Following the Trend: Air Fryers

Written by Jamie Pronschinske, RDN, CD. Jamie is a registered dietitian at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, WI.

Everyone everywhere is raving about their air fryer. While the term “air fryer” is relatively new, the concept is not. Air fryers contain a fan that circulates hot air at a high speed which produces a crisp, golden crust similar to deep-fat frying. Essentially, they are little countertop convection ovens marketed with a trendy new name. Traditional convection ovens have been in wide use since the 1940s.

Because air fryers use hot air and a fan, very little cooking oil is needed making it a healthier alternative to deep-fat frying.  Air fried foods will have lower amounts of fat and calories compared to their traditionally fried counterparts. Air fryers can also significantly reduce cooking time as compared to non-convection ovens. Another benefit of air fryers is they generally give off less heat than convention ovens making them ideal for cooking during the hot summer months.

Air fryers can be used for more than just crisping up foods. They can also roast vegetables, cook meats, and even bake cookies! Some air fryers come equipped with additional accessories for specific kinds of foods like pizza pans, grilling trays and cake barrels.  Some companies even make combination “multicookers” which act as an air fryer, toaster oven and pressure cooker all in one.

What’s your favorite air fryer recipe?