It’s an open secret: oil-free fryers are now invading every modern kitchen. Technically, they are known for their fat-free cooking, which is perfect for maintaining your well-being. However, there may be questions about the types of food that oil-free fryers can handle. The truth is quite simple: the range of foods that can be cooked in a hot-air or oil-free fryer is vast. So don’t limit yourself to the age-old potato fries, discover here several culinary options to experiment with.
Meat can be cooked in an oil-free fryer
An oil-free deep fryer makes it effortless to prepare a variety of meats. The technical term is “grilling or roasting various forms of meat”. Examples include beef, pork, chicken, rabbit meatballs, or even sausages and merguez.
- Pork: with pork, you can easily experiment with different options such as steak, tenderloin, and even bacon. All can be prepared in an oil-free deep fryer. Just make sure that the cooking time reflects the thickness of the meat, to avoid over-drying.
- Chicken: this is one of the most versatile meats for cooking in an air fryer. With an air fryer, roasting individual pieces such as thighs or whole chickens is child’s play. Simply season with herbs and spices before placing them in your air fryer. The result will be unequivocal: irresistibly crunchy skin and moist flesh.
- Assembling lamb chops or kebabs: fry them deliciously using your seb actifry deep fryer! Just keep an eye on them during cooking to avoid overdoing it and making the meat too mushy.
- Sausages and merguez: these meats can be cooked quickly and evenly in an oil-free deep fryer. The result is a crispy outer shell and a tender inner texture.
However, there’s one golden rule that doesn’t change: you must carefully manipulate seasoning and cooking times. For example, sausages can be cooked in 8 minutes at a temperature of 180°C. On the other hand, at a temperature of 200°C, an entrecôte will take 5 minutes.
Fish and seafood can be cooked in an oil-free deep fryer
These foods are no exception to the efficiency of the hot-air fryer. Without adding oil to the mix, you can deep-fry your fish. Here’s a light top 3 of some fish and seafood to experiment with:
- Salmon: perfect for frying in an oil-free fryer. For flavor, you’re free to use salt, pepper, lemon zest, and herbs of your choice. Then place the salmon fillets in your deep fryer and cook until golden brown. In practice, salmon fillets can be cooked in just 7 minutes at 200°C.
- Cod: cod is simply exquisite when prepared in a hot-air fryer. Simply bread it gently with breadcrumbs. Failing that, we recommend leaving it au naturel before placing it in the deep fryer until it is cooked to your liking and tender.
Finally, prawns and shrimp can be cooked in an oil-free deep fryer. These seafood must be enhanced with onion, parsley, and lemon zest. As for cooking timing, 5 to 8 minutes is more than enough. Naturally, you’ll need to preheat the fryer to 190°C and turn each part of the shellfish halfway through cooking.
Vegetables can be cooked in an oil-free deep fryer
Are you a vegetarian who wants to concoct a special dish for guests using an air fryer? Here are some quick recipes to try with vegetables.
- Grilled vegetable skewers: you can prepare skewers and thread pieces of several vegetables onto them: peppers, onions, mushrooms, zucchini, etc. Then brush them with olive oil and spices and cook them in the deep fryer. Then brush them with olive oil and spices and cook them in the deep fryer. The aim is to have skewers that are both tender and lightly grilled.
- Vegetable chips: in this recipe, thinly slice vegetables (carrots, beet, zucchinis, etc.) and fry them in the deep fryer. Add salt, paprika, or other spices for a delicious, crispy result.
- Vegetable fritters: this is an unusual dish. First, make a light doughnut batter by mixing flour, sparkling water, and spices. Then, dip pieces of vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, etc.) into the batter and fry them in the batter.
- Fried spring rolls: Spring rolls are one of the specialties on the cooking show Top Chef. With the help of an oil-free deep fryer, and without any brigade, you can don your apron and reproduce it at home. All you’ll need are sheets of rice topped with fresh vegetables. Grated carrots, cucumbers, avocado, and rice vermicelli will do the trick. All you need to do is roll them up, then place the mixture in your deep fryer.
As mentioned above, the list of foods that can be cooked in an oil-free fryer is vast. Other options are also feasible, such as desserts. Apart from the classic cakes and tarts, you can try more original and exotic desserts:
- Sweet nems ;
- Banana or blueberry muffins.
A little further on, the appliance can even bake homemade pizza, brownies, and Spanish churros. Once again, the fryer is no obstacle. It’s all about timing and seasoning. So don’t hesitate to indulge yourself.