Air fryers have become incredibly popular in recent years as a healthy alternative to deep frying. An air fryer uses hot air and convection to cook food, resulting in a crispy texture without the added oil and fat. With an air fryer, you can still enjoy your favorite fried foods like chicken wings, french fries, and more, but with significantly fewer calories. If you just purchased an air fryer or are looking for some new recipes to try, a basic air fryer cookbook is a great place to start.
What are the benefits of cooking with an air fryer?
There are many benefits to using an air fryer instead of traditional deep frying:
- Uses little to no oil – Most air fryer recipes call for just a teaspoon or two of oil to coat the food. This reduces the calories significantly compared to deep frying.
- Makes food crispy – The hot air circulating around the food gives it a crispy, crunchy texture without the greasiness of deep frying.
- Quick and easy – Food cooks rapidly in an air fryer, often in just 15-20 minutes. This makes it great for quick weeknight meals.
- Healthier – With little to no oil, air fried foods have significantly fewer calories from fat. The circulating hot air also removes some of the fat from foods.
- Versatile – Air fryers can make more than just fried foods. You can also cook chicken, fish, chops, roasted vegetables, and more.
What should you look for in an air fryer cookbook?
When selecting an air fryer cookbook, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Recipes designed for air fryers – Make sure the recipes specify air fryer cooking and times, not oven cooking.
- Basic, approachable recipes – Look for recipes with short ingredient lists and easy-to-follow steps for beginners.
- Selection of recipes – A variety of both main dishes and sides is useful to take advantage of the air fryer’s versatility.
- Tips and guidance – Many air fryer books include guidance on getting started, using an air fryer properly, and tips for the best results.
- Visuals – Pictures of the finished recipes help give you an idea of the proper look and doneness.
What are some good basic air fryer recipes to get started?
Here are some easy, tasty recipes that are perfect for cooking in an air fryer:
Main Dishes
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings – Crispy, juicy wings coated in your favorite sauce
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders – Golden, crunchy breaded chicken strips
- Air Fryer Fish Sticks – Light and crispy cod fillets coated in breadcrumbs
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan – Chicken breast topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese
Side Dishes
- Air Fryer French Fries – Crispy fries with just a teaspoon of oil
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges – Spicy seasoned wedges
- Air Fryer Onion Rings – Beer battered onion rings
- Air Fryer Vegetables – Roasted broccoli, cauliflower, carrots
Breakfast
- Air Fryer Bacon – Crispy bacon without the splatter
- Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes – Crispy cubed potatoes
- Air Fryer Frittata – Fluffy egg dish loaded with veggies
- Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls – Warm, soft rolls with glaze
Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Wings
These air fryer chicken wings are crispy and flavorful without all the fat and calories of deep frying. The secret is coating them lightly in cornstarch which gives them a deliciously crispy exterior.
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs chicken wings, cut into drummettes and flats
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- BBQ sauce or hot sauce for dipping
Instructions:
- Pat chicken wings dry and place in a large bowl. Toss with cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Add olive oil, salt, garlic powder and pepper and toss again until wings are evenly seasoned.
- Place wings in air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd.
- Air fry wings at 390F for 18-22 minutes, shaking basket halfway through, until skin is crispy and wings are cooked through.
- Toss air fried wings in your favorite BBQ or hot sauce.
- Enjoy immediately while hot and crispy!
The crispy cornstarch coating and short air fry time makes these wings a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Play around with different seasonings or sauces to suit your tastes.
Tips for Cooking in an Air Fryer
If you’re new to using an air fryer, keep these tips in mind for the best results:
- Don’t overcrowd – Air needs to circulate, so leave space between food items.
- Use a light coat of oil – A spray or brush of oil helps make foods crispy.
- Flip or shake halfway – This ensures food browns evenly.
- Adjust cook time as needed – Check for doneness earlier than the recipe states.
- Let the air fryer preheat – Preheating helps ensure immediate, even crisping.
- Pat food dry before cooking – Damp foods won’t get as crispy.
The Best Air Fryer Cookbooks for Beginners
Here are some of the top-rated basic air fryer cookbooks to consider for foolproof recipes:
| Cookbook Title | Key Features |
|---|---|
| The Complete Air Fryer Cookbook | Over 100 recipes with cooking time charts |
| The “I Love My Air Fryer” Keto Diet Recipe Book | Keto-friendly recipes, meal prep tips |
| 365 Days of Air Fryer Recipes | Recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks |
| Simple Air Fryer Cookbook | Minimal ingredients, easy clean up |
When getting started with your air fryer, it’s helpful to have recipes specifically designed for this appliance. These cookbooks offer plenty of everyday recipes from easy snacks to family dinner entrees. With large recipe selections and tips for success, they provide everything you need to master air frying.
Conclusion
Cooking with an air fryer has so many benefits. It allows you to enjoy crispy, crunchy food with a fraction of the calories and fat of deep frying. When selecting an air fryer cookbook for beginners, look for approachable recipes that specify air fryer settings. Helpful tips and plenty of pictures are also useful.
Focus on basic recipes like chicken wings, french fries, and other fried favorites. Cookbooks with a wide selection of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack options offer versatility. Follow the recipe instructions closely, including letting the air fryer preheat properly. With a quality beginner cookbook and these helpful tips, you’ll be air frying like a pro in no time.