Air Fryer Professional Chefs

Are Air Fryers Worth The Buzz, Or Just A Load Of Hot Air? (Chefs Weigh In)

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Air fryers have crisped their way into our hearts in the past years, becoming one of the most in-demand kitchen appliances today. With air fryers becoming a household staple and one of the best things to happen to their kitchen since the dishwasher, most people are probably curious to hear what professional cooks have to say about the air fryer hype, especially those who are thinking about investing in this equipment. And just like everyone else, we are too!

We here at DaDongNY have decided to dive deeper and uncover world-renowned chefs’ opinions about air fryer microwave oven combos. Are they the casual i-once-tried-this-ers? The die-hard air fryer aficionados? Or are they avid haters? Let’s find out right away!

Air Fryer From A Household Cooks Standpoint

Before we begin, it’s just right that we discuss what some home cooks think about this trendy kitchen appliance, given that over 26 million air fryers have sold over the last two years, demonstrating the massive revolution that the air fryer has brought to the masses.

And right from the get-go, the people from Kitchn expressed that they were all aboard the metaphorical air fryer express and showed their satisfaction regarding this piece of appliance. One of their contributors, Danielle Blundell, shared,

“I’m in love with an appliance, and I’m ready to go public as being a pro-air fryer.”

Danielle Blundell, Contributor at Kitchn

Their Deputy Food Director, Grace Elkus, also added that she was convinced on how everyone will shell out their cash for air fryers, especially if they tried making air-fried donuts. According to her, everyone can make the most delicious comfort food in 10 minutes with just a can of dough and the teeniest oil spray.

Megan Splawn, one of the skeptics of the air fryer, was blown away by the results upon trying the air fryer toaster oven. She then gave bonus points (if there ever was a tally point) for not having to run the oven all night because of how fast it cooks the most delicious hors d’oeuvre, air-fried chickpeas.

Kitchn also shared Catherine McCord of Weelicious’s obsession with her Philips Airfryer XXL, one of the top air fryers for chicken wings in 2023

According to McCord:

“The air fryer is seriously the easiest thing in the world to use — no joke. I don’t think I’ve ever made a chicken as good as the roasted one in the air fryer.”

Catherine McCord, Weelicious

Verdict

The enthusiasm for air fryers among home cooks has been overwhelming. Despite the initial cynicism towards this kitchen equipment, their standpoint has significantly changed as they discovered how these air fryers could accomplish much more than cooking chicken wings or chips than an oven ever could. 

How Do Professional Cooks Feel About Air Fryer

As we learn how most home cooks feel about the trendy kitchen equipment, it’s time to discuss what professional chefs had to say during their interview with FEMAIL that will shed light on our curiosity regarding their standpoint on the air fryer talks.

Lello Favuzzi, Executive Chef at Macellaio RC and one of London’s premier chefs, shared his preference for traditional ovens over air fryers, especially for those who work in a professional kitchen. While he describes air fryers as a great convenience, especially for couples who don’t have time to cook, he doesn’t recommend them for large families who cook often. 

Calum Montgometry, the owner of four AA Rosettes, was also asked about his thoughts on air fryers, and he praised the technology for being a key tool in his line of business. 

He says,

“It’s one of the best things I’ve bought for my household kitchen. It’s versatile, much more convenient than a gas or electric oven because you switch it on, and it’s good to go in seconds.” 

Calum Montgometry, Owner of four AA Rosettes

He also revealed how he uses it often for post-service pakoras. 

Kenny Tutt, MasterChef 2018 Champion, has expressed similar sentiments to Calum. The owner of a few restaurants in the UK and an air fryer skeptic told the interviewer that he would try this kitchen equipment, especially when he needed a quick and easy dish. 

He also said that:

“Considering it has the ability to make cooking a bit easier and cheaper, and the whole idea of it circulating hot air and oil to make things crispy, I’m leaning towards it not being a fad and actually something that could be really useful to people.”

Kenny Tutt, MasterChef 2018 Champion

Recipe Developer Jules Domanski unabashedly declared that air fryers are “definitely worth the hype.” She also mentioned in the interview that the new air fryer models with new and improved features piqued interest in the appliance. 

