Defrosting Food with an Air Fryer
The process of defrosting food using an air fryer is both quick and effortless. Follow these steps to safely and effectively defrost food with your air fryer.
Step 1: Pre-thaw
Remove the food from the freezer and pre-thaw before beginning the defrosting process in the air fryer. Note that the pre-thawing process is quicker and easier if the food is placed on a tray or in a food container.
Food stored in plastic bags tends to stick together during the freezing process, so let it sit in the refrigerator for about 10-20 minutes to separate before placing it in the air fryer.
Defrosting food with an air fryer is both simple and quick. Illustrative image
Step 2: Prepare to Defrost
Place the food to be defrosted in a bowl or on a plate and insert it into the air fryer. The juices from the food will be retained in the bowl or on the plate, which helps keep the air fryer clean and also ensures safety, preventing electrical faults and fire hazards.
Choose bowls or plates that are heat-resistant. Never put the plastic container or the plastic bag directly into the air fryer for defrosting. High temperatures will cause the plastic or bag to melt, releasing toxic substances and potentially causing cancer.
Step 3: Begin Defrosting
After placing the food inside, close the air fryer, plug it in, and set the temperature to 80 degrees Celsius (176 degrees Fahrenheit) for 5-7 minutes. Note that this is the appropriate amount of time to defrost 500g of meat.
When defrosting with an air fryer, avoid setting the temperature too high or setting the timer for too long. Doing so will result in the food becoming soft and unappetizing when cooked.
Step 4: Check and Finish Defrosting
Once the air fryer indicates the end of the defrosting time, open the frying tray and check if the food is completely defrosted. If not, flip the food over and defrost for an additional 3-5 minutes at 80 degrees Celsius (176 degrees Fahrenheit) until it reaches the desired level of defrosting.
Adjust the temperature of the air fryer accordingly to defrost the food to your preference, as each type of food and the wattage of each air fryer may vary.
Do not defrost fruits and vegetables in an air fryer. Illustrative image
Step 5: Cook Defrosted Food Immediately
It is recommended to cook the defrosted food immediately after air frying to preserve maximum nutrients, resulting in a more flavorful and appealing dish. Avoid leaving defrosted food out for an extended period to prevent bacteria from entering the food.
Tips for Defrosting Food with an Air Fryer
– Defrost different types of food separately to ensure they maintain their individual flavors without mixing during the defrosting process in the air fryer.
– Do not defrost fruits and vegetables in the air fryer, as the high temperature can cause them to become soft, lose their texture, and lose their nutritional value.
– Do not refreeze defrosted food because food is very soft after being defrosted in the air fryer, and refreezing it can allow bacteria to enter. Additionally, the food will no longer be as fresh, affecting its quality.
– To facilitate a quick and efficient defrosting process, cut meat into smaller pieces before freezing. Chicken, beef, and ribs should be cut into smaller pieces before placing them in the freezer. For ribs and thighs, arrange them in a single layer, and divide minced meat into smaller portions.
– Some modern electronic air fryers now include a built-in defrosting function. Simply select this feature on the control panel, eliminating the need for manually setting the temperature, time, or making adjustments.
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