Can an Air Fryer Be Used for Gluten-Free Cooking?
Can an air fryer be used for gluten-free cooking?
Yes! An air fryer can be a highly effective kitchen appliance for people who are on a gluten-free diet. Since an air fryer uses heat and air to cook food, it should have no issues cooking ingredients that are gluten-free. However, make sure to dedicate that air fryer strictly to gluten-free foods, find yourself a gluten free cookbook, and avoid cooking batter, leafy greens and cheese in your air fryer.
9 tips for using an air fryer for gluten-free food
Without further ado, these are our top 9 tips for people on gluten-free diets who want to use their air fryer.
Tip 1: Use a dedicated air fryer for gluten-free food only
Eating gluten-free food is an option for many who seek to live a healthier lifestyle. For some, it is necessary as they may suffer from gluten sensitivity, which is merely a light reaction to eating gluten, which may include stomach cramps or bloating, amongst other symptoms. But, for others, it is crucial that a separate, dedicated air fryer be used to prepare gluten-free food.
Celiac Disease is different from gluten sensitivity. Celiac disease can be fatal and therefore makes it pertinent not to prepare food that contains gluten in the same air fryer as food that is gluten free to prevent cross contact.
Tip 2: Invest in an air fryer cookbook for gluten-free food
Both Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity have received a lot of media attention over the last few years. The idea behind the coverage is to promote a healthier lifestyle that does not include the consumption of gluten. And now, both chefs and novice chefs are writing entire cookbooks, filled with recipes, on how to live a lifestyle that is void of gluten.
There are key differences in preparing food that contains gluten versus food that does not contain gluten. Food items such as poultry, pork, fish, or beef, for example, may be very delicious and popular, but, these food items do contain breading which is the source of the gluten. For those who are trying to avoid gluten for health reasons, this can be very harmful.
Some air fryer cookbooks are dedicated to gluten free cooking and are filled with helpful hints and substitutions. This helps individuals who do not eat gluten but still want to enjoy, more or less, the same type of foods as those who consume gluten, but without the risk. Gluten-free breading can be used as a substitute.
Tip 3: Avoid air-frying battered foods, leafy greens, and cheese
There are some foods should not be cooked in an air fryer. This is because an air fryer uses very high temperatures and a fan to circulate air rapidly though its compartments. Battered food, such as battered fish, cannot and should not be prepared in an air fryer.
The hot, circulating air, means that the batter will either drip off of the food into the tray at the bottom, or if it’s a light batter, will splatter on the inside of the air fryer. Similarly, cheese will simply melt and drip to the bottom of the tray. In addition, foods like leafy greens that are very light, may cause problems in an air fryer. The rapidly circulating air may lift the greens and blow the greens against the heating element.
Tip 4: You can use canola oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, and vegetable oil in a gluten-free air fryer
Beyondceliac.com states that most cooking oils are safe to use in a gluten-free air fryer as they do not contain any gluten. These include olive oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, as well as vegetable oil.
Tip 5: Join a gluten-free air fryer community
Joining a community that has the same interest as you means that you can share and receive information regarding topics or events that relate to your shared interest. Ideas, thoughts, and recipes are among the things that can be shared among community members. Members are able to receive support from their community as well as resources and passion for their shared interest.
Tip 6: Only purchase foods with the FDA and EU label “gluten-free”
When opting to purchase gluten-free products, consumers should keep an eye out for products that contain the FDA or EU label that clearly state “gluten free”. These establishments hold manufacturers to high, and often very specific standards when it comes to producing and labeling food as gluten free. It also ensures that no cross contact occurs during the manufacturing process.
Tip 7: Quinoa, brown rice, and buckwheat are gluten-free grains for air fryers
There are a variety of whole grains that do not contain gluten. In fact, these whole grains are safe for consumption by those who suffer from gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.
Tip 8: Use your air fryer to add more fruits and veggies to your diet
There are a plethora of recipes that allow users to add more vegetables and fruit to their diet by using an air fryer. Air fryers are able to produce mouth-watering roasted vegetables. You could cut up your favorite fruit into thin slices and add it to the air fryer to make fruit chips.
Air fryers are a great appliance to dehydrate food and create thin slices of chips or dried fruit. In larger air fryers, whole vegetables, such as asparagus, carrots, or even green beans can be air fried. If you are a fan of the blooming onion, then you will be very excited to know that you can now prepare your favorite side dish in an air fryer as well.
Tip 9: A gluten free diet is also beneficial for people with celiac disease
As previously stated, a gluten free diet will benefit those that suffer from gluten sensitivity and more importantly, those that suffer from Celiac Disease. An air fryer is such a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used to cook a variety of dishes by incorporating various techniques.
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