Any Air Fryer Tips?

[Cali13]

I have been asking for an airfryer for 2 years and finally got one for Christmas from my hubby.  I just got up the nerve to use it because I honestly thought it worked like a microwave and cooked foods quickly.  I bought a book Air Fryer for 2 and am starting out simple.  Appetizers and snacks, that sort of thing.  Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

[SunsetRunner]

So glad you posted here, @Cali13 !  My air fryer is scheduled to be delivered Tuesday. I ordered it mainly because I’m trying to incorporate more fish into my diet but never seem to cook it correctly. It’s either raw or cardboard. 🥴. I’ll let you know how my first experience with cod goes. 

This thread is a good place to share recipes and tips. Hope others join it. 

[Cali13]

I'm starting out small.  Did some apple fritters and last night made steak fajitas and used the air fryer to make asaragus (lemon pepper, garlic and sprayed with olive oil).  My husband loved them!  I know you can halve or double any recipe but I bought the book I mentioned because I really like the simplicity of the recipes.  My fryer came with skewers and a rotisserie basket, but I'm not that brave yet.  Let me know how you make out.

[SunsetRunner]

My air fryer arrived today! I’ve washed everything and plan to air fry cod tomorrow. If it works out, I’ll share the recipe.  Could you share the recipe for Apple fritters?  Do you have a kindle or access to the Kindle app? They list quite a few free air fryer cookbooks. I’ve been reading like crazy. 

[Cali13]

Getting braver!  trying crispy chicken tenders with a sweet and tspicy appricot sauce and crisp green beans as a side.

[SunsetRunner]

@Cali13 - 

I prepared cod tonight. It turned out perfect ... moist and tender, just as I had hoped. The recipe was easy and can be used for any white fish. 

Line the base with parchment paper. (I confess I was lazy and bought 200 for less than $10 from Amazon)

Lightly spray the paper and the fish with olive oil and season as you wish. (I used Lawrey’s lower sodium seasoned salt)

Place fish on parchment paper

Air Fry at 360 degrees for 6 - 12 minutes, depending on thickness of fish. My cod took 7 minutes

Tomorrow, I’m trying chicken thighs. Waiting to hear how the chicken tenders turned out.

[Cali13]

The chicken tenders were AMAZING!   SUper moist inside and crunchy outside.  My husband said later he couldn't believe how juicy they were.  Not cooking tonight because he's on the late shift, but tomorrow is steak with garlic butter...YUM!

[Cazzasma]

I am awaiting delivery of an air fryer so thought a dedicated forum for recipes for these might be a good idea? Or even suggestions for a good recipe book for their use. I am based in NZ so either NZ or AUS recipes.

[SunsetRunner]

Hi @Cazzasma - I’ve moved your post here so you could join our discussion. So far, @Cali13 and I have been sharing tips and recipes. Last night I warmed up white fish patties in the air fryer. It was easy and they turned out nicely. It was easy. I preheated my air fryer for 10 minutes at 370 while placing the fully cooked patties on a dinner plate and spraying each side with a light spray of olive oil. When the air fryer was ready, I placed the patties on a parchment paper inside and and warmed them up for 6 minutes, turning the patties over half way. 

As for book suggestions ... do you have access to Amazon and and a Kindle or the Kindle app? I found a couple good, inexpensive cookbooks. 

• GoWISE AirFryer Cookbook for Beginners: 600 Delicious and Easy low-fat recipes. 
• AirFryer Cookbook for Beginners.

I also learned a lot from SkinnyTaste. And this has become my go-to recipe for any white fish. Delicious! I’m not sure how NZ or AUS recipes would differ from US recipes. Maybe the units of measure? But hopefully these will give you a good start. We’d love to hear which recipes you end up making and enjoying! Have fun with your new AirFryer!

[DavideFitbit]

Great topic @Cali13! Thank you for sharing. 

