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CNET
21 hours ago
- General
- CNET
Ditch the Oven Forever--These 9 Air Fryer Meals Are That Good
Running the oven in the middle of summer can feel like inviting a heatwave into your kitchen. That's why my air fryer has become the real MVP around here. It's quick, efficient and doesn't turn the whole house into a sauna. I even tested how much cooler it kept the kitchen compared to the oven -- and the difference was noticeable. Beyond just keeping things chill, the air fryer delivers on flavor. No preheating, no hovering over a stove, and no sweating through dinner prep. If you're looking for an easier, cooler way to cook this season, these air fryer staples deserve a permanent spot in your rotation. -- and cranks out reliably tasty food. No preheating, no standing over a hot stove, and most importantly, no back sweat. What began as a glorified frozen-snack machine has turned into a full-on kitchen workhorse. The air fryer now handles everything from crispy chicken tenders to roasted veggies to gooey desserts. Beyond the staples, I've discovered a few surprising air fryer foods that I'm now completely hooked on. From whole-roasted chicken and flaky salmon to vegetables and sides, such as cauliflower, potatoes and carrots, certain foods feel like they were made to cook in an air fryer. You'll find a ton of Reddit threads with home cooks asking for the ultimate air fryer recipes, and we've put together this guide to help you out with our favorites. Looking for something great to make? Check out the nine foods you absolutely have to cook in an air fryer below. And if you're searching for an air fryer or to upgrade your existing oven, we have a new favorite model with a glass cooking chamber that's easy to clean and doubles as a food storage container. 1. Salmon Just 8 minutes in the air fryer and you have perfectly medium rare salmon. David Watsky/CNET Broiled salmon is a simple, healthy weeknight dinner staple. It's not difficult to make in the oven, but if you're only cooking for one or two people, the preheating time is a pain and you'll waste a lot of energy for a small amount of food. Pan-seared salmon is great and quick, but there's almost no way to cook salmon on the stove without creating an oily and odorous mess. I tried cooking roasted salmon in the air fryer, and it came out perfectly in about 10 minutes, including preheating time. The closed cooking chamber captures all of the grease and even hides some of the fishy smell from taking over the space. OK, so you might catch me throwing the occasional filet of salmon on the grill during warmer months, but gone are the days of me wiping fish grease from the backsplash behind my kitchen stove. Here's how to make perfect air fryer salmon. 2. Whole chicken Air-fryer roasted chicken is a revelation. David Watsky/CNET This one surprised me the most since I make a roast chicken most Sundays and had become content with my method of using the oven. I learned fast that the air fryer does an even better job since it's able to crisp the skin quickly without overcooking the meat. Air-fryer roasted chicken takes about 45 minutes -- about 15% quicker than the oven -- and it's nearly impossible to screw up. Here's how to make a quick roasted chicken in the air fryer. 3. Bacon cheeseburgers You can cook a burger to perfect medium or medium rare with an air fryer. Pamela Vachon/CNET Air fryer cheeseburgers have become a staple around my home. The exception is during summer when the grill is in full swing, but during cooler months, I turn to the air fryer for this American classic. It's not only cleaner than pan frying, but the burger doesn't cook in its own grease, so you get a lighter, healthier meal (if you're into that sort of thing). You can also stick the bun and a couple of slices of bacon in with the burger and you have the full meal with almost no cleanup to manage. Here's how to make a cheeseburger from top to bottom in the air fryer. 