For Christmas Justin got me an air fryer. I've resisted getting one myself for a long time because I hate the idea of one more slightly large kitchen appliance that is of limited use. He got one for Jess a year ago and based on her frequent use of it, he thought I might find it useful.
And he was right!
We had a big lunch on Christmas Day but I was anxious to try my air fryer so I made a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches for a late dinner. They were okay but the bread was a little crunchy for my taste. I think a pan on the stove still works better for grilled cheese but there were lots of other things to try.
I had green beans left over from Christmas dinner, so that's what I air-fried next. I dipped them in flour, eggs, then panko bread crumbs and did them in two batches. John ate a few so I finished (and enjoyed) a whole plateful of green beans for dinner one night.
I was beginning to understand how the air fryer worked and gaining a little confidence, so next I decided it was time to try air-frying some meat. We eat a lot of venison so I was glad to find that it worked well for venison steaks and burgers.
Next, I moved on to pork chops and brats. John said they were the best pork chops he ever had and I was happy not to have to go out to the grill in freezing weather to cook the brats.
I also tried some frozen foods, like clam strips and pierogies and both turned out wonderfully.
I have a block of mozzarella in the refrigerator that I intend to use to make air-fried mozzarella sticks sometime this week. The boys are coming over for lunch on Saturday and air-fried catfish filets are on the menu. John and Justin caught these catfish on a fishing trip they took this summer so I'm glad to be able to serve them when they are both around to enjoy them.
There's one thing I made that I'm not exactly proud of, but at least I can say I tried them - air-fried Twinkies.
I've never had a real fried Twinkie at a fair so I can't do a comparison, but these were actually pretty good. There is something about the caramelized bits that adds to the taste. I did think about breaking a Kit-Kat bar into long pieces, sticking that in the middle of the Twinkie, and air-frying that concoction, but that sounded like a calorie and fat-laden nightmare that I haven't tried (yet). Plain air-fried Twinkies seem much healthier. :-)
So thanks to Justin for a useful and fun kitchen appliance that I look forward to using more!
I am laughing at your comment about plain air-fried Twinkies being healthier! I suppose an air frier is a healthier alternative to deep frying, but I'm not sure how much I'd use one. I'll be interested to see what else you make in yours!
ReplyDeleteI use my air fryer a lot for frozen things like chicken tenders and french fries and hash brown patties. I also use it to reheat take out like Chinese food or pizza. I've never really used it to COOK anything but you've inspired me to look into that more.
ReplyDeleteI am laughing at the "healthier" air-fried twinkies also! I am amazed at how versatile this appliance is! Hmmm... not that I have any kitchen counter space available, but maybe when the toaster over dies....!
ReplyDeleteOMG. The Twinkies!! That makes me laugh!! I used to love all those Hostess goodies, though not so much anymore (the recipes have changed -- high fructose corn syrup, I'm looking at you).
ReplyDeleteAli has had an air fryer for quite a while and uses it a LOT -- it's great for leftover pizza, French fries, etc. (or so I'm told)!
You have fallen into the air fryer vortex, Bonny! LOL I'm glad you are having fun with your new toy. I have a toaster oven that has an air fryer built in, but I have never used it. I think about using it a lot, but I just don't. Maybe I will put it on my to-do list for this year.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were remodeling the kitchen a few Christmases ago I baked cookies and little mince pies in mine. They were perfection. I only could do a few at a time but that's all I really ever need. I also discovered then that veggie lasagna in the slow cooker is much better than lasagna from the oven.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I'm going to have to try cookies in my air fryer!
DeleteWow! Twinkies for the win (except that I don't like them!). You've used your air fryer much more than I've used mine. I've done a little bit of meat in it. Air fryer mushrooms are my favorite. I'm definitely glad I have one, but I don't leave it on my counter - instead it is tucked away in a closet shelf in the office room (along with my crock pot, bread machine, Dutch oven and food processor - oh, and waffle maker and rice cooker - LOL).
ReplyDeleteElder Son and wife have an air fryer. I don't know how much they use it, but he told me it was really good for reheating french fries. After reading your experiences with one I am considering a purchase, although, like you, I am not inclined to have an appliance with limited use taking up space in my kitchen. Air-fried Twinkies, though...
ReplyDeleteI've been making chicken with orange sauce using the air fryer (dipping the chicken in egg and flour and then air frying). I also have air fried fish for fish tacos. Both are delicious. Plus frozen french fries yum.
ReplyDeleteThe chicken and fish sound delicious!
DeleteGlad to see all the things you can make. When I watch my great nieces, they get air fried chicken fingers and fries for dinner and they are good. I received a free one through a wellness thing at work but haven't taken it out of the box yet though I did buy the french fries and chicken fingers to try it out.
ReplyDeleteI've found it works well for things like chicken fingers and fries, but it's also useful for a whole lot of other food!
Deletewow I didn't know you could do all of those things, interesting. I love when I get a gift I didn't know I wanted or needed but it fits in so nicely with my life!
ReplyDeleteSo far, I have avoided the air fryer trend . . . but you could change my mind! ;-) Erin and Keith got one for Christmas, and between your post and Erin's Tales of Air Fried Dinners and Snacks, I just might have to succumb. (I secretly love Twinkies. I don't eat them anymore, but they were my all-time favorite lunch snacks when I was a kid.)
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a lot of cooking. I'm like you, I resist large, mostly single use, appliances but you found many ways to use the air fryer. The green beans look good to me. I keep resisting the Instant Pot but as my kids talk about how they use them, I am becoming more interested.
ReplyDeleteI had to share this since you have heightened my notice of air fryer adventures on the internet. Air fried orange slices! Sounds weird, but also sound good if you think about those caramelized orange slices;
ReplyDeleteI still don't "get" what an air fryer is, but it does look versatile ... and a "best I've ever had" from John is surely a good thing. I think the green beans look best to me! (and Beckster's orange slices ... I hope you try them, too, and report back!)
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