Drew Barrymore is one of Hollywood’s most beloved actresses, known for her bubbly personality and girl-next-door charm. But beyond the big screen, Drew has another passion: cooking! She’s shared her love of food and cooking tips with fans over the years in cookbooks, blog posts, and social media. One kitchen gadget Drew swears by for making tasty yet healthy meals is the air fryer.
Why Drew Barrymore loves air frying
Drew Barrymore first discovered air fryers several years ago and was instantly hooked by how they could make typically fried foods like french fries and chicken so crispy using little to no oil. Here are some of the benefits she’s touted of using an air fryer:
- Quicker cooking times: Air fryers cook food much faster than a traditional oven. This allows you to get dinner on the table quicker, which Drew loves as a busy working mom.
- Makes food crisp and delicious: The hot air circulation technology of an air fryer gives you that coveted crunch you’d get from deep frying with barely any oil needed. Drew says foods come out perfectly crispy and cooked through when air fried.
- Healthier than frying: By using little to no oil, air frying helps cut down on calories, fat, and grease versus deep frying. It’s a cooking method Drew loves for healthier versions of fried favorites.
- Easy to use: Modern air fryers have simple controls and settings, making them easy for anyone to use. Even cooking newbies like Drew can make amazing air fried meals!
- Multipurpose functionality: Most air fryers can do way more than fry, including roast, broil, bake, and reheat. Drew enjoys using her air fryer as an all-in-one kitchen workhorse.
“I’m obsessed with my air fryer! It’s a busy mom’s absolute dream,” Drew has said of her passion for this popular kitchen gadget.
Drew Barrymore’s top air fryer tips and tricks
Over the years Drew has accumulated all sorts of genius tips and tricks for getting the most out of an air fryer. Here she shares her best advice for making perfectly cooked, crispy air fried meals every time.
1. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket
One of the biggest mistakes people make is putting too much food in the air fryer basket. Drew cautions against this, saying, “Only fill the basket halfway to allow airflow around the food. Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking.”
2. Toss or flip ingredients midway
Drew recommends opening up the air fryer basket and tossing, flipping or rotating the ingredients about halfway through cooking. This ensures even browning and crispiness on all sides.
3. Brush or spray oil lightly
While air frying uses little oil, Drew says lightly brushing or spraying ingredients with oil before cooking helps enhance browning and texture. She suggets using an oil mister for the lightest coating.
4. Keep an eye on cooking time
“Set the timer for the minimum cook time and check frequently, as actual cooking times may vary,” Drew advises. Factors like the amount of food, thickness and doneness preferences affect timing. Check and adjust as needed.
5. Let air fried foods rest
Drew likes letting foods rest for 5 minutes before eating. This allows them to set up after cooking so any juices can reabsorb, ensuring extra crispy results. It also prevents burns from biting into piping hot foods.
6. Dry wet ingredients first
Wet ingredients like raw meats or marinated proteins won’t get as crispy in the air fryer. Drew recommends patting ingredients dry first or lightly dredging in a starch like flour or breadcrumbs. This creates a crisper exterior.
7. Use parchment paper or foil
Lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper or foil makes cleanup a breeze. Drew says it also prevents delicate foods like fish or veggies from sticking. Change liners between batches.
8. Adjust temperature as needed
Drew suggests starting with the recipe temperature then adjusting up or down 25 degrees F if needed to fine tune crispiness. Higher heat = crunchier exterior. Lower temp = softer, more tender insides.
9. Give it a shake!
“Periodically removing the basket and giving it a little shake allows foods to cook and brown more evenly,” shares Drew. This simple tip prevents ingredients from sticking together too.
10. Let the air fryer preheat
Just like a regular oven, Drew preheats her air fryer before adding food. This allows it to fully heat up to the set temperature for optimal crisping and browning results.
Drew’s go-to foods to air fry
Drew uses her air fryer to cook just about anything under the sun! Here are some of the foods she loves to air fry the most for quick, healthy and fresh-tasting meals.
Crispy chicken tenders and nuggets
Chicken tenders and nuggets come out perfectly juicy and crisp when air fried. Drew’s secret is to first coat them with an egg wash and breadcrumbs seasoned with garlic powder, paprika and parmesan. Air fry at 400F for 5-8 minutes, flip, then cook another 3-5 minutes until browned and 165F internally.
Oven fries
To make homemade fries that rival fast food, Drew cuts Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes into 1/2-inch fries. She tosses them with a little olive oil, salt and pepper then air fries at 400F for 10-12 minutes until tender, shaking the basket halfway. Sprinkle with parsley or dip in ketchup.
Pizza bagels
These fun bite-size snacks take just minutes to air fry. Split mini bagels and top with pizza or spaghetti sauce, mozzarella and any favorite toppings. Drew cooks them at 350F for 4-5 minutes until the cheese melts.
Coconut shrimp
For a healthier take on fried coconut shrimp, Drew coats large shrimp in an egg wash, then shredded coconut flecked with baked panko. Air fry at 400F for 3-4 minutes per side until opaque. Serve with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce.
Cauliflower wings
To get that addictive crunch of fried wings without the guilt, Drew coats bite-size cauliflower florets in a flavorful hot wing-style sauce then breads them. She air fries at 400F for 15 minutes, shaking halfway, until browned and tender-crisp.