4. Chicken cutlets Air fryers turn out picture-perfect chicken cutlets. David Watsky/CNET Before the air fryer, I used to pan-fry breaded chicken cutlets for chicken Parmesan and other recipes, but the air fryer does the same job with less mess and produces less oily fried chicken, too. Now Playing: Best Air Fryers: Cheap vs. Expensive 19:24 I recommend using boneless chicken thighs, which have enough fat content to withstand all that convection heat without drying out. Simply coat the chicken in beaten egg wash followed by bread crumbs mixed with salt, pepper and other spices. Cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes. You can spray the cutlets lightly with a bit of oil before cooking to get an extra crispy crust, but it's not necessary. I've tried the same method with chicken breasts; it works well, but there is more risk of drying out the meat. 5. Cauliflower steak Cauliflower steak made in the air fryer has become a staple side dish in my kitchen. David Watsky/CNET One of my favorite things to cook in the air fryer is cauliflower. A slab of cauliflower makes an excellent hearty side dish or main course if you're going plant-based. Simply toss a thick slice or two of cauliflower with olive oil and salt and pepper, or some seasoning of your choice, and air fry for 10 or 12 minutes on high. The air fryer gives it a beautiful caramelized crust, and it cooks the dense veggie fast enough so that the inside of the cauliflower doesn't become mushy. 6. Leftover pizza This leftover pizza got a whole new life thanks to a short trip to the air fryer. David Watsky/CNET While not every type of food is best reheated in the air fryer, a lot of them are. Air fryers are the perfect way to revive leftover pizza, fried chicken, grilled meats and vegetables. A microwave heats food unevenly and tends to impart a rubbery texture. Air fryers give food a second life via convection heat for a crispy crust and even heating. Here's the best way to reheat every type of leftover. 7. Hot dogs You can cook an entire package of hot dogs in just a few minutes. David Watsky/CNET It's hard to screw up a hot dog, but if you want a perfectly charred wiener in under five minutes with essentially no cleanup, look to the air fryer. Air fryer hot dogs are as simple as simple gets, and the super convection oven gives them a perfect browning in two or three minutes. Here's how to make hot dogs in the air fryer all summer. 8. Baked potatoes Air fryer baked potatoes had crispy skin and were light and fluffy inside. Brian Bennett/CNET OK, so technically this one starts out in the microwave and then gets finished in the air fryer. The microwave softens the inside in under 8 minutes while the air fryer blasts the edges and skin to a crispy perfection. It's a restaurant-quality baked potato in less than 12 minutes. Here's how to make the best air fryer baked potato ever. Oh, and if you're still not sure what an air fryer is and how it works, check out our complete guide to air fryers. 9. Grilled cheese This air fryer grilled cheese is as good as it looks. Pamela Vachon/CNET For a grilled cheese, the air fryer is working on both of the bread surfaces and the cheese all at once, resulting in a quicker melt, which adheres the cheese to the bread slices together making for a much easier flip. (Flipping is still recommended but with far less drama.) Here's the secret to perfect air fryer grilled cheese.
CNET
2 days ago
- General
- CNET
This 45-Minute Air Fryer Roasted Chicken Is a Thing of Beauty
Groceries and dining out are only getting more expensive. I'm constantly in search of a great meal prep recipe and it doesn't get better than roasted chicken. During summer heat, roasting a whole chicken in the oven -- plus preheat time -- could raise the temperature in your house as much as 10 degrees F. On the other hand, an air fryer can help you cook a perfect roast chicken in under an hour without turning your already warm kitchen into a virtual sauna. During my decade-long tenure as a food and kitchen tech editor, the air fryer has been my most-used kitchen appliance. My latest obsession is using an air fryer to roast a whole chicken. An air fryer can cut cooking time by 15 to 20% -- and the skin will come out super crispy and with the nonstick basket, cleanup is a breeze. When it comes to lip-smacking meals, it's very hard to beat a well-roasted chicken. Add some root vegetables into the mix, slather on gravy and you get a proper Sunday dinner with leftover chicken you can eat for the rest of the week. Air fryer chicken is one of the easiest and most satisfying recipes I've made lately. David Watsky/CNET To make a perfect roasted chicken in about 45 minutes, all you need is an air fryer (4 quarts or larger,) a chicken of your choice and some simple spices and pantry ingredients. I'm well versed in the joys of air fryer cooking, but air fryer chicken is perhaps the best cool-weather cooking discovery I've made while tinkering with