Are Air Fryers Really ‘Frying’ Your Food? Here’s What They Actually Do

What Is an Air Fryer?

An air fryer is a countertop kitchen appliance that cooks food using air circulation and convection heating. It’s basically a compact convection oven, which can make certain foods crispy without frying them in oil.

However, an air fryer is not actually a fryer,It is a super-hot convection oven that rapidly circulates hot air. It mimics the frying of food.

What Does an Air Fryer Do to Your Food?

It makes food crispy by using a high-powered fan that circulates hot air around the food at high speeds. This dehydrates the surface of the food, creating a crispy exterior. Scientifically, this process is called a Maillard reaction, where amino acids and sugars on the surface of the food create a browning of the exterior.

Air Fryer vs. Microwave: What’s the difference?

Microwaves use electromagnetic waves to vibrate water molecules in the food, which heats it from the inside out. Air fryers rely on convection heat to crisp and cook food from the outside in. Air fryers can brown and crisp foods, whereas microwaves primarily reheat and soften them, which is why many foods become soggy after microwaving,.  For example, think of cooking bacon in the microwave, where it comes out rubbery and grey, versus cooking bacon in a pan, where it gets crispy and golden. Microwaves are great for heating up liquids and soft foods, while an air fryer is great for crisping up foods, like left over pizza.

Air Fryer vs. Convection Oven: What’s the Difference?

Size, speed and heat. Convection ovens are larger and can achieve high heat, but they generally have slower air movement inside. This makes them good for heating food without overcooking it. Air fryers, on the other hand, deliver faster cooking times. They’re also more efficient due to their smaller size and sealed cooking environment. 

Is air-fried food healthier?

It depends on what you’re cooking. Air-frying vegetables is a great healthier option, but air-frying processed foods or high-fat meats won’t necessarily make them healthier. Pre-made chicken nuggets are going to be unhealthy no matter how you cook them. But, if you fry with oil, your choice of oil and the temperature are key to making food less unhealthy. Air fryers are healthier because you are not using oil.

Are there any foods you shouldn’t cook in an air fryer?

It is best to avoid battered foods, cheese, rice, pasta, grains, whole roasts or large cuts of meat. Air fryers, like oil frying, put a lot of heat on the surface of the food, and large proteins require more time to cook through to the center. The outside will be crispy while the inside is undercooked.

Thanks to the Family HandyMan for inspiration.