I've been thinking about getting an Air Fryer as well, so this thread is really helpful for those of us looking for great recipes! 😀  

Definitely a good way to prepare healthy snacks. 

[Cali13]

Got brave and tried oriental.  Hardest part was getting wonton wrappers where I live.  I ordered spring roll wrappers from Amazon. 

Not putting measurements down for the spices.  To each their own...

For the Shrimp Egg Rolls I bought the pre-packaged Asian Salad mix.  Added some finely chopped scallions, 3-4 good sized pre-cooked shrimp chopped (didn't want to chance food poisoning lol), a drop or 2 of sesame oil and a drop of teriyaki sauce.  A little ginger and garlic powder.  Mix all together and wrap in the spring roll.  I cooked them at 370 degrees for 12 minutes turned them 1/2 way through.  Delicious!!!  You can do this with chicken or pork as well.

Crab Rangoons - I mixed 2 T cream cheese, some scallions, 2-3 tablespoons copped crab meat (imitation works), ginger, garlic, salt, pepper and wrapped.  Again 370 for 12 minutes and turned 1/2 way thru.  Tasty!

[DavideFitbit]

That sounds fantastic! Thank you for sharing your recipe @Cali13. 😱 

I'll definitely give it a try once I have my Air Fryer, I'm thinking about a recipe with mushrooms and other veggies as well. 👨‍🍳 

[Steventonysmith]

My biggest life hacks for Air Fryers are the following:
Marinated Chicken Breast is the best in an air fryer, and I make my life easy by ordering my chicken breasts pre-marinated from the butcher counter
Almond Flour browns beautifully in an air fryer, I use it to coat shrimp and chicken (occasionally) 

[SunsetRunner]

Thanks for the tip on almond flour, @Steventonysmith ! I preheated the AF to 360 degrees as I seasoned the almond flour with Lowrey’s Lower Sodium seasoning and dill before dipping the cod loins in it. Final step - lightly sprayed them with Pam Olive oil then placed them in the AirFryer at 360 degrees for 9 minutes. No turning. Delicious and moist!  Tomorrow I’ll be relying your tip on marinated chicken tenders. Keep your ideas coming! 

[Steventonysmith]

almond flour encrusted chicken breasts in a bed of spinach with you yogurt blue cheese dressing

[SunsetRunner]

@Steventonysmith - That looks great! I have a technical question for you. How do you go about doing the breading? Dip in egg first? Just get the meat/fish wet first?  I’m still experimenting.

[Steventonysmith]

Mine was just the chicken being naturally wet.  In the almond flour, I added salt, pepper, and a ranch seasoning packet.  Mixed it together and pressed the chicken into the mixture on each side.

[GoWendyGo]

I'm inspired by these ideas and ordering an air fryer today!... been wanting one for a while now. Thank you.

[SunsetRunner]

@GoWendyGo - Please be sure to let us know how you like it! And feel free to share recipes. We’re all pretty new to this device here. 

[Cali13]

Apologies and Onion Rings...

Sorry.  I sprained my ankle and twisted my knee badly back on 11/8.  I know something is torn in my knee. Had to switch orthos and scheduled for an MRI Tuesday.  In addition I had to finish 3 online classes and shovel a foot and a half of snow that is likely to double this week. Grumble, Grumble!  So I'm sorry for not being here.

Just made onion rings with Texas Petal Sauce for the first time.  I doctored my own recipe:

Wet batter:  Butter milk or regular milk and a tsp of vinegar, hot sauce and 1 egg

Dry batter:  bread crumbs, salt, pepper, ground chives, garlic

Cook at 400 10-12 minutes depending on your air fryer.

Halfway thru I took them out, sprayed them with Olive Oil just so they weren't dry.

Texas Petal Sauce:

mayonaisse, horse radish, ketchup, hot sauce, oregano

I don't put amounts b/c its all to taste.

They were good, but next time trying a batter dipped.