these trendy convection cookers. Let me show you how it all works. Can you really cook a whole chicken in an air fryer? You sure can. The secret to great roasted chicken is high heat while not overcooking the bird for a crispy skin with moist, tender meat. An air fryer is the perfect vessel for this method since it envelops the food inside with hot quickly moving air and manages to crisp outer layers better than a full-size convection oven that features more widely dispersed heat. The smaller air fryer cooking chamber also means more consistent temps throughout a single session. Air fryers are typically smaller than wall ovens, but many models are capable of handling a 3- or 4-pound chicken. I cooked a full 4-pound roaster and it fit comfortably inside my Dreo 6-quart ChefMaker smart air fryer oven. Read more: Grill, Bye. Make Your Next Burger in an Air Fryer and Thank Me Later What size air fryer do you need to cook a whole chicken? I used a fancy smart air fryer but just about any 5-quart model will do. David Watsky/CNET This fancy souped-up air fryer has a steam feature and smart cooking programs, but I didn't need or use them. I cooked the chicken on basic air fryer mode at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 55 minutes, flipping the bird (ha!) after 25. You won't need a fancy air fryer, either. This $120 Instant air fryer will get the job done. As will this $80 Gourmia model. There was minimal prep in this air fryer chicken recipe, which I adapted from a few found online and my go-to oven-roasted chicken recipe. I whisked together a quick marinade with olive oil, grain mustard, salt, pepper and some of my favorite Mediterranean seasoning blend. I stuffed the chicken with half of an orange, some green onion and a bunch of fresh parsley that was down to its final days in the fridge. About 10 minutes before I pulled it from the air fryer. David Watsky/CNET What should you serve with roasted chicken I served the chicken with rice made in my speedy and effortless rice cooker, but I could have just as easily dropped some potatoes or other root vegetables in with the chicken and had myself with a full dinner to feed four or five -- all cooked in the confines of one nonstick air fryer basket. Air fryers cook fast so careful not to burn the skin My only other note when making an air fryer bird is to keep a close eye on the chicken, especially toward the end. The heat from an air fryer is intense and could burn the skin if you have it cranked up too high or leave it in too long. If your skin seems to be getting brown faster than the chicken is coming to temp inside, pull back on the heat and continue monitoring. You can always fire it up again once the meat is cooked to get a crispy skin before serving. You'll know the meat is cooked when a meat probe reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit when plunged into the thickest part of the breast. You'll need at least a 5-quart air fryer to make a roasted chicken. David Watsky/CNET Ingredients for air fryer roast chicken 4-pound chicken, giblets removed 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons grain mustard Seasoning blend (optional) Salt and pepper to taste Lemon or orange Fresh herbs Almost done... David Watsky/CNET How to make air fryer roast chicken Preheat air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit Whisk olive oil, mustard, seasoning blend, salt and pepper together Rub mustard marinade over the entire chicken Place chicken in air fryer basket breast down on top of the wire rack and cook for 25 minutes Flip the bird breast up and cook for the another 20 minutes Remove when juices run clear or an internal thermometer reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Pour juices from the air fryer basket over sliced chicken or use to make a gravy
CNET
2 days ago
- General
- CNET
Killing Your Knives Slowly? Stop Doing These 7 Things
