The Tennessean reports Republican Tennessee State Senator Steve Southerland is in hot water for misappropriation of campaign funds to purchase a car… and an air fryer? Perhaps a more appropriate phrase is “hot air.” Southerland spent a reported $50,000, $277 which went to a high end air fryer. Not great news for Tennessee constituents, but at least he’s looking to eat healthier?

He’s not the only one. In 2023, the World Economic Forum (WEF) and Statista did a study of Americans’ eating habits. At least 50% of Americans say they are actively improving their diets. A different Statista study finds Air Fryer sales across America have skyrocketed since 2015, with other sources anticipating more growth in the coming year.

Rise of the Air Fryers

Two-thirds of Americans who own an air fryer use them regularly, according to market research platform Circana. The research group published the results of its 2023 Kitchen Audit Study, aimed at following United States food trends. Also notable: fewer than a third of Americans own a wok or frying pan.

Air fryer popularity is changing the face of food retail, too. Nestlé‘s U.S. Pizza and Snacking Division president, Adam Graves told Christopher Doering for FoodDive, “The future is all about the air fryer. It’s really just a generational shift that you’re going to see.”

Changing Food Norms

Graves comments on customers’ new-found love of air-fried Hot Pockets. This U.S. snack icon is famous for its crisping sleeve, using microwave-absorbing material to heat the product. The result is a crisp, brown Hot Pocket pizza shell — albeit with a molten-hot filling. However, customers prefer to air fry their Hot Pockets now — so much so that Nestlé abandoned the sleeve altogether.

Danilo Alfaro of The Spruce Eats argues “an air fryer is simply a smaller convection oven with a catchy name.” A convection oven works similarly, transferring hot air over the food, giving food a crispier finish than a standard oven. The main difference with the smaller, cooler-named version is the proximity to the food.

Having a lower volume and fans closer to the ingredients means heat transmits quicker and more intensely than its larger cousin. While there are larger 10-quart air fryers on the market, they suit smaller households. A large convection oven could save time for bigger families and batches of food.

Why Buy an Air Fryer?

Cleveland Clinic lists several health benefits to air fryer:

Less oil. While cold-pressed olive oil has great health benefits in a cool state, it isn’t the case when hot. Traditional deep-frying produces 80% more calories.Fewer trans fats increase the risk of bad cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes.Lower acrylamide is an agent found in high-heat cooking. A study published in the Journal of Food Sciences reveals that air-frying reduces acrylamide by roughly 90% compared to deep-fat frying.

Furthermore, the textures produced by air fryers can be close to the much-loved deep-fried variation.

The Food Network reviewed air fryers currently on the market, using items such as frozen french fries, bone-in, skin-on chicken, and cake mixture. Its top-pick produces “crispy fries,” as well as ” juicy chicken and a well-baked cake.”

More Than Just a Frying Machine

Some might balk at the idea of baking a cake in an air fryer. For singles and couples, an air fryer might not extend beyond tostadas, chicken wings, and chimichangas, though they might be surprised that air fryers’ are adaptable for all kinds of meals.

Metabolic Research Center says one of air fryers’ best features is the precious time they save. Cooking time is halved, leaving home chefs to complete other tasks in the meantime. The convection aspect of an air fryer means all the heat inside recirculates into the food, reducing the need for slow cooking or braising.

Moreover, buying wood chips, arranging a smoker, or building a charcoal fire is no longer necessary. Meat lovers and barbecue fans with no backyard can also enjoy air fryer beef brisket. Grilling purists might be horrified: some recipes suggest a cook time of 20 minutes for completely done brisket.

Going Mainstream

Air fryers are now so familiar that celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has dedicated an entire series to them. He shows how to cook a wide array of air-fried dishes, including salmon, cheesecake, and even baked Alaska. Rather than release his usual “Jamie’s” branded cookbook, Oliver invites subscribers to join Jamie’s Ultimate Air Fryer Recipes online.

While there is much to love about air fryers, there are some drawbacks, namely cleaning. The undercarriage can become congealed if not cleaned frequently; also, some cheaper line products may not cook food evenly. Some cooks may even prefer a halogen oven.

Ideal Home’s Helen McCue tested both. Citing better outcomes and a lower electrical cost, McCue knows where her heart lies: “For me, it’s a no-brainer: an air fryer is the way to go!” And that’s enough for many.

— — —

This article was produced by Media Decision and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.