Are Air Fryers a Healthier Way to Cook?

How Air Fryers Work

In recent years, air fryers have become a popular appliance for people looking to make healthier food choices. Despite the name, air fryers do not actually fry food. They rapidly circulate hot air to cook food, creating the crispy texture you might expect from deep frying. Compared to true deep frying, this cooking method requires significantly less oil, or none at all.

“You can achieve a crispy, golden texture with up to 75% to 90% less oil than deep frying, which significantly reduces total fat and calorie intake,” says Julie Allen, Registered Dietitian with Riverside Diabetes Wellness and Endocrinology Specialists.

Choosing Healthy Foods Still Matters

However, an air fryer does not automatically make every food healthier. A frozen snack, breaded food or highly processed item may still be high in sodium, calories or refined carbohydrates, even when prepared in an air fryer. The overall nutritional value depends on the ingredients used and the balance of the meal.

Healthier ingredients can be easily prepared in air fryers, such as vegetables, chicken, fish, and other lean proteins, helping you make smarter food choices.

Tips for Safe Air Fryer Cooking

There are additional details to consider when using an air fryer. Cooking certain foods at high temperatures can lead to the formation of potentially unhealthy compounds, especially in starchy foods that are overly browned or burnt. Avoiding overcooking and following safe cooking practices can help reduce these concerns.

Air Fryers Can Support a Healthy Lifestyle

Air fryers can be useful tools for healthier cooking. With reduced reliance on added oils, food can have less fat and lower calories while maintaining the crispy texture of traditionally fried food. As with any cooking method, the overall healthiness of your food depends on eating a well-balanced diet and practicing moderation.

Riverside Healthcare’s Weigh to Healthy Living Program can help you make healthy lifestyle changes that lead to improvements in overall health. Learn more at myrhc.net/weightohealthyliving.

Sources:

Cleveland Clinic, “Are Air Fryers Healthy?”
UPMC HealthBeat, “Is Cooking With an Air Fryer Healthy?”
Banner Health, “Are Air Fryers Healthier or Just a Bunch of Hot Air?”