If you spend any time cooking at home, you know how much easier prep work becomes when your knives are sharp, balanced and in great shape. But even top-quality blades can take a beating if you're not careful. A few common kitchen habits, ones you might not even realize are harmful, can dull or damage your knives fast. Scraping food off a cutting board with the blade's edge or tossing your knives into a drawer without a sheath might feel harmless, but both can shorten their lifespan. Even oversharpening, which seems like a good maintenance habit, can slowly wear down the blade's structure over time. Protecting your knives doesn't require special tools, just a little awareness. By avoiding these sneaky mistakes, you'll extend the life of your knives and make every slice feel effortless. If you're in search of a fantastic new knife, we've got great news. We've tried out more than 10 different options and put together a list of the best chef's knives for 2025. If you already have a knife that's your No. 1, continue reading to find out the most common mistakes people make that can ruin even the most high-quality knife. Read more: Want Your Kitchen Knives to Stay Sharp for Longer? This Simple Trick Will Help 7 easy ways to ruin your favorite kitchen knife 1. Scrape it sideways on a board Using your knife as a scraper is a hard habit to break, but the blade will thank you. David Watsky/CNET Knives are made to cut in only two directions, back and forth and not side to side, so try not to use your good knives in a scraping manner. It may be instinct to move and gather all that chopped food on the board with the blade of the knife but it will damage the edge over time. If you can't break the habit completely, at least try and do it gently and without much downward force. 2. Use it on anything other than wood or plastic Even one slice on a glass or marble surface can do irreparable damage to your chef's knife. David Watsky/CNET There are boards and blocks made from all sorts of materials but many of them are not knife-friendly. Stone or marble boards and glass surfaces should be reserved for serving food, not preparing it (at least not with a knife) since they will dull your blade faster than almost anything else. Bamboo and plastic are the softest -- and often cheapest -- cutting board materials and will be gentle on your blades. Most other types of wood cutting boards, however, have enough give not to damage the blade. 3. Store it freely in a drawer Not only will this setup ruin your knife, but you're bound to hurt yourself eventually. David Watsky/CNET This is probably the biggest mistake folks make with their kitchen knives. I've seen it more times than I can count and it hurts every time. Letting your knives clink around in a drawer with other knives and metal tools will dull or chip them over time. It's understandable to not want a clumsy knife block on the counter, but there are some pretty sleek options these days like this and this You can also buy in-drawer wooden knife racks or sheath your knives in plastic cases. The coolest option may be to store the knives on one of these magnetic knife racks and show off your shiny blades to dinner guests. Just be gentle when placing knives on and removing them from the magnet so as not to scrape the blade. 4. Let it soak in the sink or (*gasps*) put it in the dishwasher Try to get that chef's knife out of the sink and dry it off before you sit down to eat. David Watsky/CNET For several reasons, your knives should never be put in the dishwasher. It'll likely damage the handles, and the blades should never be exposed to water for that long. Speaking of which, never let a knife sit wet in the sink or anywhere else, for that matter. That means no soaking, ever. When you've finished washing it by hand, dry it immediately, or the metal will become susceptible to rust and corrosion. 5. Cut nonfood items or use it as a general tool Don't use a good chef's knife to open your Amazon boxes. Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/Getty Images Good knives may seem like a multipurpose tool but they should only be used for food prep. Try not to cut any nonfood items like plastic, cardboard or other packaging. And don't even think about employing your knife as a screwdriver or lever to pry open something stuck. 6. Use a metal scrubber to clean it Steel wool is great for some dishwashing jobs but will ruin your knife's edge in seconds. mikroman6/Getty It shouldn't come as a surprise that using metal or another rough material to clean your knife blade could lead to big problems. Instead, use hot water and a soft sponge or cloth. Your knives should never be so dirty that those aren't enough to get them clean. 7. Oversharpen the blade Sharpening is good. Oversharpening is bad. David Watsky/CNET There comes a point at which a knife blade can't be sharpened anymore, and if you continue to pound it on a steel or whetstone, you'll only be shaving off the blade itself and shortening the knife's life span. Here's a guide to sharpening your kitchen knives.
