The term ‘fast food’ is usually associated with greasy and unhealthy food. However, with an air fryer this does not have to be the case, as you can prepare chips and other similar dishes without using any oil. Read our guide to find out more.
The term ‘fast food’ is usually associated with greasy and unhealthy food. However, with an air fryer this does not have to be the case, as you can prepare chips and other similar dishes without using any oil. Read our guide to find out more.
Air fryers – how do they work?
To understand how air fryers work you need to know a bit about hot air circulation, which evenly heats the food inside the fryer. The operating principle is similar to that of a convection oven. The process means that chips prepared in an air fryer are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Also other dishes and snacks prepared using an air fryer are much healthier than with more traditional deep-fat fryers. However, not everyone will fully appreciate the taste of such dishes, as they will differ slightly when compared to traditional deep-fried dishes. Air fryers often also have a heating function, which makes it possible to quickly reheat a meal.
What should you pay attention to when choosing an air fryer?
Now that you know how it works, let’s have a look at which air fryer will be the best for you and what to pay attention to when buying it. First of all consider what capacity you will need. This will determine how much food you will be able to prepare in one go.
If you choose too small a capacity for your needs, you may have to prepare chips or other dishes in several stages. So if you plan to cook meal for a large number of people, it is probably best to choose one with a larger capacity.
When choosing an air fryer, make sure you also carefully consider the wattage you will need. This parameter will influence how much time you will need to prepare each dish. The higher the wattage, the faster the fryer will heat up. However, bear in mind that a lower wattage will also mean lower power consumption.
Safety is another extremely important issue with air fryers, as they can generate temperatures of up to 200 degrees Celsius. For this reason it’s worth checking whether the device has thermal insulation. If not, touching the device when heated up could result in severe burns. In addition, the automatic power supply cut-off function is important, e.g. in the event of a failure of the air fryer, as well as feet ensuring stability during operation and preventing it from slipping on the counter top.
Air fryers are not only for making chips,
Contrary to the general opinion, with most fryers you can also fry other vegetables, not just potatoes. It can also be used to prepare meat, e.g. for nuggets or chicken wings. Fried fish, sausages or even dumplings are just a few of the other dishes you can prepare in an air fryer.
Air fryers versus low-fat fryers
Another point worth mentioning when on the topic of air fryers is the fact that despite the name, these devices do require using literally a few tablespoons of oil. Exactly how much depends on the type of dish and the amount of ingredients, but in most cases just one spoon should be enough. For this reason, air fryers should really be called low-fat fryers.
So the question could be asked, since you do need to add a tiny bit of oil, does this actually affect the quality of the dishes and are they really healthier than deep-fried? The answer is definitely yes. Vegetable fat, which has a very high content of various valuable ingredients, including OMEGA-3 acids, provides us with vital elements of any healthy diet. As a result such dishes have much less fat than dishes fried using traditional methods.
Air fryers for commercial use
Many fast food lovers are used to the taste of deep-fried dishes and snacks. When visiting such establishments, they expect the dishes to taste in a specific way. In this case, the fact that such dishes are high in calories and therefore less healthy is of secondary importance.
An increasing number of people, however, are paying attention to a healthy diet. When eating out they look for more healthy options, and generally not those high in fat. So in order to meet the expectation of such customers an air fryer could be an ideal choice for your bar or restaurant. You will then be able to serve your customers dishes according to their expectations.
Air fryers don’t generally have the same capacity as traditional fryers, so they might not do the job in busy restaurants with a short serving time. However, there are many restaurants where air fryers would match the profile of the menu offer.
Air fryers in kebab shops
One of the most popular types of fast food bars are kebab shops. An air fryer in this scenario could be an ideal solution. One of the most popular dishes are kebabs served on a plate. They are usually accompanied by crispy chips, so you can easily make your menu offer more attractive by offering your guests two types of chips – traditionally fried and fat-free.
Air fryers in small restaurants
Air fryers are also a good idea in small restaurants, where you will be serving a relatively small number of people at one time. The smaller capacity than in the case of deep-fat fryers will not be such an issue, and you will be able to satisfy your customers without making them wait.
Air fryers in sandwich bars
Air fryers are also an excellent solution for sandwich bars. The ingredients for sandwiches, as well as the sandwiches themselves, do not have to be prepared directly when ordered by the customer. In such venues most dishes are usually prepared in advance and then served when ordered. Frying vegetables or sausages without using fat is a great way to attract new customers in this day and age.
Which air fryer should you buy – summary
Fast food is currently a very popular option, but it is very high in calories and usually very fatty. Air fryers are an ideal solution here, both in the case of commercial use and at home.
Using the principle of hot air circulation, they let you prepare perfect chips, nuggets or wings, as well as many other dishes using only a very small amount of fat. The air fryer you choose should be tailored to your needs. Before making a purchase, pay attention to the technical specifications and thermal protection, and also remember that food fried in this way will taste slightly different than fried in a more traditional way.
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