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Air Fryers: Are They Worth It?
program • consumer • 2023
PG
program • consumer • 2023
PG
The name suggests that an airfryer would be good for things like chips and fried chicken – and it is (we're looking at you, ). But there's a whole array of other things you can make in this handy benchtop appliance. Here are some great alternative airfryer recipes, from giant choc-chip cookies to 'cheat's falafels'.
Recipe creator Becky Excell call's this a 'cheat's version' because it uses canned chickpeas rather than soaked dried chickpeas. That's not the only thing that makes these a little easier for those short on time: A food processor makes making these a breeze, and the airfryer is quick to use, too. Served drizzled with tahini and yoghurt sauce (and perhaps stuffed in Excell's !)
Gluten-free air-fryer falafel wiht tahini sauce. Credit: Quadrille / Hannah Hughes
"Is this a biscuit or is this a dessert? Whatever it is, this airfryer recipe is delicious!" says Katy Greenward of her pretty-in-pink creation. (And there's a bonus: Greenward says the leftover syrup from the rhubarb is fantastic drizzled over vanilla ice cream, or stirred into cocktails.) Greenward's recipe shows how good an airfryer can be for baking (especially in summer, when you might not want the oven heating up your home).
Rhubarb crumble slice. Credit: Hardie Grant Books / Ant Duncan
Dan Hong uses this popular kitchen appliance to make the crispiest pork belly, scented with five-spice and Shaoxing wine.
Credit: Adrian Patra
Don't throw out your root veg peelings! Instead, try this fantastic way to use them up. Parsnips, carrots, potatoes and beetroot all work well with this idea.
Airfryer root veg crisps. Credit: Quadrille / Rita Platts
Crisp on top and gooey in the middle... these are fantastic served while still warm! Easier than making individual cookies, these giant ones can be cut into wedges to serve. You can make the dough ahead and refrigerate it, then bake the cookies to order (the recipe makes two giant cookies).
Giant peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies. Credit: Quadrille / Rita Platts
In this recipe which Elly-May Barnes shares on , wonton skins are turned into airfried crisp apple dumplings and serve with whipped cream on the side for dipping.
Credit: Jiwon Kim
"We all love a delicious fried rice, and you could literally put any ingredients in a rice dish to make it your own, but my 'Doody's chaotic rice dish' is simple and easy to make. The inspiration for this dish comes from western Chinese cuisine," says Daniel Doody of his recipe, which uses the airfryer to cook tender, marinated chicken thigh fillets.
Doody’s chaotic rice dish Credit: Adam Liaw
When you crumb and air-fry the ever-popular squeaky cheese, you get these little bombs of deliciousness! Serve these crisp-coated haloumi bites as party food, or for lunch in a salad. (And if gluten is not your friend, good news – this recipe comes from gluten-free recipe writer Becky Excell, so it uses gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs).
Air-fryer haloumi popcorn. Credit: Quadrille / Hannah Hughes
Here, Camellia Ling Aebischer makes a rich delight featuring peanut butter and bananas (no flour!) that can be cooked in a regular oven or an airfryer.
Hot and gooey Credit: Camellia Aebischer
If you've got a little more time on your hands, try making this yeasted cheese and garlic tear-apart loaf (you'll need to allow about an hour and a half for the dough to rise).
Airfryer cheese and garlic tear and share. Credit: Hardie Grant Books / Ant Duncan
Coated in creamy, cheesy pesto with sun-dried tomatoes, peas and crunchy toasted pine nuts, it’s hard to believe you can make this gnocchi dish in around 15 minutes. The airfryer makes quick work of cooking supermarket-purchased gnocchi.
Air fryer 15-minute pesto and pea gnocchi. Credit: Quadrille / Hannah Hughes
