The Northern Irish cook and author, Nathan Anthony, is well-known for his popular Instagram page called ‘Bored of Lunch’, which has a whopping 1.6 million followers. In fact, Anthony is so passionate about air fryers that he wrote a cookbook entirely dedicated to them, titled Bored Of Lunch: The Healthy Air Fryer Book. So, what makes him love air fryers so much? His simple answer is that “you can create healthier versions of some of your favorite foods.” Additionally, air fryers offer cost-saving benefits. Although you do have to invest in the machine upfront (prices can range from around €100 and up), the running costs are cheaper compared to an oven. Plus, you tend to use air fryers for a shorter amount of time than a conventional oven.
According to Anthony, you can also use your air fryer to make healthy snacks to keep you energized throughout the day. For example, you can make crispy chickpeas or dehydrate fruit to top your breakfast oats. So, if you’re thinking about getting an air fryer or feeling unsure about where to start with yours, here are Anthony’s top tips:
1. Invest in a thermometer: Since air fryers tend to cook food in about 60% less time compared to ovens, Anthony recommends using a meat thermometer until you perfect your timing with recipes.
2. Oil sprays are your best friend: Air fryers are a healthier choice because they use less oil while still achieving crispy results. Anthony suggests using a low-calorie spray to coat your food, stating that it’s essential for keeping food delicious and crispy. If you don’t have oil sprays, you can simply use a tablespoon of oil and a pastry brush to glaze the food instead.
3. Silicone liners will reduce mess: To save yourself some cleaning time and keep your air fryer clean, you can purchase inexpensive silicone liners and trays or use baking paper to cook your food on. This makes cleaning easier compared to placing food directly in the air fryer.
4. Don’t forget to preheat: Anthony enjoys making ‘fakeaway’ dishes in his air fryer, such as his honey chili chicken recipe. For these kinds of recipes, he recommends preheating the air fryer for about two minutes, which is much less time than preheating an oven. This ensures ultra-crispy coatings or batters as the food instantly hits the heat, resulting in a crispier outcome.
5. Choose the right model: When buying an air fryer, Anthony suggests opting for one with a basket since it provides the best results. Some air fryers have a rotating option that moves the food, but in his experience, it removes some of the coating from the food. With a basket, you can lightly shake the food to achieve a perfectly even cook.
To showcase the versatility of air fryers, here is a mouthwatering recipe for Nathan Anthony’s air fryer sweet potato and chorizo hash:
Ingredients: (Serves 3)
– 600g sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
– 1 tbsp oil or low-calorie oil spray
– 1 tbsp paprika
– 150g chorizo, sliced
– 1 tbsp light or half-fat butter
– 1/2 tsp chili flakes
– 1 garlic clove, grated
– 4 tbsp Greek yogurt
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Fresh dill, to sprinkle
Method:
1. In a bowl, combine the sweet potatoes, oil, and paprika.
2. Air fry the potatoes at 190°C for 14-15 minutes, and add the chorizo for the last 2-3 minutes.
3. While the chorizo is cooking, put the butter, chili, and garlic in a microwaveable bowl and microwave for one minute until the butter is melted.
4. Season the yogurt with salt and pepper.
5. Serve the hash drizzled with the yogurt, then top with the melted garlic chili butter and sprinkle with fresh dill.
Nathan Anthony’s book, Bored Of Lunch: The Healthy Air Fryer Book, is published by Ebury Press with a price of €26.60/£18.99. The book features photography by Clare Wilkinson.
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