Is An Air Fryer Healthier Than Other Cooking Options?

Why is Using an Air Fryer Better Than Conventional Methods?

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People concerned about their fitness and appearance wants to prepare healthy home-cooked meals that taste good. They may use organic ingredients and avoid fatty foods to prevent unhealthy weight gain. However, with so many restaurants constantly advertising appetizing fried foods, it is often hard to hold back.

Prolonged deprivation can often cause a person to binge on junk food – which ruins all the hard work they’re putting into sculpting their bodies. As a result, the person gains more than they have lost.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased preference for home-cooked meals.

Although home-cooked meals are often a healthier alternative to eating processed foods, there is no guarantee that they will not negatively affect your body. Many simple recipes and conventional cooking methods require deep frying and excessive butter or oil.

Investing in an air fryer is a great way to develop a healthy lifestyle that aids your fitness routine and bodily health. The air fryer’s unique benefits have made it a consumer favorite worldwide. Market research estimates the air fryer industry to hit $894.3 million by 2026. 

Continue reading below to learn how an air fryer is better than conventional methods.

The Difference Between an Air Fryer and Conventional Cooking Methods

Air fryers were first introduced to the consumer market in 2010. Their ever-rising popularity has led to over 25 million air fryers being sold globally in just the past two years.

A standard air fryer consists of its external body, base, and pull-out basket base. The inner roof of the air fryer has a built-in heater and fan that heats the air inside the air fryer. The air’s temperature difference creates a convectional current that spreads the heat across the food. As a result, the food is cooked to perfection without extra oil.

Conventional cooking methods include using an oven, stove, or microwave. Cooking on the stove or in the oven requires the cooking pan or pot to be properly oiled or buttered. Moreover, although microwaving does not require oil, the rays can cause the food to become dry and hard.

Five Ways that Make an Air Fryer Better Than Conventional Cooking Methods

1. One Can Prepare Low-Calorie Meals

Air fryer technology uses heated air to cook food. Not only is the food cooked to perfection, but the food’s external texture becomes far crispier than when cooked over a stove.

Although some air-fried meals may require oil, the amount does not have to be above a single teaspoon. The low oil or butter requirements help cook food that is low in calories and healthier to consume. Using the air fryer to prepare every meal can aid in weight loss and lead to better heart health.

2. Air Fryers Are Safe and User-friendly

Food cooked in a deep fryer is crispy and delicious. However, using an air fryer can be dangerous for novice and professional cooks.

Dropping food into the hot deep fryer’s oil can cause the oil to splash instantly. If it lands on your skin, this hot oil can cause severe burns. Furthermore, taking out a hot dish from the oven or microwave could burn your hands.

On the contrary, an air fryer’s user-friendly design increases cooking safety, especially for novice cooks. The external body of the air fryer is made from insulated material that will not burn the skin when touched. Since the air fryer has no oil, you reduce the risk of being burned by splashing oil. Moreover, the pull-out basket base’s insulated handle allows a person to check and take out their food without requiring any heat-resistant gloves. The safe design and convenient handleability allow children and people with disabilities to prepare their meals independently.

Furthermore, boiling oil can cause toxic substances such as acrylamide to form inside the food. Such toxic compounds can cause multiple cancers and kidney dysfunction. Using an air fryer can help prevent this.

3. One Does Not Have to Go on a Strict Diet

The best part about using an air fryer is that you can cook healthier versions of all your favorite meals. You no longer have to stress about giving up on French fries or burger patties due to their oiliness. Instead, you can cook everything such as potato chips, steaks, meatloaves, seafood, cake, pizza, etc., with just heated air.

For instance, to prepare oil-free, healthy French fries, you just need to cut the potatoes and toss the uncooked fries into the air fryer. Then, set your air fryer’s temperature and cooking duration accordingly. Once that’s done, press start. Generally, an air fryer needs to be set at 360for almost 10 to 20 minutes to cook 2 lbs. of French fries perfectly.

Refer to the manufacturer-provided instruction manual to learn about the different temperature and duration requirements of different food types. You can also get the information from the company’s official website or other cooking sites.

4. Leftover Food Can Taste Just as Good

Usually, people tend to order or prepare a lot of food when expecting guests. Many times, the leftover food is tossed into the trash after a few days of storage. In America alone, 108 billion pounds of food are wasted annually.

A big reason for the leftover food being wasted is that reheating ruins the taste and texture of the food. Reheating the food on a stove or the microwave soaks up the food’s moisture, causing it to become dry and chewy.

However, air fryers have changed the way people look at leftover food. Air frying leftovers allows the food to retain its moisture while giving it a fresh crunch. Many people claim to like their leftover air-fried pizza way more than the freshly baked one. As a result, people can enjoy their reheated leftovers, reducing food wastage.

5. Lesser Attentiveness is Required

Cooking food on the stove requires the person to be attentive and alert. A moment of forgetfulness or distraction could cause your entire meal to burn. Moreover, the person has to stay in the kitchen to keep stirring as the food is cooked.

On the other hand, using an air fryer lets you leave the kitchen and use your time to do something else. For instance, when making French fries, all you need to do is check the air fryer setting requirements. Then cut the potatoes, toss them in, and let the air fryer do its magic. Meanwhile, you can set up a movie or take a shower. The air fryer’s beeping noise will notify you when your food is ready.

This key feature makes an air fryer an excellent investment for students or working individuals who have less time to prepare a home-cooked meal.

Shift to the Air Fryer Lifestyle Now!

Is Air Fried Food Healthier Than Food Cooked Using Conventional Methods?

An air fryer is the best investment for living a healthier and happier life. Its technology allows food to be cooked with heated air, without the use of excessive oil. The food prepared is low in calories and delicious. Using an air fryer to prepare all your meals can help you lose weight and prevent many heart diseases and diabetes.

Moreover, while a microwave or oven may dry up your food, an air fryer is designed to retain moisture and flavor. It allows the food’s liquids and marination to drip into its base. You can then collect this liquid and use it to make a flavorful sauce or gravy to go with the air-fried food.