It is time to change things up and try something different in your kitchen. It can be daunting to try new things, but it does pay off to go out on a limb to experiment. After all, you can only make the same dinner so many times!
This week, we are talking all about the Air Fryer – the at-home culinary world’s biggest game-changer. Learn how to make your food crisp and crunchy without the oils that are in real fried foods. While you are at it, take a look at our four favorite garden-inspired air fryer recipes to get a head start on your new creations.
What is an Air Fryer?
We love the air fryer because it gives you the same result as a deep fryer would, without the unhealthy oils that are typically involved in frying food. An air fryer looks like a tiny, countertop convection oven. According to research from the NDP group in Portland, as of Summer 2020, almost half of the households in the US had an air fryer in their kitchen!
How Does an Air Fryer Function?
The very top portion of an air fryer contains a heating mechanism and fan. When using your air fryer, you will place your food in a fryer-style basket and when you turn it on, extremely hot air floods down and around the food. The rapid circulation of hot air makes your food crisp, very similar to deep-frying, but without harmful oils.
Our 4 Favorite Garden Inspired Air Fryer Recipes
Take a look at these four delicious recipes inspired by green foods that keep your mind, body and soul enriched. You will definitely want to be trying them out this week.
Recipe by Taste of Home
Makes 4 servings
- 3 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and cut into halves
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- 1-½ teaspoons of minced fresh rosemary from your garden
Directions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F, then place the first 4 ingredients in a small microwave-safe bowl; microwave on high for 30 seconds.
- Toss your Brussels sprouts with 2 tablespoons of oil mixture. Then, place the Brussels sprouts on a tray in the air-fryer basket; cook for 4-5 minutes. Stir sprouts. Cook until sprouts are lightly browned and near desired tenderness, about 8 minutes longer, stirring halfway through cooking time.
- Toss the bread crumbs with rosemary and remaining oil mixture; sprinkle over sprouts. Continue cooking until crumbs are browned and sprouts are tender, 3-5 minutes. Serve immediately.
Recipe by Delish Knowledge
Makes 4 servings
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into drumstick pieces
- 1 cup of soy or almond milk
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion power
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
Vegan Ranch Dressing
- ½ cup mayo
- ¼ cup soy milk
- ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
- Make the ranch dressing, if you’re planning on using it. Whisk together the mayo, soy milk, parsley, dill, garlic powder. Add a pinch of salt and seasoning to taste, if you’d like. Set aside.
- Heat the milk and cornstarch together in a medium saucepan, until cornstarch has dissolved. Heat the milk over medium heat until slightly thickened, about 4-5 minutes, then set aside to cool.
- Whisk together the flour, garlic salt, onion powder, paprika, black pepper and salt in a large bowl.
- Dip the cauliflower into the flour, then into the thickened milk mixture, then back into the flour. Tap off as much of the excess flour as you can, then place in a single layer in the bottom of your air fryer. Repeat with the rest of your cauliflower pieces; knowing you may have to work in two batches depending on the size of your fryer.
- Place the air fryer tray into the air fryer and set to 7 minutes at 400 degrees F. Let cook, then flip about halfway through cooking.
- While the cauliflower is cooking, heat your butter, buffalo sauce, vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat. When cauliflower is done, toss with the melted buffalo sauce and serve immediately with the ranch dressing.
Recipe by All Recipes
Makes 4 servings
- Olive oil for brushing
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 lb tri-colored baby carrots
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 teaspoons fresh chopped chives
Directions
- Brush an air fryer basket with olive oil.
- Whisk together 1 tablespoon olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add carrots and toss to coat. Place carrots in the air fryer basket in a single layer, in batches, if needed.
- Cook in the air fryer at 390 degrees F (200 degrees C), stirring once, until tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer warm cooked carrots to a large bowl, add balsamic glaze and butter, and toss to coat. Sprinkle with chives and serve.
Recipe by Finding Zest
Makes 4 servings
- 2 medium russet potatoes
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- fresh parsley for garnish optional
- water and ice optional
Directions
- Wash potatoes. Cut each in half lengthwise, then into quarters for a total of 16 wedges. (If you have larger potatoes you may need to cut them down further.)
- In a large bowl, add potato wedges. Pour cold water and ice over top so they are completely submerged. Let soak for 30 minutes. (This step is optional.)
- Preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees for 5 minutes.
- Dry potato wedges.
- Add potatoes to a large Ziploc bag. Pour in olive oil and seasonings. Seal bag and shake to fully coat.
- Add potato wedges to the preheated air fryer, skin side up in a single layer.
- Cook for approximately 15 minutes or until potatoes are golden brown and tender, checking on them halfway through to move them away from each other for even browning (if necessary)
Get Started Today
Once you start growing your own garden, you will really be excited to try out all of the different and innovative air fryer recipes. Keep your container garden in your kitchen with your air fryer; take a look at our container garden kits that will be tailored to your spring season’s needs.