IOL Food - November 2022

The air fryer is more than just hot air

Editor’s

SINCE I first heard about air fryers, I have regularly wondered if I should get one for myself.

Like many, I am a fan of fried food, and I am always looking for fun and useful kitchen tools to add to my collection.

But as often as I have thought about investing in an air fryer, I have also questioned whether it is worth purchasing at all.

All I can say is that as we begin to host friends and family again, it is a good time to consider the air fryer. You can make nearly anything in an air fryer.

Some foods are obvious – French fries and roasted vegetables, for instance –but other people also love using their air fryers to cook everything from egg rolls to onion rings.

Unlike toaster ovens, which cook your food using a single heating element at the top

or bottom of the machine, air fryers are essentially countertop convection ovens that cook your food from all angles, using a heating element and powerful fan.

Air fryers are all the rage right now, and we think for good reason!

Despite the word “fried”, no extra oil is needed, and you can make healthy, low-carb meals, sides or vegetables crispy and quickly.

By the amount of buzz it has generated in the past several months, you would think that the air fryer is a recent invention.

The truth is it has actually been around for a decade now. The latest magazine tells you all you need to know about air fryers.

things to know about air fryers

LUTHO PASIYA lutho.pasiya@inl.co.za

IF YOU have an air fryer, you are telling people how great they are; if you have not, you’re talking about getting around to it.

But before you do, keep reading. We have packed this guide with everything you could ever need to know about air fryers, to help you find the best one for you.

1. Air fryers use hot air to ‘fry’ food

Deep fryers rely on oil to give food that signature crunchy exterior while still maintaining that soft inside. The air fryer, though, uses very hot air to achieve the same outcome, almost operating like a mini oven. A heating element at the top of the air fryer forces hot air down and around the food as it is suspended in a basket. The air leaves the food with that crispy taste.

2. Air fryers do not fry

Do air fryers really fry? No!

Air fryers bake and roast while blowing vapourised fat around with a fan. Exactly like a fan oven does, although the smaller cavity and the more powerful fan does make it quicker and arguably more effective. So while you can get delicious crispiness from an air fryer,

you cannot “fry” anything in any meaningful sense. On the plus side, as a result of this non-frying, most air fryer recipes are a lot healthier than their deep-fat fryer equivalents.

3. Everything cooks so fast

When cooking in an air fryer, most foods take less than 15 minutes to fully cook. Typically, you would be used to waiting 20 or 30 minutes to bake chicken breasts in the oven. Sometimes, things cook so fast you do not even realise they are done.

4. They really do help make healthier meals

If you are following a healthy diet, you are probably looking at an air fryer and wondering “are air fryers healthy?” – are they actually better for you overall, or is it just a marketing trick? It has been found that air fryers really are healthier and they “feel” healthier too. When you eat air-fried foods you feel better about yourself than regularly eating greasy, traditionally fried foods. Studies have shown air-fried foods cut calories by 70 to 80% as a result of using less fat and oil. What is more, the air frying process has been shown to reduce exposure to carcinogens that result from deep frying in oil.

5. The inside is entirely coated with non-stick surfaces

The non-stick surfaces make this easy to clean up. However, the polytetrafluoroethylene, also known as Teflon, will eventually deteriorate, and it is all too easy to scratch up the surface with an errant fork or metal tongs.

6. Air fryers can be a little noisy

Due to the turbulent nature of all that convection action, things get a bit loud. The particular pitch and volume are dependent on the make and model.

WHEN cooking in an air fryer, most foods take less than fifteen minutes to fully cook.

| The Washington Post

MANY people are falling in love with air fryers these days because they can recreate some classic favourites. | Pexels

Is cooking with an air fryer healthy?

LUTHO PASIYA lutho.pasiya@inl.co.za

HAVE you been seeing more and more air fryer recipes lately? Many people are falling in love with air fryers these days because they can recreate some classic favourites.

An air fryer is about the size of a toaster oven and can be used for all kinds of recipes from meat main courses to roasted vegetables and more. A major plus of the air fryer is it does not require all of the heat and cooking time of a full-size oven.

