Air Fryer 101 : A Complete Air Fryer Guide

You may have heard of an air fryer but are still wondering that all-important question: what actually is an air fryer and how does it work? We're here to talk you through everything you need to know about air fryers, from a brief history, top tips, and tasty Quorn vegetarian and vegan recipes for the perfect meat-free air fried meal. Answer all your air fryer problems with this perfect air dryer guide!

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What is an Air Fryer?

The latest countertop must-have works by rapidly circulating hot air, up to 210°C, around food. Allowing you to cook with just a small amount of oil, mimicking the crisp effects of deep frying without all the fat. Both fresh and frozen foods can be cooked up to 50% faster than fan ovens¹, with a range of settings to let you bake and even dehydrate foods.

Simply place your food inside the basket, select settings and let the air fryer do all the work. The circulating hot air creates a crispy coating around the food while remaining soft and chewy on the inside.

Air frying is technically not frying, it works with a fan which circulates hot air around food, similarly to a convection oven. This wonder appliance coined its name due to the similar results you would receive from conventional deep frying. Allowing you to cook from frozen, bake and roast!

But not all foods can work in an air fryer. Battered foods, despite working in a standard deep fryer, would make a sloppy mess in an air fryer. Instead, stick to breaded and crispy coated foods, vegetables and chips.

History of Air Frying

The need to facilitate quick and tasty meals without having a poor effect on your health were prominent and appliance companies were keen to find the solution. Rapid air technology allowed appliance companies to create the first Air Fryer in the late 2000s. With a simple design based on convenience, easy cleaning, cooking, and serving – straight from basket to plate.

Today, air fryers have come a long way in the last decade with innovative cooking programmes and multiple baskets to cook and sync all your favourite meals tastier and healthier than ever.

How to use an Air Fryer?

Cooking instructions will vary depending on your appliance. The following cooking tips apply to most air fryers to achieve the most successful and tasty results.

1. Preheat For best cooking and crisping results, always preheat your air fryer. This takes around just 3 minutes and will ensure an even and thorough cook.

2. Season and Evenly Coat with Oil For best results season and coat your foods with a bit of oil. Spray oil works wonders in an air fryer allowing you to easily adjust the amount to achieve desired level of crispiness

3. Don’t Overfill Do not overfill when cooking to ensure food is cooked thoroughly and prevent food contact with heating elements. Instead, air fry food in batches or use a multiple zone air fryer.

4. Select the Right Settings Cooking instructions will vary based on the appliance. The time and temperature you select for your air fryer will be based on individual settings and food.

5. Shake or Toss For best results, frequently shake or stir your food throughout the cooking period.

Air Fryer Top Recipes

At Quorn we’re big on convenience. Our range of easy-to-prepare products can be made even simpler with air frying. Why not try your favourite Quorn products air-fried? Our Quorn Crispy Nuggets take as little as 10 minutes in a Ninja Air Fryer for crispy perfection.

Need some more inspiration? Our new air fryer recipes are ready for munching in a matter of minutes for quick and healthy vegan and vegetarian meals.

Quorn Air-Fried Taquitos

A fiesta in your air fryer! Taquito dreams are achieved with an air-fryer. Our easy air fryer recipe creates perfectly crisp tortillas filled with all your favourite Mexican flavours. Serve with avocado cream sauce and your choice of sides and dips.

Perfect your taquitos with Quorn Mince here.

Air Fryer Fried Rice with Quorn Vegan Fillets

Your favourite side dish made even easier. Cooked rice and Quorn Vegan Fillets are transformed in just 15 minutes. Packed with veggies and Chinese flavours, and a great use for leftovers too!

Try our fully vegan and fully loaded air fryer fried rice recipe here.

Air Fryer Dorito-Crumbed Fillets

It's time to hack-up your cooking with our Dorito-Crumbed Fillet recipe! Using our Quorn Fillets coated in creamy buttermilk and tangy tortilla chips, air-fried to crispy perfection.

Treat yourself to a little indulgence without all the grease here.

Air Fryer Popcorn Pieces with Buffalo Sauce

Quorn Pieces are delicious air fried in just a little oil. But why not take your snacking to the next level for the ultimate fakeaway experience with our air fryer popcorn Quorn Vegan Pieces?

Try our popcorn pieces and buffalo sauce recipe here.

Air Fried Crispy Nugget Caprese Skewers

Inspired by all your favourite Italian flavours, our tasty skewers make a great summer sharer and BBQ accompaniment.

Try our quick 15 minute recipe using Quorn Crispy Nuggets here.

Cutting out the meat is made even simpler with air frying. Fry all your favourite Quorn Products the easier and healthier way.

Click here to find out where you can buy Quorn products for your Air Fryer.

¹ Ninja 2021 - https://admin.ninjakitchen.co.uk/product/ninja-foodi-dual-zone-air-fryer-af300uk/