Families are spending more time at home with more time spent in the kitchen. As they grow tired of their go-to recipes, they started to expand their horizons to new foods and new methods of preparation. The star of the show? Air frying.
“How to air fry …” became a top Google search in 2020 during the COVID pandemic and continues to be high on the charts into 2023. The term has over 1 million hashtags, and social media can’t get enough of fryer hacks and fryer friendly foods. Air frying is even a clever – and tasty – way to prepare vegetables (like onions!). If you haven’t joined the air frying revolution, here’s what you need to know.
The mechanics of air frying
The first thing you need to know about air fryers is that they don’t actually fry things. Unlike deep fryers that cook food in hot oil, an air fryer cooks food with very hot air. Once you place your food in the frying basket, the machine blows hot air to create a convection cooking effect that browns the food. The crunchy texture is similar to what you would achieve by deep frying.
Cutting the oil out of the process makes it a slightly healthier – and much easier – way to prepare food.
What can you air fry?
Unlike a deep fryer, you can’t cook foods that you have dipped in a thick liquid batter in an air fryer. Remember, it’s a great way to cook but isn’t really frying. Breaded and dry-seasoned items turn out best after an air frying treatment. Air fryers are also great for reheating previously fried foods. No more soggy microwave-reheated pizza, fries, or chicken tenders.
Now, let’s talk about vegetables. You can fry virtually any vegetable in an air fryer. Air fried vegetables are warm, crispy, and delicious. Experimenting with spices and seasonings can make eating vegetables fun again. And you know what veggie cooks especially well? Onions!
Onions are a versatile vegetable. In an air fryer, they can be french fried, sautéed, or turned into onion rings. Don’t forget one of the world’s favorite and most beautiful fried onion dishes: the blooming onion.
Are you ready to air fry?
So, should you be the next one in line to buy an air fryer? That’s up to you. If you’re interested in experimenting with new ways to prepare your foods, a healthier alternative to traditional deep frying, or just a convenient way to cook your vegetables, an air fryer may be the perfect choice for you.
Will it air fry? There’s one way to find out. (And remember, with onions, the answer is yes!)
Ready to try onions the Gills Way? For more information, contact our sales department.