Healthy, crispy French fries, onion rings, and nuggets? It seems too good to be true, and in a way, it is. First things first: Air fryers are not actually fryers. They are more like mini ovens, but they circulate hot air all around your little basket of fries. This is able to get foods a little crispier

than what your oven could do – although not nearly as crispy (or satisfyingly greasy) as what would come out of a deep fryer. Is this cooking device actually healthy in addition to being convenient and cost-effective? It can be said with confidence that the number of saturated fats consumed from deep-frying foods is significantly lower, so it is fair to conclude air frying is generally healthier. To get a definitive answer to the question, we must examine precisely how and what we are cooking in our air fryers.

Speaking to dietitian Mbali Mapholi, she said air fryers were developed to help create a more healthful way to cook deep-fried foods, not to replace traditional, healthful methods of preparing foods, such as baking, roasting, and grilling. She said air fryers produce foods with similar flavours and texture to deep fryers at a fraction of the oil that deep fryers need.

“Deep-frying food in oil can cause dangerous compounds to develop, such as acrylamide. By switching to air frying, people can lower the risk of having acrylamide in their food. High indirect consumption of acrylamide may lead to the development or increased risk of certain cancers, for example,

AIR fryers produce foods with similar flavours, and texture to deep-fryers at a fraction of the oil that deep fryers need.

| Pexels

oesophageal cancer.

“The use of little to no oil on the air fryer also is associated with lower intake of calories and total fat which can help promote good health, support weight loss, and contribute to the reduction of diseases of lifestyle.

“It is generally recommended that people should limit their intake of fried foods in general and air fryers being some of the healthier options. Moreover, air fryers are a convenient, timesaving way of cooking which gives people an opportunity to cook more meals at home for good health. However, it is important to note that none of this guarantees that air-fried chicken is more healthful than roasted, grilled, slow-cooked, or pan-seared chicken. There are many other appliances capable of providing healthful, delicious foods. They just do not result in the fried crispy texture that air fryers provide,” she added.

Healthy, crispy French fries, onion rings, and nuggets? It seems too good to be true

LUTHO PASIYA lutho.pasiya@inl.co.za

How to use an air fryer Top tips

ARE you wondering how to use an air fryer? We have got you covered. This informative guide will help you learn how to use air fryers.

Add a little oil

Unless a food is inherently fatty, always add at least a little oil, which encourages browning. Otherwise, the fan could dry out the food before it browns.

Preheat it

Like the full-sized oven in your kitchen, the air fryer only starts cooking once its chamber has heated properly. Save cooking time – and get better results – by running the air fryer for three to four minutes while you are preparing your food.

Airflow is king

Whatever you are doing in an air fryer, you must always have the subject of airflow in the back of your mind. An air fryer uses hot air to cook the food inside. But in order to cook evenly, this hot air needs to be able to circulate all around the food. If you block that airflow, your cooking performance in your air fryer will drop a lot, and may even be unusable.

Use foil or parchment paper

To make cleaning easier for super-messy things (such as wings covered in a sticky sauce) lay them on a sheet of foil or parchment paper on top of the air fryer basket. The power of the hot air moving can cause the sheets to fly, so make sure the food is heavy enough to keep it from flying away

Avoid overcrowding the basket

Even if it fits into the basket, chances are a whole chicken will not cook evenly, so you are better off with chicken parts when it comes to this appliance. Read your owner’s manual to find out how to wash your air fryer.

You might be surprised to find that some parts or accessories can go in the dishwasher. Never submerge the device.

Save

the drippings from the drawer for your

next meal

The fat that collects in the pan does not have to go to waste; you can save it for future cooking, even if it is mixed with a bit of water. It is packed with flavour and can be put away in a container to later use for gravies and stir-fry sauces.

Reheating your food in the air fryer tastes so much better

In just a few moments you can reheat French fries or other “crunchy” foods and bring that delightful crunch back to life, instead of settling for soggy leftovers.

Remember to shake

To make cleaning easier for super-messy things (such as wings covered in a sticky sauce) lay them on a sheet of foil or parchment paper on top of the air fryer basket. | Pexels

To help your food cook evenly and have great colour, shake the basket a few times during the cooking process. This is especially helpful when you’re making smaller items.

ADD a little oil. | Pexels/Ron Lach

Advantages of air fryers

IF YOU are looking for a way to make healthier meals, then an air fryer is a great option.

