Hosting a BBQ is all fun and games until you end up sweating over hot coals rather than talking to any of your guests or (god forbid!) relaxing. If that sounds familiar, you've probably wondered at some point whether outdoor cooking is worth the hassle at all.
That's where I've found using my pick of the best air fryers to prep for the occasion can be so helpful. As well as my own experiences, I've rounded up tips and hacks from cooking experts so that you can master the best BBQ this summer and still have time to relax with a spritz in hand.
1. Prep sides ahead of time
Yes, this one is obvious but ultimately it works. Prep all of your sides in your air fryer ahead of time and then simply program it to start 30-45 minutes before you're ready to serve up your main event on your BBQ.
I'm talking chips, Mediterranean veg – even corn on the cobs (if you haven't tried this in air fryer yet then please go forth and enjoy). I've been relying on my air fryer for these extras for a while now with success, and I'm not the only one.
Kenny Tutt, MasterChef champion from 2018 and owner of nation-wide burger restaurant Patty Guy, was initially skeptical of air fryers altogether, but came around to using one to help with barbecueing.
'I do lots of sides in there when I’m doing a BBQ like some little parmentier potatoes -padron peppers are amazing in there too.'
His favourite side to make alongside a BBQ? 'My current thing is miso sweet potatoes – coat the sweet potatoes in some miso butter (mix some miso paste into some softened butter) before you cook them in the air fryer – these are a great side for any BBQ spread.'
You'll never regret the time you spent getting ahead before your guests arrive.
2. Part-cook the main event
Not all of us have the budget or space for a huge BBQ – I'm currently using this Cadac BBQ (£122 at Amazon) which is certainly mighty but also very small. That means that getting everything cooked together in good time can be a challenge.
Enter, your air fryer. Use it to get ahead in part-cooking meat like chicken, so that once you've finished with your burgers and sausages, you can stick it on the BBQ to finish.
Dean Harper, Chef at Harper Fine Dining agrees that this is a great cheat to time-save.
'For meats, you can pre-cook things like sausages or ribs in the air fryer to give them a head start,' says Dean. 'Then finish them on the BBQ to get that smoky flavour and grill marks.'
'It’s a handy way to ensure everything is cooked through without having to worry about overcooking or drying out the more delicate cuts while you're focusing on the grill. Plus, it cuts down on prep time, so you can enjoy more of the party!'
3. Keep ready food warm
If you're cooking for a crowd, then you might need to keep certain things warm before serving, which most air fryers have a setting for.
This is especially if you use the Jamie Oliver hack of doubling up space by using a rack inside the drawers, which essentially doubles the space available to you. In there, you can keep meat or sides warm until just the right time.
If you haven't invested into the air fryer craze yet and you are a BBQ enthusiast, you could even combine the two together depending on which model you go for. Below you can find a few picks that we've tested that are great for BBQing and air frying alfresco.
Do all of your cooking outdoors with this 7-in-1 grill from Ninja, which also features an air fry setting.
Electric, compact and a top performer in our review, the Weber Lumin is ideal for small gardens.
Hopefully, with these tips you'll be able to cook a delicious spread and have time to entertain your guests. Have you got any hacks you use with your air fryer to stay on top of a BBQ?
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