Unless you live under a rock, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of the air fryer.
Not only is it a magical device that has the ability to cook anything and everything, but it’s cheap, easy to clean, and definitely doesn’t take up space like an oven. Win, win, win.
Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a whole dang meal, the air fryer can truly give you whatever your heart desires.
Here’s everything you need to know about the air fryer, as well as simple foods you can make in less than 30 minutes.
OK, So What Exactly Is an Air Fryer
In the simplest of terms, an air fryer is like a combination of an oven and a deep fryer. An air fryer circulates hot air up to 400 degrees around your food, making it perfectly crispy, but it doesn’t require enormous amounts of butter or oil.
Essentially, you can get the taste of fried food without all the calories that come with a deep fryer.
How Much Are They?
The other wonderful thing about air fryers is they are not expensive. In fact, you can find air fryers out there for as low as $30!
For example, this air fryer from Target (which is a bit on the smaller size) is $39.99. However, this Ninja air fryer, which can hold up to 4 Qts of food, is $99.
If you’re looking to make smaller portions, go with a smaller air fryer. But, if you want to make a lot of food at once, it may be worth it to invest in a bigger size.
Easy Snack Recipe
Potato Chips
If you’re tired of buying bags of chips and other munchies at the store, make them yourself at home. All you need are two potatoes and sea salt. Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees. While it’s preheating, cut your potatoes into very thin slices.
Once you’ve cut up all your pieces, soak them in ice water for about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes, pat them dry, then spritz the slices with cooking oil and sprinkle on salt.
Place the slices into the air fryer and cook them for about 15 minutes (flip them over at around 7 minutes). You’ll have yourself perfectly delicious potato chips!
Easy Dinner Recipe
Toasted Ravioli
One of the easiest things you can make in an air fryer is toasted ravioli. All you need is your favorite ravioli, Italian salad dressing, bread crumbs, and parmesan cheese.
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees. While the air fryer is preheating, cover each piece of ravioli in Italian dressing and sprinkle with bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.
Once the air fryer has finished preheating, spritz the tray with cooking oil. Then, place each piece of ravioli into the air fryer. Bake for about 12 to 15 minutes — depending on how crispy you’d like your ravioli — and voila, you’re good to go!
Easy Dessert Recipe
Fried Oreos
Alright, now it’s time for dessert. Fried Oreos may be something you eat at carnivals or state fairs, but it turns out they’re also easy to make at home!
You’ll need pancake mix, Oreos – duh! — and powdered sugar. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees and mix ⅓ cup of the pancake mix with ⅓ cup of water.
Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper (to prevent a mess) and dip each Oreo into the pancake mixture. Place the Oreos on the parchment paper and cook for about 4 minutes. Once they’ve cooled, sprinkle with a bit of powdered sugar, and enjoy!
