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You are here: Home / Blog / How Does an Air Fryer Work

How Does an Air Fryer Work

GoWISE USA GW22621Who would not love deep-fried foods like fried chicken, French fries, and potato chips? Indulging in fried foods provides a certain level of comfort.

But, in spite of its taste, fried foods are deemed to be unhealthy because they usually contain a high level of calories and fat that contributes to high cholesterol.

An air fryer is the best option to cook fried foods in a healthy way. You can spare from fat and calorie as you need not submerge the food into oil.

People who are concerned about their health have switched from using the traditional deep fryer to a healthier way of cooking. Using an air fryer is about cooking with less or no oil at all. That’s why people who are on the lookout of their cholesterol level should consider an air fryer.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • How Does an Air Fryer Work?
      • Rapid Air Technology
      • Healthy
      • Fast
      • Cooking Process
      • Exhaust System
    • How Long Does It Take to Cook Food in an Air Fryer?
    • FAQ’s for Air Fryer

How Does an Air Fryer Work?

An air fryer works similarly like a deep fryer or countertop convection oven. The difference is that with an air fryer you need not use a large amount of oil to fry foods. Instead, the hot air circulating inside the fryer is enough to cook the food. Likewise, you can still enjoy the texture and taste of fried foods.

This kitchen appliance can help you to prepare fried foods but reduces the oil content to up to eighty percent. This means that there’s no need to fill the pans with oil. It is also very convenient to cook tasty meals in an air fryer than in traditional deep fryers.

In addition, there are other features that make an air fryer a smart addition for your kitchen including the following:

  • Rapid Air Technology

Rapid Air Technology allows hot air to circulate throughout the air fryer. This is one of the outstanding features of new models of air fryer that you can find. The good thing about this feature is that you can ensure that the food is not cooked in oil but through the hot air.

This feature makes the airflow consistent inside the fryer.  With this, the food is quickly and evenly cooked.

  • Healthy

If you’re conscious about your weight, then you should practice healthy eating. But, how can you stay healthy if you love fried foods such as fried chicken and French fries? Worry no more because air fryer allows you to take indulgence with fried foods without using too much oil.

Using air fryer reduces the number of calories and fat without sacrificing taste. This kitchen buddy uses air to cook the food that’s why you can expect that the food does not contain extra calories from oil. However, the crispiness of the fried food is comparable with using a deep fryer.

Unlike using a deep fryer, with an air fryer the fat content of the food is reduced up to eighty percent while retaining the same texture and taste.

  • Fast

Using an air fryer makes the cooking process extremely efficient. It cuts the cooking time dramatically because it easily heats up. The temperature inside the fryer increases swiftly within three minutes, thus it’s never time-consuming.

  • Cooking Process

Air Fryer Cooking ProcessWhen it comes to the cooking process, an air fryer is very versatile as it can handle various tasks. This kitchen appliance won’t only provide healthy dishes, but also allows you to try different kinds of recipes.

Aside from frying, you can bake, grill, or roast. By adjusting the time and temperature, you can cook various meals that you want. It also works great in cooking fluffy or crispy baked foods.

  • Exhaust System

As the temperature reaches a certain point, the internal pressure also rises. The exhaust system is responsible for taking off a small amount of hot air circulating inside the fryer. Thus, pressure is released and the exhaust system forces the smoke and steam to come out.

However, through this system, the smoke is filtered before it goes out. The exhaust system prevents smoke or the smell of the food to fill your kitchen.

How Long Does It Take to Cook Food in an Air Fryer?

The average cooking time of an air fryer is about 15-30 minutes. Here is the Air Fryer Cooking Chart of the most common foods.

