contents

introduction

breakfast

quick snacks

light bites

vegetarian & vegan mains

meat & fish mains

sides

sweet things

glossary & acknowledgements

how to use this ebook

Select one of the chapters from the main contents list and you will be taken to a list of all the recipes covered in that chapter.

Look out for linked text (which is in blue) throughout the ebook that you can select to help you navigate between related recipes.

You can double tap images and tables to increase their size. To return to the original view, just tap the cross in the top left-hand corner of the screen.

introduction

If you’ve purchased this book, you are probably already the proud owner of an air fryer – the must-have kitchen appliance that everyone is talking about.

This book will show you exactly why air fryers have become so popular. Rest assured, this is not just another impulsive purchase that you will eventually tire of and pack away in the back of a cupboard. Affordable, energy-efficient and easy, air fryers can revolutionize your kitchen experience. These handy gadgets use less energy and oil and take less time than conventional ovens, helping you prepare fuss-free versions of all your favourite dishes.

Whether you are a beginner, or an experienced air fryer user seeking fresh inspiration, this cookbook will show you how to get the most out of this amazing appliance.

The book contains 200 easy-to-prepare sweet and savoury dishes, suitable for every occasion. All of the recipes use easily sourced ingredients and are guaranteed to make the process of preparing and cooking food in your air fryer simple and successful. In this book, you will find delicious ideas for breakfast, quick snacks, light bites, vegetarian and vegan meals, meat and fish mains, sides and sweet treats.

what is an air fryer?

An air fryer is basically a small oven. The name is deceptive because it is not a traditional ‘fryer’ as we know it, but it cooks food in a way that achieves that same fried effect.

Air fryers contain a heating element located at the top which is enhanced by a powerful fan. The fan circulates the hot air around the food, which sits on a removable crisping plate. Air fryers typically heat up and cook food very quickly and evenly, thanks to the concentrated heat source as well as the size and position of the fan. Because of their well-balanced time and temperature controls, air fryers produce perfect food that is juicy, crispy and delicious.

which is the best air fryer for me?

There are many air fryers on the market – the range can be mind-boggling for the first-time buyer. However, there are several factors that are worth considering to help you narrow down your selection.

First, take into account the different functions. Many air fryers have pre-set programmes for meat, fish, vegetables and frozen foods. Some models have a ‘shake’ function, which reminds you to shake the basket or turn the food halfway through the cooking time. Others have a ‘keep warm’ function. Some air fryers have a single drawer, while others have dual drawers that allow you to cook different foods at different temperatures at the same time, or cook a main and a side simultaneously. Consider which features and functions are most appealing for your household.

The second factor to take into consideration is how many people you are cooking for as different air fryers have different capacities. The smallest air fryers (1–2 litres/quarts in volume) are suitable for 1–2 people, the medium sizes (3–4 litres/quarts in volume) are good for 2–3 people, and the largest air fryers (6 litres/quarts or more in volume) are perfect if you are cooking for 4–6 people.

Finally, you need to take note of how much room you have in your kitchen, as some models can take up a lot of worktop space.

The recipes in this book were prepared in a 5 litre (5 quart) air fryer with a single drawer. This is big enough to accommodate four pieces of fish or chicken breasts, a whole 1.5 kg (3 lb) chicken or an 18–20 cm (7–8 inch) round tin or ovenproof dish.

what are the benefits of an air fryer?

Air fryers are much healthier Traditional frying methods use lots of oil. However, with an air fryer, you can make foods like chips, goujons and doughnuts with only 1–2 teaspoons of oil.

Air fryers are energy efficient Because they are smaller than conventional ovens, air fryers heat up quicker and cook food faster, which could save you money on your electricity bills.

Air fryers are quicker Although you may occasionally need to cook in batches (depending on the size of your appliance), overall, having an air fryer will save you time in the kitchen. In general, air fryers reduce cooking times by about 20 per cent.

Air fryers are perfect for small-batch bakes Because of their size, these appliances lend themselves well to baking small batches of cakes, cookies and other sweet treats.

Air fryers are great for reheating Whereas microwaving can make certain foods go soggy, air fryers allow you to reheat your meals and still retain that delicious, crispy crunch.

Air fryers are amazing for cooking frozen foods Conventional ovens can often dry out frozen foods but air fryers are perfect for cooking frozen chips, potato wedges and fish fingers.

Air fryers are fuss-free appliances Unlike traditional ovens, an air fryer will not heat up your whole kitchen, and it will lessen the intensity of cooking smells. Using an air fryer also means you have minimal clean up at the end.

Air fryers are especially good for meat and fish Cooking times can be a bit of a guessing game on the hob or in the oven, but air fryers allow you to achieve deliciously juicy meat and fish dishes more easily and reduce the risk of drying out your food.

do I need any special equipment?

The simple answer is no, but you might consider using the following equipment to make your air frying experience even easier:

• Small metal baking tins, 17 cm (6½ inches) square and up to 20 cm (8 inches) round, depending on the size of your air fryer.

