Last updated on November 19th, 2023 at 04:47 am
Let’s face it. Cooking isn’t always the most fun thing in the world. It gets considerably better when you do it with someone else, or for someone else. However, if you’re just a single dude, cooking is probably one of the furthest things from your mind. I get it. I’m there. Back when I lived at home, I would cook regularly. Coming from a family of five with a working mama, I learned from a young age how to cook, and I kept on doing it right up until I moved out.
After about a month of living in my first apartment, I looked at the stainless steel stove in the kitchen and said “nope, I don’t think I will”. I tried my hardest to come home after my 12-hour workdays and cook a meal every night, but it wasn’t working. I even tried cutting back on my gym routine to give myself more time in the kitchen. It was a no bueno. After a couple of false starts, each of which I tried to reinvigorate my love of cooking, I came to the conclusion that it would stay gone until I had someone to cook for. And here I am.
That being said, I still had to figure out a way to eat healthily. A lot of guys never learn to cook, and the ones who do mostly get like me and get lazy while rocking the bachelor life. There are only so many preservative-filled frozen dinners and PB&J sandwiches a man can eat before he realizes he needs a new solution. This solution came to me in the form of a piece of kitchen gadgetry that I will probably never get rid of… the air fryer. I bought that exact model and never looked back. In fact, I turned in a Crockpot and used the refund to swap out if I remember correctly.
Owning an air fryer has been one of the best health decisions I’ve made since moving out on my own. It’s almost on par with my decision to not drink. Making a habit of using my air fryer has allowed me to maintain some culinary skills, while not having to take time to make a huge meal every night. Having one checks a TON of different boxes regarding my eating habits, it’s INSANELY easy to clean, and it makes KILLER steaks. Stick around till the end to get the last air fryer steak recipe you’ll ever need 😉. If a kitchen gadget can do those 3 things, you need it. If you’re dipping your toes into the world of cooking, or you don’t feel like spending an hour in the kitchen every night, then this thing can turn your life around. Usually, the phrase goes easy to learn, hard to master. I’d submit to you that, when it comes to air fryers, the phrase is easy to learn, hard to mess up. With the exception of burning a piece of meat to a blackened piece of charcoal, there’s no way you’ll screw this up.
Lower fat content = healthy heart
Are you one of those guys who’s trying to get shredded? Do you like to hit the trails and go on a run every day? If so, you probably want to keep track of the amount of unhealthy fats you’re consuming while you’re trying to build and maintain an excellent Man of Might physique. Air fryers require significantly less oil compared to traditional frying methods. This means you can enjoy crispy foods with less saturated fat, which is better for your heart health. Not only that, but, because you’re using less oil, the calorie content of your favorite fried foods is reduced. This can be especially helpful for those looking to manage their calorie intake.
For instance, I’ve always been a huge fan of french fries. I’m that guy who’ll dunk ‘em in ice cream just as soon as I will ketchup. What can I say? I’m a bit unhinged regarding my fast food life choices. Regardless, I know without a shadow of a doubt that if I cut some potatoes up into strips and throw them in the air fryer with a little bit of salt, I’ll get something much healthier than those greasy, salty thin fries at McDonald’s (not to say I won’t indulge in those occasionally haha)
Healthy eating is easier, but junk food works fine too.
Potatoes are just the start. Initially designed to create healthier fried dishes, air fryers have since transformed into versatile kitchen appliances. These handy devices go beyond simply making your favorite fried foods more health-conscious; they excel at baking, broiling, grilling, roasting, reheating leftovers, and effortlessly cooking frozen meals. For instance, I’ve gotten to the point now where I make these amazing kale chips that are healthy and also cut the edge off when I’m in that “5-course meal” mood. The possibilities are almost endless. Roasted cauliflower, air-fried coconut shrimp, sweet potatoes, and baked oatmeal. Air fryers can also be used to cook a wide variety of foods, from vegetables to lean proteins. This versatility encourages people to cook more at home and opt for healthier ingredients. Plus, air frying cooks food quickly and with minimal exposure to high heat, helping to preserve more of the vitamins and nutrients in your ingredients.
