Fried food is particularly popular. However, it is known that food fried in oil is not necessarily healthy and should therefore be prepared in this way as rarely as possible. For all those who cannot resist fried foods, the so-called air fryers, or hot air fryers in German, were invented. As these devices become more and more popular, those who haven't tried them yet are naturally wondering what they're all about. How does the hot air fryer work, what are its advantages and disadvantages and is it really comparable to the classic deep fryer? We would like to answer all of these questions in this article to make it easier for you to decide whether you should purchase such a device. We have also put together some of the most popular air fryer models for you to consider.
At first glance, the Airfryer deep fryer does not seem to differ from the usual one. The size is identical and there is also a basket in which you put the products. But the name already suggests the principle on which hot air fryers work. Instead of oil, hot air is simply used to prepare the food. In principle, the air fryer can be compared to an oven with a circulating air function, except that this is a mini version that you can conveniently take with you on vacation or to visit friends. The hot air function is combined with a grill function. The combination of both makes the device!
Heat is generated in it with the help of ring heating elements. Small fans then distribute the hot air evenly throughout the device, ensuring that the food inside is cooked evenly on all sides. This is also the aim of the classic deep fryers, except that the greasy oil is used there, which in turn is absorbed by the food and then consumed by us.
Advantages and disadvantages
Now, without a doubt, it sounds like this would be the perfect choice when it comes to preparing healthy meals. And in fact, the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages. So that you too can have a comparison and form your own opinion, we have summarized the advantages and disadvantages below:
Advantages:
- Because the hot air fryer works without oil or uses a minimal amount, it is of course also the healthier alternative for fried food. This can also be said to be the main reason for their popularity. It should also be mentioned that thanks to the gentle cooking, much fewer vitamins and important fatty acids are lost. So you can eat healthy with an Airfryer and still enjoy your favorite snacks.
- In contrast to the oven, the preparation time is very short. The reason for this is that the food is cooked in a smaller space and therefore less air needs to be heated up.
- The point just mentioned also brings with it another advantage: a shorter preparation time naturally also results in an energy-saving function. Anything that can be prepared in a shorter time also uses less energy. In addition, hot air fryers are usually energy-saving devices in themselves.
- A big advantage is also safety, which is especially important if you have children. There is no risk of hot oil leaking out if the device should tip over, thus avoiding burns.
- Because no oil is used, cleaning is much easier than with a classic deep fryer. For one thing, you don’t have to throw away any oil. On the other hand, the individual parts are usually also suitable for the dishwasher, which not only saves time but also water. And if the hot air fryer cannot be taken apart for the dishwasher, then cleaning the air fryer with simple kitchen paper is sufficient.
- A major disadvantage of the classic deep fryer is that it emits an unpleasant smell of fried food throughout the room, which often leads to it being used outdoors. This is not the case with the Airfryer deep fryer, so you can easily use it in the kitchen.
- The taste of the food you fry does not change, while using a large amount of oil absorbed by the food changes not only the taste but also the color of the food being cooked. You can enjoy vegetables, meat and other things even better with a hot air fryer.
- Diversity is another keyword. If you think that you can only fry what you can use in a normal deep fryer, you are wrong. Thanks to a wide range of accessories, you can also bake muffins, bread or cakes and even pizzas. There are even the popular gratins and stews. A truly versatile device that can make your everyday life easier!
- You can also prepare different types of food at the same time if you choose a larger version. This works thanks to several levels.
- There are many different cookbooks andRecipes onlinesuitable for every model, so that you can easily try out a wide variety of dishes and baked goods and thus have a varied diet.
Disadvantages:
- Anyone who likes it crispy will be disappointed. Because fries and the like usually don't get as crispy in the air fryer as in the classic version with oil.
- There is a risk of the food drying out due to the lack of oil and circulating air during cooking. Some products are not quite as juicy as with the classic deep fryer. By adding a small amount of fat, you can prevent or at least reduce this problem.
- Because the air fryer is ready to use faster than an oven due to its compact size (since a smaller space needs to be heated), the preparation time appears to be less than with the normal deep fryer. But the fact is that the actual cooking time is much longer than if the food is fried in oil. However, this does not change the energy-saving properties.
