Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a fast, convenient and healthy way to cook food with little to no oil. The Chefman air fryer is a popular model that uses rapid air technology to crisp and cook food using little to no oil. A common question is whether you can also grill foods like steaks, veggies or kabobs using your Chefman air fryer.
Can You Use an Air Fryer to Grill?
The short answer is yes, you can use a Chefman air fryer or any other air fryer to grill foods to some extent. However, there are some limitations and considerations to keep in mind:
– Air fryers are much smaller than regular outdoor grills, so you will be limited in how much food you can grill at one time. Most air fryer baskets hold around 3-5 servings of food.
– You won’t get the same char or char lines on foods as you would on an outdoor grill. Air fryers don’t get quite as hot and the heating elements are on top rather than below.
– You need to flip and move foods frequently to avoid burning and get even cooking. This can be tedious if grilling large batches.
– Air fryers lack a cover so some foods may dry out quicker than on a covered grill. You’ll need to monitor and add cooking liquids frequently.
– Vegetables or small items may fall through the grates so you need items that are large enough or use a grill basket.
– Don’t expect the same smoky barbecue flavor – air fryers don’t impart any smoke flavor like barbecue grilling does.
So in summary, while you can mimic grilling to some extent in an air fryer, the results will be quite different than true outdoor grilling. For occasional grilling or small batches it can work, but serious grillers will likely find the limitations frustrating.
Tips for “Grilling” in an Air Fryer
If you do want to try grilling foods in your Chefman air fryer, here are some tips:
– Use metal skewers for kabobs to prevent burning. Soak wooden skewers first.
– Brush a light coating of oil on foods to aid browning.
– Flip items halfway through – because heat comes from above, flipping is key for even cooking.
– Spritz a little broth, juice or water during cooking to prevent drying out.
– Cut food into larger, uniform pieces – small or thin pieces will burn or dry out.
– Use a grill basket for small items like veggies or shrimp that may fall through grates.
– Don’t overcrowd – leave space for air flow; cook in smaller batches.
– Watch closely to avoid burning. You may need to finish thicker foods on the stovetop.
– Add a smoky flavoring or sauce to compensate for lack of true barbecue flavor.
Foods That Are Best for “Grilling” in an Air Fryer
While most foods can be attempted in an air fryer grill, the following types of foods tend to work best:
– Vegetables – zucchini, squash, potatoes, eggplant, asparagus
– Fruits – pineapple, peaches, apples
– Meat kabobs – beef, chicken, shrimp
– Burgers – patties should be at least 1/2 inch thick
– Hot dogs or sausages
– Boneless skinless chicken pieces – breasts, thighs
– Fish fillets or steaks – salmon, halibut, tuna
– Vegetable or fruit kabobs
– Grilled sandwiches – panini style
Thick steaks, chops and other meats may end up undercooked in the middle in an air fryer. Very small or fatty fish like sardines may also not grill up well. Stick to firm, uniform cuts of meat and seafood.
Tips for Grilling Specific Foods in an Air Fryer
Here are some tips for grilling popular foods in your Chefman air fryer:
Steaks:
– Cut at least 1 inch thick for even cooking
– Flip every 2-3 minutes to prevent burning
– Cook 5 minutes then finish a few minutes per side on the stove
– Let rest 5 minutes before slicing
Kabobs:
– Soak wooden skewers 30 minutes or use metal
– Use chunks or pieces, not thin slices which will burn
– Brush with oil and flip frequently
– For even cooking, cut veggies and meat into equal sized pieces
Chicken:
– Use bone-in pieces or cut breasts horizontally to flatten
– Brush with oil and spice rub
– Flip every 5 minutes for even browning
– Cook 10 minutes then finish on stovetop if needed
Sausage:
– Choose pre-cooked sausages if possible
– Pierce sausages before cooking if raw
– Flip a few times for even browning
– Cook 5-10 minutes until heated through and browned
Fish:
– Use thicker, firmer fillets at least 1 inch thick
– Brush a light coating of oil
– Flip halfway through cooking
– Cook fillets 6-8 minutes until cooked through
Vegetables:
– Cut into large uniform chunks or wedges
– Toss with a little oil, salt and pepper
– Use a grill basket as needed
– Flip vegetables every 3-4 minutes
Fruit:
– Cut into wedges or thick slices
– Use a grill basket as needed
– Flip after 3-4 minutes then cook 2-3 minutes per side
– Brush with a glaze or melted chocolate in last 2 minutes
Best Practices for Grilling in an Air Fryer
Here are some top tips to follow for the best results grilling in your Chefman air fryer:
– Don’t overfill – leave space for air circulation
– Brush or toss food with a little oil
– Preheat 5 minutes before cooking
– Flip food frequently and rotate for even browning
– Use metal skewers for kabobs
– Add smoking wood chips to add flavor
– Adjust cook times as needed based on thickness
– Finish thicker foods on the stovetop if needed
– Let foods rest 5 minutes before serving
– Use a meat thermometer for doneness, especially thicker cuts
– Add sauces or spices the last few minutes only
– Clean the fryer basket thoroughly after grilling meats
Following these tips will help ensure your “grilled” dishes come out with nice color, charring and flavor when cooking in the Chefman air fryer. While not exactly the same as outdoor grilling, it can produce satisfying results.