CNET
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- CNET
Your Bathroom Isn't Truly Clean if You Miss These 8 Things
Summer is in full swing. Between vacations, pool and beach trips, keeping your bathroom clean can feel like an impossible task. It's a room that's used every day, but knowing where to start can be a chore in itself. Cleaning may not be the most exciting thing for everyone to do, but your bathroom is one of the rooms you should regularly spruce up. This will help eliminate and limit the amount of germs and bacteria from festering in your home. It doesn't matter if your powder room is long overdue for a deep clean or if you're just curious about a cleaning cadence; we will provide you with insight. Whether scrubbing your toilet or degunking your shower head, this guide makes freshening up your restroom easy and simple. Read more: 15 Filthy Spots That Survived Your Spring Cleaning Rampage, According to an Expert 8 bathroom items you should clean regularly Bathroom rug Once a week, toss the bathroom rug in the washer. Wash it on the gentle cycle in warm water and let it air dry (especially if it has a no-slip grip on the back) before putting it back in place. If you're unsure, always follow the washing instructions on the tag. Toilet David Watsky/CNET If you live alone, you can probably get by cleaning the toilet every few days. If you have kids, the rules change. The outside, handle and seat should get a once-a-day wipedown with an antibacterial cleaner or wipe. Most families can get by with cleaning the bowl once a week, particularly if you use this toilet tank tip. If you have tough stains or gunk in your toilet bowl, we advise pouring Coke (yes, the soda) into a spray bottle and then saturating the stain with the drink. Let it sit for a few hours. You can then easily scrub away the stain with a toilet brush. Shower curtain Once a month, you should take down your fabric or plastic shower curtain and throw it in the wash. Here are five tips for cleaning your shower curtain in the washing machine. Shower and tub You only need to clean your shower and tub once a week, but if you have a glass shower door, it needs a little more attention. To prevent the build-up of soap scum and keep the glass looking spotless, use a squeegee to wipe away water after every shower. These few seconds can save you from scrubbing at the end of the week. Bath towels Josh Miller/CNET My family has had this debate for years. How often should you wash bath towels? Well, it depends. Every three to four uses is a good rule of thumb, but there are some conditions where a towel should be washed after one use. Here's how to know when to wash your towels. Sink The germs from your hands collect on the sink knobs and in the sink bowl when you wash your hands. So, even if you live alone, the sink needs a good wipe down every day with an all-purpose cleaner or antibacterial cleaning wipe. Mirror Like the sink, the mirror needs a daily wipe down to remove lint, dust and toothpaste specks. Simply wipe it down with a microfiber cloth after you step out of the bath or shower. Hair dryer Yes, even your hair dryer needs a proper cleaning schedule to prevent it from overheating. Here's a simple way to clean a hair dryer in just a few minutes. More cleaning tips and tricks
CNET
6 days ago
- General
- CNET
Don't Waste Bacon Grease: Here Are 9 Ways to Put It to Use
Whether you regularly cook bacon for weekend breakfast spreads or you love to make BLTs, the leftover grease should never end up in the trash. That shimmering pool of oil is teeming with delicious pork fat that can be used in any number of cooking, cocktail and cookware care projects around the house. Next time you pull strips from the frying pan or baking sheet, drain that beautiful bacon grease into a stylish, temperature-safe container like this one. Not only will you avoid dried, caked up grease to deal with after eating, but you'll have the key ingredient for bacon-washed bourbon or pork-laced cornbread, burgers, meatballs or meatloaf. Bacon grease is packed with salty, slightly smoky flavor that you can use to add an umami burst to a number of dishes and recipes. A little goes a long way and you'll only need a small amount of bacon fat to make your next stir fry or skillet of scrambled eggs sing. You'll hang on to some of that leftover bacon grease if you know what's good for ya. David Watsky/CNET Here's how to use leftover bacon grease in the kitchen. First, store it properly Most nonmetal containers will melt or crack when hot bacon grease is poured in but this silicon bacon bin is resistant up to 500 degrees F. Bacon Bin First things first: You'll want to store your bacon grease properly for future use. While it shouldn't spoil, we still recommend keeping it in the fridge as it may have pieces of pork running throughout. Keep it in a metal can and cover it because the pungent bacon smell can permeate other foods in the fridge. If you're going to store it in a glass or plastic