You can have fun with your crisp food if you know about air fryers. Eating food freshly fried in the air fryer can make your Sundays unforgettable.
But doesn’t it sound complicated? Without deep frying in oil, you are getting the same outcome. So, how does an air fryer work?
People who use such fryers know little about how they work. So, here, we will discuss the details of several air fryers and their work processes. Let us get in!
What is an Air Fryer, And How Does an Air Fryer Work?
Have you ever used an air fryer? If you have, you already know it is the best option for people who want deep-fried food without so much oil.
What is an air fryer, and how does it work? In short, an air fryer is a convection oven. However, the size of the air fryer is compact. It is a small countertop convection oven.
It is designed to allow you to deep-fry food without submerging it in oil. Now, think about how we can fry food without oil!
Technically, these machines do not fry the food but simulate deep frying. As there is a high-speed hot air force, the outer layer of the food gets crisp and brown!
Types of Air Fryers
In the market, several types of air fryers are available to provide perfectly cooked food.
Today, we will discuss the three most popular air fryers among users. Let us know the details about the fryers and which one to pick for you!
Countertop Convection Oven
If you differentiate between an oven and an air fryer, no, this one is not an air fryer. But as we are discussing making food with hot air, a countertop convection oven comes to mind.
Both work the same way. Some such ovens include special settings called “air fryers.”
If you plan to get an oven and an air fryer, you can get both in one oven. Though these are large, you will cook several dishes with such ovens.
You can make foods that are usually cooked in ovens and foods that are cooked in an air fryer.
Who doesn’t love two-in-one machines? Fryers like Rotisserie air fryers include racks to cook a lot of food in a short period!
Basket-type Air Fryer
These air fryers have a basket-type body. All you have to do is put your food inside the basket, and it will cook it. The best part of the basket is the holes in the pot.
There are numerous holes around the basket. This is designed to ensure that the fryer’s inner part gets enough air to cook your food appropriately.
There is a drain catch at the bottom of the basket. These are constructed to cook meat and all sorts of veggies.
These are highly cheap, but at an affordable price, they come with some downsides. You must stir the food once or twice when you cook it.
Also, these types of air fryers have holes, so you cannot make soupy or watery food. Cleaning is also difficult with this one.
Paddle-type Air Fryer
When you deep fry your food in a pot, the oil can get inside every part of it. When you take the food out, you will always need to stir it to make the cooking process perfect.
The food stays under the oil, and as a result, every part of the food gets equally fried. An air fryer also fries your food.
However, in the air fryer, if your food has any cracks, the air will never get inside. The air will only fry the whole area equally.
But in this case, equality is not enough. As air doesn’t get inside, the air fries one side a bit less than the other. So, your food will either be undercooked or overcooked.
However, to overcome this problem, air fryers pull food out and stir it a bit.
You can stir it during cooking to keep the whole food equally cooked. However, some people are not fond of this process.
If you want to avoid this problem, you can get your hands on paddle-type air fryers. With these air fryers, you won’t need to stir your food before pulling it out of the fryer.
An added paddle is inside the basket. Once you start cooking, the paddle moves through the basket to distribute air equally to every part of the fryer.
There are features in several paddle-type air fryers where the paddle is removable according to your preference!
Air Fryer Work Process
As we have told you before, the work of an air fryer is not to fry but to cook! You can only fry in oil, but in your air fryer, you do not deep fry the food; rather, air-fry it!
The air fryer is a type of basket. The inside portion is for keeping the food you are going to cook.
It is a compact device, so the compact area gets hotter faster, and you can get your food ready quicker. The fryer’s top unit includes a heating mechanism.
There is also a fan. Hot air rushes down and surrounds the food you put inside the basket.
The hot air is rapidly circulated, so the food gets crisp and looks deep-fried! After starting the machine, the interior temperature gradually rises.
The air has a high force. As a result, a convection effect occurs. With this effect, the food gets cooked in the hot air and changes its color to brown.
When the temperature inside the fryer is above 320 degrees Fahrenheit, the foods usually start getting brown.
Wrap Up
So, how does an air fryer work? Now, you can answer the simple question and cook in the fryer. Also, the type of air fryers will help you choose the right deal for you!