Have No Fear, the Air Fryer is Here!

Ever suffered through soggy, microwaved leftovers? Well, there’s a solution: Air Fryers. These magical countertop appliances are insanely popular for good reason - and once you try one, you’ll probably want to tell everyone you know, too!

Air fryers are like miniature convection ovens using powerful fans to circulate hot air around your food. Think of it like a supercharged microwave that makes things crispy, not mushy. I honestly use mine more than any other kitchen appliance.

Why I Love My Air Fryer

Let’s be real: fresh, home-cooked meals are great, but they’re not always possible. Sometimes, life (or mental fatigue) gets in the way, and we’re left with leftovers, frozen food, or other quick eats. The problem is, a lot of those quick meals turn soggy or rubbery in the microwave, and an oven takes too long to prep for an easy meal.

That’s where the air fryer shines! It’s slower than a microwave but still way faster than other cooking options. To top it off, it still turns out great food!

Busting a Myth: Despite the name, air fryers aren’t steller at “frying” food from scratch. They’re awesome for adding a crispy edge, but for that true deep-fried experience, you’ll still want traditional frying methods.

Here’s some of my top cooks for an air fryer:

• Potatoes - Crispy fries, tots, hashbrowns - you name it! If it’s made of potato, and it should be crispy, the air fryer has you covered.
• Barbecue - Rocks at reheating ribs, pulled pork, steak and more. Air frying the barbecue breaks down the fat making days-old barbecue taste fresh off the grill.
• Sausages - Typically sausages are still better grilled, but an Air Fryer does a swell secondary job. Fully cooked and crispy in a snap!
• Corn Dogs - Some would argue that the air fryer’s sole purpose in life is to heat frozen corn dogs. They’re a match made in heaven.
• Small Breaded Food - Nuggets, wings, breaded shrimp, these lightly breaded food may be nearly as crispy as pan frying.
• Reheated Fried Food - While not as excellent at initial frying as a traditional fryer, the air fryer excels at reheating and recrisping fried food.
• Other Frozen Food - Pizza rolls, burritos, taquitos, hot pockets and more. Once you’ve cooked these in an air fryer, you’ll realize there’s no other way to eat them.

Personally, my gamechanger was leftover BBQ. I grill -a lot- in the warmer seasons., the barbecue reheat was particularly revolutionary. Smoking uses larger cuts of meat, and even the charcoal grill feels like a waste of space and charcoal if you’re not cooking a lot. This leaves me with a lot of leftovers. Air frying these leftovers made them almost as juicy and flavorful as the day they were cooked. This made it possible to keep cooking in bulk, knowing my meal plans were set!

I could go on and on. The air fryer’s speed, ease of use, and delicious results make it a kitchen MVP. That’s why I think everyone should give it a try.