The Best Air Fryers & 5 Beginner Friendly Recipes -- TastefulTools

 

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In the realm of kitchen innovations, the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer stands out as a versatile and efficient cooking companion, promising to revolutionize the way we approach mealtimes. This review aims to delve into the features that make it a top contender for home cooks seeking a balance between convenience and culinary excellence.

The Good:

1. Versatility in Cooking:

One of the standout features of the Ninja AF101 is its versatility. Beyond traditional air frying, this appliance excels at roasting, reheating, and dehydrating. It's a true multi-functional kitchen workhorse.

2. Rapid and Even Cooking:

Equipped with a powerful fan and precise temperature control, the Ninja AF101 ensures rapid and even cooking. Say goodbye to unevenly cooked dishes; the air circulation technology guarantees consistent results every time.

3. Healthy Cooking, Less Oil:

Health-conscious cooks will appreciate the ability to achieve that coveted crispy texture without the excess oil. The air frying method used by the Ninja AF101 reduces the overall fat content in your favorite dishes, promoting a healthier lifestyle.

4. User-Friendly Controls:

The straightforward control panel makes it easy for users of all experience levels to navigate. Pre-set functions and customizable settings cater to the needs of both beginners and seasoned chefs.

5. Generous Cooking Capacity:

With a 4-quart capacity, the Ninja AF101 is spacious enough to handle family-sized portions, making it an ideal choice for those who love to entertain or prepare meals in advance.

What's Not as Good:

1. Size and Counter Space:

While the 4-quart capacity is an asset for cooking larger quantities, it's important to note that the Ninja AF101 may take up a considerable amount of counter space. Users with limited kitchen real estate may need to plan accordingly.

2. Learning Curve for Some Functions:

While the basic functions are user-friendly, mastering all the features, especially for dehydrating or more advanced cooking techniques, may require a bit of a learning curve. Clear instructions and experimentation are recommended.

3. Noisy Operation:

Like many air fryers, the Ninja AF101 can be a bit noisy during operation. This is a common characteristic of appliances with powerful fans, but it's worth considering if you prefer a quieter kitchen environment.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer proves to be a standout kitchen appliance, excelling in versatility, rapid cooking, and health-conscious meal preparation. While it may pose some challenges in terms of size and noise, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks for many home cooks. If you're looking to embrace a healthier cooking style without sacrificing flavor, the Ninja AF101 is a reliable and innovative choice.

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Recipes:

Sweet Potato Fries:

• 1 large Sweet potato
• ▢1 teaspoon Oil
• ▢¼ teaspoon Garlic powder
• ▢¼ teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• ▢½ teaspoon Chaat masala
• ▢Salt & Pepper to taste
• ▢½ tablespoon Corn flour (corn starch)
• 
  

Instructions 

Cut Into Fries:

• Scrub and wash the sweet potato well.
• Peel and discard the skin. Trim of the pointy ends.
• Now cut the potato in half lengthwise.
• Then again cut it crosswise.
• If your sweet potato is thick then slice it in half.
• Cut each slice into ¼-½ inch thick fries. Don’t cut the fries too thin otherwise, they will get chewy and might get burned. Keep in mind that fries will shrink in size after cooking.

Air Frying:

• Take cut fries into a bowl. Add cornstarch and all the seasonings (salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder and chaat masala).
• Toss everything until seasoning and flour are coated evenly on the fries.
• Add oil. Toss again to coat well.
• Add them into the air fryer basket and spread them into a single layer.
• Air fry at 400°F for around 12-15 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through for even browning. Depending on the thickness of your fries, it may take a couple of minutes more or less.

Notes

• Cut the fries into even thickness and length. So all of them get air-fried at the same time.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Make sure the fries are in a single layer otherwise they won’t become crisp. They will get cooked but will stay soft.
• Halfway through the cooking process turn over the fries for even browning and cooking.
• No need to soak the fries after cutting as we do in french fries (made from regular potatoes). Sweet potatoes don’t have that much starch in them, so no worry about soaking them.
• Cornstarch or arrowroot flour or rice flour is added to make the fries a little extra crispy.
• Serve them ASAP. As they cool down they will become soft, soggy and lose their crispness.