• Small ovenproof dishes, ramekins and small metal pudding tins.

• Spray bottles for oil. Some of the recipes in this book recommend spritzing your food with oil to make it crispy.

• Pastry brush, for brushing oil and glazing the surfaces of food.

• Perforated silicone liners or mats for air fryers. Alternatively, you can simply pierce holes in pieces of nonstick baking paper, although remember never to place these in your air fryer without any food on top as they could fly into the fan element and catch fire.

• Rubber-tipped heatproof tongs, for turning food. These also prevent you from scratching the tray.

• Foil, for covering food. This prevents food with longer cooking times from becoming too brown.

• Mandolin, for making evenly sized, thin slices of fruits and vegetables.

• Small metal, wooden or bamboo skewers that fit in your air fryer. If you are using wood or bamboo, remember to soak them in water first to prevent burning.

• Thermometer. This is not essential, but it is useful for checking that chicken and larger cuts of meat are cooked through.

tips for using your air fryer

• Always read the manufacturer’s instructions before using your new air fryer. This will help you operate your appliance properly and safely and ensure you get the best results.

• The recipes in this book specify standard oven cooking temperatures. Some air fryers come with less standard temperatures, so just choose the closest setting to the temperature specified. For example, your air fryer may have 199°C (390°F) instead of 200°C (400°F). Like ovens, different models might cook slightly hotter or cooler. This means you may have to adjust the cooking time by a minute or so. Be mindful of any slight variation on your own model.

• Most of the recipes in this book recommend shaking or turning the food partway through cooking for an even cook. The benefit of the air fryer is that you can open the drawer and check the food without all the heat escaping, especially during the last few minutes.

• Preheating your air fryer to the temperature recommended will reduce cooking times.

• Cut vegetables and meat into even-sized pieces so they cook at the same rate.

• When cooking large joints of meat, you may need to remove the plate and sit the meat in the bottom of your air fryer for roasting.

• Always cook food in a single layer. Never overcrowd the drawer, or your food will cook unevenly and take longer. Air fryers work by circulating air around food, so require space.

• You will still require a little oil to cook most foods, especially breaded foods, so consider filling a small spray bottle with oil to help you achieve that perfect, crispy crumb.

• Cover dishes with foil to prevent the food from becoming too brown. This is especially useful for larger cakes and quiches.

• Clean your appliance after every use. Air fryers are easy to clean with hot soapy water.

• Never fill your appliance with oil – it is not a deep fryer.

the best foods for air frying

Potatoes – chips (homemade or frozen), whole baked potatoes, wedges, roast

Meat – steak, chicken, lamb chops, pork chops, bacon rashers

Fish – salmon fillets, cod fillets, prawns

Vegetables – cauliflower, carrots, parsnips, courgettes, peppers, aubergines

Pastry – shortcrust, puff, filo

Fruit – stone fruits (such as peaches and apricots), pineapple, apples, bananas

foods to avoid

Uncoated popcorn or popcorn kernels – they may fly into the element and cause damage

Wet, saucy foods – foods with lots of sauce, such as stews, or foods coated in drippy batter don’t cook well in an air fryer. Dry spice rubs, glazes and dried breadcrumbs work best

Rice, pasta and pulses – dry foods that need to soften as they boil in water should not be cooked in an air fryer

store cupboard and freezer essentials

Below are some of the most commonly used ingredients in the recipes:

• Oils – olive oil, sunflower oil and flavoured oils, such as chilli and garlic

• Dried breadcrumbs – fine and panko

• Dried herbs – mixed herbs, oregano, rosemary and thyme

• Dried garlic and onion powder

• Spices – paprika, ground cinnamon, ginger, cumin and chilli

• Ready-prepared spice mixes – Moroccan, Middle Eastern, piri piri and Mexican

• Pastes – harissa, pesto, tikka, gochujang, miso and chipotle

• Nuts – almonds, walnuts, pistachios and pine nuts

• Dried fruits – apricots, mixed berries, mixed tropical fruit and dates

• Seeds – sesame, pumpkin, sunflower and linseed

• Flours – plain, self-raising, cornflour and baking powder

• Sugars – caster, granulated, soft brown, honey and maple syrup

• Sauces – sweet chilli, ketchup, sriracha, piri piri and soy sauce

• Frozen foods – peas, fish fingers, frozen chips and fries

it’s time to get cooking!

The recipes in this book will inspire you to get creative – whether it’s for one, two, or for the whole family – so get started by picking one of the delicious choices and giving it a try. It’s amazing what you can create with fresh vegetables and store cupboard ingredients and, as air frying is a healthier way of cooking, you will be able to enjoy well-balanced meals in a fraction of the time.

The more you cook with it, the more you will discover inventive ways to use your air fryer. Remember, because it’s portable, this appliance can also be used away from home on staycations.

Like many air fryer owners, you will soon find that you can’t wait to tell your friends and family about all the tasty dishes you’ve created from just a few simple ingredients.

Happy air frying!