50 Healthy Air Fryer Recipes (2024)

FAQs

50 Healthy Air Fryer Recipes? ›

Households are shelving their air fryers in favour of another kitchen appliance that is cheaper to run, and just as healthy.

Households are shelving their air fryers in favour of another kitchen appliance that is cheaper to run, and just as healthy.

By most measures, air frying is healthier than frying in oil. It cuts calories by 70% to 80% and has a lot less fat. This cooking method might also cut down on some of the other harmful effects of oil frying.

Nutrient-dense foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, fatty fish and lean meats are generally just as nutritious in the air fryer as in the oven. However, the air fryer isn't a "free pass" to eat unlimited amounts of higher-calorie foods just because it's healthier than deep frying.

The two biggest concerns are potential carcinogens called acrylamides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are created in the process of cooking.

It is safe to cook raw meat in the air fryer if it is fully defrosted, seasoned, and monitored. Some fully cooked foods, including chicken tenders or fries, can be placed frozen in the air fryer. However, with raw meat, it's recommended to thoroughly defrost to allow more even cooking and a tasty final product.

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.

A convection oven has the same advantages over an air fryer as a regular oven—size. If you're making multiple dishes or batches of food, a convection oven can help prepare it all at once.

One example of a negative effect air-frying may have on food, and on your health was illustrated by a study that showed cooking fatty varieties of fish such as sardines in an air-fryer decreased the healthy fat content (poly-unsaturated fats) and slightly increased the cholesterol oxidation products, which may ...

What are the forever chemicals in air fryers? ›

Several air fryers have a non-stick coating that contains chemical polyfluorinated molecules, better known as PFAs and nicknamed “forever chemicals,” due to the decades they take to break down in the environment, as explained by Joseph G.

Grab your pre-cut, starchy vegetables (think potatoes, squash, beets and other root vegetables), and soak them for a minimum of 15 minutes or longer in filtered water before preparing them for your recipe. This helps reduce the percentage of acrylamide formed.

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.

Some of the popular things to make in the air fryer are potatoes (chips, roasted, baked), muffins, scones, and cakes. It's also great for getting dinner on the table fast – we love to use our air fryer to make fritters, rissoles, nuggets, and pork belly (yes, you can cook raw meat in an air fryer).

Hamburgers. Air fryers aren't really designed to grill red meat, especially if you like your burgers medium-rare. Though it takes a fairly short amount of time for an air fryer to cook the inside of meat to medium-rare, the outside of the burger won't brown as quickly.

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.