Have you noticed all the Black Friday deals that are starting to appear in the shops and online? One item that lots of people are looking out for is an air fryer. It’s certainly been a topic of conversation in classes recently, so whether you’re already an air fryer connoisseur or have just made the plunge to purchase one, here are some Slimtone tips and ideas. (Remember, as models vary, you may need to adjust the times for the one you have.)
Potatoes are probably the starting point for many of us with an air fryer. It’s perfect for delicious roast potatoes, jacket potatoes, chips, in fact almost every variation you can think of!
Hasselback New Potatoes are a particular favourite – they’re really tasty and easy to prepare. Simply slice a potato several times widthways making sure you don’t cut all the way through. A great tip to stop this happening is to pop the potato onto a wooden spoon and then cut it! Clever, eh! Now mist the potatoes with low cal cooking spray and sprinkle lightly with salt. Pop the potatoes into a pre-heated air fryer at 180C for 20 to 25 minutes. These are delicious served with the Spicy Chicken and Bacon and a selection of roasted vegetables.
Spicy Chicken and Bacon
Make a slit in a chicken breast and fill with stuffing mix. Pop 2 bacon rashers around the chicken and cook in the air fryer for 15 minutes until cooked through and crispy. This is great for Sunday lunch with roast potatoes and frozen Yorkshire pudding – all cooked to perfection in the air fryer. Served with lots of vegetables and you’ve got a quick and convenient meal!
The air fryer is great for cooking fish too. Here are some quick ideas.
Honey and Garlic Salmon
Serves 2 – 225 cals per serving
2 salmon fillets, approx 140g/5 oz each
2 tbsp honey
¼ tsp garlic powder/1 tsp fresh garlic, minced
1½ tbsp soy sauce
Combine the honey, soy sauce and garlic powder and stir to mix. Divide the sauce in half. Marinate the salmon fillets with half the sauce and pop in the fridge for 30 minutes. Preheat the air fryer to 100C and place the salmon fillets in the air fryer. Air fry for 7-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon. When cooked, serve hot drizzled with the remainder of the sauce. Enjoy!
Marie’s Tip: I really enjoy salmon and the air fryer is so useful for a quick, healthy meal. Simply mist a square of kitchen foil with low cal cooking spray, pop the salmon in the centre, season and add a little sweet chilli sauce. Make a parcel of the foil, ensuring the salmon is covered well. Pop in a pre-heated air fryer for 7 minutes. Delicious with the Hasselback potatoes and lots of vegetables.
Tuna Cakes
Makes 12 – approx 83 cals per cake
1 x 12oz can tuna chunks in water 2 eggs
½ cup seasoned breadcrumbs 4 tbsp mayonnaise
2 tbsp lemon juice ½ diced white onion
½ tsp salt ½ tsp black pepper
Drain the tuna and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and gently mix together. Note: you want the mixture to be reasonably firm. If it seems too squishy, add a little more breadcrumbs to the mix. Spray your air fryer basket with low cal cooking spray. Form the mixture into patties and place about four into the air fryer basket – don’t overcrowd them, you want room to flip them easily. Cook at 190C for 12 minutes, flipping at the halfway mark. Remove and set aside, then continue until all the patties have been cooked. Serve immediately. Salmon can be used instead of tuna if you prefer.
Frozen fish cakes can be cooked quickly to make a meal in minutes.
Here are some other tips and ideas from Slimtone members.
- You can use any ovenproof kitchen utensils in your air fryer – Pyrex, gratin dishes, foil, pierced parchment paper or any of the air fryer liners which are now available on Amazon and eBay. Our members highly recommend the silicone ones which are so easy to clean.
- If you are using breaded foods such as fish etc, always mist them first with low cal cooking spray and you’ll find this makes a delicious crispy crumb. Ideal for fishcakes and, most importantly, fish fingers!
- Have a go at using your air fryer for frozen Yorkshire puddings, Portobello mushrooms, tomatoes, French bread pizza….. What else have you tried? It’s also great for re-heating meals you have already prepared or meals straight from the freezer!
- The air fryer is great for the children too. It’s so convenient and you can prepare a tasty meal in minutes. Ideal for Smiley Faces, Chicken Nuggets, fish fingers, beef burgers, Alpha Bites, sausages and frozen chips.
- Do you enjoy an egg sandwich? Simply spray a ramekin or small dish with low cal cooking spray. Crack in an egg and pop the dish into the air fryer for about 5 minutes. Your eggs are ready to make into a sandwich and serve with lots of crispy salad.
Have you got some tips on how you use your air fryer? Why not come along to class and share your ideas. We’re a couple of weeks into our Countdown to Christmas with suggestions and ideas about how to stay on the straight and narrow to help ensure you maintain your healthy eating all the way up to the big day! Give yourself the gift of a slimmer, healthier new you for Christmas.
There are classes all across the Bridgend area – check them out here. You know you’ll always have a warm welcome and lots of fun and laughter!
Marie x
Recent Comments