Oil-Less Air Fryers

You cannot fry without oil. This is convection roasting, nothing more, no matter what they choose to call it. The Big Boss works basically by blowing hot air around the food. If you want an appliance that can roast without heating up the kitchen it may be nice to have. But don't expect anything fried to come out of it.

Here's a review on oiless "fryers". This one is an outdoor "fryer" but still it defines frying. http://www.wired.com/2008/11/oil-less-turkey/

Thank you watchmelol. Other than size, I wonder what is the difference between an oil-less air fryer and a convection oven?

I think the oil less fryers may use "higher" more direct heat. Many of them use infrared heat. The area to heat is smaller and also the fan is stronger than normal convection, I think.

I also think that the reviews that show them highly rated are often reviews based on frozen snacks and things. Most oven ready snacks have the oil infused in the breading or the product allowing them to crisp up, like tator tots, egg rolls oven ready breaded fish/chicken etc. So the health/calorie/fat saving really isn't there over properly deep frying something like french fries cut from fresh potatoes in properly heated oil. Plus you can use oil that you deem to be healthier for your personal preference.

My son used a oil-less fryer for our Thanksgiving turkey and it was just like fried.

I got one for xmas this year and the cookbook I got had mostly from scratch recipes. 175 Best Air Fryer Recipes by Camilla V. Saulsbuty.

You do use a bit of oil, but nothing like traditional frying or deep frying! Sometimes it's just a spritz of PAM or a tsp of OO. Panko is used a lot. I'm enjoying it !

I have the Power AirFryerXL. 5.3 for a few months now and love it. I've made Pork chops, Fish, & this is the chicken I made.

A convection setting on an oven may have a similar effect.

I've had one for more than a year. I think I use it more than any other item in the kitchen. I have never breaded and fried anything, in the traditional sense. Too much oil. Not so healthy.

I bought all kinds of boxed, pre-breaded items when I first got the fryer. I got Gorton's fish, tater tots, mozzarella sticks. Who knows what else. There isn't one thing I cooked in the fryer that we didn't love. Crispy outside. Soft and tender inside.

I spray the cooking basket with Pam. It's just enough oil to satisfy the traditional sense. I suppose you could bread your own and do the same thing, but I've been cooking for over 50 years and I'm over working harder than I have to.

I say Go For It! I think you'll love it too.

I have had many items made in an air fryer. Some are good some are not. Calorie for calorie air frying is not much different. I prefer oil fried foods.

The thing with tater tots, fish sticks and mozzarella sticks is that they have already been fried in oil, so you aren't really going more healthy.

I'm looking into ww panko. Maybe a bit healthier. I use WW flour rather than all purpose white. Many recipes only require a spritz of OO or a tsp total. Much less than regular frying.

I' enjoying mine, getting crispy "fried" tasting food for the first time in a LONG time!

And, the thing with tater tots, fish sticks and mozzarella sticks is that neither the oils nor the breading are going to be from the healthier oils or other ingredients that I'd prefer to cook with. Don't want that stuff in my life.

Might be worth trying that oven convection setting... done home made.

I have air fryer I love it. Just wipe with a bit of coconut oil then cook as usual

Sounds like another one-trick pony similar to a slow cooker, where there's other appliances that do the job and more. I have a tabletop convection oven. I presume I can do everything in there that I could do with an oil-less unit, and more.