What is an Air Fryer?

An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that cooks food using rapidly circulating hot air. Its core working principle is to simulate the effects of deep-frying, but with little to no added oil, thereby producing "fried" foods that are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and healthier.

Core Working Principle

1. Rapid Air Circulation: A heating element at the top of the unit generates high heat, and a built-in high-power fan creates high-speed, three-dimensional circulation of the hot air within the sealed cooking chamber.

2. Rapid Heat Conduction: The high-speed hot air directly penetrates the surface of the food, quickly removing moisture from the outer layer.

3. Maillard Reaction: The food surface undergoes the Maillard reaction and caramelization at high temperatures, forming a crispy, golden-brown crust that achieves a "crispy" texture similar to deep-frying.

4. Even Heating: The powerful circulation from the fan ensures the heat evenly envelops the food, often eliminating the need to flip items (though some basic models may still require turning food halfway through).

In simple terms, it is essentially a compact convection oven with a fan, using extremely efficient hot air circulation to cook food quickly and impart a fried-like texture.

Main Features

• Healthier & Less Oil: Cooking requires only a light brushing of oil on the food surface, or even no oil at all, significantly reducing fat intake.

• Simple, Convenient & Fast: Typically requires no preheating or preheats very quickly, with cooking times shorter than those of traditional ovens.

• Safe & Easy to Clean: Eliminates the need to handle large amounts of hot oil, avoiding oil splatter and smoke issues. Most parts are detachable for easy cleaning.

• Versatile: Not only can it "fry," but it can also handle baking, roasting, toasting, and reheating (e.g., chicken wings, sweet potatoes, cakes, dehydrating fruits).

Primary Application Scenarios (What Foods Can It Cook?)

• Frozen Prepared Foods: Chicken wings, french fries, chicken nuggets, spring rolls, frozen pizza (works exceptionally well).

• Meats: Roasted chicken wings, roasted ribs, roasted lamb chops, garlic pork ribs.

• Vegetables: Roasted sweet potatoes, roasted potatoes, roasted mushrooms, cauliflower, asparagus.

• Seafood: Roasted shrimp, roasted fish, calamari rings.

• Baking & Pastries: Small cakes, egg tarts, cookies, reheating bread/pizza.

• Others: Drying nuts, making dried fruit, and even reducing sauces for some dishes.