topic Air Fryer Question in Kitchen

Air Fryer Question

Icegoddess — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 14:22:40 GMT

I have fallen prey for the new Ming Tsai air fryer TSV on the other channel. My husband has been lusting after the Williams Sonoma one for quite some time, but I held off. I remember having oven tater tots as a kid and thought they were awful. I know the air fryer will make them crispy, but I am curious about the actual taste as I remember the taste of the tots in the oven being completely different than when they are deep fried.

However, my main question is about whether you can use freshly soaked and breaded products in these gadgets. Like, I love fried okra. I soak it in buttermilk and then coat with seasoned flour and cornmeal and deep fry. Would this work in the air fryer? If not, could I freeze the coated okra and then use the air fryer? That way it would be pretty much like the frozen products you buy at the grocery store I'm thinking.

Re: Air Fryer Question

GCR18 — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 14:44:46 GMT

Yep, you would have to freeze it first or the coating would fall off.

Re: Air Fryer Question

Andreatoo — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 14:54:20 GMT

@Icegoddess

I've seen a gazillion demos and they often do battered foods that you would ordinarily deep fry.

Just keep in mind that these air fryers are simply compact convection ovens...

Re: Air Fryer Question

Icegoddess — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 15:07:15 GMT

Thanks. Yes, I know it's just a mini convection oven. I have a countertop convection oven which is one reason I have held off on something like this. I have one of those silicone mats that holds food up to allow circulation underneath. Works great for bacon.

Also, if I have to freeze my battered and coated items first, that's ok. In the past I found the secret to freezing breaded okra was to put it on a baking sheet in a single layer in the freezer and they did just great. That actually might make them more convenient. Just pop them in the air fryer.

Re: Air Fryer Question

Andreatoo — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 15:48:26 GMT

@Icegoddess

You don't have to freeze them first unless you want to.

Re: Air Fryer Question

momtochloe — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 16:33:19 GMT

@Andreatoo wrote:
@Icegoddess
You don't have to freeze them first unless you want to.

Oh wow @Andreatoo please help me understand, are you saying you can put say a tempura batter dipped piece of fish into the air fryer and it will work? That would be great to know as I would love to try it . . .

Re: Air Fryer Question

MKR14 — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 16:43:28 GMT

According everything I read you can use a batter on foods that are rolled in flour, then egg, and then seasoning. It is in Meredith's book I read this and she it was important to do so. The flour adheres the batter so it is not runny. It makes sense as if it ran off the food you would be left with no coating. It could run off and burn in the pan underneath also. Just what I read.

Re: Air Fryer Question

Solar Is My Name — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 16:44:41 GMT

I watched the other channel's presentation at midnight. Looked at other air fryers online and decided to get the special (see above!). The main reason I opted for this one was because of the clean-up: that one can put both the drawer and the "fryer" tray in the DISWASHER! NOW, I hope this little gadget (mini-convection oven) lasts at least the year* as per warranty -- *AND THEN SOME!

ALSO hope the TEMPERATURE GAUGE is correct. The LORENA ELECTRIC SKILLET from last year on the other channel was A WASTE: the temp. was supposed to be adjustable but even the lowest setting was TOO HOT. That electric skillet is now in the give-away box.

Re: Air Fryer Question

momtochloe — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 16:48:09 GMT

@MKR14 wrote:
According everything I read you can use a batter on foods that are rolled in flour, then egg, and then seasoning. It is in Meredith's book I read this and she it was important to do so. The flour adheres the batter so it is not runny. It makes sense as if it ran off the food you would be left with no coating. It could run off and burn in the pan underneath also. Just what I read.

Oh thanks for this @MKR14, I really appreciate it. Something else to think about in terms of new recipes . . .

Re: Air Fryer Question

Gokat — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 17:24:27 GMT

I'm thinking you may have duplicated "gadgets", @Icegoddess . The air fryers are, in fact, just smaller, more compact, convection ovens. I have one (and that's all @momtochloe's fault BTW) and love it, but I don't have a convection oven. Actually, what you currently have may be a better fit for you as it will accommodate more food than the smaller air fryers. Most of the time you'll be "air frying" at temps between 350-400 degrees to achieve the "crunch" on foods, but your convection oven should easily duplicate any air fryer recipes IMO.

As far as the application you mention for the air fryer, I've done fresh, battered fish in mine...unfrozen without a problem. The only thing that can occur (as it would with anything aside from deep fat frying) is sticking so spraying with a "pam-like" product is necessary. HTH's

Re: Air Fryer Question

Andreatoo — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 16:48:57 GMT

The whole point of these (over saturated in the market) contraptions is to emulate deep frying so yeah, that means dipped in batter!

But @Icegoddess why bother if you already have a convection oven?

If I'm getting one it's the new Todd English version that does A LOT more...

Re: Air Fryer Question

momtochloe — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 16:50:54 GMT

@Gokat wrote:
I'm thinking you may have duplicated "gadgets", @Icegoddess . The air fryers are, in fact, just smaller, more compact, convection ovens. I have one (and that's all @momtochloe's fault BTW) and love it, but I don't have a convection oven. Actually, what you currently already have may be a better fit for you as it will accommodate more food than the smaller air fryers. Most of the time you'll be "air frying" at temps between 350-400 degrees to achieve the "crunch" on foods, but your convection oven should easily duplicate any air fryer recipes IMO.

