Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a convenient way to make fried foods with less oil. Many models, like vortex air fryers, use rapid air circulation technology to crisp up food with little to no oil needed. This leads many people to wonder – can you actually grill foods in an air fryer?
What is a Vortex Air Fryer?
A vortex air fryer is a type of air fryer that uses a tornado-like air vortex to quickly circulate hot air around food. This allows food to cook fast and evenly from all sides without the need for flipping. Vortex air fryers feature a unique star-shaped convection system with an angled heating element and fan. The sloped interior shape helps guide the airflow and creates a cyclonic vortex effect inside the cooking chamber.
The constant tornado of super heated air envelops the food fully to mimic the results of deep frying. Foods come out crispy on the outside and tender inside. Popular vortex air fryer brands include Cosori, Instant Vortex, Ninja Foodi, and Phillips Viva Collection.
Can You Grill in a Vortex Air Fryer?
The short answer is no – vortex air fryers are not really designed for grilling. While air fryers can give food a nice char and caramelization through convection heat, they cannot truly replicate the direct radiant heat effect of grilling.
Here are some key reasons why vortex air fryers fall short of replicating true grilling:
- Lack of open flame – Grilling relies on an open flame to impart flavor through fat drippings and smoke. Vortex air fryers cook food in an enclosed chamber.
- No grill marks – The constant hot air vortex leaves food evenly browned but does not create grill marks.
- Smaller batches – Grills can handle large batches well while air fryers have limited capacity.
- Lower heat – Most air fryers only reach 400°F while grills can exceed 500-600°F.
- No smoke flavor – Grilling over an open flame infuses food with smoky barbecue flavors.
Can Air Fryers Mimic Grilling?
While vortex air fryers cannot truly grill, they can somewhat mimic the results of grilling through rapid hot air circulation. Here are some tips to get grill-like outcomes in an air fryer:
- Use grill seasoning – Coat food with barbecue dry rubs or marinades.
- Partially cook – Parcook meat/veggies first to get color then air fry.
- Get char marks – Use a grill pan or accessory with ridges in the air fryer.
- Add smoke – Add a small amount of wood chip smoke to infuse flavor.
- Brush oil – Lightly brush or spray oil to help browning reactions.
While you won’t achieve the exact same results as traditional grilling, using these techniques can still give you tasty and convenient “grilled” food from an air fryer.
Benefits of Using a Vortex Air Fryer
Although vortex air fryers can’t truly grill food, they still provide a number of advantages over outdoor grilling for quick and easy meals:
- Less oil needed – Air frying uses little to no oil compared to deep frying.
- Doesn’t heat the house – Grilling outdoors in summer can warm up your home.
- Quick preheating – Air fryers preheat in just 3-5 minutes.
- Easy cleanup – Food crumbs and drips are contained in the fryer basket.
- Versatile – An air fryer can also bake, roast, reheat and dehydrate.
- Consistent results – The enclosed chamber ensures food cooks evenly.
- Safety – No open flames needed which is safer for homes with kids.
Disadvantages of Vortex Air Fryers
While vortex air fryers provide convenience, there are some drawbacks to consider as well:
- Small capacity – Fryer baskets only hold 2-5 servings of food.
- No grill flavors – You miss out on smoky barbecue flavor from an open flame.
- Lower heat – Maximum temps around 400°F may not properly sear meats.
- No grill marks – Food will lack visual char lines from grates.
- Limited accessories – Most units only include a basket and tray.
- High electricity use – Rapid air circulation requires constant high power.
Tips for “Grilling” in a Vortex Air Fryer
Here are some top tips to achieve the best possible grill-like results when cooking in your vortex air fryer:
- Use a grill tray – Accessories like a grill plate or pan get nice char lines.
- Flip halfway – Frequently turn food for even browning.
- Brush with oil – Lightly coating food helps promote browning reactions.
- Choose fatty cuts – Well-marbled proteins will crisp up easier than lean cuts.
- Par-cook first – Get color on a skillet or grill then finish in the air fryer.
- Layer seasoning – Coat food in spices, herbs and smoky rubs before air frying.
- Keep it loose – Avoid overcrowding so air can properly circulate.
- Adjust cook times – Extend cooking times for crispier and darker results.
- Check often – Peek in frequently to monitor browning.
- Finish with sauce – Brush barbecue sauce on during last minutes of cooking.
Best Foods to “Grill” in an Air Fryer
Here are some of the best options for mimicking grill results in your vortex air fryer:
| Food | Cook Time | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken wings | 18-22 minutes at 400°F | Toss in sauce after cooking |
| Chicken breast | 15 minutes at 380°F | Brush with oil and spice rub |
| Pork chops | 14-16 minutes at 380°F | Choose bone-in chops for extra flavor |
| Burgers | 7-9 minutes at 380°F | Use patties thinner than 1 inch |
| Kebabs | 10-12 minutes at 400°F | Parcook meat first then add veggies |
| Hot dogs | 5 minutes at 360°F | Use precooked dogs |
| Vegetables | 10-15 minutes at 380°F | Toss in oil. Great for peppers, onions, zucchini |
| Fish | 8-12 minutes at 400°F | Works best with fattier fish like salmon. Spray with oil. |
Common FAQs about Grilling in an Air Fryer
Can you get grill marks in an air fryer?
You cannot get true sear marks from grill grates in an air fryer. However, accessories like grill plates and pans with ridges can mimic grill marks in an air fryer. Another option is to parcook food on an outdoor grill first to get marks, then finish cooking in the air fryer.
Is air fried food healthy?
Air frying is healthier than deep frying since little to no oil is used. However, air fried foods are still higher in fat, calories and sodium compared to other cooking methods like baking, broiling or poaching.
Do you have to flip food in an air fryer?
Flipping food occasionally as it cooks can promote more even browning in an air fryer. However, the constant circulating hot air in a vortex model means that flipping is not absolutely necessary.
Can you put wood chips in an air fryer?
Yes, a small amount of wood chips wrapped in foil can be added to infuse food with a light smoky flavor. Avoid wood chip amounts larger than a packet of seasoning as too much smoke can overwhelm the food.
What’s the difference between air frying and baking?
Air frying uses rapidly circulating hot air to crisp and brown exterior surfaces. Baking relies on ambient heat in an oven to gently cook food all over. Air frying results in crunchier, more fried-like textures.
Conclusion
While vortex air fryers cannot truly replicate grilling, they can achieve somewhat similar results through rapid hot air circulation. Allowing you to enjoy traditionally grilled foods indoors with speed and convenience. With the right techniques and expectations, a vortex air fryer can be a versatile appliance that can mimic the fast cooking and crispy textures of outdoor grilling.