I have experimented with numerous air fryers, always having a couple lined up on my kitchen counter. This gives my kitchen a cozy, showroom-like ambiance, filled with the warmth of these appliances.
Over time, I found myself relying less on my oven for cooking, especially for simple tasks.
This led me to question the necessity of using my oven at all. So, I decided to switch all my oven cooking to an air fryer for a month. After all, an air fryer is essentially a mini convection oven capable of cooking almost anything an ordinary oven can.
The rules of my experiment were simple: I had to cook everything in the air fryer that I would typically cook in the oven, and I couldn’t resort to eating bland frozen food for every meal.
Here’s what I discovered during that month.
Reheating requires a different approach
My first mistake was reheating pizza slices at the recommended temperature for too long, resulting in dry, unappetizing pieces. To avoid this, I learned that lowering the temperature slightly when using a powerful air fryer is key.
There is a learning curve when transitioning to air fryer cooking, so adjusting cooking times and temperatures is vital. It’s better to err on the side of caution and add a few extra minutes if needed.
Microwave + air fryer combo is quicker than an oven
I prepared individual shepherd’s pies in stoneware dishes and reheated them the next day using the air fryer instead of the oven. The results were impressive, with a crispy crust on the potatoes. However, a combination of microwaving and air frying proved to be the most efficient method.
Experimenting with baking in an air fryer yielded surprising results. Not only was it possible to bake a cake in the air fryer, but it was also faster and cost-effective. The key is to follow the oven recipe while adjusting the temperature slightly.
Experimenting with different dishes is rewarding
After successfully baking a cake in the air fryer, I started using it for various dishes that I wouldn’t typically cook in the oven. From crisping up gnocchi to roasting vegetables, the air fryer proved versatile and convenient.
While the air fryer excelled in many areas, cooking certain items like leafy vegetables, wet batters, and large pizzas was challenging. These are best left to other cooking methods.
My oven now feels outdated
Having exclusively used an air fryer for a month, I found myself rarely using my oven. The time and effort saved in cooking and cleaning were significant, making the transition worthwhile.
Choosing the right air fryer
I opted for the Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer for its flexibility and cooking options. The ability to use the cooking zones separately or together for a larger cooking space made it a versatile choice.
If you’re considering an air fryer, there are various options available, including air fryer ovens and dual-zone air fryers. It’s essential to choose a model that suits your cooking needs.
