When it comes to kitchen appliances, air fryers have become a staple for many households. As someone who regularly tests air fryers, I always have a few lined up on my kitchen counter, giving it the cozy feel of an appliance showroom.
Over time, I found myself relying less on my oven for simple cooking tasks as I delved deeper into using air fryers for my meals.
Curious to see if I could completely replace my oven with an air fryer, I decided to embark on a month-long experiment where I cooked everything in the air fryer that I would typically cook in the oven. The challenge was to maintain variety in my meals without resorting to frozen foods.
Here are the key takeaways from my month of exclusively using an air fryer:
Which air fryer did I opt for?
I chose the Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer for its flexibility in cooking. With two separate 5.2L cooking zones that can be used individually or combined into a 10.4L “megazone,” this air fryer offers ample space for a variety of dishes, from roasts to cakes.
1. Reheating requires a new approach
One of my initial mishaps involved overheating pizza slices, turning them into inedible cardboard. I quickly learned that adjusting the temperature slightly lower than recommended is key for most dishes in the air fryer.
There’s a learning curve to mastering air fryer cooking, so it’s advisable to tweak cooking times and temperatures until you find the perfect balance.
2. Microwave + air fryer combo is a time-saver
Combining the microwave with the air fryer proved to be a quicker alternative to using the oven, especially for dishes like shepherd’s pies. Pre-warming in the microwave followed by a quick crisp-up in the air fryer yielded delicious results.
While some air fryers come with built-in probes for precise cooking, using the microwave to pre-cook certain items before air frying can streamline the process.
3. Baking in an air fryer is feasible
Baking a cake in an air fryer may seem unconventional, but it’s a viable option that delivers the same great taste in less time. Adjusting the temperature slightly lower than for an oven bake is crucial to ensure even cooking.
For smaller air fryers, using a compact cake tin is recommended, while larger models like the FlexDrawer can accommodate full-size loaf cakes.
Baking a cake in an air fryer has the air of a novelty performance, like playing Clair de Lune on the kazoo
Following a standard oven recipe with minor temperature adjustments can result in a perfectly baked cake in the air fryer.
4. Experimentation leads to culinary discoveries
Emboldened by my success with baking, I began exploring various dishes in the air fryer, from crispy gnocchi to roasted vegetables. Steaming veggies was swapped for air frying with added oil and garlic for enhanced flavor.
Drunk with the success of the air fryer cake, I started to use the air fryer for everything
While some items are better suited for traditional cooking methods, the air fryer proved versatile for a range of recipes.
5. Limitations of air fryer size
Despite its versatility, cooking larger items like a 10-inch pizza in a standard air fryer may pose a challenge due to size constraints. For such dishes, a conventional oven or specialized pizza oven is recommended.
Attempting to cook oversized items in a regular air fryer may require unconventional methods, like splitting the dish into smaller portions for sequential cooking.
6. The shift from oven to air fryer
Following a month of exclusive air fryer use, my perspective on cooking changed significantly. The efficiency and ease of using an air fryer made my oven seem outdated and cumbersome in comparison.
Transitioning from oven cooking to air frying not only saved time and effort but also offered a more streamlined culinary experience.
Ready to make the switch?
For those intrigued by the possibilities of air fryer cooking, exploring options like the Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer or similar dual-zone air fryers can open up a world of culinary experimentation. Consider the size and features that align with your cooking needs to make the most of your air frying experience.
Whether you opt for an air fryer oven or a traditional air fryer, the versatility and convenience it offers can revolutionize your approach to home cooking.