topic Re: Question about air fryers in Community Chat

Question about air fryers

NicksmomESQ — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 19:38:11 GMT

In an attempt to eat healthier I'm thinking about buying an air fryer. Do they really crisp food without oil? I noticed that they seem big. Is there a more compact size anyone can recommend? Thank you

Re: Question about air fryers

MoonieBaby — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 19:42:52 GMT

Two answers for you @NicksmomESQ

Yep - they do the job (well, I might add) at crisping.

Dash - sold at HSN, or the Dash website, or if you prefer brick and mortar; Bed Bath & Beyond.

Dash has several sized smaller fryers.

Dash products are quality. I have several items from them.

Re: Question about air fryers

Kachina624 — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 19:46:23 GMT

Keep in mind that a fryer with a smaller footprint will hold less food or may be too small to hold the food you want to cook. It'll be less versitile.

Re: Question about air fryers

HLP — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 19:56:02 GMT

@NicksmomESQ wrote:
In an attempt to eat healthier I'm thinking about buying an air fryer. Do they really crisp food without oil? I noticed that they seem big. Is there a more compact size anyone can recommend? Thank you

I bought a Cooks Essential, 3 years ago, 5.3 quart?., It's not that big. I live alone so it's perfect for one person. You must spray , I use olive oil, on what ever your frying to get the crispness. I love mine. A good idea if you get one, go on Google when you want to cook something and ask. I saw this because I am looking up the Tempora Shrimp, I bought from QVC. A Lady said to cook them 400* for 12 minutes. thats from frozen. You can't pile food in there they must be one layer. Also find a cheap plastic spray if you get one. I wouldn't recommend a small one if your cooking for more than 1 person.

Re: Question about air fryers

I am still oxox — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 19:58:22 GMT

I have the Cuisnart multi function unit, it is large but it replaces an air fyrer, toaster and broiler, we use it every day

Re: Question about air fryers

ceekay — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 20:24:22 GMT

@NicksmomESQ - I NEVER fry stuff. But I was curious and did not want to spend a lot. So I got a 3 quart Dash one during Amazon Prime days. I returned it. I did not think about the shape of the basket before I purchased. I decided a square basket would be a better option for us. So, I ordered a Nuwave 3 quart air fryer, it has a square basket. We used it for the first time yesterday and cooked 5 taquitos in it. They came out perfectly - no additional oil or spray added and they were perfectly crisped. We are looking forward to trying other things. But think about what you might cook in it as something like basket shape might make a difference.

Re: Question about air fryers

Icegoddess — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 20:42:28 GMT

While a smaller AF is less versatile if you want to do things like bake in it or air fry whole chickens, I have found for my use a smaller one is plenty large for the two of us. You do need to spritz your food with a little oil to get that good cripsness, but that is still better than health-wise than deep frying. I mostly just do convenience foods or sides like fried okra. But, if you want to do a lot of your meats in one, then I would suggest a larger one. I tried salmon in it and still prefer my old-school method for cooking that. It seemed drier in the AF and the cleanup is easier since I line my pan with foil.

Re: Question about air fryers

busymom22 — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 20:44:43 GMT

I got the Cook's Essential 5.3 qt air fryer from QVC several years ago. It truly is the best one I've found because the drawer is level and square and holds a lot of food. Putting in less food won't change how your food turns out either if you're concerned it would too big.

It crisps things well. Now, it won't crisp things as well as a deep fryer but it still does a good job. I have a recipe for pork chops that is wonderful. We also use it to reheat things like restaurant french fries and pizza. Cleanup is a breeze becaue the entire basket can go in the dishwasher. My son is in college and wants one for when he gets his own apartment.

Re: Question about air fryers

Catch71 — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 20:52:48 GMT

I too have the Cooks Essential 5.3 as do my adult kids, and we all love using it.

