The air fryer, also known as air Fryer, is one of the most appreciated kitchen appliances and used in recent years by Italian families. And that’s actually changing the way we cook.

Particularly compact and easy to use, it allows you to fry food without using oil (or in any case with a minimum amount), making cooking healthier and easily digestible foods. This is possible thanks to the principle of convection, which is the circulation of hot air inside the appliance.

But how does an air fryer work? And what functions are available to prepare our favorite recipes? Let’s find out right away, along with some tips to use it properly.

How the air fryer works

The particular operation of the air fryer allows the "frying" (and not only) of a large amount of food, which through the heat are cooked to perfection and without the use of oil or butter.

An air fryer consists of a cooking chamber, in which food is inserted, and a heating element that increases the air temperature. Having circulated the hot air inside the cooking chamber at a very high speed, making it come into contact with food from all sides. The contact between air and food causes the so-called Maillard reaction, a chemical reaction that occurs between amino acids and carbohydrates, and that gives foods a brown color and a characteristic taste.

Thanks to its many functions, and specific accessories, an air fryer can be used to cook, thaw and even dry a wide variety of foods. The result will be in any case a cooking without oil completely uniform, for dishes with a crunchy texture on the outside and soft and juicy on the inside.

The different functions of an air fryer

In fact, the air fryer works like a small oven, but is even more versatile. It is in fact an all-in-one appliance, which for many recipes can do from fryer, microwave, oven, pan, steamer or dryer.

It is therefore particularly suitable for dry heat cooking, such as roast and breaded dishes, both of meat and fish. It is also recommended for frozen or pre-fried preparations, easily available at the supermarket, but also to prepare traditional fried recipes in a lighter and less fat.

Not only that, the air Fryer is indicated to prepare potatoes in many different ways, and to make baked or grilled vegetables , such as eggplant, zucchini, pumpkins, broccoli or cauliflower. In an air fryer with grill we can also cook cakes, bake bread and puff pastry, and it is the perfect dinner-saving appliance, because in a few minutes it warms and makes the leftover food crisp again.

Advantages of air fryer

The air fryer has a number of advantages compared to traditional frying. First, it allows you to reduce fat intake, since it requires a minimum amount of oil even does not require it at all.

Secondly, the air fryer allows you to cook food in a healthier way, as it does not produce fumes or odors, and bring to the table lightness, digestibility, variety and taste. In addition, it is very practical and easy to use, even by those who are not too practical between the stove.

Here are some of the specific advantages of air fryer:

• Reduced fat intake: Air fryer reduces fat intake by up to 80% compared to traditional frying. This is because foods are not immersed in oil, but are cooked with hot air.
• Healthier cooking: The air fryer does not produce fumes or odors, as it does not use oil. This makes it a healthier option for cooking, especially for allergy or asthma sufferers.
• Practical and easy to use: the air fryer is very easy to use. Just put the food in the basket, set the temperature, the cooking time and press a button.
• Versatility: The air fryer can be used to cook a variety of foods, including French fries, nuggets, chicken wings, fish, vegetables and even cakes.

Tips for using air fryer

• Don’t overdo the amount of food: The air fryer is designed to cook small amounts of food at a time. If you overload the fryer, the food will not cook evenly.
• Use a little oil or butter to grease the basket: before inserting the food into the basket, it is advisable to grease it with a little oil or butter. This will help prevent food from sticking. In this sense, you can help yourself with a brush to sprinkle oil on food, or use a special sprayer of oil on food.
• Stir the food halfway through cooking: To achieve a uniform cooking, it is advisable to mix the food halfway through cooking.
• Let the food rest before serving: after cooking the food, it is best to let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the food to absorb the juices and be crisper.