Air fryers are brilliant things, cooking tasty food with very little fat and for a fraction of the price of conventional cooking. But if your repertoire has centred around French fries, chunky chips and chicken wings you're missing out. Air fryers are very versatile, and their cooking powers work magic on foods you might not expect.
We've already brought you 6 things we wish we knew before buying an air fryer and the best foods to cook in an air fryer – those are somewhat more obvious meals, though. Here are five foods that cook surprisingly well in an air fryer. All you need to add is something from our list of the best air fryers.
1. Sprouts
Sprouts get a bad rap, especially in the UK where they're associated with memories of soggy, over-boiled lumps of sheer misery that ruin a perfectly good Christmas meal. Or maybe that's just me. But cooked properly, Brussels sprouts can be amazing. Cook them in oil and seasoning for about 20 minutes at 400ºF; as ever, give them a shake a few times to ensure even cooking. If you're not veggie, mixing them with little bits of bacon or pancetta is even better.
2. Bacon
On the subject of bacon, air frying can give you crisp, super tasty results without the mess of oil frying. The fat falls off as you cook, so you'll need to consult our how to clean an air fryer guide for how to handle the resulting grease, but it's worth the effort. Most recipes say you need 7 minutes at 350ºF, but you'll need longer for thicker cuts.
3. Burgers
Skip this one if you like your burgers medium; air frying is not the cooking technique you want here. But if you prefer your burgers well done (or if your family does) then you can get good results at 400ºF for ten to fifteen minutes. Remember to flip them over halfway for consistent results.
This one really depends on the burgers you're cooking. If you're doing them DIY you may need more time – home-made burgers tend to be thicker than shop-bought – and smaller, frozen ones need careful monitoring so you don't overcook them. You'll often find shop-bought burgers produce quite a lot of grease; that'll fall down during cooking to deliver considerably less greasy patties.
4. Boiled eggs
Yes, really. They're not technically boiled – whatever you do, don't fill your air fryer with water – but you can get the same kind of results in about 15 minutes at 250ºF. Chuck them in ice water to cool them down, peel and eat.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
If you have an air fryer and an instant pot, though, I'd recommend doing your eggs in the latter using the 5/5/5 method: five minutes at high pressure, five minutes natural venting, five minutes in ice water. They're incredibly tasty and incredibly easy to peel too.
You can also fry and scramble eggs in your air fryer, provided of course you use an appropriate container. Cracking eggs onto the mesh basket isn't going to end well.
5. Chickpeas
Air fryer chickpeas are a revelation: crispy, crunchy and much more fun than hummus. According to The Kitchn, they're best with a moroccan spice blend and it's crucial that you get them as dry as possible before air frying. If you don't, they'll pop all over the place. Once they're dry, 20 minutes with the occasional shake at a temperature of 400ºF should do the trick.
Writer, musician and broadcaster Carrie Marshall has been covering technology since 1998 and is particularly interested in how tech can help us live our best lives. Her CV is a who’s who of magazines, newspapers, websites and radio programmes ranging from T3, Techradar and MacFormat to the BBC, Sunday Post and People’s Friend. Carrie has written more than a dozen books, ghost-wrote two more and co-wrote seven more books and a Radio 2 documentary series; her memoir, Carrie Kills A Man, was shortlisted for the British Book Awards. When she’s not scribbling, Carrie is the singer in Glaswegian rock band Unquiet Mind (unquietmindmusic).
-
Watches expert reveals the best styles to achieve the ‘Old Money’ aesthetic
5 ‘Old Money’ watch styles you need to know about
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen
-
Apple Watch Series 10 review: Slimmer, sleeker, but familiar ground
Apple’s latest wearable offers subtle upgrades for those who demand the latest
By Matt Kollat Published
-
Ninja upgrades its Double Stack Air Fryer with a more compact size than before
Ninja launches a smaller version of its Double Stack air fryer – if that’s even possible
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Breville’s new air fryer takes on Ninja with its huge capacity and multiple cooking zones
The Breville Halo Flexi air fryer means you’ll never have to use your oven again
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Experts reveal your air fryer is dirtier than you think… here’s how to fix it
A third of the UK doesn’t clean their air fryer enough, according to experts
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Philips Airfryer 3000 Series Dual Basket review: the king of air fryers returns
After releasing the first-ever air fryer in 2010, Philips has returned with its first dual basket model
By Lizzie Wilmot Published
-
This Samsung microwave doubles as an air fryer and can even ferment food
Samsung reinvents the microwave with smart technology and air fryer functions
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Forget air fryers – Smeg’s new 10-in-1 mini oven is what you need for your kitchen
Smeg promises to replace all your appliances with its new 10-in-1 Multifunction Countertop Oven
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
This two-zone air fryer comes with a clever integrated grill layer
Introducing the Midea 11QT Two-Zone Air Fryer Oven
By Lizzie Wilmot Published
-
Haier's new air fryer has a viewing window that lets you monitor cooking progress
The Haier Multi Air Fryer Series 5 certainly has a lot to offer
By Lizzie Wilmot Published