You may have heard many good things about the air fryer in the UAE, so you’re here. This trendy kitchen appliance has gained popularity, as people look for ways to cook food at home with ease. Even those who lack cooking knowledge can easily use an air fryer to prepare simple meals. That may have led you to consider buying one. However, you must research first and learn how to use an air fryer. Here’s a guide to help minimize your guesswork.

About air fryers

Before anything else, you need to remember that an air fryer in the UAE is not a deep fryer. Air fryers use hot air, which supposedly makes them better for healthy cooking. They are small, powerful ovens. So, don’t expect your favorite fried foods to come out looking just like those served from popular restaurants. That said, the air fryer is significantly less oil-intensive and less messy.

How does it work?

An air fryer is like a convection oven that can bake, broil, and roast. In convection cooking, fans blow and circulate hot air around the vessel, so the temperature remains equal throughout the oven.  The airflow in an air fryer is akin to the heat distribution of deep-frying with hot fat.

Things to expect

When you get your air fryer in the UAE, you’ll find components like the removable basket and a perforated tray or a grate. Wash them before use and make sure they’re dry. When setting up the appliance, make sure it’s on a heat-resistant surface and at least eight inches away from a wall.

Check the manufacturer’s manual, as some may require their air fryer to run empty for 10 minutes to let it off-gas before you cook in it. Don’t let the slightly chemical smell or that ‘new appliance smell’ bother you much as it should be a one-time thing.

There are a few things to keep in mind when using an air fryer in the UAE:

• Keep the grate in the basket to let hot air circulate and prevent food from soaking in excess oil.
• Air fryers can be noisy because of the whirring fans.
• Manual operation is still required. When browning, you have to remove the basket and move your food around every few minutes.
• Refer to the manufacturer’s manual for a table of temperatures and cooking times. Remember that food in an air fryer cooks fast!

You can also buy it from any electronics retailer in UAE or your nearest National Store, also available on Noon.com or Amazon.ae.