container, wait for the grease to cool completely before you transfer it. This $18 silicone bacon bin has a built-in strainer to sift out the bacon bits. 9 ways to use leftover bacon grease Fold it into your next burger A little bacon fat mixed into ground beef goes a long way. KirbyIng/Getty Images If you want a seriously punched-up burger, fold a teaspoon of bacon fat into the ground beef or turkey before it hits the grates. You won't need much to turn a basic burger into a pseudo bacon cheeseburger. Be aware that the burger will spit and sizzle more than a burger without pork fat but it will be worth the danger for all that extra flavor. Season a cast-iron skillet Use a bit of bacon grease mixed with your go-to seasoning wax to pack your cast-iron skillets with flavor. Tyler Lizenby/CNET Seasoning your cast-iron pan is key for keeping the surface of the skillet nonstick. Doing this regularly, along with washing cast-iron cookware properly, will also build a base flavor that the pan imparts to certain foods such as steaks, burgers, chicken and hash browns. To season with bacon grease, add a small amount of the fat to your favorite cast-iron seasoning wax -- I like Knapp -- and proceed as you normally would. Add smokey pork flavor to a stir-fry Add a teaspoon of bacon fat to your next stir fry and thank me later. Kilito Chan/Getty The next time you're whipping up a quick stir-fry for dinner, toss in a teaspoon of bacon grease to punch up the flavor. Don't go overboard or you'll end up with an overly greasy dish and a bacon flavor dominating all. Add depth to a batch of cornbread or cookies Cornbread will benefit from a small hit of that leftover bacon grease. David Watsky/CNET Bacon and cornbread are another magical combo. Because cornbread can easily dry out, adding a teaspoon of bacon fat to the mixture along with butter, will ensure the bread is moist with a hint of delicious bacon flavor. You can also add some bacon grease to a batch of chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies. Bacon works with a lot of other flavors, like maple, chocolate or vanilla, so don't be shy about trying it with your favorite cookie recipe. Make bacon-washed bourbon Add bacon fat to bourbon, shake and freeze. Then separate the solidified fat from the booze and you'll have something special. Free Spirits I don't know who originated the concept of adding bacon fat to bourbon but I'd like to buy them a drink. Fat-washing booze is simple: just add an ounce or two of liquified bacon fat to a bottle of bourbon. Shake and let it hang out in the fridge or freezer for a few days. Strain the solidified fat out of the bourbon with a mesh strainer and you're left with seriously smoky brown booze to drink neat or use in cocktails. Use a smidge to make scrambled eggs Bacon and eggs? Who would have thought? CNET/Brian Cooley Bacon and eggs make as good a duo as any other in the breakfast universe. Add a small bit of bacon grease to your pan with butter before dropping in the beaten eggs and stirring slowly. Mix it with another cooking oil to sear steaks or chicken Add some bacon fat to your cooking oil the next time you fry a piece of meat. Getty You won't want to use bacon grease alone to saute foods but you should consider adding a little to your cooking oil of choice, such as olive, flaxseed or avocado oil. Make bacon air fryer Brussels sprouts Toss a pound of Brussels sprouts with some bacon grease and olive oil and pop them in the air fryer. Brian Bennett/CNET Brussels sprouts are dense and make a good candidate to be air-fried. Toss them with a little bacon grease and then into the air fryer for 20 minutes. They'll taste so good, you'll forget you're eating a vegetable at all. Make a bacon fat salad dressing Add some bacon fat to your next salad dressing. A little goes a long way. David Watsky/CNET Most salad dressing calls for some oil component so why not use delicious bacon grease? You won't want to use bacon fat as the sole fat component but mix a small dab in with olive oil in your favorite vinaigrette recipe and you won't be sorry. What you can't do with leftover bacon grease Pour it down the drain Don't put bacon grease down the drain. It's about the fastest way to clog it up. Alina Bradford/CNET If you pour even one batch of bacon grease down the kitchen sink, you'll likely be on the phone with a plumber before the week's over. Grease solidifies when cool and can ruin your plumbing. Compost it Bacon grease can't be turned into viable compost. Mill Bacon grease and other super oily foods can't be composted. Keep them out of your home compost pile or electronic countertop composter. Pour it into the garbage while it's still hot Hot grease will burn right through a garbage bag. Taylor Martin/CNET Do this and you'll burn a hole in the bottom of the garbage bag. It won't be a pretty scene when you try to take the trash out next time. If you're going to trash it, pour it into a metal can and let it cool before discarding it.
