: Hardie Grant Books / Ant Duncan
Coated in creamy, cheesy pesto with sun-dried tomatoes, peas and crunchy toasted pine nuts, it’s hard to believe you can make this gnocchi dish in around 15 minutes. The airfryer makes quick work of cooking supermarket-purchased gnocchi.
Air fryer 15-minute pesto and pea gnocchi. Credit: Quadrille / Hannah Hughes