FoodsTemperature (F)Time
Chicken
Breasts, bone in (1.25 lbs)37025
Breasts, boneless (4 oz)38012
Drumsticks (2.5 lbs)37020
Thighs, bone in (2 lbs)38022
Thighs, boneless (1.5 lbs)38020
Legs, bone in (1.75 lbs)38030
Wings (2 lbs)40012
Game hen (halved 2 lbs)39020
Whole chicken (6.5 lbs)36075
Tenders / Chicken strips36010
Beef
Burger (4 oz)37016
Filet mignon (8 oz)40018
Flank steak (1.5 lbs)40012
London broil (2 lbs)40020 to 28
Meatballs (1 inch)3807
Ribeye, bone in (1 inch, 8 oz)40010 to 18
Sirloin steaks (1 inch, 12 oz)4009 to 14
Pork & Lamb
Loin (2lbs)36055
Pork Chops, bone in (1 inch, 6.5 oz)40012
Tenderloin (1 lb)37015
Bacon (regular)4005 to 7
Sausages38015
Lamb loin chops (1 inch thick)4008 to 12
Rack of lamb (1.5 – 2 lbs)38022
Fish & Seafood
Calamari (8 oz)4004
Fish fillet (1 inch, 8 oz)40010
Salmon, filet (6 oz)38012
Swordfish steak40010
Tuna steak4007 to 10
Scallops4005 to 7
Shrimp4005
Frozen foods
Thin French fries (20 oz)40014
Thick French fries (17 oz)40018
Mozzarellla sticks (11 oz)4008
Pot stickers (10 oz)4008
Fish sticks (10 oz)40010
Fish fillets (1/2 inch, 10 oz)40014
Chicken nuggets (12 oz)40010
Vegetables
Asparagus4005
Beets (whole)40040
Broccoli4006
Brussel sprouts (halved)38015
Carrots (sliced 1/2 inch)38015
Cauliflower (florets)40012
Corn on the cob3906
Eggplant (1 1/2 inch cubes)40015
Fennel (quartered)37015
Green beans4005
Kale leaves25012
Mushrooms (sliced 1/4 inch)4005
Onions (pearl)40010
Parsnips (1/2 inch chunks)38015
Peppers (1 inch chunks)40015
Potatoes (small baby, 1.5 lbs)40015
Potatoes (1 inch chunks)40012
Potatoes ( baked whole)40040
Squash (1/2 inch chunks)40012
Sweet potato (baked)38035
Tomatoes (cherry)4004
Tomatoes (halves)35010
Zucchini (1/2 inch sticks)40012

FAQ’s for Air Fryer

  1. Can we cook different varieties of food in an air fryer?

An air fryer is a versatile kitchen appliance that allows the user to cook different foods and recipes. You can fry, bake, grill, or roast your food using an air fryer.

bbq in airfryer

Image from Jeanette Cordero Hernandez

  1. How much time an air fryer takes to cook frozen foods?

Before you throw the frozen foods into the air fryer, make sure to thaw them first. Otherwise, it will take longer time to fry.

  1. How much food can be cooked at a time in an air fryer?

The volume of food that can be cooked in an air fryer depends on the size and capacity. Most designs of air fryers can accommodate about 1.5 to 2.5 pounds of foods at a time. Likewise, if you cook a large amount of food, then you should choose an air fryer that has double racks.

  1. Is there any specific type of oil required for air fryer?

Obviously, there’s no specific type of oil required when cooking in an air fryer. It’s up to you what type of oil to use, the important thing to note is that you’re cooking in a little amount of oil and that is beneficial to your health.

  1. Can we add more ingredients while the food is getting cooked in an air fryer?

Definitely, you can’t add more ingredients into an air fryer while the food is getting cooked. It’s because each type of food or cooking process has a specific temperature and time required.

  1. How many items can be cooked at a go in an air fryer?

The volume of food that you can cook depends on the size and capacity of an air fryer. But, you can find an air fryer that has sufficient surface to accommodate a few types of foods and different cooking processes.

  1. Do we need to preheat the air fryer?

Yes, you need to pre-heat the air fryer but it does not take too long. It takes about three minutes to heat up and achieve the required temperature appropriate for the cooking process and the type of food.

  1. How does hot air contribute to the crispiness of the food?

Air fryer allows you to indulge in crispy, tasty fried foods without worrying about the cholesterol content. The rapid air technology is responsible to distribute consistent airflow inside the fryer, thus achieve even and well-cooked foods.

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