I use it almost every day. Don't be afraid to do steak, hamburgers, chicken, pork chops, salmon, etc.not just frozen foods. Its wonderful. Meridith Lawrence, former qvc rep, has a few wonderful air fryer cookbooks that I would highly recommend. Good Luck!

Re: Question about air fryers

momoftwo2007 — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 20:55:36 GMT

I LOVE our airfryer! I have a Power XL. It is big, but when I am heating up food for a family of 4, I need that size. I use it to cook frozen tator tots, chicken nuggets, or taquitos. You don't need oil for that at all. I also use it to heat up fries, sandwiches, fried fish, fried chicken from the restaurants (when you do take out and the food sits in the bag for a while, sometimes they do get a little soggy. Or use it for leftovers from the restaurant). The air fryer makes the fried food tastes amazing. No extra oil needed. I highly recommend it.

Re: Question about air fryers

NicksmomESQ — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 00:22:50 GMT

Thanks everyone,for taking the time to give me advise.

Re: Question about air fryers

bmorechick — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 01:45:42 GMT

@momoftwo2007 wrote:
I LOVE our airfryer! I have a Power XL. It is big, but when I am heating up food for a family of 4, I need that size. I use it to cook frozen tator tots, chicken nuggets, or taquitos. You don't need oil for that at all. I also use it to heat up fries, sandwiches, fried fish, fried chicken from the restaurants (when you do take out and the food sits in the bag for a while, sometimes they do get a little soggy. Or use it for leftovers from the restaurant). The air fryer makes the fried food tastes amazing. No extra oil needed. I highly recommend it.

I have the same one! The big one, I think it’s 7quart size but I need it as well. Even though my kids are grown people, 2 still live here and my daughter, her hub and grands come to eat often. We just got it from Sams last week. I have cooked frozen nuggets in there and they came out great. Nice and crispy and no grease...better than in the oven. Did frozen french fries yesterday and again, crispy and no grease but I dont care for the taste of frozen fries so I think I will try real potatoes next time. Chicken wingettes are our next project. We typically fry up about 50 so Im anxious to try them in the air fryer.

i really like the Power XL...it’s quieter than I thought it would be.

Re: Question about air fryers

momoftwo2007 — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 13:45:30 GMT

@bmorechick Yes, chicken nuggets tastes great! You should try Ore Ida Mini Frozen Tator Tots next. They are really good in the air fryer. And you should try Frozen Arby's Curly Fries, they tastes better than regular fries.

Re: Question about air fryers

depglass — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 14:10:41 GMT

How many people are you cooking for? I noticed a strange thing, when my daughter was here for her annual visit (the only person allowed in this house until the pademic is over) I automatically turned on the oven, thinking the air fryer wasn't big enough for the three of us. For two of us its just fine.

Re: Question about air fryers

busymom22 — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 14:48:26 GMT

Wanted to add that an air fryer can take the place of your oven for lots of things. I made frozen texas toast in the air fryer and it turned out much better than it ever has in the oven. Best part is that it takes no time to heat up and cleaning is simple. Plus it can free up your oven for other things.

Re: Question about air fryers

MomCat — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 18:19:34 GMT

I have 2 air fryers. Both are Emeril. A small one and a larger one. I have both of them going sometimes. I don't know how I did without these. The food is delicious, and cooks so much faster than a regular oven.

Re: Question about air fryers

Calcgirl — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 01:19:51 GMT

Does anyone have the Pampered Chef Air frye?

Re: Question about air fryers

wagirl — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 15:45:49 GMT

I bought an Instant Pot brand airfryer--it is square and 6 qt so it is a good size for most stuff. I rarely spray oil on my food and it still crisps up fine. As I mentioned, it is square shaped and not the egg shaped ones. I cook regular foods more than packaged fries or snacks---turkey, chicken, steak, meatballs fish--all do very well altho you need to be a little conservative with the times---I find most the times/temps given in recipes are way to long and hot so I turn things down and cook for less time. there is a learning curve. I haven't tried it for baking yet.