topic Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER??? in Kitchen

Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

Solar Is My Name — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 20:44:06 GMT

Thinking of buying an air fryer this weekend. It's just my DD and I at home. We eat healthily. Have a large cooktop grill pan, and also a wall oven with convection setting.

We'd like to use no oil in the air fryer. Maybe just a bit of broth to moisten fresh veggies that we could cook in the air fryer. We'd also re-heat pizza, and so on.

PLEASE help talk me in or out of the air fryer!! Thinking about a well-reviewed Chefman one.

THANKS, EVERYONE!

-Solar

Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

Skyegirl21 — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 20:54:40 GMT

I love my air fryer, and I was reluctant to buy also- But it's healthier (cook with less oil), wayyy faster than any oven, and super quick & easy cleanup (if you get one that is non-stick).

I use it very often, unlike the Instant-pot which has been a bust!

So in answer to your question, if you cook a lot, yes you need one!

Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

Kachina624 — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 21:20:33 GMT

I am a single and have an air fryer that's still in its box after about 3 years. I just don't have counter or cupboard space for it. I have a Breville convection oven and use it for baking/reheating pizza and things like that. Never fry anything but don't think I really need an air fryer.

Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

fthunt — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 21:23:31 GMT

NO you don't

If you eat healthy you probably don't use much oil any way.

If you love fried food (i don't).....then yes

I've bought 3 of them - donated one - one sits in basement - one to friend.

Still love oven - fry pan - microwave & happy

Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

loriqvc — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 22:31:07 GMT

@Solar Is My Name - I debated for awhile before buying one since I wasn't sure how often it would get used, but I definitely do not regret my purchase. Surprisingly, we use it most often for meats rather than for sides and reheating, which were what we thought its primary use would be. Steak, burgers, chicken, pork chops, and bacon all cook beautifully in the air fryer, and the unit keeps most of the smokiness and lingering smell inside. (Since my kitchen is located in the middle of my home with almost no ventilation, this has been a fantastic bonus for me.)

And of course, as you'd expect, air frying potatoes into french fries or reheating a slice of pizza is quick and easy with fresh, crispy results. We also enjoy whipping up some refrigerator biscuit-based cinnamon sugar bites for a simple sweet treat that takes just a few minutes.

If you want more details on the "how to" aspect to help determine how useful this applicance might be in your life, I highly recommend visiting the "Cooking 101" section on air fryers on the Blue Jean Chef's website, bluejeanchef.com/cooking-school/collections/air-fryer (and you can search for air fryer recipes there as well to find some tasty things to test).

Good luck with your decision!

ETA: I neglected to mention that we rarely use ANY oil in our air fryer cooking; when we do, we use the EVO sprayer to ensure that we use very little and that only the amount we want is being applied. Just a half-teaspoon or so does help those fries achieve the golden goodness you want them to have.

Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

Katnappin — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 21:45:06 GMT

You do not need an air fryer unless you eat a lot of premade frozen food like frozen fries, mozzarella sticks, etc. which we don't eat. We were given a very nice air fryer, I used it for about a month trying different things and then it took up a lot of counter space and was never used. It took time to heat and then cook and we preferred our pressure cooker or oven over the air fryer. My favorite kitchen gadget is an electric pressure cooker and you can cook healthy with minimal time and effort.

Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

TheMemphisVette — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 22:52:56 GMT

people love them or dont see a need.

i love my ninja!

my fav steak and roasted fresh veggies......delish! ohhhh and cornbread baked in it is yummm!

i do not do frozen fries or tots or cheese sticks or or or.........though i do understand that many think this is what an air fryer is for. no no no

10 VERSATILE FUNCTIONS: Air Fry, Air Roast, Bake, Whole Roast, Broil, Toast, Bagel, Dehydrate, Reheat, and Pizza, all in one powerful 1800-watt appliance

i do not use a regular oven

i do not use a toaster

i do not use a toaster oven

i do not use a deep fryer

Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

RedLipstick — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 22:00:49 GMT

I thinnk if you cook alot and have counterspace or storage space I say go for it.

I don't have one, but I bought one for my daughter-in-law for Christmas. She did not look impressed when she unwrapped it.

I don't know what to gift her any longer.

If you choose to go for it enjoy and let us know how you like it.

Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

grandma petes — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 22:11:28 GMT

My husband and our son gave me the Ninja Dual Basket Air Fryer for Mother's Day......total game changer!!! I have a Breville Toaster Oven that also air fries, but this Air Fryer is incredible. It's just my husband and myself and I use it almost daily.

The dual baskets allow you to cook your protein and side dish at the same time. And with the Smart Cook and Match Cook feature....both foods are done at the same time. No oil is needed to achieve crispy foods. It also has a setting for Air Broil, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate and Bake. It is on the large side, but with everything it does, it's so worth it. I've hardly used my Toaster Oven since and the oven on my stove now stores my pots and pans. It's a workhorse for sure.

Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

deeva — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 22:31:16 GMT

Nobody needs an air fryer. I have a Ninja that I use to grill fresh veggies, steaks, chicken breasts and many other foods.

Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

RollTide2008 — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 22:44:22 GMT

I use my air fryer almost daily and rarely eat premade frozen food.

Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

Sooner — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 22:48:26 GMT

@Katnappin wrote:
You do not need an air fryer unless you eat a lot of premade frozen food like frozen fries, mozzarella sticks, etc. which we don't eat. We were given a very nice air fryer, I used it for about a month trying different things and then it took up a lot of counter space and was never used. It took time to heat and then cook and we preferred our pressure cooker or oven over the air fryer. My favorite kitchen gadget is an electric pressure cooker and you can cook healthy with minimal time and effort.

@Katnappin I agree 100% with what you said. We just don't eat that kind of food. It is bulky and messy and just use the oven instead.

I guess if you eat a lot of frozen, pre-prepped "fried" style foods you might like it. To me? Put it in the oven on parchment on a baking sheet. Far less trouble.

Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

QVC101 — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 23:04:45 GMT

For those who think it's only use is pre-made, fried type foods, you are misinformed. I am single and use mine often. Tonight I made chicken drumsticks in it. Came out beautiful. I have also done a small steak and pork chops from frozen. Of course, you can do French fries and tater tots as well. Pretty much anything I think of, a google search will tell you how to air fry. I like that it is quick and easy clean up, as another commenter mentioned. For me it was a very good investment.

Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

RollTide2008 — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 23:19:06 GMT

I don’t think the oven is less trouble than the air fryer. My air fryer cooks most foods in the time it takes my oven to heat up. It doesn’t heat the whole kitchen up either.

Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

Free2be — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 23:28:41 GMT

I airfried a piece of salmon today from frozen in 14 minutes. Perfect.

Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

cindyNC — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 23:29:31 GMT

My BF uses it a lot for fries and chicken wings. It's a really old one and I HATE cleaning it. I'd rather bake something in the toaster oven or the big oven. I'm not a big fan of fried foods.

Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

vsm — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 23:58:58 GMT

No, @Solar Is My Name, you don't "need" an air fryer. No one does. The question is, do you WANT an air fryer. Sounds like you do -- so buy one and enjoy it!

Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

GenXmuse — Sun, 24 Jul 2022 00:08:53 GMT

I'm somewhat or a minimalist when it comes to small kitchen appliances but the airfyer was worth it. I use it almost every day. Tonight I made tots made with cauliflower instead of potatoes and they crisped very well. I have a convection oven but I prefer this overall.
I'm so glad I got one!

Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

CAcableGirl2 — Sun, 24 Jul 2022 00:18:30 GMT

@Solar Is My Name I had one I got from QVC and used it all the time, even cooked a steak in it. But I had too many kitchen appliances...a toaster oven, an air fryer, a toaster, so I got rid of all three and got a Cuisinart all in one which takes a lot less counter space. Got it from Best Buy when it was on sale. Great purchase.

Just search on the Target website - $229 with $100 gift card, so it one of the lowest prices I've seen - price is probably good until end of today since their ad comes out on Sundays. This is a great item - and free shipping! Go to the Target website and there is a short video.

Cuisinart AirFryer Toaster Oven - Stainless Steel

Re: Please Help. Do I Need an AIR FRYER???

gidgetgh — Sun, 24 Jul 2022 00:28:44 GMT

@RollTide2008 wrote:
I don’t think the oven is less trouble than the air fryer. My air fryer cooks most foods in the time it takes my oven to heat up. It doesn’t heat the whole kitchen up either.

My oven doesn't heat up the whole kitchen. If it's on and you walked by it, you'd never know it was on. I see people on here often mention that their oven heats up the kitchen and I just don't get it. I've never had an oven do that.