Air Fryer Benefits And Disadvantages: Is It Really The Healthier Option?

Air frying is fast becoming a preferred cooking method mainly because it no longer requires the use of oil to prepare food.

This appliance makes use of high temperatures that are evenly circulated within the unit to bake, grill or fry almost anything, without affecting quality. More importantly, air frying is the cooking style of choice of the health conscious, as it helps to lower one’s calorie intake without depriving you of your favorites.

But like any other appliance, it has its list of benefits and disadvantages. Is an air fryer really the healthier option? It is, generally, but there are some caveats.

Air Fryer Benefits

Compared to frying food deep in oil, air frying reduces the amount of calories you eventually consume by as much as 80 percent. It also bakes meats relatively faster than putting them in the oven. Those who don’t typically enjoy vegetables will also appreciate that this appliance can crisp them up, making them more enjoyable to eat.

Plus, air fryers are quicker and easier to clean compared to using an oven or pans. If you’re sensitive to food smells, you’ll be happy to know that air frying won’t fill up your space with that oily smell that usually sticks around for hours.

Air Fryer Disadvantages

Not all oils are bad. In fact, plant-based fats like olive oil and avocado oil offers plenty of benefits, especially for the hormones and the brain. You might want to consider supplementing with healthy oils if you want to go the air fryer route. Another downside to using this appliance is that cooks your food using flashes of high temperature, thus making it more prone to burning or charring if not monitored.

Most air fryers also have small capacities, so if you’re preparing a meal for a large group, you might need to use several or cook in batches.

Should You Use An Air Fryer?

Overall, an air fryer offers a quicker and healthier way to prepare fried food. While the appliance is typically more expensive, the long-term wellness benefits are simply priceless. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can start eating just fried foods every day, as too much can lead to different types of heart-related illnesses.

It is still important that you have a balanced diet. If can invest in such a device, it is recommended that you do so. Look for the BPA-free options while you’re at it, too.