Three non-deep-fried things you can cook in your air fryer
This trendsetting kitchen helper has entered homes across North America, offering lighter, healthier meals with less oil and fewer calories. Air fryers make it possible to enjoy croquettes, fries, and meatballs with a lighter touch, while still delivering satisfying texture and flavor for everyday meals.
What many people don’t realize is that this handy device can do more than just fry. It holds the potential for a variety of kitchen tasks that surprise and delight. Here are three unexpected uses that could expand how a kitchen is used in modern homes.
Roasting chestnuts in the air fryer: the biggest trick
Autumn brings chestnut season, a time when roasting chestnuts becomes a beloved ritual. Preparing them in an air fryer is simple and yields a delicious result. Start by washing and drying the chestnuts, then trim the shells so they don’t burst during heating. Place them in the fryer basket in a single layer and bake at 200 degrees Celsius for about 10 minutes. If the chestnuts appear oily, add a couple more minutes to finish them off. The outcome is tender, flavorful chestnuts with a gentle roast that’s hard to beat for snack time or cooking experiments.
To finish, remove them carefully and enjoy the warm, nutty aroma as a comforting autumn treat. For best results, test one chestnut first as a quick check of texture and flavor before cooking the rest.
Fried chestnuts in an air fryer offer a crisp outside and a soft, creamy inside. This approach can be a game changer for those who want chestnuts with less mess and less fat compared to traditional roasting methods.
Then place it in the fryer basket without rolling up and bake at 200 degrees for 10 minutes. If the chestnuts are too oily, add another two or three minutes. They will be delicious.
To do boiled eggs, a microwave used to be the go-to method for quick cooking. Now air fryers can cook eggs without water or oil. Simply place the egg in the fryer and cook at 170 degrees for 7 minutes. This method is convenient for busy mornings and can be adapted for softer or firmer yolks by adjusting time slightly.
You can also cook hard-boiled eggs in the air fryer. If you want softer eggs, remove them a bit earlier; for fully set yolks, leave them a little longer. This simple technique expands breakfast options without extra pots or boiling water.
For a light, snappy snack, air fryer popcorn is a delight. Combine a small teaspoon of oil with a quarter cup of popcorn kernels, place in the basket, and cook at 200 degrees for about 5 minutes or until popping slows. The result is a crisp, airy popcorn that’s lower in oil than traditional popping methods when used sparingly.
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Be careful when opening the appliance to prevent popcorn from popping out. If a few kernels don’t pop, return them to the fryer for another minute or two until fully popped. This little extra step helps ensure a more consistent batch.