With all of its unique Rapid Air Technology, Philips introduced the first Air fryer in the market in 2010 in Berlin at the Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA), a significant consumer electronics exhibit. With up to eighty percent less fat, this innovative cooking technique is used to obtain delicious meals.
The fryer technique used in air fryers was developed by Fred Van der Weij. When fat-free fryers first appeared, Fred got the idea from them. By 2007, he had figured out how to improve them and create the air fryers we use today.
You enjoy eating whatever you can get your hands on, but sometimes you are unable to do so due to the effects it will have on your health. But after having an Air fryer, busy homes can prepare great fried meals without the effort and mess associated with conventional frying techniques.
You can enjoy healthy, hearty home-cooked meals with fried dishes with the air fryer, which makes it simple to prepare everything from chicken wings to frozen fries.
Let us dig over the origin of the Air Fryers, continue reading to learn more!
What is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer, like a convection oven, can bake and roast dishes, but its design allows for faster and more even cooking for extra crisp results.
The air fryer, which has a heating mechanism and a fan built into the top, quickly heats up and circulates hot air, cooking food in the metal frying basket. Because of the concentrated heat source, the dish will have a crunchy, almost deep-fried texture as long as the air fryer is not overcrowded.
Types of Air Fryer
- Paddle-Type Air Fryer
- Basket-Type Air Fryer
- Countertop Convection Oven
When looking for a new appliance for your kitchen, you want to make sure that it can handle a wide variety of dishes and food types.
Although air fryers are not the most ancient appliance on the market, they provide incredible cooking power and versatility. I’ve always loved fried food, but as I’ve gotten older, the thought of soaking my meals in hot oil has become less appealing, at least for everyday use.
How was the Air Fryer invented?
In 2005, Dutch inventor Fred Van Der Weij began working on the air fryer with the simple objective of discovering a non-deep-frying method for crisping food.
He said that before his invention, other home-based methods for preparing fries took too long and produced inconsistent results. They were dried out, for example, in a convection oven.
After spending three years creating a prototype, Mr. Van Der Weij presented his egg-shaped fryer in 2010 at the Internationale Funkausstellung, a significant consumer electronics trade show in Berlin.
To more effectively heat the food’s surface, it coupled close-range radiation with greater airflow. The air-frying technology developed by Mr. Van Der Weij is now patented by Philips.
Mr. Van Der Weij said that making better French fries was somewhat of a holy grail for many businesses and there was no doubt that there was a huge potential for improvement if a means could be found to make handling much simpler and results considerably better. So, he invented the Air Fryer.
The air fryer experienced its first significant sales boom in 2017, and the pandemic gave it a further lift in American households in 2020, but Mr. Derochowski predicted that figure would now be higher.
Manufacturers are adding options to fry, bake, dehydrate, pressure cook, or broil as air fryers become a kitchen standard. Additionally, customers frequently choose an air fryer with a lot of features when they are shopping.
Here’s a video that describes the history of an air fryer:
Is air-fried food healthy?
Generally speaking, air frying is healthier than oil frying. It has much less fat and reduces calories by seventy to eighty percent. This method of cooking could help mitigate some of the other drawbacks of oil frying.
Air fryers continued demand for fried foods and increased health consciousness, air fryers have recently become more and more popular. Manufacturers of air fryers promote their products as a way to prepare and consume fried meals without the negative health impacts of oil-fried food.
Air-fried foods contain less fat in them than those that have been deep-fried, therefore they might be healthier.
The chemical acrylamide is produced during the cooking of potatoes and other starchy foods, and studies have connected this substance to an elevated risk of developing cancer.
According to a research, air frying reduces the level of acrylamide in fried potatoes by ninety percent. Additionally, air frying seems to reduce the omega-3 fatty acids in fish. These “good fats” may aid in heart health by lowering blood pressure, increasing levels of “good” HDL cholesterol, and protecting the heart.
However, not all aspects of air frying may be healthier for you. According to one study, air-frying fish increased the concentration of “cholesterol oxidation products” (COPs). When meat or fish is cooked, the cholesterol in such foods degrades, creating COPs. Studies link these compounds to cancer, artery stiffening, coronary heart disease, and other illnesses.
The advantages and drawbacks of air fryers
A few benefits of utilizing an air fryer:
| Easy to clean | Compared to deep fryers, cleaning your air fryer requires very little work. Because air frying uses so little oil, it’s simple to clean with just a gentle bristle brush, dish soap, and running water. It’s not a mess! |
| Easy to use | Simple as pie and lemon squeezy. Once you have an air fryer in your possession, there is no going back because it is so simple to use. You can simply set the mode and duration, then add your frozen treats, such as nuggets, fries, onion rings, or chicken fingers. You can also reheat food from in it. |
| Safe to use | Please be aware that, unlike microwaves, there is NO radiation emitted from using an air fryer if you are concerned about its possible ill effects. The users of this standalone device are also shielded from heat and splattering oil. Not only that, but as the timer expires, it immediately turns off to keep your food from burning. |
| Nutritious meals | In addition to being easy to use, your air fryer may be used to prepare a variety of healthful dishes. With this equipment, you can cook with less or no oil because the food won’t absorb extra oil. Less fat and calories as a result! If you are unsure of where to begin, there are numerous straightforward and healthful meals available online. |
| Doesn’t occupy much room | Even the largest air fryer won’t take up too much room on your countertop. The majority of air fryers are only a little larger than a tiny oven or coffee maker. They fit on the countertop because they are so little. There are also attractive air fryers that go well with your equally lovely kitchen. |
Drawbacks of Air Fryer
| It’s quite pricey. | Despite the availability of air fryer choices on the market, the high-end, aesthetically beautiful models cost a lot of money. A top multipurpose air fryer (which doubles as a pressure cooker and an air fryer) costs more than RM1,500 in Malaysia and has extra functions such as a multi-layered rack for grilling or steaming. |
| Insufficient space for big families | Depending on the capacity, air fryers are typically quite tiny. If you have a large family, you might want to stick to using an oven or conventional pots and pans. |
| Scorched food | Different air fryer kinds have various modes and settings. This indicates that the same dish is prepared differently while using various air fryer brands. Your meal may burn, dry out, or even turn unpalatable. It all comes down to experimenting with different foods and cooking styles when using an air fryer. |
| Minimal power cable | The short power cable of an air fryer is one of its shortcomings. If the power outlet is close to where you intend to put the air fryer, it won’t be a problem, but if it isn’t, you’ll need a power plug extender. |
Is buying an air fryer worthwhile? It depends on your budget and how frequently you want to use the item, as well as how much you’re willing to spend on both.
Conclusion
- The one who introduced the first Airfryer in the global market is Philip in Berlin Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) during the year 2010.
- Air Fryer was developed by Fred Van der Weij to give the busy home a technique that they can rely on specifically when it comes to serving the food they love to eat.
- The air-frying technology developed by Mr. Van Der Weij is now patented by Philips.
- Its sales started to bloom in the market when the pandemic started and consumers want an air fryer with different kinds of features like fry, bake, dehydrate, pressure-cook, or broil.
- Air frying is healthier than oil frying. Because it cooks the food with less fat and reduces calories which is beneficial for human day-to-day living.
- Air frying reduces the level of acrylamide in fried potatoes by ninety percent.
- Most of the time, people buy air fryers because of their ease in cooking and cleaning.