They are becoming increasingly popular, as more people become aware of their health benefits. If you are considering buying one, here are some of the advantages that you may enjoy.

Easy to operate

Coat your food item with oil and carefully place it in the preheated fryer. Using the recipe book and the control panels, set the time and temperature appropriate for the food item. Once the time is up and your food is cooked, the fryer turns itself off and you can enjoy your meal. Some models stir food as it cooks to allow for even cooking, but if yours does not, just manually stir your food occasionally.

Quicker, more efficient cooking

Air fryers take just minutes to preheat, and most of the heat

LUTHO PASIYA lutho.pasiya@inl.co.za

live a fast-paced lifestyle. This appliance will definitely reduce, not only your cooking time, but your cleaning time as well.

Occupies less counter space

stays inside the appliance. Foods cook faster than in an oven or on a stove top because heat is not lost to the surrounding air. Even frozen foods are quickly cooked because the effect of the heat is intensified by the circulating air.

It is versatile

You can make a wide range of foods, and everything is much healthier. Most brands include a fairly extensive cookbook to practise and cook any dish. If not, almost all have a website where you can find delicious recipes.

Easier clean-up

Air fryers are constructed with non-stick materials to prevent your food from adhering to the surface and to give you an easier time cleaning. This is ideal for people on-the-go and who

If you leave it on the kitchen counter, it will not take up much space. More compact than a convection oven, it can also be stored in a kitchen cupboard.

Crispy and crunchy foods

When deep frying frozen foods, the oil tends to splash because of the interaction of water and oil. With an air fryer, you will be able to avoid those accidents. It cooks frozen foods, like chips and onion rings well, with a crunchy and golden exterior. Do note that the food may not look as golden as deep-fried foods if you simply place them in the air fryer. The result will be better if you spray a little oil on the food.

Nevertheless, an air fryer will give you crispy and crunchy foods rather than soggy ones.

AIR fryer Korean-style chicken wings. | Tom McCorkle for The Washington Post

air fryer hacks you need in your life

SACHA VAN NIEKERK sacha.vanniekerk@inl.co.za

HAILED for making perfectly puffed pies in minutes, roasting chicken until golden brown and juicy on the inside and turning potatoes into crispy morsels of deliciousness, air fryers are fast becoming everyone’s favourite kitchen gadget.

If you’re one of those people who boasts about all the fabulous things they’ve made using their air fryer, you might be surprised to find that there’s

so much more you can do with it than you realised.

From whipping up gravy for your roast dinner with the collected drippings to turning stale bread into a fresh loaf ready to be devoured, these tips and tricks will make you love your gadget even more.

Try these hacks:

Revive stale food

When you bite into a cookie, expecting that satisfying crunch, only to be met with your teeth sinking into something soft and dense, you’re left feeling robbed. This is probably because somebody forgot to seal the bag properly, causing the cookie to absorb moisture from the air. Fortunately, just after just a few minutes in the air fryer and an extra few minutes of cool-down time, you’ll be back to munching on your favourite sweet treat in no time. This trick can be used for dry cereals such as puffed rice, bran flakes and cornflakes as well as crackers, potato and veggie crisps.

Revive soft food that’s become hard Remember that bag of croissants you bought but forgot to reseal? Well, after a few days of sitting at the back of the fridge, they’ve become tough and hard. Your first instinct might be to toss them in the air fryer or microwave and hope for the best. But, in order to give them that fluffy, buttery inside without drying them out further, you’ll need to add a few tablespoons of water to the basin of the air fryer while the croissants are in the basket. This will prevent your baked goods from drying out and losing flavour. The trick works well for other pastries and breads, too.

Collect your drippings

When cooking anything from sausages to chops or chicken in your fryer, make sure you save the drippings that collect at the bottom of the basin. Use them for sauces and gravies as that is where all the flavour lies. Simply pour the juices into a pan, simmer until thickened,

add flour, herbs and seasoning to suit your taste – it’s as easy as pie.

Use in place of a microwave

A lot of people use their air fryers only for cooking meals. However, the beauty of the device is that it can also be used to heat food, so that it tastes as fresh as it did when it left the pan or oven. Whether it’s pizza, leftover fries that have become a starchy, soggy mess, anything crumbed (chicken wings, mozzarella sticks and so on), samoosas or pies, preheat your air fryer, toss in your leftovers for a few minutes and enjoy them for a second time.

