Why Your Air Fryer Is the Ultimate Weapon Against Amarillo’s Summer Heat

When consecutive triple-digit days hit Amarillo, you have to punt: you need dinner, but standing over a hot grill or turning on the oven is completely out of the question.

The family needs to eat, but you are not about to heat up the house and make the air conditioner work even harder. The perfect solution is to pull out that trusty air fryer. Heck, I use it so much that it has a permanent spot on my countertops.

Battling the Triple-Digit Amarillo Heat Without the Oven

This is a perfect time to show your family how valuable that air fryer is. It's also a tool that you can use for more than just reheating pizza. Though I will have to say it is great at doing that too.

So when you are looking for a healthier way to cook, to get that perfect crispness without the oil, or just a great meal, the air fryer is the way to go.

Summer Hot Dogs

There really is nothing that screams summer more than hot dogs for dinner. The air fryer is a perfect way to make them. They are quick, and heck, you can get them the perfect degree of doneness that you want. I am a fan of hot dogs in the air fryer. Bonus points if you are just making a few dogs and can throw some cut-up potatoes in there too for the French fries. Work smarter, not harder.

Coconut Shrimp

Here is another quick meal we rely on the air fryer for. The daughter and granddaughter just love shrimp, and this is a hit. All you need is a box of Shake N Bake, a bag of coconut, and we use the extra-large shrimp. Dip the shrimp in water and then roll in a mixture of the Shake N Bake and coconut. Air fry until you get the exact crispness of the outer coating. The shrimp we buy is precooked, so it's even faster. Another win in the summer.

Ribs

This is Texas, so we love our barbecue, and ribs are simple in the air fryer. You can do it one of two ways. I usually cook the ribs first in the Instant Pot for about 15 - 20 minutes because that makes them fall off the bone tender, but you don't have to. You can just put them in the air fryer. It just might take a little longer to cook. No worries, because the oven isn't on and heating up your house. Once your ribs are cooked through, use a meat thermometer to be sure, then apply the barbecue sauce. This is when you throw them back in the air fryer to crisp them up. A great way to make ribs.

Steaks

I know anyone who is a steak snob is not going to believe me, but the air fryer is a great way to make a very juicy steak. I also get a little help from ChatGPT. I type in the exact cut of steak and the weight; I throw in whether it is thick or not and what temperature I want it cooked; that answer is always medium rare. Then I am given the exact time and temperature to cook it at. A great steak every time in the air fryer. Another win.

Chicken

Why light the grill or heat up the oven for chicken? The air fryer is another perfect way to cook it. We usually eat chicken breasts, a great even cook in the air fryer. You can cook on the bone or not. We switch it around and sometimes bread the chicken; sometimes we slab some barbecue sauce on it. There are so many options. Just make sure you use a thermometer to make sure it is cooked all the way through. The air fryer is a great way to cook your chicken in the summer.

Read More: Dumas Man Sells Picnic Tables in Amarillo For Medical Bills

Proving that virtually anything can be cooked in it, the air fryer has earned its permanent spot on my counter, to the point where I might just need a second one!

For now, though, my red air fryer on the kitchen countertop is the real MVP at dinnertime.