Grilling vs Air Frying Comparison
While you can mimic grilling to some extent in an air fryer, there are some notable differences between true outdoor grilling and “grilling” in an air fryer:
Factor | Outdoor Grilling | Air Fryer “Grilling” |
---|---|---|
Temperature | Very high heat, 500-700°F+ | Max. 400°F |
Heating Method | Open flame or heated grates below | Heating elements on top |
Smoke Flavor | Gets infused from open flame | No real smoke flavor |
Charring | Good charring and grill marks | Light surface charring only |
Flipping | Only need to flip once | Must flip frequently |
Cook Time | Quick for thinner items | Usually longer |
Results | Authentic barbecue flavor and char | Mimics grilling but not the same |
As you can see, while air fryers can cook food in a similar fashion to grilling, an outdoor grill is superior for true grilling in terms of temperature, smoke infusion, charring and authentic barbecue flavor. Air frying works best for occasional grilling or small batches rather than trying to replicate true barbecue grilling.
Grilling Accessories for Air Fryers
There are some accessories available that can enhance your ability to grill foods in an air fryer:
Grill baskets – These fit inside the air fryer basket and have slits to allow air flow while holding small items like veggies or shrimp.
Skewers – Long metal skewers ensure kabobs cook evenly without burning.
Grates – Some air fryers offer optional raised grates similar to a grill.
Wood chips – Adding a smoker tube or wood chips infuses a light smoke flavor.
Grill pans – These allow juices to drain away while adding grill marks.
Meat thermometers – Essential for ensuring meats are cooked to proper doneness.
While not required, accessories like these can enhance your air fryer grilling experience and help compensate for some of the limitations compared to regular grilling.
Best Air Fryer Grill Recipes
Here are some delicious recipe ideas for grilling in your Chefman air fryer:
Kabobs – Steak, chicken, shrimp or vegetable kabobs. Marinate meat and vegetables then thread onto skewers. Grill 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally.
Burgers – Form seasoned beef or turkey into 1/2 inch patties. Grill 8-12 minutes flipping once halfway through. Add cheese in the last 2 minutes if desired.
Brats or sausages – Cook pre-cooked sausages or raw bratwursts 10-15 minutes, flipping occasionally until browned and heated through.
Chicken wings – Toss wings in a seasoning or sauce. Grill 25-30 minutes until cooked through, flipping occasionally.
Fish – Brush fish fillets with oil and seasonings. Grill firmer fish like salmon or halibut 6-8 minutes per side.
Vegetables – Toss cut veggies in oil and seasoning. Grill 10-15 minutes until tender and charred, stirring occasionally.
Fruit kabobs – Alternate fruit like pineapple, peaches or apricots with marshmallows. Grill kabobs 5-10 minutes until fruit is warmed and marshmallows browned.
Don’t be afraid to get creative with seasonings and sauces to give air fried foods delicious grill flavors. A little experimenting can result in some tasty “grilled” meals from your Chefman air fryer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of Chefman air fryers can you grill in?
Most Chefman air fryer models have a grill function or reach temperatures up to 400°F needed for grilling foods. Models like the Chefman TurboFry, Digital Air Fryer Oven, XXL 8-qt Digital Air Fryer and Dual Basket Air Fryer are all suitable for grilling.
Can you grill meats like steak or chicken in an air fryer?
Yes, you can grill meats like steak, chicken, sausages and kabobs in an air fryer. The results won’t have the same char and smoke flavor as outdoor grilling, but air fryers can cook meats nicely as long as you brush with oil and flip frequently.
What is the maximum thickness of steak to grill in an air fryer?
Aim for 1-inch thick steaks as a maximum thickness to grill in an air fryer. Thinner 1/2 inch steaks will cook through better. Thicker cuts run the risk of undercooking in the middle before the outside burns.
Is grilling healthier than frying or broiling meats?
Yes, grilling is generally healthier than frying or broiling. Grilling allows fat to drip away rather than sitting in cooking oil. Air fryers use little to no oil for a healthier version of “grilling” compared to deep frying.
What temperature and time should you grill steak in an air fryer?
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Grill 1-inch steaks about 5 minutes per side, flipping halfway through to get grill marks on both sides. Check for doneness and allow to rest 5 minutes before serving.
Conclusion
While air fryers like the Chefman don’t offer a true grilling experience, they can mimic and approximate grilling foods better than other cooking appliances. Following the tips provided on foods to grill, recommended techniques and accessories to use, you can achieve satisfactory results grilling in your air fryer. It provides a convenient option for occasional indoor grilling when you don’t want to fire up an outdoor barbecue. Just keep proper expectations and work within the limitations of air fryer grilling to get the best possible results. With some practice you can soon be turning out tasty “grilled” dishes with your Chefman air fryer.