Use oil

When cooking things like meat or veggies, make sure you also use oil. Although they’re marketed as oilless deep fryers, you can achieve some of the best cooking results by incorporating a few tablespoons of oil during cooking. Just be sure to choose an oil with a high smoke point, to prevent clouds of white smoke in your kitchen. Opt for sesame oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, almond oil and canola oil.

Shake your basket

Roasting vegetables or making a batch of potato wedges but not getting the crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside result you hoped for? This could be because your basket is overcrowded, you used too much oil or you did not give your goods a good toss during its time in the fryer. Shaking the basket is an especially important step as it helps the food to cook evenly as well as forces excess oil to drip through the basket, giving you food that has a roasted appearance.

Use foil or wax paper

Due to their nifty size and structure, air fryers are generally easy to clean. But, if you’d like to save an extra few minutes of your time, line the bottom of your basket with foil or wax paper to prevent both the basket and basin from getting dirty. When you’re done cooking, remove the lining and wipe down any spills.

MasterChef SA contestant Udhir Harrinarain.

That Food Guy Group

These new must-have kitchen appliances have taken ‘cooking’ to the next level

DEBASHINE THANGEVELO debashine.thangevelo@inl.co.za

THERE was a time when the air fryer hype left me rolling my eyes. I thought, here we go, it’s the Somizi Mhlongo Smeg fanfare all over again.

Then I received an air fryer as a gift. Since then, all eye-rolling has ceased.

And now, I’m on several air fryer groups on Facebook.

Don’t judge. Seriously. It has been life-changing. And I keep trying to convince my family and friends to invest in one.

So for disbelievers - I used to be one, so no judgement - allow

me to explain. I no longer have to subject myself to greasy food.

Also, with load shedding as the new norm, like Covid-19, I can prepare my meals quickly and they are more healthy as no oil is used – other than a splash of olive oil here and there.

Not too long ago, there was a launch for the Philips All-in-One Cooker and they had this year’s MasterChef SA contestant Udhir Harrinarain (aka Dr Harri), who is a dentist from KwaZulu-Natal, Zola Nene, Jenny Morris and several other influencers were in attendance.

The media were treated to some of their dishes, made in the new appliance.

In a recent chat with Dr Harri, he commented on how this air fryer-obsessed era helps cooks.

He said: “As a chef – although not professionally trained and a food blogger – a common misconception is that we don’t mind spending every moment in the kitchen.

“Don’t get me wrong, the kitchen is my happy place but with being a dentist full-time there are days when I come home after a long day and all I want is good food, fast and minimal clean up.

“This is how the air fryer and All-in-One Cooker have changed the way I cook.”

Although he has only just

FROM left: Zola Nene, Dr Harri and Izelle Hoffman in a scene from Masterchef SA.

become familiar with the All-in-One Cooker, he can’t sing its praises enough.

He added: “The All-in-One Cooker is my go-to. I mean cooking a lamb curry in under 40-minutes is a dream.”

And it certainly helps give households the edge when it comes to load shedding.

Dr Harri added: “100% it is invaluable. I can imagine the stress of parents that have to rush home after work, cook dinner for their family and try to be done before the lights switch off. It can save you time without compromising on taste.

“I mean we all love takeout but eating it often isn’t always the healthiest and in today's economic climate it isn’t cheap.”

This also means that there is no excuse to not have fresh healthy meals at home.

To date, he’s enjoyed cooking meat, dried beans and lentils in this appliance. And he has been

inspired to get experimental in the kitchen.

Below are a few recipes to try out in the All-in-One Cooker:

Dhal Gosht by Dr Harri

INGREDIENTS

1,5 kg lamb, of which 0,5 kg stewing lamb, 1 kg lamb leg chops

Salt

Sunflower oil

1 cup of lentils

2 cups of pea dhal

2 onions

4 tomato

2 tbs of Ginger and garlic paste

4 tbs butter

2tbs cumin seeds

½ cup of chopped coriander

1 stem of curry leaves

3 sprigs of thyme

3 birds' eye chilli

3baye leaves

2 cinnamon sticks

4 clove

5 cardamom pods

4tbs fennel seeds

2 tbs masala

1 tbs turmeric

1 tbs chilli powder

METHOD

On the chef mode on your All-inOne Cooker, you can heat your oil, onions, and all the whole spices including thyme, curry leaves, and birds eye chilli.

