Brandi Crawford - The Super Easy Air Fryer Cookbook: Crave-Worthy Recipes for Healthier Fried Favorites

Copyright 2018 by Rockridge Press, Emeryville, California

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Designer: Merideth Harte
Editor: Salwa Jabado
Production Editor: Andrew Yackira
Photography Hlne Dujardin
Author Photo: Jene Osterheldt, Lifestyle and Culture Columnist
Brandi illustration by Merideth Harte

ISBN: Print 978-1-64152-049-2 | eBook 978-1-64152-050-8

To my mother, Denise, my biggest supporter, and Kiya, the best assistant Stay Snatched will ever have

CONTENTS

GROWING UP, WE ATE A LOT OF FRIED FOOD IN MY HOUSEHOLD. From fried chicken to smothered pork chops to catfish, we pretty much fried everything. My favorite has always been a big, juicy burger and a side of French fries (I love fries so much I often order a large). Throughout adolescence, I was always labeled skinny, so I didnt worry about what I ate, but those days caught up with me in adulthood. I started to pack on weight, and everyday tasks, like walking up a flight of stairs, became a struggle. This was my wake-up call to focus on my health. I took charge and researched fitness and nutrition, reading everything I could get my hands on. I developed a routine based on advanced weekly meal prep and regular exercise, and my health improved. When I committed to this lifestyle, fried food became a thing of the past.

Enter the air fryer. This seemingly magical appliance has allowed me to reintroduce my beloved childhood favorites because it dramatically cuts the fat. I can now indulge in my fried-food cravings using only a fraction of the oil used for deep-frying.

I admit, the first time I used my air fryer I was nervousand a little skeptical. I did not fully understand how this appliance could fry food. Naturally, fries were the first thing I tested in my air fryer. I used my simple, oven-baked recipe, monitoring the fries closely to determine when they were finished and how much time had elapsed. I was amazed by the results! The fries were crispy and crunchy, but more importantly, the process felt painless. Next, I tested air-fried chicken wings. Each time I opened the air fryer basket throughout the cooking process, I could hear the sizzle of the chicken. It not only sounded like fried chicken; it tasted like fried chicken!

Like any kitchen appliance, it takes time to get accustomed to using the air fryer. As you practice, you will develop techniques that work best for you. One of the first things I discovered is how important it is not to overfill the air fryer. Not only will your food cook unevenly, but it wont have the signature crunch youre seeking. This means some meals may have to be prepared in batches. (Note: I recommend setting food aside as it is finished cooking. Once you have cooked all of your batches, you can reheat the food in the air fryer for a couple of minutes so that the food is warm when served.) Im eager to share more techniques and processes that have worked well for me on my air fryer journey. Experiments have been my best teacher.

I understand how hard it can be to get food on the table when youre juggling items on a to-do list thats a mile long. The recipes in this book are designed to be easy meals that require only a few ingredients, the majority of which are everyday staples. Ive also included substitutions throughout so you can use whats on hand in your fridge or pantry. The air fryer has been very beneficial for my lifestyle because, between workouts and recipe development, I am extremely busy. Many of the recipes found in these pages can be prepared in 30 minutes or less from start to finish. This cookbook delivers healthier everyday meals without compromising the amazing fried flavor we all crave.

Lets dive in!

In this chapter, Ill cover everything you need to start cooking fast and easy meals in your air fryer. Ill outline how air frying works and why this appliance will quickly become one of your most valued kitchen tools. Getting started may seem daunting, but I promise, once you get going, using an air fryer will feel like second nature. Ill also break down the attributes for various air fryer brands currently on the market. My hope is that this information proves to be helpful for those of you in the market for purchase; and if you already own one, you may discover new features of your air fryer you never knew existed.

Easy as 1, 2, 3

With the air fryer, meals in minutes can be your new reality. You will save time making these recipes because there is no need to wait for your air fryer to preheat. For the majority of models, once you power on the appliance, the air fryer heats up instantly. Even the cleanup process is a cinch! Most models include a dishwasher-safe air fryer basket and drip pan (be sure to check out the manual included with your model). Deep-frying can be dangerous, with hot oil splattering, and requires a large amount of oil. It is always a hassle to determine the best way to dispose of the rancid leftover grease. The air fryer eliminates these issues altogether.