How to fry without oil

June 19th, 2012

Appliance News Food Preparation Small Appliances

In the land of deep fried samosas, papadums, bhajis, pakoras, poori and bananas, a new deep fryer has been released that requires no oil (no oil!) at all.

Philips India has launched a product it calls the AirFryer. For roughly AU$265 the small appliance combines fast-circulating hot air with a grill element to help fry food with air instead of oil.  It’s called ‘rapid air technology’ and reaches up to 200 degrees celsius.

By and large, food is flavoured by three things: salt, fat and spices. All three are elements that India’s flavourful cuisine is rich in. So how will it fare sans oil?

Well, according to Philips, the AirFryer won’t compromise taste. The company reports a 75 per cent approval rate in blind taste tests.

Earlier this year we checked out the AirFryer’s local contender, the Tefal ActiFry (not available in India) and the virtues of virtually fat-free cooking. In her review, top dog blogger Louise Carter found that with a mere spoonful of oil a kilo of crispy fried chips could be made. Her verdict? “100 per cent delicious. Soft in the middle yet crispy on the outside – perfect!”

For the same reason that the ActiFry has achieved popularity, the AirFryer may also find success. At the heart of the matter is the heart itself – the health benefits of reducing high fat foods from our diets.

“The AirFryer gives everyone the freedom to indulge without the guilt that comes with eating fried food. The product combines the latest technology with the simplest of user interfaces,” says A D A Ratnam, president, consumer lifestyle, Philips India.