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Air fryer - investment in health or unnecessary spending
Table of Contents
1. The operational mechanism of the fat-free device for meal preparation
The operational mechanism of this device is based on a high-speed hot air circulation method, which allows meals to be prepared in a manner similar to frying without excessive fat content. At the heart of this appliance is a heater that heats the air to a specific temperature, usually in the range of 150-200°C. Adjacent to the heater is a fan that distributes the hot air evenly around the food at a high speed. This enables heat to reach every part of the food, making it possible to achieve an even, golden and crispy finish. The device prepares the meal in a closed chamber, which allows for effective heating of the food while maintaining the required moisture inside the food. This effect resembles that of a convection oven, but thanks to the smaller chamber and the fast airflow, the time of thermal treatment is significantly shorter. Furthermore, some models have additional features such as the adjustment of airflow intensity. This allows for the temperature and flow mode to be adjusted to different types of food – from delicate vegetables to larger pieces of meat. Although the appliance does not require the addition of fat, many people choose to use a light oil spray to achieve an even better crispiness, especially when preparing French fries or breaded chicken pieces (A. Zaghi et al. 2019).2. Air fryer offers numerous benefits
Purchasing an air fryer brings numerous advantages that can significantly enhance the efficiency of daily meal preparation and add variety to them.3. Healthier meal preparation
An air fryer enables you to achieve a crunchy frying effect with a minimum amount of fat or even without the use of fat, which helps in controlling the number of calories in a meal. This contributes to maintaining a healthy body weight and facilitates providing an appropriate number of calories, which is especially significant for individuals who want to decrease their body weight or maintain it at the same level.4. Save yourself time and energy
Compared to an oven, a fat-free fryer heats up quickly and operates in a smaller chamber, making meal preparation significantly faster and requiring less power.5. All-encompassing utility
The air fryer enables cooking of diverse dishes - from fries to grilled vegetables to juicy meats and desserts. It is a versatile appliance that can successfully replace the oven or pan when preparing numerous dishes.6. Simple maintenance of cleanliness
The majority of fat-free fryer models come with detachable baskets or pans covered in a non-sticking coating, and certain components are compatible for washing in a dishwasher. Both of these factors render the device's cleaning process virtually trouble-free.7. The optimal solution for small kitchen owners
Due to its modest dimensions, the air fryer is an excellent choice even in limited spaces, and it can also replace several other, less convenient appliances.8. The air heater is flawed
While the fat-free fryer has numerous benefits, its drawbacks cannot be overlooked and should be considered before purchasing.9. Limitation in capacity
The majority of air fryers feature a relatively limited capacity, which implies that preparing meals for a larger number of individuals may necessitate dividing the cooking process into several stages.10. Flavor of meals
Even though this device can yield a crispy exterior, not all dishes will possess precisely the same flavor profile as those prepared in the traditional manner. For certain individuals, this may be significant, especially in the context of classic fries or breaded meat.11. It's a noisy job
Fat-free fryers are also rather noisy during operation, which can be burdensome in small spaces or when cooking for extended periods.12. Cost
It is also important to note the cost - more advanced models can be expensive, which is a challenge for those on a smaller budget. Additionally, there are some risks associated with using an air fryer. During cooking, there is a risk that the food may be burned, which can lead to the formation of acrylamide, a chemical considered potentially carcinogenic. Although this can be minimized by controlling temperature and cooking time, it is important to be aware of this risk (J. Téllez-Morales, J. Rodríguez-Miranda, R. Aguilar-Garay).13. Crispy tofu
Components (two servings): 180 g of natural tofu (cubes), 5 g of potato starch (1 teaspoon), 5 ml of sesame oil (1 teaspoon), 1 g of granulated garlic, 1 g of sweet paprika powder, 1 g of soy sauce, a pinch of salt, pepper, onion powder. Preparation1. Squeeze the tofu out of the liquid and cut it into cubes. Arrange in a bowl. 2. Add potato starch and mix well. Then add all the spices, sesame oil and soy sauce and mix again. 3. Put the tofu in an oil-free fryer, so that each cube has a little space around it. Bake at 200°C for 10 minutes, shake the basket after half the time. 4. Serve with any side dishes. Nutritional value (per serving): – Energy: 144 kcal, – Protein: 10.8 g, – Fat: 9.3 g, – Carbohydrates: 4.2 g.14. The miniature potato vessels
Components (per serving): 180 g of potatoes (2 pieces), 5 ml of olive oil (slice) 1 g of sweet ground paprika, 1 g of dried rosemary, 1 g of salt, a pinch of chili, ground pepper. Preparation method: 1. Wash and cut the potatoes and then cut them into 8 pieces, resulting in 16 pieces. 2. Place the raw potatoes in a bowl, add cold water and a few ice cubes, let them sit for 30 minutes, cut them, and dry them with a paper towel. 3. Mix the potatoes with olive oil and spices. 4. Fry the potatoes in a fat-free fryer for a total of 15 minutes. Shake the baskets every 5 minutes. 5. Serve with your favorite dip. Nutritional value (per serving): – energy: 202 kcal, – protein: 3.4 g, – fat: 5.2 g, – carbohydrates: 36.9 g.15. Baked chocolate oatmeal
Ingredients (for one serving): 50 g of oatmeal, 60 g of banana (half a piece), 100 ml of milk 1.5% fat (2/5 cup), 5 g of cocoa (spoon), 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, 50g of vanilla yogurt, e.g. skyru or homogenized cheese (1/3 packaging), 6 g of chocolate (piece), 15 g of nut butter (spoon), 10 g of erythritol (2 teaspoons), a few of any fruits, e.g. raspberries, blueberries. Preparation: 1. Crush the oatmeal and then add the banana, milk, cocoa, baking powder, erythritol and nut butter. Mix everything again. 2. Pour half of the mass into a cocotte or small heat-resistant bowl, place a spoonful of yogurt on top and cover with the rest of the mass. 3. Place a piece of dark chocolate on top and bake in a fat-free oven for 15–17 minutes at 180°C. 4. Serve with your favorite fruits. Nutritional value (for one serving, without fruits): – energy: 491 kcal, – protein: 21.5 g, – fat: 16.2 g, – carbohydrates: 65 g.
