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Air Fryers Are Everywhere—But Are They Always the Best Choice?
Kitchen gadgets keep evolving, and in recent years, the air fryer has taken center stage.
What started as a curious novelty has quickly become a must-have for many home cooks. This compact powerhouse promises crispy, golden results with minimal oil—offering a healthier alternative to deep frying. Yet despite all the buzz, culinary experts caution that air fryers aren’t ideal for every dish.
The Rise of the Air Fryer—and Its Limits
Air fryers have become kitchen staples, often replacing ovens and even slow cookers thanks to their speed and convenience. By circulating hot air at high velocity, they give foods that coveted crunch without the heavy grease. Sounds perfect, right?
Not exactly. Foodies and chefs alike warn that some ingredients just don’t fare well in an air fryer.
Take broccoli, for instance. While it seems like a health-conscious choice, air-fried broccoli can come out dry and flavorless compared to roasting or steaming.
Then there’s popcorn—a no-go in the air fryer. According to Mirror, leftover kernels can get stuck in the heating element, creating a potential fire hazard. Definitely not worth the risk.
Wet batters present another challenge. Love crispy fried chicken? Air fryers struggle to crisp up batter properly because their temperature and airflow aren’t quite right for that. The result? Often a soggy, disappointing mess.
Cost and Energy Considerations
Money expert Martin Lewis has chimed in on the air fryer craze, pointing out that these gadgets aren’t always the most economical choice. On This Morning, he explained that running an air fryer multiple times might actually use more electricity than simply baking in the oven.
For example, cooking a jacket potato? It’s far cheaper to zap it in the microwave for 10 minutes than fire up the oven for over an hour.
Steven Kipling of Which? echoes this sentiment: when cooking large meals or multiple dishes, the air fryer’s smaller capacity means you’ll be running it repeatedly, wiping out any energy savings.
Die-Hard Fans Aren’t Convinced
Despite expert advice, many air fryer devotees remain loyal. One fan joked, “I’m air-frying everything—even a cup of tea!” Clearly, the convenience and quick results keep users hooked.
What About You?
Are you team air fryer, relying on it for nearly every meal? Or do you still reach for the oven or stove for certain dishes?
conclusion
Air fryers have undeniably changed the way we cook at home—offering a quick, healthier way to get that crispy finish. However, they’re not a cure-all. Some foods don’t cook well, and safety concerns around items like popcorn can’t be ignored. Plus, when it comes to energy efficiency and cooking large meals, traditional ovens might still have the edge.
The best approach? Know when to use your air fryer and when to stick with tried-and-true methods. After all, no single tool can do it all.