Fry until onions start to brown.

Add in the ginger and garlic paste, and cook for 1 minute.

Add in your masala, turmeric, and chilli powder, allow to bloom for 1 min and then add in meat and allow all the spices to coat it and fry.

Add in the remainder of your ingredients, saving the coriander for the end.

Top with 2 cups of water and cook on 70kp for 40 min.

If the gravy is too thin then you can use the gravy thickening function and cook for a few min until the gravy is to your desired consistency.

Top with coriander and serve with Durban-style naan bread.

Dhal Gosht by Dr Harri. Picture: That Food Guy Group.

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp olive oil

2 onions, peeled

5 celery sticks

8 skinless chicken thighs, bone-in 10 whole cloves of garlic, peeled

8 cm fresh ginger

2 bay leaves

1 tbsp freshly chopped thyme

2 tsp oregano

Salt & ground white pepper to taste 400g brown mushrooms

1 cup tomatoes, chopped 3/4 cup tomato purée

1 cup homemade chicken stock Italian parsley, roughly chopped METHOD

Keep the lid open and select the sauté cooking function.

Heat the olive oil in the pot, add the onions and celery sticks to sauté for 5 minutes and then add a little chicken stock.

If it looks like it is sticking, don’t add more oil; there is enough natural fat in the chicken.

Add the chicken, garlic and ginger, bay leaves, oregano, and thyme with salt and pepper to taste.

Sauté while stirring for 5 minutes then add the mushrooms,

tomatoes, tomato purée and the rest of the chicken stock into the pot and stir.

Simmer until the chicken has cooked through.

Select the Slow Cook High function to start cooking, or your chosen cooking function for lamb. The default cooking times are displayed on the screen of your All-in-One Cooker.

Set the timer to 25 minutes. It automatically switches to keep your dish warm after the cooking process is finished. You can unlock and open the top lid.

Select the slow-cooking function in standby mode and set the desired cooking time to reduce your sauce. Adjust seasoning, if necessary, then stir in the parsley and serve with steamed brown rice or steamed bulgar wheat.

Mediterranean Bredie by Jenny Morris

CHEF Jenny Morris serves up her Mediterranean Bredie. | That Food Guy Group

Mediterranean Bredie by Jenny Morris.

| That Food Guy Group

What can you cook in the air fryer?

LUTHO PASIYA lutho.pasiya@inl.co.za

YES, it is common knowledge that the air fryer can stir up perfectly-crispy French fries.

But did you know that this magical machine can also handle many other foods? Keep reading to catch some of the unexpected foods you can whip up in this hot new kitchen appliance.

Potatoes

One of the reasons air fryers

have grown so much in popularity is that they make the best chips. Forget greasy, deep-fried chips or sad, soggy oven chips – your air fryer loves potatoes. With barely any effort you can turn your spuds into crispy fries or the roasties of your dreams.

Cinnamon rolls

You see those refrigerated cinnamon rolls you usually bake in the oven? They can be just as easily (and slightly more deliciously) made in your air fryer.

Just separate the individual rolls, place them in your air fryer, and cook at 177ºC for eight to nine minutes. Then just top those beautiful buns with frosting, and enjoy.

Salmon

Oil seems to ruin a completely healthy meal and without the oil, the taste seems to not be in favour of the dish. Salmon is one of the healthiest foods to consume and when you roast it in an air fryer, the health quotient

SALMON is one of the healthiest foods to consume and when you roast it in an air fryer. | Pexels

increases, keeping intact the taste. Slightly run delicious seasonings all over the salmon and pop it in the air fryer to roast for 10 to 15 minutes.

Roasted vegetables

If you are a fan of crispy roast vegetables then an air fryer could be the perfect solution. From sprouts to red onions, an air fryer helps to create the perfect healthy side dish. The roasting time largely depends on the type of vegetables you are roasting, though in most cases 10 to `15 minutes is sufficient.

