Any Air Fryer experts out there?

[LoveMyCali]

My newly purchased air fryer (that a friend told me I HAD to have, I wouldn't regret it) should be arriving tomorrow and I have absolutely no idea of what to do with it. I'm trying to lose a few pounds and thought this would be a healthy way to cook but I can't live on turnip fries alone.

[PoliticAverse]

1. That's why they invented "air fryer pizza"...

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=air+fryer+pizza

[LoveMyCali]

2. Ooh, Pizza in 10 minutes

I don't think the whole losing weight thing is going to go so well.

[Major Nikon]

3. One of my buddies has one that he swears by

I'm not convinced it's that much healthier, but he uses it mainly to cook frozen foods that you'd normally deep fry, as in things like frozen breaded meats, egg rolls, and french fries. As far as that kind of stuff goes, I was surprised at how well it does. So if you are eating those kinds of foods often, you might get a little less fat compared to deep frying, but you still have to use some oil.

Long before "air frying" became a thing, I've cooked things in a stainless bowl with a heat gun with mixed results. Some things do quite well while others aren't well suited to that cooking method. My experience is that things that are pre-cooked that you're just warming up and browning do well, but things that require more cooking time to cook throughout not so much.

My buddy gave me a bit of a demonstration with his, and there seems to be at least a bit of a learning curve so you might want to stick with your friend's recommendations till you get a bit of experience with it.

[LoveMyCali]

4. My nephew made some Gardein Chik'n strips

in his and they were pretty good. I'm not a vegetarian but they were way better than fast food chicken nuggets.

[Binkie The Clown]

5. I wonder if you can use a hair dryer as an air fryer.

They sound very similar, and they both blow very hot air at the food.

Hmmmm I'm going to have to try that out.

[PoliticAverse]

6. Hair Dryers don't really get hot enough, you'd need a heat gun, see post 3...

https://www.democraticunderground.com/115766299#post3

[Major Nikon]

7. I use a heat gun

Same principle and a bit more controlled method, imo as you can stir while you go or direct the heat to a specific area.

Most hair driers aren't going to put out near the heat compared to a heat gun, but I suspect it would still work for some things.

[BigmanPigman]

8. How much did it cost?

[LoveMyCali]

9. It cost

$99.98 on QVC with the option of 4 easy pay installments and no shipping cost. I got a red 3.75 Qt. Emeril Rapid Air Fryer.

[BigmanPigman]

10. After I posted I googled it and Buzzfeed had a pretty good article

about them. She explained why she got it, what she tried to cook, the various parts, clean up, pros and cons...it looks like a pretty good idea! Just don't try sting cheese she says (ha ha).

[LoveMyCali]

11. I'll have to look for that article

I probably would have tried cheese sticks.

[murpheeslaw]

12. Zoodles come out closer to aldente pasta.

When I stir-fry/sauté them in a pan they get softer/wetter than when air fryed. The air fryer drys them as they cook.

Sweet potato frys come out almost candied with just a spritz of oil salt an pepper. You just need to pull and shake the basket every few minutes.

[LoveMyCali]

13. Those sound good

A friend of mine swears that turnips make great fries with just a spritz of oil and Mrs. Dash Table Blend. I'll give it a try but I don't think I'll be fooled.