“My air fryer has been a game changer for eating fried favorites in a healthier way,” says Drew. “I can pop in just about anything from fresh veggies to leftovers and it comes out crispy and delicious with little oil. I use it nearly everyday!”
Drew’s 5 favorite air fried recipes
Want to eat healthier homemade meals like Drew Barrymore? Try out these yummy, easy air fryer recipes she loves that deliver on flavor and cut down on fat:
1. Air Fried Honey Soy Salmon
- Ingredients:
- 4 (6 oz) salmon fillets
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 2 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Sesame seeds, rice vinegar, sliced green onions and lime wedges for serving
- Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce and sesame oil.
- Pat salmon dry and brush flesh generously with soy glaze.
- Air fry skin-side down at 380F for 8-10 minutes until glazed and salmon flakes easily.
- Top with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve with a squeeze of lime and drizzle of rice vinegar.
2. Air Fried Cauliflower Tacos
- Ingredients:
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 8 taco shells
- Toppings like shredded lettuce, salsa, avocado, queso fresco
- Instructions:
- Toss cauliflower florets with oil and spices. Air fry at 400F for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway.
- Heat taco shells in air fryer 2-3 minutes.
- Fill with cauliflower, black beans and toppings.
3. Air Fried Coconut Shrimp
- Ingredients:
- 24 peeled, deveined shrimp
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup coconut flakes
- 1/4 tsp each chili powder, paprika, salt
- Cooking spray
- Instructions
- Dredge shrimp in flour, dip in egg then coat evenly in coconut panko mixture.
- Mist shrimp with cooking spray then air fry at 400F for 4 minutes per side until browned and opaque. 4. Air Fried Green Bean Fries
- Ingredients:
- 1 lb fresh green beans, ends trimmed
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp each garlic powder, onion powder, salt
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Ranch dressing for dipping
- Instructions:
- Toss green beans with oil and spices. Add panko and toss to coat evenly.
- Air fry at 400F for 8-10 minutes until browned and tender-crisp, shaking halfway.
- Serve with ranch dressing for dipping.
5. Air Fried Apple Hand Pies
- Ingredients:
- 2 granny smith apples, peeled, cored and diced
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- 2 Tbsp butter, melted
- Instructions:
- Mix apples with sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Cut each pastry sheet into 4 squares. Spoon apple mixture onto each square.
- Brush pastry edges with melted butter then fold over diagonally into triangles crimping edges to seal. Cut slits in top.
- Air fry at 400F for 5-7 minutes until golden brown. Dust with powdered sugar.
Get the most out of your air fryer like Drew!
After reading Drew Barrymore’s helpful air frying tips and mouthwatering recipe ideas, you’re probably ready to unlock the crispy, quick-cooking potential of an air fryer yourself! Here are a few final pointers to get the most out of this must-have appliance:
- Choose an air fryer with adjustable time and temperature controls. This allows customization for different foods. Digital displays with preset programs are also handy!
- Look for a spacious 3-5 quart basket capacity. This gives flexibility to cook meals for 1-4 people. Nonstick, dishwasher safe baskets simplify cleanup.
- Consider useful features like an auto shut-off for safety, shake reminder alerts, preheat options, and dishwasher safe parts.
- Use small appliances like an air fryer, Instant Pot and high speed blender to pull together healthy homemade meals fast any night of the week.
- Explore air fryer cookbooks and online recipe sites for fun new meal ideas to try. There are so many possibilities!
- Stock up on air fryer staples like boneless meats, veggies, frozen foods and breaded items so quick-cooking options are on hand.
Thanks to clever tips from celeb chef Drew Barrymore, you can now air fry anything from crispy cauliflower wings to coconut shrimp for fast, fresh meals the whole family will love.
Frequently Asked Questions about Drew Barrymore’s Air Fryer Tips
Still curious to learn more about using air fryers to make tasty meals? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
What size air fryer is best for a family?
For a family of 3-4 people, Drew recommends a 6 quart air fryer so you have plenty of room to cook larger batches of food. Smaller 3-4 quart models are good for 1-2 people.
How much oil do you need for air frying?
Very little! Drew brushes or spritzes just 1-2 tsp of oil to lightly coat foods before air frying. You get crispy results without all the grease of deep frying.
Can you put frozen foods in an air fryer?
Yes, air fryers are great for cooking frozen convenience foods like chicken nuggets, fries, and more. Drew suggests adding an extra 1-3 minutes to the cook time.
What food should you not cook in an air fryer?
Drew cautions against air frying really lean meats like chicken breast as they can dry out. Moist proteins with some fat like chicken thighs do better. Batter and breaded foods also work well.
How do you keep food crispy after air frying?
After air frying, Drew recommends letting foods rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows any steam to escape so textures stay extra crispy. Eat air fried foods right away for ideal crunch.
Conclusion
Drew Barrymore clearly has tons of invaluable tips and tricks up her sleeve for getting the most out of an air fryer appliance. Key takeaways include going easy on oil, not overcrowding the basket, flipping and tossing foods periodically, adjusting cook times as needed, and letting items rest before eating. With Drew’s advice, anyone can whip up quick, healthier versions of fried favorites like chicken, fries and more that come out perfectly crispy and delicious. Give her favorite air fryer recipes a try for easy homemade meals your family will devour. Finally, select a quality air fryer with helpful features to start air frying like a pro.