She said:

“There are super affordable ones that are the perfect size for a single person living alone, through to Ninja models, which have over a dozen functions outside of air frying – they’re definitely worth the hype!”

Jules Domanski, Recipe Developer

Jules Domanski shared that she has been creating various recipes using her air fryers, such as chili cheese fries or Shepherd’s Pie with crispy air-fried hash browns, and told the interview that it’s important to challenge the stereotype: that they’re only used for chips.

Verdict

Following several reactions from some of the most prominent chefs in the United Kingdom, their perception was more varied. While most agree that air fryers are useful in the home for simplicity of cooking and energy savings, Lello Favuzzi does not recommend using air fryers in commercial kitchens and, when used often, to serve large family members.

Calum Montgometry, on the other hand, begs to differ because he has highlighted how the air fryer has become an indispensable tool not only in his home but also in his business.

Can An Air Fryer Be Used In A Commercial Kitchen?

Air fryers have become popular kitchen equipment in recent years, particularly in restaurants. They provide numerous advantages for any commercial kitchen and are cleaner, safer, and more environmentally friendly than traditional deep fryers. They also use little to no oil, so there is no need to buy, use, or replace cooking oil regularly.

Why Do Restaurants Use Air Fryers?

  1. Convenience

Restaurants are always looking to minimize their operations to save time and money in the form of air fryers. As opposed to deep fryers, which are still commonly used in many restaurants, they also require less supervision and can be left unattended while the food cooks. 

Air fryers are also exceptionally easy to clean because they do not require oil, which can result in messy grease splatters. The air fryer’s circulation of hot air cooks food uniformly on all sides fast and efficiently, with little risk of burning or overcooking. 

  1. Variety

An air fryer provides restaurants with a wide array of menu options, including a variety of different sorts of cuisine that can be produced rapidly. While most air fryers are intended to prepare fried dishes, they can also bake, roast, and grill. This implies they can make appetizers, main dishes, and desserts.

Restaurants often use air fryers for delicacies like chicken wings, fish, mozzarella sticks, and French fries, as well as desserts like doughnuts, pies, and cakes. Restaurants benefit greatly from efficiency and variety in increasing sales and profitability.

  1. Taste

Some people believe that food cooked in an air fryer does not taste as delicious as food prepared in a typical oven. The truth is that air fryers can make juicy and crisp food without hazardous oil.

One of the reasons why air fryer food frequently tastes better is because the concentrated heat allows spices and condiments to deeply enter the food item, infusing it with a stronger flavor. Furthermore, because air fryers cook food quickly and evenly, there is little risk of it drying out or getting overcooked.

  1. Health Benefits

Cooking with an air fryer has several health benefits, one of which is that it eliminates the need for cooking oil or olive oil, reducing the amount of fat and calories in the air fry food it prepares.

Another significant benefit is that air fryers are non-toxic and do not discharge dangerous chemicals into the food. This makes air-fried dishes far safer to consume than typical fried foods.

Also, air fryers are known to prevent the creation of acrylamide, a potentially cancer-causing chemical that occurs when meals are fried at high temperatures. The risk of consuming food contaminated with this hazardous chemical can be reduced by cooking with an air fryer.

Is There Any Downside On Using An Air Fryer In A Commercial Kitchen?

There are certain downsides to employing air fryers in industrial kitchens. They can be more expensive than other cooking gadgets, require more trial and error to achieve the desired result, and require regular cleaning and maintenance. However, the advantages of utilizing an air fryer outweigh the disadvantages, making them a popular option for busy chefs.

Bottomline

Air fryers offer food generally healthier than food fried in oil, which may appeal to health-conscious diners. Furthermore, air fryers can drastically cut cooking time, allowing food to cook faster and more efficiently.

The bottom line is that, despite the pessimism expressed by amateur and professional chefs about this piece of kitchen equipment, there is no doubting the immense convenience it brings to everyone. Whether you are an individual who does not have the time to cook a selection of simple and delicious recipes for yourself or a businessman looking for a critical piece of equipment to reduce all the unneeded time and money spent on the operation, an air fryer is unquestionably the answer.

To understand more about air fryers, visit the link to discover everything you need to know about this handy kitchen appliance.

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