What is an Air Fryer and How Does it Work?
Those of you who haven’t (yet) become an air-frying enthusiast—and even those who have—might wonder “How does an air fryer work?” It seems complex or even magical that you can pop your favorite fried foods into an air-fry appliance, and it ends up crispy yet not greasy when it’s done. But it’s really not so complicated.
What is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer can be either a countertop appliance or an oven with an air-fry mode that cooks food by circulating hot air around it, much like a convection oven. The fast-moving hot air creates a crispy outer layer without needing much oil. So, cooking in an air fryer lets you enjoy your favorite fried foods with less guilt and more flavor.
How Does Air Frying Work?
Air frying relies on rapid air technology to circulate heat evenly around your food. You may notice a small fan inside that swirls the air around inside your oven, so your breaded shrimp comes out crunchy. But because it uses a lot less oil, it’s a healthier alternative to deep frying.
Café Tips on Air Frying
- To get the best crisp on your food, use an air-fry basket so the hot air can completely circulate around your food (some dishes require the use of a baking sheet, though, and they work well, too).
- We also recommend using a rack position that places your food closest to the center of the oven. If you’re using a baking sheet or baking tray, lining it with parchment paper helps keep crumbs inside to a minimum and food from sticking.
- And make sure you have your crumb tray or a broiler pan below your basket or baking sheet to catch crumbs or grease, so your oven stays cleaner.
Read our convenient guide for more tips on air-frying.
Amazing Things to Cook in Your Air Fryer
While air fryers are famous for making crispy fries and chicken wings, let your imagination go wild with ideas for crispy dishes. Try one of these delicious suggestions or visit our air-fry recipes.
Asian Meatball Sandwiches
This tasty Asian-style meatball sandwich draws inspiration from the tradional Vietnamese Bahn Mi. No-preheat Air Fry makes it a quick weeknight meal.
Air Fried Brussels Sprouts
Crispy Brussels sprouts at restaurants typically come from the deep fryer. Now you can achieve the same delightfully crunchy texture in your Café oven using the No-Preheat Air Fry Mode.
Blueberry Lavender Hand Pies
These Blueberry Lavender Hand Pies pack amazing flavor in a small bite. Sweet blueberries blend with subtle floral notes from the lavender. Café's No Preheat Air Fry helps make these treats quick and delicious.
Café Air Frying
Café offers quite a selection of smart wall ovens and ranges with built-in No Preheat Air Fry mode. It’s so easy to use—select Air Fry mode and the temperature you need and let the oven do the rest.
Our favorite air fryer, the Café Couture Oven, does a lot more than just air fry. With 14 cooking modes, it’s quite the multitasker. Its spacious interior and versatile settings make it easy to roast, bake, broil, dehydrate, proof, reheat, air fry, and more, so you can whip up quick snacks or meals without turning on your stove or oven.
Choose your favorite way to air fry with Café, create your own air-fry masterpieces, and don’t feel guilty about crunching on your favorite “fried” foods.