We live in an age where there is ample access to news about being your healthiest self. Whether it be diet, exercise, supplements; sometimes in fact we face an information overload of the things to do to become and remain healthy.
Due to such easy availability of knowledge, people are increasingly becoming health conscious and looking at ways to adopt a more healthy lifestyle overall impacting various aspects of their lives .
Becoming and staying healthy is a conscious choice you make. Therefore, the decisions you take in your everyday life on various fronts are crucial to ensure you meet your objective.
Before exercising and workouts became an inevitable part of our lives, since time immemorial we have been taught that the route to health starts with your diet.
Eating the right kinds of foods, in the right proportion and cooked in the right manner can have a big impact on the health of you and your family.
In the market today, to cope up with the new trend; a number of products have emerged which can help us in our newfound desire for health.
One of the first few things any doctor, dietician or health coach will tell you is to cut down on sugar, oils and unhealthy fats. Deep fried food while has been tasty all along is today seen as a big no no.
What is an air fryer and how does it work?
They say that the perfect meal is one which is both healthy and tasty, a combination not difficult to achieve in today’s times given the options we have at our disposal.
Enter smart cooking, where you can cook a lip smacking meal for your family but ensure it meets the requirements on the health front as well.
And to do this, you have the aid of smart kitchen gadgets, that are designed for the modern cook to partner them in their journey to better cooking.
One such gadget of our times is the air fryer. You now don’t have to sacrifice your love for french fries or tempura only becuase of the oil factor. The air fryer is to you aid and helps you cook your crispy favorites without the sin of using oil.
An air fryer is a gadget that cooks food by circulating hot air around it and makes it crispy, without using an oil or fat in the process
An air fryer works by circulating hot air rapidly throughout its interior.
It operates with a fan inside that circulates hot air around food in a perforated tray or basket.
Because all the surface areas of the food are exposed to the hot air, the food cooks to become crispy on all sides without having to be submerged in hot oil.
As a result of their concentrated heat source and strategically positioned fan, air fryers swiftly heat up and ensure even cooking, making them a favorite for efficiency and flavor.
Benefits of Air Fryer
- Healthy – The primary benefit of air frying is reduced use of oil, which can help to cook meals that are lower in fat and calories vs. traditional deep frying.
- Speed – Air fryers cook food faster than ovens because you don’t need to wait for them to pre-heat.
- Versatile – Air fryers can cook a variety of foods, including vegetables, meats, and desserts.
- Crispy results – An air fryer provides consistently crispy results without having to coat ingredients in batter or immerse in oil.
- Easy to use – Air fryers are easy to operate. You simply need to preheat the machine, add the food, and set the cooking time and temperature. The machine does the rest, making it an easy and straightforward cooking method.
- Easy to clean – Most air fryers come with removable parts that can be easily cleaned in a dishwasher or by hand, making clean-up a breeze.
- Odorless cooking – An air fryer does not produce smoke or odor while cooking, thus does’nt fill up your house with the smell of the food being prepared.
What can you cook in an Air fryer?
A wide variety of dishes can be cooked in an air fryer. This includes
– Meats like chicken, steak, and shrimp
– Roasted vegetables like broccoli, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts.
– Healthier versions of fried foods like fries, onion rings
– Desserts like doughnuts, frozen pastries, cookies
– Breaded and coated foods, like chicken nuggets and fish sticks
– Proteins like Tofu, fish etc.
– Burgers & Patties
– Egg rolls
– Pizza slices
Factors to consider while buying an air fryer
Size:
It is crucial to consider the size of an air fryer before buying one. Determine how often you’ll cook and number of people you’ll be cooking for to figure out the size. If you are a small family you can opt for models with 2 to 3 litres capacity. If you are a large family, you may find 5 to 6 litres more suitable. Select the size that best meets your cooking needs.
Power:
This is a major factor to consider. Look for models with at least 1200 Watts of power for consistent cooking results.
Price:
Before purchasing an air fryer, it’s essential to consider your budget. Assess your needs and select one that fits within your budget. For occasional use, a basic model may suffice. If you plan to use it frequently, investing a bit more can be worthwhile.
