Air frying cooks food by rapidly circulating hot air around it. This process, known as convection cooking, effectively crisps and cooks food with little to no oil.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
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Food Placement: The food is placed in a perforated basket or tray inside the air fryer. The perforations are crucial for allowing hot air to circulate effectively.
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Heating Element Activation: Once the air fryer is turned on, a heating element (usually located near the top of the appliance) heats the air inside.
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Fan-Powered Circulation: A powerful fan then circulates this hot air rapidly around the food in the basket. This consistent and high-speed airflow ensures even cooking and browning.
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Convection Cooking: This circulation of hot air cooks the food through convection, much like a convection oven. The hot air removes moisture from the food's surface, leading to a crispy texture similar to deep-fried foods, but with significantly less oil.
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Temperature and Time Settings: Air fryers allow you to adjust the temperature and cooking time to suit different food types. Recipes or the air fryer's manual will usually provide recommended settings.
In summary, air frying mimics the results of deep frying by using hot air circulation instead of submerging food in oil. This leads to healthier and equally delicious results.