12 Easy Whole30 Air Fryer Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Can I use an air fryer on Whole30? ›

Contrary to belief, you can make Whole30 air fryer recipes. I've heard rumblings that using an air fryer isn't allowed on a Whole30, but good news for us. It totally is! You don't need any extra oil, and there's nothing about it that is against Whole30 rules, or really even unhealthy at all.

It's important to eat your veggies, and while there are many ways to cook them—the air fryer isn't a good choice for leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, bok choy, Swiss chard, and kale. This is because the speed of the air causes them to heat unevenly.

So, we ban the seed oils specifically off-limits according to the Whole30 “no grains, no legumes” rules (corn oil, rice bran oil, soybean oil, and peanut oil), and encourage you use healthier oils like extra-virgin olive oil, avocado oil, high-oleic sunflower or safflower oils, coconut oils, or ghee at home and for ...

Vegetable oil – peanut, corn, soybean and ricebran oils are all off-limits, and others like sunflower or safflower oils are discouraged.

Acrylamide is a chemical that can be created by cooking processes including baking, air frying, and toasting. Acrylamide is considered a probable human carcinogen based on the results of studies in laboratory animals.

Households are shelving their air fryers in favour of another kitchen appliance that is cheaper to run, and just as healthy.

In one study, air frying of fish raised the amount of a substance called "cholesterol oxidation products" (COPs). COPs form when the cholesterol in meat or fish breaks down during cooking. Studies connect these substances to coronary heart disease, hardening of the arteries, cancer, and other diseases.

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

What should I try first in my air fryer? ›

Hamburgers. Air fryers aren't really designed to grill red meat, especially if you like your burgers medium-rare. Though it takes a fairly short amount of time for an air fryer to cook the inside of meat to medium-rare, the outside of the burger won't brown as quickly.

It is safe to cook raw meat in the air fryer if it is fully defrosted, seasoned, and monitored. Some fully cooked foods, including chicken tenders or fries, can be placed frozen in the air fryer. However, with raw meat, it's recommended to thoroughly defrost to allow more even cooking and a tasty final product.

To start, air fryers will only cook battered foods if they're frozen, like breaded chicken or fish. If you want to make food with wet batter like churros, you'll need a deep fat fryer. Having tried frozen food, vegetables, and – the benchmark for all frying – fries, we were pleased with the results of both appliances.

An air fryer can be thought of as a sort of mini convection oven. Both appliances use a fan to circulate heated air throughout the cooking cavity. However, a convection oven has a larger capacity.

For that reason we do not allow commercially-prepared fries or chips, or deep-frying starchy veggies and turning them into fries or chips during your Whole30.

I find the texture of most air-fried food a bit off-putting

Air fryers are advertised as a healthier cooking option, mostly because they don't require a lot of oil. But fat has a big impact on the texture of foods. I've found that the appliance typically produces dishes that are more dry than crisp.