What Is an Air Fryer Crisper Tray?

Published: 
June 6, 2022
Related Categories: 

Crisper Trays Are the Key to Crispy Food

It is not that often that new technology appears in the kitchen. Some traditional kitchen appliances, like the stove and oven, have stood the test of time. The recent addition of the microwave has seen widespread adoption in many private kitchens.

Beyond these common appliances, there has not been much innovation. That changed with the invention of the air fryer. The air fryer has taken the cooking world by storm and has rapidly become one of the most popular kitchen appliances.

What Is an Air Fryer?

An air fryer is a kitchen tool that uses convection to "air fry" food. Most air fryers are similar in size to toaster ovens, but that's where the similarities end. Most toaster ovens bake food like a conventional oven - they don't use a fan to circulate the air like an air fryer does for more even heating.

An air fryer is similar to a convection oven but on a smaller scale. As with convection ovens, the hot air circulates the food, cooking it evenly on all sides.

Since heat rises, the top rack of the oven is always the hottest part of the oven, which can lead to uneven cooking. A convection oven uses a fan to circulate the hot air, so the temperatures in the oven stay consistent.

Photo of an air fryer on a counter

Air fryers allow you to use countertop convection cooking to get crispy foods that are healthier than deep frying

An air fryer uses a similar method to distribute heat so that there are no hot spots. Specifically, air fryers use fans to circulate heat, similar to a deep fryer.

Air fryers have become a popular alternative to deep frying. Air fryers use less oil than traditional fryers and can also be used to cook various foods, not just fried foods.

One of the benefits of using an air fryer is that it uses less oil than traditional frying methods. If you want to eat healthier, this is a great cooking appliance in your kitchen.

Another benefit of using an air fryer is that it cooks food quickly. The hot air circulates around the food, cooking it evenly on all sides. This means you can have a healthy meal on the table in a fraction of the time it would take to cook it in a traditional oven.

How Does an Air Fryer Work?

Even though an air fryer sounds similar to a deep fryer, they are entirely different. A deep fryer cooks food with hot oil. An air fryer works by using a fan to circulate hot air around the food, which cooks the food and gives it a crispy, fried appearance.

The hot air will give your food a similar texture to fried food, but it is healthier, faster, and easier to clean up. Additionally, air fryers are far more versatile than deep fryers and can be used to cook various foods, including vegetables, chicken wings, and even cakes.

How Does an Air Fryer Compare to a Traditional Fryer?

When it comes to cooking, both an air fryer and a traditional fryer have pros and cons. An air fryer uses hot air. Meanwhile, a conventional fryer uses oil to cook food.

Air fryers are generally healthier than traditional fryers because they use less oil. However, they can also be more expensive than conventional fryers.

Traditional fryers can cook food faster than air fryers because they use oil. However, they can also be more unhealthy because of the oil.

What Is an Air Fryer Crisper Tray?

So, what is an air fryer crisper tray? The crisper tray is an essential part of an air fryer and some of what makes this kitchen appliance so effective.

An air fryer crisper tray is an accessory that you can use with your air fryer. It is a wire rack that fits inside the air fryer basket. The crisper tray holds food up so that hot air can circulate it, cooking the food evenly on all sides. Photo of an air fryer crisper plate

Air Fryer Cirsper Plate

Without the air fryer crisper tray, the air won't be able to circulate, and your food will only cook on one side. Cooking on only one side will cause your food to come out unevenly cooked, defeating the purpose of using an air fryer.

The wire rack also lets fat and grease drip away from the food. This keeps the food crispy and dry and also makes it healthier.

So what is an air fryer crisper tray? It is an essential part of an air fryer and part of what makes this new kitchen implement so amazing.

Do You Need a Crisper Plate in an Air Fryer?

Now that you have answered the question: "What is an air fryer crisper tray?" you might be wondering if you need one.

You do not have to have a crisper plate in your air fryer. It is not a necessary piece of equipment. However, it significantly improves the quality of the food produced by the air fryer. Taking the crisper plate out of your air fryer is not recommended if you want to achieve the best results.

Ninja Air Fryer Cirsper Plate

You do not have to have a crisper plat in your air fryer. It is not a necessary piece of equipment. However, it significantly improves the quality of the food produced by the air fryer. Taking the crisper plate out of your air fryer is not recommended if you want to achieve the best results.

Do Crisper Trays Work?

Yes. Crisper trays are highly effective and necessary for the air to circulate the food completely. Simply put, air fryers are not effective without the crisper tray.

Tips for Cooking With an Air Fryer Crisper Tray

Now that you know what an air fryer crisper tray is, here are some tips on how to use it:

  • Place the food on the wire rack in a single layer. If the food is touching or overcrowded, it will not cook evenly.
  • Don't use too much oil when cooking with an air fryer.
  • Don't use oil with a low smoke point. Use vegetable, canola, peanut, or other high smoke point oils.
  • Flip your food. Even though the air fryer is designed to cook food on all sides, it is best to flip your food at least once during the cooking process.
  • For best results, preheat the air fryer for 3-5 minutes before adding the food.
  • If you are cooking multiple batches of food, clean the crisper tray in between batches.
  • You may need to experiment with the cooking time to find what works best for your air fryer. Every air fryer is different.
  • When your food is finished cooking, use a spoon, tongs, or a fork to remove your food. If you dump the food out of the drawer, you will also pour out all the collected oil under the crisper tray. At best, this will make your food oily. At worst, you could burn yourself.
  • Be careful when you have finished cooking. Air fryers can get hot, and you can quickly burn yourself. Also, don't put the drawer on your counter after cooking. The drawer gets quite hot and can leave burn marks.

Air Fryer vs. Deep Fryer

Many people wonder which is better in terms of fried foods: air frying or deep frying? Air fryers use less oil. With deep fryers, the food is put into a fryer basket and submerged into cooking oil. While deep fryers can cook food faster than air fryers the food is more unhealthy because of the oil that is retained.

Photo of a deep fryer with french fries

Deep fyers immerse your food in fatty and unhealthy oils

That said, they're both able to deliver food that needs to brown and crisp like french fries, fried chicken, and even crispy bacon (no one likes soggy bacon).

So, which is better? The answer depends on what you want. An air fryer is a way to go if you want healthier fried foods. A deep fryer is the better option if you want your food fried faster.

No matter what type of fryer you choose, use the crisper tray for the best results.

Frank Salvatore

Hey there - I'm Frank Salvatore. I created this site as a comprehensive kitchen resource. You'll find everything you need to know about everything in your kitchen. From appliances to utensils and layout - it is covered on this site!

About Me
Frank Salvatore
I created this site as a comprehensive kitchen resource. You'll find everything you need to know about everything in your kitchen. From appliances to utensils and layout - it is covered on this site!
Learn More About Me
Related Blog Posts
rocketarrow-downarrow-right linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram