I Asked a Four Seasons’ Chef About the Best Vegetables to Air Fry
If you’ve been forced to eat bitter, mushy vegetables for years, the phrase “eat your vegetables” may trigger mealtime post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As adults, we have the freedom to choose vegetable (if any) what we want to eat and how to prepare them.
I was recently Mas At the Four Seasons Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, I was blown away by a grilled maitake mushroom that is marinated, grilled over a fire, and glazed with garlic and soy sauce. If my parents had served such a side dish, I certainly wouldn’t have stuck my tongue out in disgust before being sent to bed without dessert.
While this preparation may seem limited to commercial kitchens, executive chef Ryan Ratino insists these killer mushrooms can be recreated in a powerful air fryer.
“Of course,” he confirmed. “We don’t use air fryers in the restaurant, but we do use high-power combi ovens, and with the right settings, they’re very similar.”
In addition to the amazing fungi, there are many other vegetables that play a very important role in the appliances that have taken over kitchens around the world. We tapped Latino’s expertise for tips on perfecting air-fried vegetables.
looking for starch
Potatoes and other starchy vegetables are made for the air fryer.
Virtually anything can be made in the air fryer, but some ingredients last longer than others. “Potatoes, sweet potatoes, yucca, plantains and mushrooms are best served in an air fryer,” Latino advises. That’s because they contain starch, which not only allows them to withstand rapid, extreme temperatures, but also retains moisture inside and a crispy exterior.
Avoid fibrous green vegetables
Kale, spinach, and other leafy greens don’t stand up well to the high temperatures of an air fryer.
Vegetables like broccoli and asparagus can certainly be thrown into the air fryer, but that may not be the best way to maximize their potential. “They dry too quickly before they brown, and they have a poor texture,” says Latino.
In addition to the above starches, you can also choose Brussels sproutsgreen beans, zucchini, eggplant, and onions, which have layers, pockets, and/or thick skins that can withstand oil, coating, air, and rapid heat. One exception to the fiber rule is broccoli. Broccoli’s fibrous cousin is denser and contains more moisture, which means it’s less likely to burn in the air fryer basket.
Blanch the vegetables
Thick Brussels sprouts are the perfect air fryer treat.
Perhaps the most important air fryer tip, at least for vegetables, is blanching. “Blanching helps retain the moisture in the vegetables while trying to brown them,” explains Latino. Simply boil a pot of water, add the vegetables for one to five minutes (or when they are brightly colored), and then immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water. Drain and dry vegetables before storing or cooking.
Lightly oil and spread over vegetables
Spraying with cooking oil ensures the vegetables don’t burn or burn.
To add crunch and moisture, Latino recommends spraying it with a thin layer of oil and coating it with fried onions. But feel free to experiment with other crunchy additions, such as panko, bread crumbs, crushed crackers, or even pork rinds. Not only do these add mouth-watering texture, but they also add flavor that can change anyone’s perspective on what healthy means.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using an Air Fryer
Cauliflower is another great option for the air fryer.
The advantages of the air fryer are obvious, with time, color and texture high on Latino’s list of favorite perks. While traditional frying techniques promise more consistent and, frankly, tastier results, these machines cut corners, taking less time to cook and more time to eat.
That said, air fryers do cause ingredients to dry out faster, so it’s important to keep an eye on the temperature and cooking time. This may require a lot of trial and error, although some of the science in the kitchen can be fun for novice cooks.
Also, it’s worth noting that air fryers can become difficult to clean over time because large amounts of food are constantly being added to the air fryer’s small space.
But no matter how you swing—er—bake it, the air fryer is now a kitchen countertop staple and the perfect way to fulfill the recommended portions of the Everyday Food Pyramid.
For more air fryer tips, see your The air fryer you forgot to clean and how much you can do save energy Use an air fryer instead of a large oven.