Controls:
Make sure that the air fryer controls are user-friendly and straightforward. Most models come with intuitive buttons or touchscreen interfaces that make them easy to operate. Common controls include settings for temperature, cooking time, and specific cooking modes like frying, baking, or roasting. Overall, they are designed to simplify cooking processes and provide convenience for users.
Ease of Cleaning:
Look for features like a removable basket, which simplifies cleaning and prevents food residue build-up inside the fryer. Dishwasher-friendly parts are also beneficial, offering convenience and ensuring thorough cleaning after use. These features contribute to a hassle-free experience and help maintain the air fryer in good condition for longer.
Best Air fryers of 2024 in India
#1. Philips Digital Air Fryer HD9252/90
The Philips Digital Air Fryer HD9252/90 offers healthier cooking with up to 90% less fat, making it perfect for health-conscious users.
With Rapid Air Technology and a 4.1-litre capacity, this air fryer can fry, bake, grill, roast, and even reheat with ease.
Its touch panel, 7 preset menus, and dishwasher-safe parts add to its convenience.
Pros
– Uses up to 90% less fat
– Rapid Air Technology for even frying
– 7 pre-set menus with touchscreen
– Dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleaning
– Auto-shutoff for safety
Cons
– 4.1L capacity may not be suitable for big families
Reason to Buy:
The Philips HD9252/90 offers versatile cooking with up to 90% less fat, making it perfect for health-conscious households. Its presets, Rapid Air Technology, and easy cleaning add immense value.
#2. Cosori Air Fryer
Bring home the Cosori Air Fryer that is worth being flaunted on the countertop and can also be easily placed away in the cupboard.
It has a customised pre-heat cycle which can make it more efficient at quickly crisping foods.
The bright & easy to use display is clean with no extra or complicated features.
The temperature & time are also easily adjustable down to the minute.
The varied 9 functions allow you to prepare a spread of delicacies and that too just perfectly.
Pros:
– Has rapid heat circulation technology max 230 degree celcius, offering 50% faster cooking.
– Features removable and non – stick basket easy to clean and can be washed either by hand or in the dishwasher.
– Anti scalding design
– Presets for chicken, seafood, french fries, steak, frozen foods, veggies etc.
Cons
– Can be large in size
#3. Inalsa Air Fryer For Home
The Inalsa Air Fryer For Home offers a 6.5-liter capacity and 1600W power with Quick Heat Circulation that ensures rapid heating for quick and convenient cooking.
Its 8 preset programs provide versatile cooking options for a variety of dishes.
The digital touch screen, adjustable temperature, and timer controls make it user-friendly
It is ideal for efficient and oil-free frying, baking, grilling, and roasting.
Pros:
– Huge capacity: 6.5 litres capacity which allows to make 12 grams of potatoes which is equal to 7/8 servings.
– Cooks food with 85% less oil consumption
– Smart Touch control: For adjustable time and temperature
Cons
– May be bulky
#4. Agaro Regency Air Fryer For Home
The Agaro Regency Air Fryer offers a large 12L capacity and 1800W power, making it ideal for family meals.
With 9 preset menus, 360° heat circulation, and smart LED controls, it ensures easy and healthy cooking with 90% less fat.
Its stainless steel design, rotisserie oven feature, and included accessories make it versatile for frying, roasting, baking, and more.
Pros
– 12L large capacity
– 9 preset recipes with 360° heat circulation
– Touch control panel with LED display
– Rotisserie and multiple accessories included
– 90% less fat for healthier cooking
Cons
– The bulky design may require more counter space
#5. Instant Pot Air Fryer Vortex
The Instant Pot Air Fryer Vortex comes with 5.7 litre large size inner cooking basket which ensures that you can now make any recipe for the entire family at once.
With Evencrisp Technology Instant Air Fryer delivers all the crunch and tenderness of deep-frying with 95% less oil.
It has a one-touch digital panel: Comes with Digital Touch Panel which consists of 6 cooking functions along with temperature and timer functions.
It has Smart 6-IN-1 functionality: Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate
Pros:
– 95% less oil consumption
– Highest Food-Grade Stainless Steel body
– Easy Clean Up: Non-stick, dishwasher safe air fry basket and tray.
Cons
– Bulky size may require more counter space