Are you wondering if you can cook ready meals in an air fryer? The answer is a resounding yes! Air fryers are versatile appliances that can make your TV dinners and Lean Cuisines even more delicious. In this ultimate guide, I will show you how to cook your favorite microwave meals in the air fryer, giving you a quick and easy way to enjoy frozen ready dinners.
Can Ready Meal Containers Be Used in the Air Fryer?
Before you begin, it’s important to ensure that the container your microwave meal came in is safe for the air fryer. Most microwave meal containers that are safe for oven baking are also safe for the air fryer. Simply check the packaging to see if it can be used in the oven. If it can, you’re good to go!
Ensuring a Perfect Fit in Your Air Fryer
While the container may be safe for the air fryer, you should also consider whether it will fit inside. Air fryer ovens can usually accommodate most microwave meal containers. However, if you have a small air fryer with a basket, you may need to transfer the food to a different pan to ensure it fits comfortably.
Crispy or Not? You Decide!
Air fryers are known for their ability to crisp up foods and add texture. But what if you’re making a meal where you don’t want the top to get crunchy? No problem! Simply cover the frozen dinner with foil for most of the cooking time to prevent the top from getting too crispy. This way, you can enjoy your meal just the way you like it.
The Benefits of Cooking Ready Meals in the Air Fryer
Why should you consider cooking your microwave meals in the air fryer? Aside from the speed and convenience, air frying offers several advantages:
- Quick and Easy Clean-Up: By following the provided directions, you can minimize clean-up time. If the meal cannot be air fried in its disposable container, you can use parchment paper to reduce mess.
- Crispy Goodness: Air fryers excel at creating crispy foods, unlike microwaves. So, if you’re looking for that perfect crunch, the air fryer is your best friend.
- No Added Oil: Forget about adding oil to your TV dinners. Even stir-fry frozen meals that typically require oil can be cooked without it in the air fryer.
- Fits Almost Any Diet: Whether you’re gluten-free, low carb, keto, dairy-free, vegan, or following a specific eating plan, you can find frozen microwave meals and TV dinners that suit your dietary needs.
- Affordable Options: Microwave frozen meals are available at various budget-friendly price points. Look beyond health food stores to mainstream supermarkets and warehouse clubs for more affordable options.
What You Need to Get Started
To cook TV dinners in the air fryer, you’ll need the following:
- An air fryer
- Foil
- A meat thermometer
- Parchment paper and an aluminum pan (for certain meals)
Any air fryer brand will work, but you may need to adjust the cooking times depending on the model you have.
Cooking Your Favorite Microwave Meals in the Air Fryer
Now, let’s dive into the specific instructions for cooking some popular microwave meals in the air fryer.
How to Cook Frozen Lasagna in the Air Fryer
- Remove the plastic wrap from a 9.5-ounce (269g) frozen lasagna.
- Cover the lasagna with foil.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
- Bake the foil-covered lasagna in the middle of the air fryer oven for 45 minutes.
- Uncover the lasagna and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese.
How to Cook Frozen Mac and Cheese in the Air Fryer
- Remove the plastic wrap from a 9-ounce (255g) frozen mac and cheese.
- Cover the mac and cheese with foil.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
- Bake the foil-covered mac and cheese in the middle of the air fryer oven for 40 minutes.
- Uncover, stir, cover with foil again, and bake for 15 more minutes.
How to Cook Frozen Stir Fry Meals in the Air Fryer
- Remove a 20-ounce (567g) package of frozen chicken fried rice from the bag.
- Place the stir fry meal in an aluminum baking pan lined with parchment paper.
- Cover the pan with foil. If there’s a sauce packet, let it thaw in a bowl of water.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
- Bake the meal for 30 minutes in the middle of the air fryer oven.
- Stir, cover with foil again, and air fry for another 30-35 minutes.
- Remove the foil, stir again, and air fry for 5 minutes to evaporate excess water.
- Check the food’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches a safe minimum of 165°F (74°C).
How to Cook Frozen Chicken in the Air Fryer
- Remove a 16-ounce (454g) container of fully cooked roasted garlic chicken from the refrigerator.
- Transfer the chicken to a parchment-lined aluminum pan and cover with foil.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
- Bake the foil-covered chicken for 30 minutes in the middle of the air fryer oven.
- Gently break the chicken into pieces, cover with foil again, and bake for 20 more minutes.
- Check the temperature of the chicken after cooking to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).
How to Cook Frozen Enchiladas in the Air Fryer
- Remove a 9-ounce (255g) frozen enchilada meal from its plastic wrap.
- Cover the enchilada with foil.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
- Bake the foil-covered enchilada for 45 minutes in the middle of the air fryer oven.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before indulging.
How to Cook Frozen Curry in the Air Fryer
- Remove a 10-ounce (283g) frozen chicken Tikka Masala meal from its packaging.
- Transfer the rice and curry chicken to an aluminum baking pan lined with parchment paper.
- Cover the pan with foil. If there’s a sauce packet, let it thaw in a bowl of water.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
- Bake the foil-covered meal for 30 minutes in the middle of the air fryer oven.
- Stir, replace the foil cover, and air fry for 20 more minutes.
- Check the chicken’s internal temperature to ensure it reaches a safe minimum of 165°F (74°C).
Cooking Time and Temperature
Not sure about the appropriate temperature and cooking time for your microwave meal in the air fryer? Here’s a handy chart:
Remember to keep the meals covered with foil for most (or all) of the cooking time to prevent them from drying out. If in doubt, you can always adapt the oven directions from the packaging. Start with a slightly shorter cooking time than the oven instructions suggest and check the food’s progress.
Leftovers and Expert Tips
Most microwave meals are intended to be single-serve, so it’s best to cook only what you plan to eat to avoid any loss in quality. When it comes to nutrition, it’s worth noting that many TV dinners are high in sodium and considered ultra-processed. However, you can find lower sodium and less processed options by checking the nutrition labels and exploring brands like Primal Kitchen.
To make your microwave meals more filling, consider adding some bagged salad to the side. You can also incorporate additional protein sources such as hard-boiled eggs or rotisserie chicken. These additions will help enhance the nutritional value and make the meal more satisfying.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What’s the difference between an air fryer and a microwave oven? Air fryers use hot circulating air to cook food, while microwaves heat food with radiation. Air fryers excel at creating crispy textures, while microwaves are ideal for quick heating.
- Do you need a microwave if you have an air fryer? Since they cook food differently, air fryers and microwaves complement each other rather than replacing one another. Microwaves are still useful for quick heating, while air fryers are unbeatable for achieving crispy results.
- Is the air fryer safer than the microwave? Both air frying and microwaving are considered safe cooking methods. However, it’s important to use them safely and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent burns or accidents.
- Can microwaveable plastic be used in an air fryer? No, microwaveable plastic is generally not safe to use in an air fryer. Stick to oven-safe containers and avoid plastic wrap that is not rated for air frying.
- What are the best keto and vegan microwave meals? Primal Kitchen offers a variety of low-carb and keto frozen meals, while Amy’s Organics is renowned for its delicious vegan options. Be sure to check the nutrition labels and add extra protein or veggies as needed.
More Quick and Easy Air Fryer Meals
Looking for more recipe ideas for your air fryer? Check out these options:
- Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken
- Frozen Fish in Air Fryer (Breaded Fish Fillets)
- Explore our Best Frozen Foods in Air Fryer list for more inspiration
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