Salmon Bites:

1 lb salmon fillet

1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp granulated garlic powder

1/2 tsp dried ground thyme

1/3 tsp dried ground sage

Instructions

1. Place the salmon on a layer of paper towels and gently pat it to remove any excess moisture.
2. Place the salmon on a chopping block With a sharp knife cut the salmon into 1-inch pieces and transfer to a large mixing bowl
3. In a small bowl mix together olive oil, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, thyme and sage. Pour over the salmon chunks.
4. Gently toss salmon with oil and spices to thoroughly coat. Cover the bowl in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
5. Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper, or spray with non-stick spray. Arrange the salmon pieces in a single layer. There is no need to preheat the air fryer - the salmon cooks very quickly. Set the temperature to 325 and cook for 7-8 minutes. Do not overcook the salmon bites or they will be come dry. Your cook time may vary depending on the thickness of the salmon so keep an eye on it.
6. Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Air Fryer Eggs Benedict:

INGREDIENTS:

HOLLANDAISE SAUCE

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp dijon mustard (optional)
• 1 - 2 pinches cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1/2 cup unsalted Butter, melted
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

EGGS BENEDICT

• 4 large eggs
• 2 English Muffins
• 4 Peameal Bacon Slices

INSTRUCTIONS:

TO MAKE THE HOLLANDAISE SAUCE

1. Fill a saucepan with about an inch of water. Set a stainless steel or glass bowl over saucepan that fits nicely without touching water. Bring water to a simmer.
2. Add cream, egg yolks, lemon juice, mustard, and cayenne pepper to bowl over saucepan whisk well. Cook mixture, whisking constantly, until just thick enough to coat the back of a metal or wooden spoon and temperature reaches 160 degrees. 
3. Reduce heat to low, then very slowly drizzle in the warm melted butter while whisking constantly. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a dish and cover to keep warm.

TO MAKE THE AIR FRYER POACHED EGGS

1. Spray four ramekins with cooking spray or olive oil.
2. Crack one egg into each ramekin.
3. Put all four ramekins in the Air Fryer and cook for 5 minutes at 400.

TO PREPARE ENGLISH MUFFINS AND BACON

1. Cook the peameal in the airfryer at 400 for 8 minutes flipping halfway.
2. Meanwhile toast English muffins in a toaster oven, or under broiler (setting muffins on a baking sheet) until just golden brown on top. 

TO ASSEMBLE EGGS BENEDICT

Lay a slice of Peameal bacon atop each English muffin. Top each with a poached egg and season with salt and pepper. Spoon or pour Hollandaise sauce over top, garnish with parsley.

Garlic Bread:

1/4 cup butter, softened

3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley or 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

8 slices of ciabatta or French bread

Directions:

1. 1. Preheat air fryer to 350°. In a small bowl, combine first 4 ingredients; spread over bread
2. 2. In batches, arrange bread in a single layer on tray in air-fryer basket. Cook until golden brown, 2-3 minutes. Serve warm.

Brownies:

• 1 ¼ cups (200g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ▢½ cup (115g) unsalted butter or margarine
• ▢1 cup (200g) light brown sugar
• ▢2 large eggs
• ▢2 tsp vanilla bean paste , or extract
• ▢4 tbsp cocoa powder , unsweetened
• ▢½ cup (65g) flour plain / all-purpose
• ▢pinch salt (omit if you are using margarine)
• 
  

Instructions

• Add the chocolate and butter in a mixing bowl and microwave for 30 second bursts until the butter melts. Leave to stand for a couple of minutes then stir so that the chocolate melts completely. Set aside.
• Use a balloon whisk to beat the sugar, vanilla and eggs in a separate bowl. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is frothy.
• Stir in the melted chocolate mixture. Sift the flour and cocoa powder into the bowl and stir until you have a smooth, glossy, thick batter with no dry pockets of flour.
• Spoon the batter into a greased and lined metal 8 inch pan and level. Please note if your pan is smaller or silicone instead of metal you will need to adjust the baking time.
• Preheat the air fryer at 330°F (165°C). Bake the brownies for 25 minutes. Take a look at the brownies – they should have a smooth shiny top and feel set at the edges. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out with a few moist crumbs (but not wet batter).
• If your brownies are not quite baked, cook for a further five minutes. Take the pan out of the air fryer and cool the brownies before slicing.