Air fryers: how they work

In short: An air fryer prepares food using circulating hot air, creating a crispy surface with significantly less fat than classic deep frying. The appliance basically works like a compact convection oven.

In more detail: A powerful fan circulates heated air inside the closed cooking chamber, browning food evenly from all sides.

In detail

• Air circulation: A heating element warms the air, which a powerful fan then directs around the food at high speed.
• Fat reduction: Instead of being submerged in oil, the food is coated with only a little or no additional fat, significantly lowering fat content.
• Maillard reaction: The high, even heat promotes the browning reaction on the surface, which creates flavour and crispiness.
• Cooking basket: A perforated basket or rack lets hot air reach the food from all sides and prevents it from sitting in excess fat.
• Preheating: Many air fryers reach their operating temperature significantly faster than conventional ovens, saving cooking time.
• Suitable foods: Potato products, breaded vegetables, and frozen ready meals in particular benefit from being prepared in an air fryer.
• Cleaning: The basket and interior should be cleaned after each use, since grease splatters and food residue can otherwise build up (backofen-funktionsweise, klimaanlage-und-ventilator-funktionsweise).