At first, the air fryer seemed like a bit of a fad (kind of like the George Foreman grills of yore). But the second I saw how well these gadgets crisped up frozen foods and our favorite apps, I changed my tune! Frozen fries, fresh eggrolls and much, much more turned out as crispy and delicious as if they were fresh from the deep fryer. The only thing I really missed about these air fried foods was that perfect golden color that you get from traditional frying. It turns out, getting that just-fried color isn’t hard to do. Food editor Sue Stetzel filled me in.
How to Get Crispy, Golden Air Fryer Food
Air fyers rely on the circulation of hot air instead of oil to produce crispy food. They do use some oil (only a tablespoon or two) but not enough to provide you with that picture-perfect color and crispness. That color is a product of the oil and it’s near impossible to get it without a little fat.
“That’s where Pam saves the say,” Sue says. “A quick spritz will give your air fried food that nice golden color and crispy texture.”
Really, that is it! A simple mist of cooking spray over the top of your food will give your favorite air fryer recipes that just-right color without adding any significant calories or fat.
The Added Bonus of This Air Fryer Trick
Sue adds that while many any air fryers—including our Test Kitchen’s favorite—have nonstick cooking baskets and trays, sticky baked on sugars and cheese can still be a pain to clean. She says, “A light coating of Pam will just give an added layer of protection to keep these messes from becoming troublesome.”
Armed with this trick, you’re ready to make your best ever air fryer appetizers and dinners. Now get (air) frying!
Try These Air Fryer Recipes
Looking for easy air fryer recipes? Try these simple fish and chips. The fish fillets have a fuss-free coating that's healthier but just as crunchy and golden as the deep-fried kind. Simply seasoned, the crispy fries are perfect on the side. —Janice Mitchell, Aurora, Colorado
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Like deep-fried pickles? You’ll love this version even more. Dill pickle slices are coated with panko bread crumbs and spices, then air-fried until crispy. Dip them in ranch dressing for an appetizer you won’t soon forget. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
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This is my go-to Thanksgiving side dish. It's healthy, easy and doesn't take very much time or effort to make. I usually use rosemary for my turkey so this lets me use up some of the leftover herbs! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
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My family adores this chicken recipe. The coating keeps the chicken nice and moist, and with the taste enhanced by marinating, the result is delicious. —Stephanie Otten, Byron Center, Michigan
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Coconut and panko crumbs give this spicy air fryer shrimp its crunch. It’s perfect for an appetizer or for your main meal. —Debi Mitchell, Flower Mound, Texas
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This recipe is the perfect combination of savory and sweet. The bourbon-soaked bacon adds a smoky, savory, bold taste to cinnamon rolls. The ginger and pecan topping makes for a crunchy, spicy finish. —Shannen Casey, Berkeley, California
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I am crazy about chocolate chips, and this chewy cookie has enough to satisfy me. My husband nibbles on the dough, and my kids love the cookies. This big batch is perfect, even for our small family. —Diane Neth, Menno, South Dakota
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I love the flavor profile of everything bagels, so I recreated it with traditional breaded chicken fingers. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
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I have used this "frying" method on eggplant slices for years and decided to try it on my green tomatoes. It worked! Now my family loves them in BLTs. —Jolene Martinelli, Derry, New Hampshire
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Tired of the same old ground-beef burgers? These quick-fix air fryer hamburgers, with their creamy cheese fillings, will wake up your taste buds.—Sherri Cox, Lucasville, Ohio
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Here's a refreshing variation of my grandmother's sugar cookie recipe. Lemon pudding mix and icing add a subtle tartness that tingles your taste buds. —Melissa Turkington, Camano Island, Washington
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It never ceases to amaze to see warm chocolate pudding ooze out of the center of this tender chocolate cake. These cakes are a showstopper on a plate! Serve lava cakes with whipped cream or ice cream. —Carolyn Crotser, Colorado Springs, Colorado
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My father and husband love bourbon flavor, so I add it to tangy wings air-fried in peach preserves. Stand back and watch these wings fly. —Christine Winston, Richmond, Virginia
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I love a Reuben sandwich, so I tried the fillings in a pizza pocket instead of on rye bread. This hand-held dinner is a big-time winner at our house. —Nickie Frye, Evansville, IN
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These air fryer meatballs were created as hors d'oeuvres for a friend's wedding and became an instant hit and family treasure. Enjoy! —Steve Hansen, Redmond, Washington
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With wasabi in both the crab cakes and the dipping sauce, this festive appetizer brings its own heat to the holiday party. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan
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The post The Simple Trick for Perfectly Golden Air Fryer Food Every Time appeared first on Taste of Home.
Lisa Kaminski
