3 days Ago By Phoebe Cornish
The oven works hard when a roast dinner is on the menu, with a long list of dishes that must be timed down to the second for perfect results. Your average Sunday roast can afford a few kitchen mishaps and delays but when it comes to the big Christmas lunch, many home cooks are set on making it perfect. Cue the air fryer - a trusty and energy-efficient appliance that can do more than you may think when it comes to cooking a roast, as Paul Bough, Chef at ZWILLING UK highlights.
He told Express.co.uk: "Air Fryers aren’t just for making a healthier, homemade version of Friday's fish and chips! They can also be used to cook everything from potatoes to meat and Yorkshire puddings for a Sunday roast, or Christmas dinner.
" Regardless of your choice of meat and trimmings, however, Paul warned that "preheating the air fryer is crucial for achieving the desired cooking results". How to cook a roast dinner in an air fryer First, set the air fryer to the recommended temperature before placing any ingredients inside. Paul said: "This ensures that the food cooks evenly and develops a delicious golden brown exterior.
" He added: "Ensure that the meat, vegetables, and other components of your roast dinner fit comfortably inside without overcrowding - as this will hinder air circulation and result in uneven cooking." Of course, keeping food warm is essential when cooking a roast exclusively in an air fryer . Paul suggested using a warming tray or a tray in the oven at a low temperature to keep dishes from going cold while you cook the next dish.
It's not just how you cook the food that makes a roast dinner but also the quality of the ingredients and selecting the right cut of meat. The chef suggests opting for cuts suited to roasting so they " retain their juiciness ", like chicken breast or beef fillet. As for seasoning, Paul said: "Be generous with your seasoning to enhance the taste of the meat and create a delicious crust .
" To make sure the meat cooks evenly, rotate and flip it during the cooking process. Paul added: "This makes sure all sides are evenly exposed to the hot air. Cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the meat, so it's essential to refer to recommended cooking times and adjust accordingly.
"If needed, you can always pause the cooking process, check the internal temperature, and resume cooking until the meat reaches the desired doneness. When done, allow the meat to rest for the most tender and flavoursome result." No roast dinner is complete without crispy, golden spuds and the best kind are made from starchy Maris Pipers, said Paul.
As for how to cook them , he suggested: "Parboil the potatoes for eight to 10 minutes, drain and roughen to increase crispiness. "Season, and then arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure to flip them halfway through and check doneness with a fork - they should be golden and tender.
" Carrots, Brussels sprouts and broccoli can all easily be cooked in an air fryer. As always, make sure to preheat the air fryer and not overcrowd the basket, warned Paul. Simply season the raw vegetables then throw them into the fryer basket and cook for 10 to 15 minutes.
Check them halfway through and move the vegetables around to ensure even cooking. Arguably the star of the show, Yorkshire puddings are the last thing on the menu when air-frying a roast dinner. Paul said: "Make your batter as usual and pour into a muffin tin (or individual ramekins) that will fit in your air fryer basket.
Then just cook for around 15 minutes until golden brown. Easy!".
