5 surprising things you can make in an air fryer

You’ve probably noticed that air fryers are all the rage these days. And for good reason — they’re quick, convenient and a great way to indulge in your favourite foods without the added guilt!

While air fryers have been around for years, they’ve soared in popularity in recent months thanks to the sale of affordable options in stores such as Aldi, Coles and Kmart. They can be used to cook a range of foods and work by circulating hot air around the food to achieve a crunchy, crispy exterior, without the need to use an excess of oil.

Not only can you make traditionally fried foods like potato chips, but it’s also good for desserts, meats and veggies. So, if you’re thinking about jumping on the air fryer bandwagon anytime soon, here are five surprising things you can make.

Tarts

Short on time? Next time you whip up some delicious tarts, pop them in the air fryer — they’ll only take eight minutes to cook! Just remember to preheat the air fryer to 160 degrees beforehand. An air fryer also allows you to make the perfect custom tarts. One mum became a viral sensation recently after she shared her super-simple recipe for making banoffee inspired tarts in her trusty air fryer.

Cupcakes

Yep, that’s right. Instead of waiting for your tasty cupcakes to bake in the oven, you can pop them in the air fryer for just 12 minutes. How easy is that? And you don’t have to stop there. You can bake a whole cake in there too!

Roast chicken

Believe it or not, you can actually roast a whole chicken in an air fryer. Set the temperature to 180 degrees and let it sit for about 45 minutes before flipping it over and cooking for another 15 minutes. If it’s frozen, just remember to place the chicken in the fridge overnight to thaw out. To punch up the flavour, drizzle a little bit of olive oil over the chicken before cooking!

Hard-boiled eggs

Boiled eggs are an all-time favourite for breakfast, but sometimes the easiest dishes are the hardest ones to get right. We’ve all be there — you’ve gone to drain your eggs, only to find one has cracked and now you’re left with a funny-looking boiled egg. The good news is, you can make the perfect boiled eggs in an air fryer. All you have to do is set the temp to 200 degrees and cook for about 13 minutes. Just remember, this may slightly vary depending on your make, so we’d recommend trying one egg at a time at first.

Grilled cheese toastie

Grilled cheese toasties are great, but all that extra butter can’t be good for the waistline. So for a healthier alternative, pop it in the air fryer. Not only will it be a better-for-you option, but it’s also a lot quicker!

Puff pastry

Expecting last-minute guests? Clear out your leftovers to make a savoury scroll, sprinkle some cheese over the top and pop in the air fryer. The best part is, it takes less than 30 minutes to bake but will still achieve those golden and flaky layers. Your guests will surely be impressed!