The air fryer is really more than just a fad. When I first heard about the air fryer, I just thought it was just another cooking appliance that would just be in the trash in a year or two. But, as time went on, I had realized that the airy fryer has so many benefits and it will be a kitchen appliance I will be using almost daily!
Before I bought my air fryer, I had went back and forth about buying one. I don't have a whole lot of space in my kitchen, so adding one more appliance to my already stock full of kitchen appliances and gear would mean that it would be more crowded and less counter space.
Even though I knew this, I had finally made the decision one night while the kids were asleep. I needed something that was a healthier alternative to fried foods. As I continued my healthy eating journey, I would bound to make any adjustments that were needed for me to live a healthier lifestyle. That also meant that my family would also have to make healthier choices.
I have to say, when you are cooking for more than just yourself, sometimes it is hard to stay on tasks and make those healthy choices all by yourself. But, when you have your whole family eating the same thing every night, you are more likely to stay on tasks because there wouldn't be any unhealthy tempting food lying around.
So anyways, when my air fryer finally arrived, I immediately opened it and started reading all about it. To my surprise, I also found a small space on my counter where it would "live". It didn't take up too much space, which was great! Not only do I LOVE my air fryer, I use it now for almost everything – particularly most things I once put in the oven.
Leaving it out on the counter reminds me to use it and means I don’t have to even touch the oven most days. It’s actually useful. There are so many great air fryers out there too! I bought the Pampered Chef's Deluxe Air Fryer, but I've known others from Amazon to be very good too. - Just depends on what brand and price range works for you.
Biggest Benefits of Owning an Air Fryer
1. Healthier Cooking
Buying and using an air fryer means that they are more likely to develop healthier cooking habits. Unlike the traditional way of frying foods, the air fryer uses very little oil in the cooking process, this is the perfect way to replace deep fried foods that aren’t very healthy with a healthier alternative.
Off course, you do still need to spray fried foods, like breaded chicken tenders and fried fish with a bit of oil so the breading gets evenly crispy while it cooks, but the amount of oil you use is substantially less. I bought a nice oil sprayer from Amazon and filled it with Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
You can still make your kiddos those comfort foods such as French fries and tater tots and get a nice crispy result, without any deep frying!
2. Fast, Safe and Easy to Use
What surprises me, was that the air fryer started out as a replacement for deep frying. But honestly, I don't feel like it really developed enough to get everyone on board with this healthier alternative. I almost feel like not a lot of people cook in their homes daily now a days, much less use a deep fryer.
With the busy lifestyle that most American's have, it can sometimes be near impossible to spend hours cooking up a meal at the end of a workday. I know I spend around 1.5 - 2 hours cooking dinner for my family of 6. And this is nightly! Spending this amount of time on dinner is wonderful for those who have the time, but most American's work at least 40 hours, if not more than a week!
The busy lives that American's live in general makes it really easy to be able to grab those frozen meals, or have take out. But, let me tell you, with the air fryer, you can get quality meals at home in just as little as 20 minutes! Yes! You CAN eat healthier and have dinner on the table quick and easy with this neat little kitchen gadget!
The reality is that air fryers are just as fast, if not faster than calling in for deliver, or going to grab something through the drive thru. The air fryer makes dinner uncomplicated. All you have to do is season a piece of meat, like a chicken breast (even from frozen) put it in the basket, and set it to cook. So simple.
3. It’s Very Versatile
What I love about my air fryer is that there really is more to this kitchen gadget than meets the eye. You can really cook just about anything and everything in this neat little kitchen appliance. Really. Just anything. From cooking spaghetti squash to desserts.
4. Easy to Clean
I am so one who hates to clean the kitchen after meals. I mean, I do it because it needs to be done, but oh man do I hate cleaning. But, with the air fryer, it's so easy to clean! Just wipe away all of the dirt and oil and bam! your done! The air fryer is super easy to clean and maintain after the harshest of cooking recipes
Best Air Fryer Recipes
Now that we have gone over why owning an air fryer is beneficial, we can now talk about the Air Fryer Recipes you can use while making healthier food choices.
These air fryer chicken wings are made with the delicious taste that you might eve enjoy at your local Pub, but without all of the extra oil that is usually used to make it. While cooking these delicious wings right in your air fryer, you are able to get that wild, hot zing from the hot sauce and that nice crisp when you bit into a juicy wing. Best part is, you only need just a few ingredients!
Talk about a very unique...and oh so addicting...recipe! These cauliflower bites are loaded with flavor! Best part is that you can customize how hot or how mild the flavor is by adding more or less of your favorite hot sauce. My husband loves them spicy, so I make his with his favorite hot sauce, Da Bomb Beyond Insanity. Talk about loaded with ultimate heat! - If you like spicy and hot food, I highly recommend this sauce to add to your dish. If you are on the mild side of spicy, and like a little bit of heat, I would suggest a mild flavor such as Noble Made Mild Sauce.
This salad is really the perfect combination of fresh veggies, crispy chicken and creamy dressing. I don't know about you, but I love a good salad. It feels so satisfying to eat something that is so darn tasty but yet so good for you. This salad is loaded with romaine lettuce, crispy air fryer chicken, red grapes, cucumbers and carrot. Off course you could always add more veggies, or omit any ingredients that you don't care for.
I love fish, especially cod, tilapia and catfish, so automatically I thought this dish would be perfect for my lunches. Fish is a great way to get in that lean protein to build muscle and it contains Omega 3, which is also good for you. This air fryer cod recipe has the perfect balance of garlic and herb seasoning, chives and salt and pepper for added flavor, paired with a side of roasted veggies. - Yum. Talk about a perfectly healthy meal for lunch or dinner!
So, this is an interesting air fryer recipe. This homemade beef jerky is made with spices such as garlic and onion powder and a dash of cayenne pepper to add a bit of spice. If you like beef jerky from the store, I assure you, you will not be disappointed with this homemade beef jerky recipe. - I almost even had my husband fooled for the store-bought kind! - yes, that is how good it actually is!
Final Thoughts
Eating at home can sometimes be challenging, especially when you are trying to eat healthier versions of your favorite food. But, I can tell you that owning an air fryer can really make a difference when swapping out healthier options. The air fryer is truly one type of kitchen gadget that is here to stay because of the opportunity to create so many healthier alternatives to unhealthy foods.
Learning how to complete exercises with proper form and getting the proper nutrition is so essential to building the body you want. Weather you are a seasoned gym goer, or a newbie, we have tips and trick for everyone on their fitness and health journey.
That’s why we send out weekly fitness and nutrition tips in our newsletter.
You can subscribe easily, right here!