The idea of spicy fried chickpeas could make you drool. But fried chickpeas aren’t without their drawbacks. According to research, cooking oils contribute to health problems such as heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
What’s the solution? Air fry your chickpeas! The popularity of air fryers has increased due to a growing demand for fried foods. Their use is not limited to chickpeas; air frying meat is a healthy alternative to frying.
How do air fryers work?
Deep-fried foods are crispy, and you get the same crispiness in an air fryer as it functions by circulating hot air around the food, giving it the same crispiness. It removes high-fat, high-calorie oils from the food during the cooking process.
Simply use one tablespoon of oil instead of multiple cups; you get the same result as a deep fryer without adding extra fat and calories to your diet.
Benefits of making chickpeas in an air fryer
Using air fryers can promote weight loss
Are you worried about managing your weight without giving up on your favourite fried foods? Well, air fryers can be just what you need.
Fried food intake is associated with an increase in obesity. Even if you think that chickpeas are healthy, deep frying them can destroy their benefits. Deep-fried foods are typically high in fat and calories. Instead of deep-frying, you can air fry your chickpeas and get that lip-smacking crunch and texture without the oil. It helps reduce your regular consumption of unhealthy fats and manage your weight effectively.
Lower levels of acrylamide
An air fryer reduces acrylamide by up to 90% compared to frying in oil. Starchy foods, such as potatoes, chickpeas, etc., develop acrylamide when heated above 120°C; it’s a harmful substance that is also a carcinogen.
Helps preserve nutrients
Air fryers use convection heat to preserve certain nutrients, such as vitamin C and the plant compounds called polyphenols.
Safe in the kitchen
Deep frying food involves heating oil in a large pot, which is risky and a safety hazard. Although air fryers do get hot, there is no danger of splashing, spilling, or accidentally touching hot oil.
Tips for using an air fryer
Besides being healthier than deep fryers, air fryers can be a great addition to your kitchen. After a deep-frying session, it saves you from the cleanup you need to do.
Though air fryers are relatively safe to use, people should follow the necessary instructions and use them carefully.
- Read the instructions: You should leave at least a 5-inch space above the exhaust vent of the air-fryer to prevent a fire hazard.
- Use minimal oil: Use only 1-2 tablespoons of oil per serving. Excess oil can degrade the taste of the food.
- Avoid aerosol sprays: Cooking sprays can damage the non-stick basket of the air fryer that can release toxic fumes.
Conclusion
It is easy to cook almost anything in an air fryer. If you want to change your whole lifestyle and motivate yourself to adopt healthy eating habits, you can decide to buy an air fryer to help you in your journey to get fit and healthy.