Did you watch Jamie Oliver’s new show devoted to the must-have kitchen gadget of the moment? If you didn’t, then all you need to know is that Jamie Oliver has jumped on the culinary bandwagon to present you with Jamie’s Air Fryer Meals.
We’re confident that you’ve all heard of air fryers by now. But for the few of you hiding behind their old-fashioned aga stove, essentially an air fryer is just a little oven with a basket that you put food into. Hot air circulates inside and makes things lovely and crisp without you having to dunk your food into a vat of oil. They are ideal for cooking things quickly and are often a healthier way to cook a meal, too.
Unsurprisingly, Google searches for air fryers peaked after the show was aired. Yep, Google Trends found the following search terms rising:
- Ninja Double Stack Air Fryer (up 450%)
- Jamie Oliver Air Fryer Chicken (300%)
- Jamie Oliver Air Fryer Scones (190%)
- Lamb Chops (90%)
It is estimated that 12 million UK households now own an air fryer to help make quick and easy meals and, according to YouGov, 50% of Brits say they have used an air fryer and like it.
With other top chefs including Nigella Lawson and Gordon Ramsay also jumping on the new culinary bandwagon, community retailer SPAR has pulled together 5 inspiring recipes from TikTok and Instagram for you to try at home this (or any other!) weekend (or day).
Crispy Skin Roast Chicken
Roast dinners are all about timings but getting the perfect, juicy chicken can take just an hour thanks to the air fryer. Simply prepare the chicken by using oil or butter and the herbs of your choosing, making sure the whole chicken is covered. Turn over after 30 minutes and voila, no messy basting involved!
Ideal’s Top Do’s and Don’ts For The Crispiest Air Fryer Chicken…
Do’s:
- Do preheat your air fryer: Preheating ensures that the chicken starts cooking immediately, leading to a crispier skin.
- Do season generously: Use a good amount of oil or butter and your favorite herbs to coat the chicken thoroughly.
- Do turn the chicken halfway: This ensures even cooking and crispiness on all sides.
Don’ts:
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Make sure there’s enough space around the chicken for air to circulate.
- Don’t forget to check the internal temperature: Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) to be safe to eat.
- Don’t skip resting the chicken: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to retain its juices.
Read: 5 benefits of an air fryer oven over deep fat frying and ovens
Air Fryer Lasagne
Air fryer Lasagne means building your dish straight into the air fryer draw. So simply make your bolognese and bechamel sauce as you normally would, and then add two serving spoons of your bolognese mix to your air fryer and layer on fresh pasta and sauce. Build to your preference and cook for 30 minutes. Follow Planet Food’s video here to see how to do it at home.
Ideal Do and Don’ts for air fryer lasagne…
Do’s
- Do use fresh pasta: Fresh pasta cooks better and faster in the air fryer.
- Do cover with foil if needed: If the top is browning too quickly, cover it with foil to prevent burning while the inside continues to cook.
- Do let it rest: Allow the lasagne to rest for a few minutes after cooking to set and make it easier to slice.
Don’ts:
- Don’t forget to check halfway: Check the lasagne halfway through cooking to ensure it’s not burning.
- Don’t forget to grease the dish: Lightly grease the dish or air fryer drawer to prevent the lasagne from sticking.
- Don’t use too much sauce: Excess sauce can make the lasagne soggy.
Jammy Egg Bagels
If you are looking for an easy brunch idea or something to elevate your WFH lunches, Jammy Egg Bagels is the new trend to try out. Air fryers are perfect for cooking eggs and by adding a bagel with your favourite fillings you can create some dream combinations. Take a look at Bored Of Lunch’s Egg Bagel with Pesto and Cheese for a satisfying dish made in just 7 minutes!
Do’s:
- Do use fresh eggs: Fresh eggs will give you the best texture for jammy yolks.
- Do experiment with fillings: Try different combinations of fillings to find your favorite.
- Do toast the bagel: Toasting the bagel before adding the egg can add an extra layer of crunch.
Don’ts:
- Don’t overcook the eggs: Keep an eye on the cooking time to ensure the yolks remain jammy.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer: Cook the eggs in batches if necessary to avoid uneven cooking.
- Don’t forget to season: A little salt and pepper can enhance the flavor of the eggs and bagel.
Melt & Mix Chocolate Chip Cookies
One for the sweet lovers, these Melt and Mix Cookies from Steph Cooks Stuff have been bookmarked thousands of times.
Her recipe means you just have to mix all your ingredients together (including a good amount of chocolate chips!), roll out the mixture into a log shape on cling film and pop in the fridge for 30 minutes. When it’s chilled, slice into 1cm wide sections and you have your cookies ready for baking! Put them into your air fryer for 7 minutes and you’ll have hot cookies any time of day.
Do’s:
- Do chill the dough: Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape and enhances the flavor.
- Do use good quality chocolate chips: High-quality chocolate makes a big difference in taste.
- Do slice evenly: Slice the dough into even sections to ensure uniform cooking.
Don’ts:
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer: Leave enough space between cookies for air to circulate.
- Don’t overbake: Keep an eye on the cookies to prevent them from becoming too hard.
- Don’t skip the cooling step: Let the cookies cool slightly before eating to set properly.
Salmon Bites & Garlic Cream Sauce
A delicious way to enjoy salmon as a quick midweek meal, these Salmon Bites with Garlic Cream Sauce from Sauced Up Foods are an easy recipe for the air fryer.
Cut your salmon into bite-sized pieces, add the spices or herbs you like and place them evenly into the air fryer. Make a garlic cream sauce with garlic, butter, cream, lemon and parsley and serve over mashed potatoes.
Do’s:
- Do cut the salmon evenly: Evenly sized pieces ensure uniform cooking.
- Do preheat the air fryer: Preheating helps achieve a crispy exterior on the salmon bites.
- Do make the sauce fresh: Freshly made garlic cream sauce enhances the dish’s flavor.
Don’ts:
- Don’t overcook the salmon: Salmon cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it to avoid drying it out.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Ensure there’s enough space for air to circulate around the salmon bites.
- Don’t forget to season: Proper seasoning is key to bringing out the flavors of the salmon and sauce.
If these recipes have got you opening up your amazon app to research the best air fryers out there, then first read our article on things to consider before buying an air fryer.
