Air fryers are an excellent way to cook healthier foods. Not only do they reduce fat and calories you consume, but they also lower acrylamide levels while preserving essential nutrients.
When cooking with air fryers, the key is to use a high-quality appliance made of stainless steel or aluminum that won’t release chemicals during preparation. Steer clear of cheap air fryers made of low-grade materials or plastics.
One of the greatest advantages of an air fryer is that it uses far less oil than traditional deep-fryers. While you may need a touch more oil for some dishes, most recipes only need about a teaspoon or so.
A 2015 study revealed that food cooked in an air fryer absorbs significantly less oil than similar items cooked in conventional ovens or deep fryers. This could translate to fewer calories being consumed, leading to weight loss and decreased cardiovascular disease risks.
Foods with a low fat content, like meat, potatoes and veggies, can be cooked in an air fryer without losing too much flavor or texture. But for best results, spritz these items with olive or avocado oil before placing them into the air fryer for enhanced flavor and texture.
An air fryer is also great because it’s fast and simple to use, especially when baking foods that would normally need baking in the oven. That means you can quickly whip up meals for your family on nights when you don’t have much time to prepare dinner.
If you must add oil to a recipe, opt for healthy varieties like olive or avocado oil. These oils have anti-inflammatory properties and help the body absorb more of the nutrients in food, potentially improving overall wellbeing.
Air frying is healthier for you than deep-frying, as it requires much less oil and doesn’t use high temperatures to cook the foods. Plus, it reduces acrylamide – a known carcinogen formed when starchy foods are fried at high temperatures.
Acrylamide can lead to a variety of health issues, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Research from the National Library of Medicine has indicated that air frying can reduce acrylamide concentrations up to 90% compared to deep-frying methods.
Heat from an air fryer causes a reaction between amino acid asparagine and sugars, producing the compound known as acrylamide. If left unchecked, this acrylamide can damage cell membranes in your heart or other organs.
Air-fried foods can be reduced in acrylamide by adding fresh herbs such as parsley and chives when prepping them. Furthermore, these herbs contain antioxidants which prevent fat oxidation and may protect against certain types of cancer.
It’s essential to note, though, that you should still eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables with healthy amounts of fat. Doing so helps ensure you’re getting all the essential vitamins and minerals from frying food in oil.