A Beginner's Guide to Air Frying
For the past few years, Air Fryers have remained a top seller and a highly coveted Christmas gift. This year, you may have been lucky enough to receive it as a gift, or even may have caught you one on sale during Black Friday.
But now, you need to know what to do with it. Sure you can toss chicken wings and fries in it and call it a day— but you didn’t want one for that soul purpose.
I’ll explore a few ways to use your air fryer and feel like it’s more than just a kitchen gadget taking up space.
P.S. the Instant Pot now has an air fryer lid so you can convert your current obsession into one! Right now it’s more than 50% off!
Zucchini Corn Fritters
Crunchy and light, this dish combines zucchini and corn for a 2-bite hit!
What you’ll need:
2 medium zucchini
1 cup corn kernels
1 medium potato cooked
2 tbsp flour
3-5 garlic cloves finely minced
1-2 tsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
For Yogurt tahini sauce:
1/2 cup yogurt
1 tsp tahini
How to:
1) Preheat Air Fryer to 360 degrees.
2) Grate zucchini using a grater or food processor.
3) In a mixing bowl, mix grated zucchini with little salt and leave it for 10-15 min. Squeeze out excess water from the zucchini. Mash the cooked potato.
3) In a bowl, combine zucchini, potato, corn, flour, garlic, salt and pepper.
4) Roughly take 2 tbsp batter, give it a shape of a patty and place them on parchment paper.
5) Lightly brush oil on the surface of each fritter.
6) Place the fritters on the Air Fryer mesh without touching each other. Cook them for 8 min.
7) Turn the fritters and cook for another 3-4 minute or until well done or till you get the desired color.
8) In a bowl, mix yogurt and tahini. Season with salt to taste and serve with fritters.
Buffalo Cauliflower
It’s no secret I love cauliflower, any way! But this air fryer takes the heat up a notch. Simply cut, season, and toss in the fryer for a delicious treat.
What you’ll need:
1 medium head cauliflower, chopped
2-3 tablespoons Frank's Buffalo Sauce
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Dry seasonings to taste:
Tony’s
Salt
Pepper
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Parsley flakes
How to:
1) Preheat air fryer to 360 degrees.
2) Add all ingredients except cauliflower to a large mixing bowl. Whisk to combine thoroughly. Add cauliflower and toss to coat evenly.
3) Add half of your cauliflower to air fryer. Cook for 12-14 minutes, shaking halfway, or until you reach desired consistency.
4) Repeat with remaining cauliflower, except lower cook time to 9-10 minutes.
5) Serve with dipping sauce of choice.
Crispy Cajun Air Fried Salmon
A nice flaky piece of salmon cooked right will melt in your mouth. It’s high in the good fats and will quickly fill you up. Take it up another level by cooking it in the air fryer.
What you’ll need:
2 wild caught salmon fillets with
2 tsps teaspoons olive oil
Dry seasonings to taste:
Tony’s
Salt
Pepper
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Lemon wedges
Parsley flakes
How to:
1) Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees. Lightly coat inside with olive oil.
2) Rinse and pat dry salmon. Rub with olive oil and season both sides generously.
3) Place in air fryer and cook for 8 minutes. Allow salmon to rest for 2 minutes and serve w/ lemon wedge. Garnish with parsley.
Air-Fried Shrimp Fried Rice
I’m all in over rice dishes. But shrimp fried rice is one of my favorites, seriously. Add more spice by using peppers, or keep it mild by omitting them!
What you’ll need:
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped carrot
2 large eggs, scrambled
1 pound large peeled, deveined raw shrimp
2 (8-oz.) pkg. pre-cooked microwavable brown or white rice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
1 chili pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
Sliced scallions, for serving (optional)
How to:
1) Remove the basket insert from air fryer and preheat to 400°F for 5 minutes.
2) Add oil to the basket holder to coat; add onion, carrot and stir to combine. If using chili pepper, add in Cook 5 minutes.
3) Add eggs; cook until partially set, about 3 minutes.
4) Add shrimp, rice, soy sauce, vinegar, and seasoning to taste to egg mixture; stir to combine.
5) Cook 10 minutes. Stir mixture and cook another 10 to 15 minutes, or until heated throughout and crisp.
6) Sprinkle with scallions and serve.
Air Fryer Glazed Cake Doughnut Holes
Who doesn’t love a sweet treat? Enjoy a taste of heaven in a bite without the grease.
What you’ll need:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for working surface
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon table salt
4 tablespoons cold salted butter, cut into small pieces
1/3 cup whole milk
Cooking spray
1 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons water
How to:
1) Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
2) Add in butter; cut into flour using 2 knives o, until butter is well combined and looks like coarse cornmeal.
3) Gently dd milk, and stir until dough forms a ball.
4) Place dough on a floured surface, and knead until dough is smooth and forms a cohesive ball, about 30 seconds.
5) Cut dough into 14 equal balls. Roll each gently to form evenly smooth balls.
6) Generously coat bottom of air fryer basket with cooking spray.
7) Place 7 dough balls in the basket of air fryer; avoid touching.
8) Spray dough balls with cooking spray. Cook at 350°F until browned and puffed, about 10 minutes. Gently remove from basket, and place on a wire rack. Repeat.
9) Whisk in a small bowl, powdered sugar and water until smooth. Dip balls individually and place back on rack. Serve.