Accesories
There are usually accessories for the hot air fryer that are included in the packaging. As we have already mentioned, these accessories are used to prepare a variety of dishes and snacks that cannot be prepared in a conventional deep fryer. This also shows that the hot air fryer is very similar to a mini-sized oven. Accessories that are not included in the purchase can usually be purchased later. Here are a few useful ideas:
Inserts for cooking appliances
These are exactly the accessories you need to be able to prepare dishes other than fries. With different inserts you can, for example, grill or deep-fry meat and fish or bake a cake. Here is a selection of inserts that you can purchase additionally if they are not included with the purchase:
Airfryer baking pan and casserole dish– You need this insert if you want to bake muffins, cakes or other soft doughs or prepare casseroles. Vegetable stir-fries or even omelettes and fried eggs can also be prepared quickly and easily. There is also a bread baking basket for baking bread.
Garkorb– The cooking basket is intended for more delicate food. Fries are also cooked particularly well in it. The cooking basket rotates in the Airfryer fryer throughout the entire cooking time, which, in addition to the circulating air, guarantees even frying.
Steak cage– The steak cage, which is suitable for meat and fish, is also intended for rotation.
Airfryer Grillpfanne– A grill pan insert, as the name suggests, is used to grill meat, fish and vegetables. The difference to the basket that is already included is that the insert usually has a larger area and can therefore hold a larger amount of products (e.g. a whole fish instead of cut into pieces for the basket). This is, among other things, the casePhilips deep fryer Airfryer XL is the case. The grill pan for this model is also equipped with holes, which not only allows the fat to drip off, but also shortens the cooking time.
Airfryer splash guard- This is intended to protect against unpleasant splashes that greasy foods cause and are particularly annoying when the heating coil is above, as this is then splashed on, which is of course even more difficult to clean afterwards. Especially if these deposits accumulate behind the spiral over time. In addition, smells and often smoke are created, which can be similar to a classic deep fryer. The splash guard for the Airfryer deep fryer is particularly recommended.
Hot air fryer with stirring arm– A mixing arm makes preparing fries and other foods even easier. Its job is to turn and stir the food regularly and automatically so that you don't have to do this and the food still browns evenly.
Cool Touch Griffe– This practical accessory is not available for all models. These are handles that allow you to easily remove the hot inserts without possibly burning yourself.
Buy a hot air fryer
If you have decided to buy an Airfryer hot air fryer, you are already faced with the next problem. Which should it be? With all the many models with different prices, the selection is quite large and it is difficult to make a decision. However, you can use the following tips to make your choice a little easier. Which model is best depends on various factors, including what you primarily want to use the kitchen appliance for. Also keep in mind that expensive models do not necessarily mean better. Once you have taken these points into account, all that remains is to find a model in the right price range.
How many people is the Airfryer deep fryer used for?
The size of the hot air fryer plays a crucial role. There are 1 liter deep fryers, but also those with a full 9 liter capacity. It is therefore clear that a smaller model will not be of any use to you if you are a family of 5. After all, you want to prepare the dishes in sufficient quantities the first time and not have to turn the device on several times. Even if you often have large visitors, a large capacity is the better choice.
If you live alone and want to use the device as a single person, a small one is enough. For example, a hot air fryer from Philips and especially the Philips Airfryer HD9220 with a capacity of 800 grams is well suited here. For several people, the Philips HD 9240 air fryer is often recommended instead, as it can even accommodate a whole chicken.
Practical accessories and easy cleaning
Make sure that the Airfryer deep fryer can be dismantled into individual parts and washed in the dishwasher. This makes cleaning much easier. Also take a look at the accessories. Are there enough inserts for your needs? If not, check what is available for repurchase for the selected model. Not that you want to use the hot air fryer primarily for baking and suddenly can't find a suitable use for your model.
Additional extras
Some deep fryers also have a practical viewing window. This proves to be an advantage, especially when you prepare large quantities. This means you can see at a glance whether your food is ready and you don't have to constantly open the device for this purpose, which would result in the valuable heated air being lost. Splashes are also avoided with a viewing window.
Hot air fryer comparison
Of course, every manufacturer tries to present all their models from their best side, so you can't necessarily trust their praises. So it's better if you read customer reviews. On Amazon, for example, you can usually find a list of reviews for each product in which customers list the pros and cons to save future buyers a headache. So once you have decided on a model, read the reviews for each hot air fryer. There are also plenty of air fryers to be tested online, in which several models in different price ranges are compared with each other in order to provide a clear list of advantages and disadvantages and to make the choice easier.
Among other things, this has been preservedTefal model, but also the Philips hot air fryer and the Power Air Fryer hot air fryer, but that doesn't mean that all other brands have to be bad. As I said, it depends on your needs. Take the time to research extensively. After all, you won't be spending a lot of money and ultimately you want to be happy with your product, right?
