Air-fry without an air fryer: Consumer Reports

WSYR-TV ^ | April 14, 2020 | Staff

[L.A.Justice]

CONSUMER REPORTS — Sales of air fryers are hot. People love the idea of crispy, fried food that’s supposed to be a bit healthier because very little oil is used.

But what if you don’t have an air fryer? Consumer Reports say chances are you can still air-fry home without spending money or cluttering up your countertop with a new appliance.

So what’s the deal with air fryers? These popular countertop cookers turn out chicken wings, french fries, shrimp, and other traditionally fried foods without using a lot of oil. You can spend $50 to $300 for one. The good news is, you don’t have to! Consumer Reports says air-frying isn’t magic.

An air fryer is a mini convection oven. All you need is a little bit of oil, and then hot air circulates around the food to crisp it. The basket, suspended inside, allows for that air to move around.

But that basket might be too small. After testing 25 air fryers, CR found that the ones with small baskets might require you to make multiple batches of food to feed your hungry family.

But fear not: Consumer Reports says you may already possess the power to prepare air-fried food by using the convection setting on your oven!

Your food will brown best if you use a dark-colored pan because it absorbs more heat than light-colored or glass pans. That makes the heat radiate to brown your food even more.

And your oven can handle much more food than a typical air fryer’s basket can.

If you don’t have a convection over, consider a toaster oven with a convection setting. Some of the newer models even have an air-fry setting that lets you get the same crispy results as an air fryer without spending bucks.

And Consumer Reports reminds us that air frying isn’t just for nuggets and mozzarella sticks. You can give it a try for everything from asparagus to zucchini!

[L.A.Justice]

Do you have an air fryer? What brand would you recommend?

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

“If you don’t have a convection over”

Don’t have a convection over.

[Amberdawn]

I’ve been craving breaded shrimp and this thread is making me hungry.

[JohnnyP]

I’ve been on the carnivore diet the last two years. Frying hamburger and steaks is messing up my kitchen, so I am looking for a good air fryer or oven.

The ones I’ve seen are limited to 500F or less. I want more, at least 600, to get a nice sear without over cooking the center.

Hmm, maybe do a reverse sear in one.

[Vendome]

saw this a while back
https://www.americastestkitchen.com/guides/air-frying/the-best-air-fryers

[Fungi]

Cut some potatoes into fries and soak in water for 30 minutes with a few changes of water. Adding a little vinegar to the soaking water adds tartness and flavor you probably never knew. Drain and dry the fries well. Just lay the fries on a preheated 350 degree oven rack for 15 minutes, turn them over and go for another 15 or 20 minutes. Turn them over once again till done to your liking.

Remove and toss with an herb mixture of your liking. My favorite: garlic powder, black pepper, turmeric, cumin, paprika, coriander, a touch of cayenne and some salt. Blend well. Then enjoy with mustard or ketchup and a sprinkle of lemon juice. This is not rocket science. Consumer Reports makes a living out of content that insults common sense.

[Trump Girl Kit Cat]

I LOVE MY AIR FRYER!!

[pepsionice]

For eight years, I’ve been into the hot-air deal....using two different brands. Both worked well, first one died at the five-year point (we used it around three times a week). So many menu options on use....simply adds to the value.

[goodnesswins]

I’ve read there is an instapot conversion for air fryer...anyone used it?

[TomGuy]

Got an air-fryer/toaster oven for Christmas. Not really impressed. Some foods taste good, others are dry or soggy. It smokes with some foods and is a mess to clean up. Most foods take two or three times longer to cook.

I have basically returned to cooking most foods the traditional ways — deep frying and skillets.

[L.A.Justice]

I LOVE MY AIR FRYER!!
___________________________________

Is it Ninja?

Will 4 quarts be big enough for 2 people? I am talking about the size of the air fryer...

[Dogbert41]

I have a Ninja air fryer. Just loved it! Then it got used by my wife once, they hated it, and funny enough, it never worked well since. Seems like the fan or the heat doesn’t get up there anymore?

Maybe I’ll give it another try on some fish and chips tonight.

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

Blanch your fries in a baking soda and sugar solution.

Using baking soda promotes the breakdown of pectin, whereas vinegar promotes the maintenance of its integrity; thus baking soda chips will have a softer, fluffier interior due to the potato flesh being broken down more completely during the blanching step, and vinegar chips will be more durable for handling and frying but not as tasty. In addition, alkaline conditions also favor browning via the Maillard reaction and the sugar enhances browning as well as complementing the potato taste. Acidic conditions tend to inhibit browning.

[Dogbert41]

My ninja is an absolute breeze to clean. Deep fryers are a PITA and a mess, but they sure do taste the best, that’s the truth.

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

Oh, and don’t forget also considering malt vinegar and mayo as other optional condiments.

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

I forgot to add the surface of the potato gets tiny holes which when fried crisp up to the extreme. Think crunchy shell around super soft potato center.

[aquila48]

bookmark

[Jeff Chandler]

Just lay the fries on a preheated 350 degree oven rack

I tried your recipe. The fries fell between the rack wires.

[Oshkalaboomboom]

Heston Blumenthal has been honored as the world's best chef and his restaurant, the Fat Duck, was named the world's best. One of his early recipes that made his reputation were his Triple cooked fries

[Secret Agent Man]

CR thinks the average person is an imbecile, apparently.