As far as the application you mention for the air fryer, I've done fresh, battered fish in mine...unfrozen without a problem. The only thing that can occur (as it would with anything aside from deep fat frying) is sticking so spraying with a "pam-like" product is necessary. HTH's

Oh no @Gokat you just made me snort . . . thanks for the huge laugh out loud my friend! . . .

Re: Air Fryer Question

momtochloe — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 16:59:23 GMT

@momtochloe wrote:
@Gokat wrote:
I'm thinking you may have duplicated "gadgets", @Icegoddess . The air fryers are, in fact, just smaller, more compact, convection ovens. I have one (and that's all @momtochloe's fault BTW) and love it, but I don't have a convection oven. Actually, what you currently already have may be a better fit for you as it will accommodate more food than the smaller air fryers. Most of the time you'll be "air frying" at temps between 350-400 degrees to achieve the "crunch" on foods, but your convection oven should easily duplicate any air fryer recipes IMO.

As far as the application you mention for the air fryer, I've done fresh, battered fish in mine...unfrozen without a problem. The only thing that can occur (as it would with anything aside from deep fat frying) is sticking so spraying with a "pam-like" product is necessary. HTH's
Oh no @Gokat you just made me snort . . . thanks for the huge laugh out loud my friend! . . .

@Gokat this is just as funny as the thread where it was discussed that Temptations should introduce a stick vac as we were all kvetching about taking up time on ITKWD for cleaning products and ever since that vision was planted in my head I just cannot get rid of it . . . or stop laughing . . .

Re: Air Fryer Question

Gokat — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 17:02:58 GMT

Hopefully, it was a dry "snort", @momtochloe ! I wasn't as fortunate earlier this morning with my first cup of coffee, I'm afraid. Reading these forums is always an "at your own risk" endeavor, isn't it?!?

Along with my little portable RC's, that air fryer has sustained a place of honor in me tiny kitchen...and that's no easy feat, I must say. I'm sure your ears have burned from time-to-time with my "thanky's"!

Re: Air Fryer Question

momtochloe — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 17:07:25 GMT

@Gokat wrote:
Hopefully, it was a dry "snort", @momtochloe ! I wasn't as fortunate earlier this morning with my first cup of coffee, I'm afraid. Reading these forums is always an "at your own risk" endeavor, isn't it?!?

Along with my little portable RC's, that air fryer has sustained a place of honor in me tiny kitchen...and that's no easy feat, I must say. I'm sure your ears have burned from time-to-time with my "thanky's"!

Ah good point my friend and yes @Gokat you luckily did catch me between beverage sips (excellent point by the way as the outcome can either make or break the rest of your day) . . .

Dry snorts . . . . tee hee!

Re: Air Fryer Question

Gokat — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 17:13:30 GMT

Oh gosh, @momtochloe, I caught some of that discussion and SMH trying to figure out if it was for real!

Whatever they were discussing sounded antiquated (bags already?!?) and can't possibly compete (in any Temptations design/color) with my OTHER bragworthy and newst Q purchase ....me Shark handy-dandy Rocket-baby! Whooda thunk I'd EVER be shouting to the rooftops over a vacuum?!? This needs some serious consideration, methinks.

Oops...Sorry OP for the slight detour on your thread!

Re: Air Fryer Question

momtochloe — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 17:26:14 GMT

@Gokat wrote:
Oh gosh, @momtochloe, I caught some of that discussion and SMH trying to figure out if it was for real!

Whatever they were discussing sounded antiquated (bags already?!?) and can't possibly compete (in any Temptations design/color) with my OTHER bragworthy and newst Q purchase ....me Shark handy-dandy Rocket-baby! Whooda thunk I'd EVER be shouting to the rooftops over a vacuum?!? This needs some serious consideration, methinks.

Oops...Sorry OP for the slight detour on your thread!

Oh goodness no @Gokat the shift in this thread is totally on me and I do apologize to the OP . . . sorry about that!

Re: Air Fryer Question

Gokat — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 17:30:46 GMT

This one piqued my interest when it was recently offered, @Andreatoo . The only thing I found that would deter me from purchasing this one for air fryer applications is the heat source is designed more like that of a slow cooker and not truly convection. It's a nice multi-cooker though.

Re: Air Fryer Question

Andreatoo — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 17:38:10 GMT

@Gokat

It has the convection (rapid air) heating too.

My deterrant is the mammoth size! And I really need an actual oven; convection or not..

I have one of the triwaves but it's useless for baking! I'm sure there's a trick to it but we haven't figured it out...

Re: Air Fryer Question

Icegoddess — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 17:54:59 GMT

Well, I'm a sucker for kitchen gadgets, so we'll see.

The way Ming Tsai was explaining it. it's more concentrated convection than your convection oven, so does a better jog. Sales kitch I'm sure.

That Shark Rocket, was it the TSV the other day for around $100? If so, I really was interested in it. I have a big Dyson, but I really don't like it for bare floors, blows things like cat hair around. I need somthing that will do a good job on my kitchen floors before I use my Haan steam cleaner since those things won't pick up anything.

BTW, I'm trying to start a FB group for discussing anything home shopping related from any of the channels. It's called Everythng Home Shopping. Currently, only my friends are members and they really aren't interested. Hope a little promo is allowed.