I had resisted buying an air fryer even though several friends were swearing these cookers were the best thing since sliced bread. I gave in because I was asked to write an opinion piece. And I fell in love!
However, I cook mostly for two people. When the family rocks in, the kids like to cook their own oil-free chips — great for after sport. Cooking for a family of six would be imprudent as meals would need to be cooked in batches. It would be better to use conventional cooking.
But potato accompaniments can be hassle-backed, sprayed with oil, seasoned, topped with grated parmesan and cooked until crispy. Broccoli is the best ever. And you can bake a small, butterflied chicken to perfection in 30 minutes – crispy skin with a juicy inside.
Just as cooking times differs in conventional ovens, slow cookers and microwaves, the same applies for air fryers. It also depends how much food you are cooking. The more you cook, the longer it will take.
Most air fryers need to be preheated for about 3 minutes. You can check the food during cooking at various intervals. Giving chips a shake helps more even cooking. The air fryer continues to cook for the designated time after you return the pan.
AIR FRYER CRISPY CHICKEN SKEWERS
The 9cm bamboo skewers were bought at a $2 shop.
350g skinned and boned chicken breast
1/4 cup plain Greek-style yoghurt
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
pinch chilli flakes
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 – 1 1/2 cups panko or plain dried breadcrumbs
spray canola oil
Cut the chicken into 2.5 cm chunks. Place in a bowl with the yoghurt, garlic, paprika, chilli flakes and pepper. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 12 hours.
Remove the chicken from the yoghurt and toss in the breadcrumbs ensuring the cubes are well coated. Thread loosely onto 4-5, 9cm bamboo skewers. Chill for 30 minutes to set.
Preheat the air fryer on 200°C for 3 minutes or according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Spray the rack with oil. Spray the chicken skewers with oil. Place in the air fryer and cook for 7 minutes. Turn the skewers over and cook for a further 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked.
Great served with Tomayo— equal amounts of tomato sauce and mayonnaise. Serves 2.
CHURROS
Churros are traditionally served at breakfast with melted chocolate for dipping. I prefer a tangy fruit purée or a squeeze of lime or lemon.
Cinnamon Sugar: 1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Churros: 1 cup plain flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup water
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons canola or sunflower oil
spray canola oil
Combine the cinnamon sugar ingredients in a bowl and place aside.
To make the churros, first combine the flour and baking powder in a small bowl.
Place the water, sugar, salt and canola or sunflower oil in a medium saucepan and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat. Stir in the flour combo all at once, mixing until a ball forms.
Line a baking tray with baking paper. Place the dough in a cloth piping bag fitted with a 1.5cm star nozzle. Pipe the dough in 5cm lengths down the baking paper.
Preheat the air fryer. Spray the churros with oil. Spray the air fryer rack with oil.
Air fry for 6 minutes. Turn the churros over. Cook for another 6 minutes, until golden. Dust with the cinnamon sugar.
Serve with a dipping sauce on the side. Serve at breakfast or as a dessert. Makes about 10.
PARMESAN HASSELBACKS
It’s best to first par-cook these potatoes in the microwave before air frying.
2 medium roasting potatoes, about 150g each
spray olive oil
flaky sea salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
Preheat the oven to 180°C.
Peel and halve the potatoes crosswise. Place them cut side down and make 5mm cuts almost through to the other side.
Place on a damp paper towel in the microwave and cook for 6 minutes. Remove and cool a little. Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer.
Spray the oil generously over the potatoes. Season well then sprinkle with the parmesan. Place on the oiled air fryer rack and cook for 6-8 minutes, until cooked and crispy on top. Serves 2-4.