Appliance IQ: Kitchen

Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Air Fryer: 7 Helpful Tips

Whether you're an air frying novice or a seasoned pro, it's always handy to have a few ingenious tricks up your sleeve to ensure you're making the most of your kitchen gadget. This comprehensive guide is here to enlighten you with clever tips and techniques for both standalone air fryers and oven models, addressing common queries related to the art of air frying.

A kitchen with a Whirlpool Range with an Over-the-Range Microwave. On the counters are cookbooks, a spice rack with spices, two containers, a kitchen utensil holder, a cutting board, an oil container, a basket with notebooks and a bowl with lemons. A kitchen with a Whirlpool Range with an Over-the-Range Microwave. On the counters are cookbooks, a spice rack with spices, two containers, a kitchen utensil holder, a cutting board, an oil container, a basket with notebooks and a bowl with lemons.

How Exactly Does an Air Fryer Function?

At the heart of any air fryer or oven boasting air frying features are two essential elements: a built-in fan and a perforated tray or basket. The genius of air frying lies in the high-speed circulation of hot air enveloping the food positioned in a perforated tray. This dynamic process heats every facet of your food, yielding that irresistibly crunchy texture.

What Makes Air Frying a Top Choice for Cooking?

Air frying is a culinary game changer, allowing you to recreate the crispy texture synonymous with traditional deep frying, sans the cumbersome preparation and extensive clean-up. Plus, it's a wizard with frozen items like fries, chicken strips, and onion rings, crisping them up to perfection and letting you indulge in your fried cravings right in the comfort of your home.

Mastering Your Air Fryer: Tips for Optimal Use

Enhance your air frying experience, whether you're operating a standalone air fryer or an oven with similar capabilities, by adopting the following insightful tips.

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The Art of Preheating
While this might not be necessary for some tabletop air fryers, preheating is crucial for ovens with air frying functions to deliver optimal outcomes. It's wise to refer to your appliance's manual for precise preheating guidelines to maximize your air fry oven's performance.

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Be Sparse with Cooking Spray
Although a light mist of cooking spray can foster that desired crispiness, going overboard might harm your air frying tray or basket. Certain components in non-stick sprays could erode the basket’s protective coating, potentially shortening its usability.

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Strategic Rack Placement Matters
Achieving the perfect air fry in an oven requires positioning the tray or basket on the middle rack. If your oven features five racks, the third one is ideal, ensuring efficient air movement inside the oven chamber.

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Tweak the Cooking Duration
When adapting recipes not specifically designed for air fryers, it's essential to reduce the cooking time. Air fryers are renowned for their speed, cooking foods quicker than their conventional oven or deep fryer counterparts.

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Minimize Oil Usage
One of the air fryer's charms is its ability to replicate deep frying's results without drowning your food in oil. Stick to your air fryer recipes, applying just a light brushing of cooking oil to fresh ingredients.

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Opt for a Perforated Tray or Basket
The secret to uniform crispiness is using the specialized air fryer basket accompanying your device. Its perforated nature allows for uninterrupted air flow, ensuring thorough cooking and crunch.

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Insert a Baking Tray Beneath
Prevent any mess from drips and loose crumbs in your oven by positioning a baking tray on a lower rack, right under your air frying basket.

A kitchen with a Whirlpool Refrigerator and Whirlpool Range. On the island is an air fry basket with sliced zucchini. On the counters in the background are cookbooks, a cutting board, a spice rack and a kitchen utensil holder, among other items. A kitchen with a Whirlpool Refrigerator and Whirlpool Range. On the island is an air fry basket with sliced zucchini. On the counters in the background are cookbooks, a cutting board, a spice rack and a kitchen utensil holder, among other items.

What's Ideal for Cooking in an Air Fryer?

The air fryer's versatility extends from fries to chicken to an assortment of vegetables. Favourites among air frying enthusiasts include chicken wings, various fish types like salmon, and classic fried goodies like chips and onion rings.

What Shouldn't You Cook in an Air Fryer?

Steer clear of certain items like cakes, delicate pastries, and breads in your air fryer, as the gadget's functionality can render these treats dry or excessively tough. Similarly, some fragile vegetables such as zucchini might turn out unsavoury or overly soft. Avoid anything enveloped in a wet batter as well.

Explore Whirlpool® Ovens with Air Fry Capabilities

Armed with your newfound air fryer wisdom and these practical hacks, you're all set to embark on a culinary adventure. Dive into Whirlpool® brand’s of ovens featuring air fry functions and bring home the magic to recreate your family’s beloved fried dishes with ease.

Shop Whirlpool® Air Fryer Microwaves, Wall Ovens & Ranges

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