Are Air Fryers Overrated? Why Critics Think They're A Waste - Tasting Table

"Between sky-high grocery prices and a need to reduce waste and clutter, downsizing your kitchen to the essentials is now more important than ever. When it comes to appliances, basics such as a toaster, microwave, kettle, and the like are certainly vital. Though it was once America's favorite kitchen appliance, it seems that the air fryer has waned in popularity to the point where some critics - including this writer - deem it a waste."

"With the promises of using less oil than deep frying and lowering cook times, the number of easy air fryer recipes and opportunities for culinary creativity are almost too good to be true. These bulky and cumbersome machines often make more of a mess than they are worth. With a fairly steep learning curve, there's a lot of room for wasting food and not being able to get the most out of an appliance meant to streamline food preparation."

Sky-high grocery prices and a desire to reduce waste and clutter have increased interest in downsizing kitchens to essential appliances. Basics like a toaster, microwave, and kettle remain vital. Air fryers have lost popularity despite promises of using less oil and shortening cook times. Bulky, cumbersome machines can create messes and require a steep learning curve that risks wasting food. Air fryers work well for reheating leftovers and crisping canned or frozen foods but often struggle to cook raw chicken and similar proteins thoroughly. Hot-air cooking favors dry-seasoned foods and limits battered items like beer-battered onion rings.

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