Air fryers have quickly become a popular kitchen appliance for many households due to their ability to cook food quickly and deliciously with less oil. These compact devices are capable of frying, baking, roasting, and even grilling, making them incredibly versatile. However, one might wonder if an air fryer can also be used to make gravy. After all, gravy is a quintessential element of many meals, adding flavor and richness to dishes. So, let’s dive into this matter and explore whether you can make savory, mouthwatering gravy using an air fryer.
What is an Air Fryer?
Before delving into the art of making gravy in an air fryer, it’s essential to understand what an air fryer is and how it works. An air fryer is a countertop kitchen appliance that uses rapidly circulating hot air to cook food. It evenly distributes the heat throughout the cooking chamber, mimicking the effect of deep frying but with significantly less oil.
The Versatility of Air Fryers
Air fryers have amazed many cooking enthusiasts with their versatility. From frying crispy chicken to baking fluffy cakes, these devices can handle a wide range of cooking methods. By using a fraction of the oil traditionally required for frying, air fryers yield deliciously crispy results.
Can You Make Gravy in an Air Fryer?
Now, let’s address the primary question at hand – can you make gravy in an air fryer? The answer is both yes and no. While you can’t directly cook gravy in an air fryer as you would with other dishes, you can use the air fryer to prepare the key ingredients for your gravy.
Preparing Ingredients in the Air Fryer
To make gravy, you need ingredients such as onions, garlic, and even meat drippings. These ingredients can be cooked or caramelized in an air fryer before being incorporated into the gravy-making process. By using the air fryer, you can achieve fantastic flavors and textures in these essential components.
Caramelizing Onions and Garlic
Onions and garlic are commonly used in gravy recipes to imbue it with a savory, aromatic flavor. By using an air fryer, you can achieve caramelized onions with incredible ease. Simply slice the onions, toss them in a little oil, and place them in the air fryer. The hot air will work its magic, slowly caramelizing the onions to perfection. This process usually takes around 15-20 minutes, depending on your desired level of caramelization.
Similarly, garlic cloves can be roasted in the air fryer, enhancing their flavor and reducing their pungency. Roasted garlic adds a sweet and mellow taste to the gravy, elevating it to new heights.
Meat Drippings and Air Fryer
Another critical component of gravy is meat drippings. Whether it’s the juice from a succulent roast chicken or a juicy steak, these drippings contribute to the gravy’s richness and depth of flavor. While an air fryer cannot collect meat drippings directly, you can use it to cook the meat beforehand and then gather the drippings for your gravy-making process.
By air frying your preferred meat, you’ll still enjoy the benefits of an air fryer’s quick cooking and crispness. Once the meat is cooked, you can collect the flavorful drippings to incorporate them into your gravy, ensuring a lip-smacking result.
Creating the Perfect Gravy
After preparing the ingredients in the air fryer, it’s time to combine them and create that perfect gravy. While the air fryer aids in enhancing the flavors, the actual gravy-making process would be conducted on the stovetop.
To make the gravy, you start by making a roux, which is a mixture of fat and flour that acts as a thickening agent. Melt some butter or heat oil in a pan, and gradually whisk in flour until it forms a smooth paste. Then, add your air-fried onions, garlic, and meat drippings to the pan, stirring them into the roux. Slowly pour in your desired liquid – it could be broth, stock, or even wine – while continuously whisking to prevent any lumps from forming. Allow the gravy to simmer and thicken, adjusting the seasoning as per your taste.
Exploring Air Fryer Gravy Recipes
Now that you understand how the air fryer can contribute to the components of gravy let’s dive into some savory air fryer gravy recipes.
Vegetarian Mushroom Gravy
For vegetarian gravy enthusiasts, you can make a flavorful mushroom gravy using your trusty air fryer. Coat some sliced mushrooms with oil and air fry them until they’re golden and slightly crispy. In a separate pan, create a roux using butter and flour. Once it’s nicely combined, add vegetable broth, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, allowing it to simmer. Finally, mix in your air-fried mushrooms and let the gravy thicken to perfection.
Classic Roast Meat Gravy
To create a classic roast meat gravy using an air fryer, begin by cooking your preferred meat in the air fryer, collecting the drippings along the way. In a saucepan, combine butter and flour to make a roux. Gradually pour the collected drippings into the roux, whisking continuously. Add some beef or chicken broth, and let the gravy simmer until it reaches your desired consistency. Season with salt, pepper, and other herbs to taste, creating a delectable gravy that beautifully complements your roast.
Final Thoughts
Although an air fryer cannot directly cook gravy, it can undoubtedly play a role in elevating the key ingredients needed to make it. By using the air fryer for caramelizing onions, roasting garlic, and cooking meat, you can infuse rich flavors into your gravy. So, whether you’re preparing a sumptuous Sunday roast or a simple weeknight dinner, consider incorporating your handy air fryer to help create a deliciously convenient gravy that will leave your taste buds wanting more.