From its advantages, downside to proper care, we got you covered!
According to reports, air fryers has been in the market since 2010. But in 2020 when pandemic happens, the demand for this deep-frying alternative has reached all time high.
This is not surprising. Apart from offering a healthy alternative to deep-fried food, air-fryers also offer the convenience of cooking delicious and nutritious food, especially, for moms who are juggling lots of tasks at the same time. You can just simply put chicken or doughnuts, and viola! All you have to do is leave it there, do other chores, wait for the timer to ping, and you’ll have your food ready.
But with all these conveniences, here are three things you should know about air fryers.
- Best for vegetables
We all know that it is challenging for parents to entice children to eat vegetables. But with the help of this kitchen partner, mommies can come up with different veggie snacks such as baked sweet potato chips (it’s simply Pinoy fave kamote-q minus the oil), carrot chips, and cheesy beetroot patties.
Beetroot patties 
- The downside
Now air fryers might sound a good choice when cooking fried chicken, bacon, and lechon kawali, but this is not the case for fish meals. Based on the report of WebMD, air frying fish raised the amount of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs).
“COPs form when the cholesterol in meat or fish breaks down during cooking. Studies connect these substances to coronary heart disease, hardening of the arteries, cancer, and other diseases,” the report says. “Air frying also appears to curb the omega-3 fatty acids in fish. These 'good fats' help lower blood pressure and raise 'good' HDL cholesterol levels, and they may help protect the heart.”
To lower the amount of COPs when air frying fish, it is recommended to fresh parsley and chives, as these herbs served as antioxidants that reduces the COPs.
- Proper care
Just like any other non-sticky pans, air fryers are also sensitive to harsh scouring pads. It is recommended to soak the basket in hot soapy water for 20 minutes, making it easier to wipe off crusted food. It is also important to remember that because of it is non-stick coating, using cooking sprays with propellants will damage the coating. Instead, it is better to use quality air spray and pump. Lastly, do only use accessories and inserts made for air fryers.