Kelsey Todd on UnsplashWith kitchens getting smaller, we don’t have room for a toaster oven, microwave, grill, and stovetop anymore. Luckily, you don’t need to! Thanks to the beauty of modern science, we now have a catch-all cooking method, known as the air fryer.

This funky little machine has been around since 2010, but really became popular around 2017. It’s loved for being a quick and easy method to cook just about anything, without the excess butter or oil usually required for pan-frying or baking.

But how does it work? Oh, we are so glad you asked. How can this little guy make such crispy food without any added frying components? Let’s put our lab coats on and get to work.

Sci-Fry

The name “Air Fryer” is both truthful and misleading. For one, it doesn’t actually fry anything. Instead, food is placed into a basket while the machine blows hot air around it.

The scientific term for this is convection, which you may remember from your middle school lessons. There are two types of convection, natural and mechanical. Natural convection occurs through density changes, like air currents, or when water boils. Mechanical convection is when a piece of machinery is used to aid in this process.

Now that we’ve learned our terminology, we can understand what’s going on in that little machine that makes our fries so crispy. As the hot air whirls around and around, the exterior gets nice and brown while the interior is cooked, making your favorite foods come out exactly how you want them to. 

So, yes, the air fryer uses air, even though it doesn’t actually “fry” your food in traditional terms.

What Goes In There?

Kskhh on Wikimedia

If you’re considering adding an air fryer to your collection, you should be aware of what items can and cannot go in there. Your standard meats, veggies, and starchy foods are among the most common options for frying, as are leftovers, bread, and bacon.

This sounds pretty good, so what can’t I put in there? Great question! Foods with a wet or beer batter will cause more harm than good, and won’t get that crispy texture you’re looking for. Leafy greens, uncooked rice, liquids, baked goods, or bone-in meats are also not meant to be cooked via the air fryer. Keep those to your pots, pans, or ovens for safe and optimal cooking.

Anything Else I Should Know About?

For those of you who are concerned about a little thing called PFAS, where you can be exposed to chemicals via non-stick coatings, the air fryer does have potential health risks. However, if you purchase a high-quality fryer that has a glass, ceramic, or stainless steel interior and do your best to avoid damaging the coating, you’ll probably be fine. 

Regardless, this nifty little tool is incredibly helpful in the kitchen, especially for those who are constantly needing quick and healthy dinners. You never know, it could be a game-changer for you.