OT: Do Air Fryers kinda suck?

[Bulldogg31]

My kids got me an air fryer for Christmas and I’ve tried a bunch of different things in there and they’re just ok. Also, all the models I’ve seen are kinda small so you have to cook in batches. Maybe it’s just me but I don’t get it.

Pack, what am I missing? Why do people love these things and what’s good in there?

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

It has its place. We use ours a lot but ours is also an oven so it get double use. It’s definitely not an exact replacement for frying but it’s a good substitute. You can make pretty decent wings in it.

View attachment 21008

 

[msubrave]

We needed a counter top microwave. Found one that was combo air fryer and micro. It sucks at both.

 

[Dawg1979]

Wings are awesome. Reheating previously fried things is awesome. Frozen fried stuff is good.

They also make the best s’mores

 

[Bulldogg31]

Thanks DCD, I guess I just don’t see the difference in just using my Kamado Joe or even a convection oven. Just wondered if I’m doing it wrong. Tried onion rings tonight and they were kinda meh.

 

[57stratdawg]

Try some frozen things in it. We make frozen tots and sweet potato fries with our burgers. They’re solid.

 

[TTRams]

I bought one and did not understand all the fuss. If you have a convection setting on your kitchen oven you definitely don't need it. I returned to Amazon. JMO

 

[Fritz!]

Get a convection oven,

Takes up less counter space...

 

[Ozarkdawg]

Walmart had one at Christmas that was an outdoor model. Basically a 5 gal metal bucket air fryer smoker combo.
Smoker is marginal but you do get a little flavor. I ended up with 2. One seems to get hotter than the other and cooks better.

Wings were good.
Zucchini and squash slices were good.
Burgers were ok.
Fish, not so much.

 

[3000lbchicken]

Our small one is good for fries w olive oil. Bout it.

 

[Apoplectic_Objurgator]

Used it for 3 weeks then threw it in the heap with other counter crap

 

[MaroonBelle]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K0W8LT...abc_SFVFYYJS1H39B8404CMD?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I have this one and love it. It does everything but I mostly use as convection oven. I could count on two hands the amount of times I have used my actual oven this year. The size is great. Can cook 4 ckn breasts on one level and veggies on the other. Air fryer works great too. Took some trial and error at first but it is so fast. Cooking time cut by 1/3 at least. Take two bread loaf pans and can do two beautiful pork tenderloins each with a different flavor at one time.

 

[Bulldogg31]

Good ideas. I want to like it because my kids gave it to me but I think it may be the countertop equivalent of the soccerball tie I got a few years back. Definitely gonna try the wings in there though. Good call.

 

[johnson86-1]

My kids got me an air fryer for Christmas and I’ve tried a bunch of different things in there and they’re just ok. Also, all the models I’ve seen are kinda small so you have to cook in batches. Maybe it’s just me but I don’t get it.

Pack, what am I missing? Why do people love these things and what’s good in there?

They’re great for quickly reheating things. Pretty much only use the microwave now for things too messy for the air fryer.

As far as cooking, I like cutting up home “fries”, whether regular or sweet potatoes, drizzling with olive oil, and cooking then with the air fryer. Not quite a s good as fries, but healthy and pretty good.

 

[dickiedawg]

It's fine for cooking for two, and useless for a family.

 

[hatfieldms]

It has its place. I love potato wedges in it and well as in ready chicken tenderloins.

 

[anon1787432961]

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[anon1787432961]

Wings are awesome. Reheating previously fried things is awesome. Frozen fried stuff is good.

They also make the best s’mores

Try using the broil setting on your oven to reheat fried things. You're welcome.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

It does better than using the broil in an oven.

 

[TTRams]

Pro tip and correct. I warm up first in regular oven to get the refrigerator coldness off and then finish off with broil setting. Tastes like brand new.

 

[notoriousD_O_G]

Mine is worth it just for reheating my kids leftover chicken nuggets and french fries

 

[ZombieKissinger]

But…. Dad…. You said you loved it

 

[JungRebel]

I'm planning on getting one soon. Advice I've gotten is its better than a microwave for reheating some things and it is good for crisping things like wings up after you fry them.

 

[Dawgology]

We use ours a good bit but may stop using it after we install our double oven. I actually made some ribs in them and they weren’t half bad for 45 minutes prep and cooking.

 

[TimberBeast]

Mine is worth it just for reheating my kids leftover chicken nuggets and french fries

What are leftover chicken nuggets and french fries?

 

[dorndawg]

I think they're good for folks who don't know how to cook, or simply don't want to learn. The directions are usually easy and very precise.

 

[hdogg]

Wings
Chicken tenders
Fries or tots
Mozerella stix

We threw out our fry daddy after getting the air fryer.

Plus, fried air is just better!

 

[Dawgbite]

We use ours like hdogg and I’ll add fried green beans to his list. Try them if you haven’t. Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t an Ir Fryer basically just a counter top convection oven? They both cook with heated air.

 

[Bulldogg31]

But…. Dad…. You said you loved it

Son, sometimes Dad lies.

 

[NWADawg]

My kids got me an air fryer for Christmas and I’ve tried a bunch of different things in there and they’re just ok. Also, all the models I’ve seen are kinda small so you have to cook in batches. Maybe it’s just me but I don’t get it.

Pack, what am I missing? Why do people love these things and what’s good in there?

Got the food ninja one that air fries, steams, pressure cooker, couple other functions. We love it. They're a little bigger than some so holds more. Also pressure cooked roast and potatoes in 80 mins and it was great.

 

[The Peeper]

In our case it was personal preference. Daughter gave us one for Christmas and wife and I both thought 'what the hell we going to do w/ this'? She told us if we didn't like it she wanted it. We tried it but just really didn't like it so we gave it to her and she claims she loves it and uses it all the time. I hated cleaning the thing and we just don't fry anything either in oil or air fried

 

[MaxwellSmart]

Bacon wrapped tater tots. The only reason ours is still alive.