It might be the trendiest small kitchen appliance of these last years. On the other hand, it divides opinions: to use or not to use the air fryer , that is the question! Depending on the ingredients and recipes, it allows to fry, grill or roast, but which can also be done with the common stove and oven , thus leading some to consider it a redundant and unnecessary appliance in the modern kitchen. Shakespeare will not help you find answers or clear doubts, but in essence this is all you need to know: To the letter, the two English magic words mean a “hot air fryer” or “no-oil fryer”; In fact, this is a small oven with an electrical resistance and a fan that heat up and circulate hot air. The technology was conceived and patented by a Dutch inventor, Fred van der Weij, with the purpose of cooking food in a healthier way, while preserving the flavour and nutritional qualities . It was initially used in restaurants and later developed and adapted for home use by multinationals, in the USA and Europe, in the first two decades of the 21 st century. It became popular in American households, especially in small apartments with kitchens offering limited space for appliances. It can be used to cook, relatively quickly, different types of meat and fish, vegetables, frozen goods and even cakes. For a good result, it is essential to use adequate temperature and times – but therein lies the rub, and many blogs and sites launched by chefs specialized in air fryer cooking offer tips and advice. Some might ask: is it really healthier? The answer, just as any Shakespeare play, is not simple. In principle, yes, it is better than a standard fryer , for it requires little or zero seasoning, taking advantage of the foods own fat and moisture. When compared to normal frying, it allows to obtain a similar crunchiness, but with less calories and compounds (such as acrylamide) that are harmful for health. If it is healthy or not, that will always depend on how healthy the foods and ingredients used are. Now learn the suggestions by our nutritionists Alexandra Lima , Maria Inês Cardoso , Marta Magalhães and Sónia Xavier . Sources Healthline. Is cooking with an air fryer healthy? Cleveland Clinic. Are air fryers healthy? Meet the nutrition clinical team from Hospital da Luz.
