Expert reveals how to convert your favourite oven recipes to work in the air fryer
In recent years, air fryers have exploded in popularity among Brits looking for an easy way to put dinner on the table.
These appliances use hot air instead of hot oil to cook food and provide a healthy alternative to frying.
But the transition to this new way of cooking is not always easy, because the temperatures, times and techniques can be completely different.
Users have complained of dried chicken, overcooked meatballs and even messy batter after trying to master recipes in the air fryer.
Fortunately, there is help, because MailOnline spoke to blogger liana green, who has written countless guides to convert your favorite oven recipes into air fryer dishes.
It is often assumed that the temperature in an airfryer should be about 20°C lower than in an oven. Ms. Green also claims that food will cook 20-25 percent faster than conventional ovens
For a whole chicken, Ms. Green recommends cooking it at 180 degrees for 45 minutes before flipping it all over and cooking for another 15 minutes.
As a general rule of thumb, Ms. Green says that the temperature of the airfryer should be 20°C lower than the temperature stated in an oven recipe.
However, this can vary depending on the model, so it’s important to check how efficient your device is.
“Airfryers typically cook food 20-25 percent faster than conventional ovens,” Ms Green told MailOnline.
“That’s why you need to reduce the cooking time in your oven recipe by 20-25 percent.”
Chicken
There’s nothing better than eating a tender but juicy chicken with a slightly crispy skin.
But mastering this with an airfryer is a tricky challenge, as poultry can often become tough or dry once cooked.
To counter this, Ms. Green argues that you need to change technique depending on what kind of dish you’re going for – with different tricks for different parts.
For a whole chicken, Mrs. Green recommends Let it cook for 45 minutes at 180°C/350°F before turning it over completely and cooking for another 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, cooking the wings often takes about 25 minutes, and Ms. Green also recommends flipping them two to three times for an even result.
If you whip them up with some paper towel and spread them out on the baking tray beforehand, they will also be crispier.
“When in doubt, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature,” Ms Green said.
“To prevent chicken breasts from drying out, you can wrap them in a foil packet.”
By turning and spacing the meatballs repeatedly, you can ensure that the cooking is completely over
Meatballs
Overcooked meatballs are a common pitfall for many air fryer owners, with the meat often sticking to oven trays.
According to Ms. Green, these can take about 10 minutes to cook in an airfryer at 180°C/350°F, but it’s critical to oil them to prevent them from sticking.
Turning and spacing them repeatedly can also help the situation.
“Increase or decrease the cooking time depending on the size of the meatballs,” Ms Green added.
“Prick with a knife or metal skewer to check that the juices run clear.”
Ms. Green explains that softer vegetables, such as broccoli and courgettes, tend to cook much more quickly than root vegetables
Roasted Vegetables
When using an airfryer, it is important to tailor your preparation to the different needs of vegetables.
Ms. Green explains that softer vegetables generally cook much faster than root vegetables in the heat of the airfryer.
For example, while broccoli may take 10 minutes at 190°C/374°F, carrots and parsnips may take 15 minutes below 200°C/392°F.
But brushing all the vegetables in oil will give you a perfect roasting result and prevent them from drying out.
“Cut vegetables into similar sizes to ensure equal cooking times,” Ms Green said.
To avoid soggy and undercooked chips, Ms. Green recommends shaking them before cooking
Potato chips
To avoid soggy and undercooked chips, Ms. Green recommends adding only a small amount of oil.
She told MailOnline: ‘If you cook burgers and fries together, it’s best to use a double air fryer or separate them with a divider in the basket of the air fryer.
“Prevent the fries from getting soggy by not air-frying too many at once and shake them regularly so they crisp up.”
Yesterday, Emily Seymour, which one? Energy Editor also told MailOnline that overfilling the tray is another common mistake that can result in burnt chips with soggy insides.
“It’s normal to undercook or overcook the chips the first few times, but if it keeps happening, you might be making some basic mistakes,” she said.
‘To find the optimal capacity of your airfryer, consult the manufacturer’s manual or take the time to experiment with your airfryer.’
READ MORE: The most common air fryer fails and how to fix them – from dry chicken to undercooked fries
Since Oprah Winfrey named it one of her favorite kitchen appliances in 2013, the humble airfryer has exploded in popularity and is now an indispensable part of many people’s kitchens.
The device uses hot air instead of hot oil to cook food and offers a quick and healthy alternative to deep fryers.
However, after purchasing an air fryer, many novice chefs have learned the hard way that there is a certain learning curve to mastering the device.
Fortunately, help is close at hand, such as Which? has revealed the most common air fryer malfunctions and how to fix them.
In Conversation with MailOnline, Emily Seymour, Which? Energy Editor said: ‘Airfryers are generally easy to use, but things can go seriously wrong. If you overfill the machine or don’t clean it properly, you can end up with undercooked chicken and chips or a kitchen full of smoke.’
After purchasing an airfryer, many novice chefs have learned the hard way that there is a bit of a learning curve to mastering the appliance