And, if you still want to eat a little junk food every once in a while, you can. Reheating pizza in an air fryer will come out crispy, as opposed to soggy like in the microwave. I throw frozen pizza rolls in it in a pinch. 400 °F for 10 minutes. Bam. Want to make a tray of brownies? No problem. I use my air fryer almost exactly like an oven (I just don’t have to wait forever for the preheat cycle to finish!)
Air fryers are safe, quick, and cheap
Are you trying to cut down on your energy bill a bit? Leave that huge oven turned off and use the air fryer instead. Are you trying to not spend 15 minutes before you cook waiting for a preheat cycle to finish and then 15 minutes after cleaning up a bunch of dirty pots, pans, and utensils? Air fryers don’t need a preheat, so forget that. Get a couple of silicone air fryer liners and you don’t have to clean up nearly as much afterward. On top of that, I don’t have to worry about trying to clean my oven from top to bottom when some cheese burns or some other debris gets caked on the walls or racks. Scrubbing down a small 4-quart air fryer basket is SO much easier.
I’ve been called a bull in a china shop a few times in my life. Because of this classification, I’ve come to know that I don’t have the best hand-eye coordination in the world. I fully identify with the nickname. Indeed, I’m not always the most polished and delicate in the way I move. Because I know this about myself, I know that I’m not going to mix well with large quantities of hot liquid, like oil and water. Guess what? An air fryer removes that issue. There’s no hot oil to clean up when I’m done air frying! Additionally, that greasy smell that cooking oil leaves in the air, in my hair, and on my clothes is nonexistent when I use my air fryer. That’s a HUGE win in my book.
Bro.. the steak is the best part
As promised, before the article ends, I want to put each one of you fellas on peak game. I didn’t believe it till I tried it, and now I’m never going back. This steak, paired with some baked potatoes and buttered asparagus (bonus points if you do those in the air fryer as well) will be your go-to meal for movie nights, date nights, hanging out with buddies, and any other event in between. You’ll have that girl you’re trying to impress thinking you’re Gordon Ramsey, and who doesn’t want that 😁? This recipe is LEGIT. Enjoy.
What you need
- A steak (I like New York style, but any cut, preferably 1 inch thick, works)
- Mustard
- Kinders Caramelized Onion Butter Seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
Steps
- Take your preferred steak out of the fridge and set it on a plate or cutting board.
- Squirt some mustard on each side to use as a binder, and lightly coat with salt and pepper
- Allow the steak to sit and rest for about 30 minutes.
- After the steaks have reached room temperature, to enhance the flavor further, generously season each side of the steak with Kinders. Pat the seasoning on. DON’T rub it in.
- Position the steaks in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are arranged in a single layer with a gap of at least ¼ to ½ inch between each steak. This spacing allows for optimal air circulation and ensures your steak cooks to perfection.
- Air-fry your steaks at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-14 minutes, remembering to flip them midway through the cooking process. The exact cooking duration will vary based on how well-done you prefer your steak. If you’re dealing with larger or thicker cuts, you might need to add an extra minute or two to the cooking time.
- After finishing the air frying process for the steak, take the basket out of the air fryer and transfer the steaks to a cutting board or a cookie sheet. Let them rest for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This resting period helps the meat’s juices to redistribute, ensuring the steak stays tender on the inside.
A little trick I like to do as well, both for presentation and flavor profile, is take some garlic butter and allow it to melt over the top of the hot steak in Step 7. If I’m feeling particularly adventurous I’ll put a few drops of fresh lime juice on it as well!
Also, just as a reminder, according to the FDA…
- Rare Steak- 125 degrees °F
- Medium-Rare Steak- 135 degrees °F
- Medium Steak- 145 degrees °F
- Medium Well Steak- 155 degrees °F
- Well Done Steak- 160 degrees °F
Happy air-fryer grilling fellas. Let me know what you think!