Bacon

If you are a lover of crispy bacon, then the air fryer will be perfect for you. Air-fried bacon is extra crispy and a much healthier option than pan-frying as it reduces excess fat. Only add a single layer of bacon to the air fryer to ensure even cooking.

Toasted sandwiches

There was a time when a toasted sandwich maker was a kitchen staple, but your air fryer might do the job just as well. It should produce a nice crispy sandwich, without squeezing out the fillings the way toasted sandwich makers sometimes do. Spread a layer of butter on the outside of the bread and flip your sandwich halfway through for an evenly browned, crunchy result.

Chickpeas

Roasted chickpeas are some of the best snacks out there. They take on the flavour of whatever seasoning you use, so feel free to get crazy with your spice blends. Pop a can of chickpeas and heat them in the air fryer for a crispy snack in about 15 minutes.

Pumpkin seeds

The air fryer is an easy way to get those yummy little seeds baked to crispy perfection. While traditional methods would take you around an hour to complete, you will save plenty of time by using an air fryer.

ONE of the reasons air fryers have grown so much in popularity is that they make the best chips.

| Engin Akyurt

IF YOU are a lover of crispy bacon, then the air fryer will be perfect for you. | Pexels

ROASTED chickpeas are some of the best snacks out there. | Pexels

it is common knowledge that the air fryer can stir up perfectly-crispy French fries

LUTHO PASIYA lutho.pasiya@inl.co.za

IF YOU have ever made a batch of old-fashioned chocolate fudge you know how challenging it can be.

Fudge is a classic British treat made from a combination of butter, sugar, and milk. Homemade chocolate fudge can be taken to the next level by adding either white, milk, or dark chocolate.

These ingredients are combined and heated until the mixture reaches the “softball” stage. It can be enjoyed on its own or as one part of a larger dessert, it can even be cut into designs and used to decorate cakes and cupcakes. Making fudge is straightforward; home cooks can create basic fudge without special equipment, though some knowledge of candy making is helpful.

While chocolate fudge has become emblematic of the confection, many early fudge recipes did not contain chocolate at all. Recipes for the candy, both old and new, often incorporate chocolate,

Chocolate fudge recipe

nuts, fruits, and other flavours. According to history, culinary legend has it fudge was invented in America. On Valentine's Day, 1886, a confectioner and chocolate maker in Baltimore, Maryland “fudged” a batch of French caramels. The delicious result? The very first batch of “fudge”.

The traditional method of making homemade fudge can produce amazing chocolate fudge, but you may encounter problems like the fudge not setting up properly, becoming grainy, or being greasy. Let us make the process of making chocolate fudge easy. This chocolate fudge is smooth, creamy, and delicious and can be a great end to any meal.

If you mess up you can start again. I have messed up plenty of recipes, but if you really want it, make it again. We learn from our mistakes and they make us (and our food) better the next time.

INGREDIENTS

400g dark chocolate 1 x 385g can of condensed milk 100g salted butter 150g icing sugar, sifted METHOD

Line a 20cm square cake tin with baking paper.

Cut the chocolate into small pieces and place into a small saucepan over low heat.

Add the condensed milk and butter. Add the icing sugar and combine until melted.

Pour into the lined tin and chill for 60 minutes. Slice and serve.

Recipe by Audette Vengetas.

GIVE A LITTLE WITH CADBURY THIS FESTIVE SEASON

It’s heading towards that wonderful time of the year again, when fes tive cheer starts to fill the air and the spirit of generosity and community is ignited.

the festive season is truly the time of giving and Cadbury is encouraging everyone to give a little this festive season. Whether you are giving of your time or sharing the perfect gift, the season embodies the spirit of generosity. And what better gift to give or receive than chocolate?

Cadbury is back with a new and excit ing Festive Range, including some popular favourites and introducing even more treats that make for perfect stocking fillers, under the tree surpris es or table decorations. the Cadbury Festive Range includes four delicious,

limited edition 150g Cadbury slabs available in decadent festive flavours that evoke heart-warming memories of the season.

the range includes the Cadbury Dairy Milk Festive Gingerbread, Cadbury Dream Cinnamon Crunch, Cadbury Dairy Milk Butterscotch & Crushed Almonds and introducing an exciting new variant – the delicious Cadbury Dream Coconut & Hazelnut Bliss. there’s also the new festive-shaped Cadbury santa and Reindeer choco lates, and back by popular demand, the much-loved Cadbury Dream-coat ed Whispers snowballs.

