Food cooked in an air fryer is growing increasingly popular, with many touting its health benefits compared to traditional fried foods. In an air fryer, food is cooked by circulating hot air around the food to create the crispy exterior we’re used to from deep-fried food. But are air-fried foods really healthy?
When it comes to calories, air-fried foods can be healthier than traditionally fried foods. Air frying typically requires less oil than deep frying, which means fewer calories and fat per serving. Food cooked in an air fryer can also have fewer calories than food cooked in a conventional oven, as the hot circulating air helps to quickly crisp up the exterior of the food and no extra oil is needed.
Air-frying is also a great way to reduce unhealthy trans fats found in some pre-packaged fried foods or restaurant meals. Trans fats are linked to increased levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol and are considered less healthy than other types of fats.
However, it’s important to remember that just because something is fried in an air fryer doesn’t mean it’s necessarily healthy. Many people choose to use their air fryers for indulgent dishes such as french fries or onion rings – which are not very healthful options – even though they are made with less oil than if they were deep-fried.
Conclusion:
Overall, using an air fryer can be a healthier way to prepare some types of fried food compared with traditional deep frying methods. However, it’s important to remember that just because something has been cooked in an air fryer doesn’t necessarily make it healthy; some dishes may still be high in fat, salt and sugar despite being fried with less oil.