Unless you have been living under a rock for a few years or altogether avoiding social media, you have most certainly read and watched content about air fryers. This alternative countertop cooking method has swept around the world. From the popularity of air fryers, you might think it’s a total replacement for an oven or stovetop, but that’s not the case.
Air fryers can cook and reheat various foods from pizza to nachos and French fries. Did you know that Nashville hot chicken tastes delicious when adequately prepared using an air fryer? Air fryers have several advantages, but they are not a total replacement for all cooking methods. Thankfully they work very well for Nashville hot chicken.
While it may seem like air fryers just popped out from nowhere, there’s quite a bit of history behind the kitchen game-changer. Let’s get started with an overview of air fryer history and how they became (suddenly) so popular.
Air fryers are not a fryer! While the name might have fooled you, they are convection ovens. Wikipedia explains that. “An air fryer is a small countertop convection oven designed to simulate deep frying without submerging the food in oil. “Commercial kitchens and restaurants usually use convection ovens for their speed and efficiency in cooking. They can, however, come with a high price tag. You can think of an air fryer as a miniature convection oven for home use. All air fryers use a powerful fan to circulate hot air around the food to cook it regardless of size.
According to Britannica, “Microwave ovens cook foods by injecting them with, surprise, microwaves—a form of energy.” Some people steer clear of microwaves due to health risks. Such as microwave radiation. Others only use microwaves to reheat leftovers, soften butter or make popcorn. A benefit of microwaves is that they can quickly defrost or efficiently heat a frozen dinner much faster than a conventional oven.
Then some people use microwaves for almost all of their cooking needs. Microwaves can come in handy when no other heat source or cooking source is available. Microwaves are not suitable for reheating or cooking Nashville hot chicken.
They combine two appliances into the traditional toaster plus a mini electric cooker. Toaster ovens provide a dual functionality to toast bread, English muffins, and bagels. Another benefit is being able to heat to a specific temperature and broil foods. A disadvantage of the toaster oven, especially in smaller models, is that there are only a few inches of space above the surface of the food.
A toaster oven can reheat a slice of pizza beautifully as long as the temperature is at the correct setting. An item piled high or loaded would not be suitable for reheating a toaster oven. Fancier models of toaster ovens can include features like rotisserie chicken cooking and a much larger surface area and height. Unfortunately, toaster ovens are not ideal for preparing Nashville hot chicken.
A significant benefit of air fryers, especially if you live in a hot climate, is that, unlike a gas oven or stove, they do not increase the temperature in the room. We are in Southern California, and summer temperatures can be 90°. When it’s 90° or above, the last thing one wants to do is turn on a traditional oven which would only make your space that much hotter. You can reheat cooked foods in an air fryer on a blazing hot day without any worry.
Be sure to keep an eye on the cooking time as you can burn or overcook foods in an air fryer. Since air fryers use a fan to circulate heat instead of microwaves, many people feel healthier since they reheat and cook using hot air. Another advantage is utilizing significantly less oil than pan-frying or sauteing. Air fryers are available in many different sizes and colors. That’s another advantage: they take up a lot less surface space than a microwave.
While the Internet might have you thinking that the air fryer is the perfect all-around cooking method, that’s not entirely true. Some foods and cooking methods are not ideal for air fryers. For example, you would be hard-pressed to prepare a cream sauce or a sauce in an air fryer.
First off, it is essential to consider the size of your household and how you intend to use your air fryer. Another critical factor is how often you plan to use your air fryer. Singles, students, or couples could use a smaller-sized air fryer. If you cook a lot or like to meal large prep portions or have a hearty appetite, then you definitely would want a larger-sized air fryer. For food to crisp up properly in the air fryer, you need enough surface space around the food. Overcrowding the air fryer basket is not ideal. Your Nashville hot chicken will not be crispy if you overload your air fryer.
Another essential factor to consider is the amount of counter space you have. If possible, it’s convenient to leave the air fryer on the countertop when possible. If there is no room on your counter or you are a minimalist, bear in mind that you will need cabinet space to store your air fryer. They do get heavier as they increase in size. Ultimately, your air fryer would reside on your countertop just like a toaster or electric kettle. Countertop storage would also allow the air fryer to cool off after use.
Most air fryers will have a preset button for chicken. Preset button options vary from model to model. Generally speaking, set your air fryer to approximately 375 degrees for cooking and reheating. Or press the chicken button and adjust the temperature depending on your recipe. You can always turn up the temperature for the last few minutes of cooking for extra crunchy Nashville hot chicken.
You can use chicken tenderloins, chicken strips, or chicken breasts, depending on your taste preference. Sugar and Soul features a quick-cooking air fryer Nashville hot chicken recipe. This Nashville hot chicken recipe from Blue Jean Chef uses a whole chicken cut down into breasts, thighs, and drumsticks. Using chicken strips will reduce the cooking time, but some find that chicken breasts, thighs, and drumsticks are more flavorful.
Line your air fryer basket with either parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup and consistent crispiness. Try to avoid extra parchment or foil on the sides of the air fryer as the air will blow it around, causing it to cover your Nashville hot chicken. Alternatively, lightly spray the air fryer basket with either avocado, coconut, or vegetable oil base spray.
As with all air fryer cooking, be sure to leave enough room between the pieces of Nashville hot chicken. If you are cooking or reheating a large batch of hot chicken, plan to cook in smaller
batches. Halfway through the cooking time (follow your recipe), gently open the air fryer and turn the chicken over. Close the basket and continue cooking for the remaining time. The Nashville hot chicken will taste best if you allow it to cool ever so slightly before eating. If cooking in batches, then gently cover the cooked Nashville hot chicken with a piece of aluminum foil or lightly with a lid until the remaining chicken is ready.
Nashville hot chicken is traditionally deep-fried, which, while delicious, can be dangerous and not that healthy. Using an air fryer for Nashville hot chicken is a much faster and safer cooking method.
French fries are a match made in heaven with Nashville hot chicken. You can prepare delicious and crispy frozen or homemade fries in an air fryer. You can also cook delicious hash browns, and tater tot’s in an air fryer. While not traditional, both would taste pretty darn good with Nashville hot chicken.
For perfectly crispy French fries, be sure to leave room in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the fries with a cooking spray for extra crunch. Check the French fries halfway through the cooking time and shake the basket or flip them using tongs. Season your hot French fries to taste with salt, pepper, or any other spices of your choice. Don’t forget to serve with your favorite dipping sauce and ketchup.
If you prefer mashed potatoes with your Nashville hot chicken, we suggest that you reheat mashed potatoes gently on the stove or in the microwave. Add a little bit of milk, half-and-half, and butter for a richer consistency when reheating. If you watch your calories, cut out dairy products, or do not consume them, you can use some water or even vegetable stock when reheating mashed potatoes.
The next time you have leftover Nashville hot chicken, remember that you can quickly reheat it to crisp perfection. Alternatively, if you are rolling up your sleeves and cooking hot chicken from scratch, an air fryer is your new best friend. You might prefer not having to deep fry at home and still be able to enjoy freshly made Nashville hot chicken with the convenience of an air fryer.
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