The Cadbury Little Generosity Shop is back Many south African children never get to experience the simple joy of play

time or the generosity of the season. this year, you can make a difference by giving a little time or by donating your pre-loved toys, books and games to those who need it most at the Cadbury Little Generosity shop. the shops will return to sandton City and Gateway malls during December.

Cadbury has partnered with toy King dom to help all south Africans spread generosity. Even if you are not close to a Little Generosity shop, you can visit your nearest toy Kingdom store to drop off pre-loved toys, books and games in the Give a Little Boxes found in stores. Visit Cadbury.co.za to find your nearest toy Kingdom store.

the Cadbury Festive Range* is avail able in all major retailers nationwide.

simple and delicious air fryer 3recipes

SACHA VAN NIEKERK sacha.vanniekerk@inl.co.za

Air fryers are powerful little convection ovens that rapidly circulate hot air, cooking meals in a fraction of the time compared to other appliances without compromising on flavour.

If you’ve recently invested in one of these nifty kitchen gadgets, but have yet to discover its more elaborate uses (other than cooking up perfectly crisp fish fingers), boy, are you in for a treat.

From tender chicken nuggets in a crunchy breading to delicious pastries, here are three air fryer recipes you’ll absolutely love.

Chicken nuggets are the ultimate finger food, they are the highlight of every party, every

game-night and now, they can be a staple in your home with this simple recipe.

Pretzel crusted chicken nuggets by @nikki_booch INGREDIENTS

½ kg of chicken tenders ½ cup almond flour ½ cup coconut flour 150g bag of pretzels (crushed) 2 eggs 1 tbsp honey mustard 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp black pepper METHOD

Cut chicken tenders into nuggetsized pieces.

Assemble 3 separate bowls, for dipping stations.

In the first bowl, combine almond flour, coconut flour, paprika and black pepper.

In the second bowl, whisk 2 eggs with honey mustard.

In the third bowl, add crushed pretzels.

Dip chicken nuggets in flour mixture, egg mixture, and pretzel coating (in that order).

Repeat until all chicken nuggets have been breaded.

Place chicken nuggets in an air fryer at 200 degrees for 10 minutes — add additional time depending on how crispy you like them.

Potato skins with the works by @fitslowcookerqueen

From tender chicken nuggets in a crunchy breading to delicious pastries, here are 3 air fryer recipes you’ll absolutely love. | Flickr

Indulgent, salty and the perfect side, these loaded skins would perfectly complement a steak dinner, lamb chops or could even stand alone as the main event.

INGREDIENTS

4 medium sized russet potatoes, baked 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or cooking spray Pinch salt and pepper ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded 4 pieces of bacon, cooked & crumbled 1 green onion, sliced

METHOD

Make sure the potatoes are cooked and cooled then cut each potato lengthwise.

Using a small spoon, scoop out most of the flesh.

Preheat the air fryer to 175

degrees.

Rub the inside the potato shells evenly with olive oil or spray with cooking spray.

Add a pinch of salt to each potato then place in the air fryer pan, hollowed out side up.

Cook for 5 minutes or until the edges start to crisp.

Fill potatoes evenly with bacon, cheese, and green onions.

Cook again for 5 – 7 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Jam turnovers by Tastes Of Homemade (@tastes_of_homemade) Simple, yet delicious, there’s nothing more satisfying than flaky pastry oozing with a tart fruity jam.

INGREDIENTS

Sheet of puff pastry

1 heaped tbsp jam of your choice

1 beaten egg

Icing sugar, for dusting Clotted cream for serving METHOD

Heat air fryer to 160 degrees. Unroll the pastry dough and place on a lightly floured-dusted surface. Cut the pastry into even squares (about 6).

Dollop the jam in the centre of eachFoldsquare. in half so it resembles a triangle then seal the edges by pressing down with a fork and brush with the egg.

Place a baking sheet on the air fryer basket and bake the turnovers for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

Dust with the icing sugar and serve with the clotted cream.