Buzz
I don't find much value in nitpicking appliances that have garnered passionate followings. While I get that it's human nature to resist things that suddenly become widespread and popular, it’s worth pausing to think about why certain things rise to prominence. Whether it’s a group of endearing teenagers with catchy songs or a kitchen gadget, the most successful and popular things often do so because they bring people joy.
Take the Instant Pot, for instance. It may just be a pressure cooker, but it’s the pressure cooker that introduced the average home cook to the art of pressure cooking, enabling them to try new dishes and prepare meals faster. Some people might have used it to create bold, new recipes; others might have simply cooked more beans. Regardless, it adds value, and dismissing an appliance that gets people enthusiastic about cooking and eating isn’t, in my view, productive.
Not every tool is right for every person, but that doesn’t mean it’s not right for someone. The air fryer—yes, “just a tabletop convection oven” that “doesn’t technically fry anything”—might not suit a mother of four who’s the main cook in the house. Even with a large model, it doesn’t have the space to prepare enough servings for a whole family. In this scenario, investing in an oven with a convection setting would be a much more practical choice for her.
For single individuals, students, or teens whose parents work odd hours and often end up cooking for themselves (like I did from the age of 10), the air fryer proves to be a real game-changer. It's affordable (mine cost $50), easy to use, and very efficient. You get the results of a convection oven without the wait for it to preheat, meaning you can cook a full meal in about 10 minutes.
It’s essentially a larger version of an Easy Bake Oven, with the quickness of a microwave. While it doesn’t technically fry anything, it helps a specific group of people eat better, and obsessing over the exact name the appliance is sold under serves no one.
That said, the air fryer is perfect for making a delicious plate of gnocchi and meatballs in around 10 minutes. Both gnocchi and meatballs are best when they're soft on the inside and just a little crispy on the outside, and since shelf-stable gnocchi and frozen meatballs cook at almost the same rate, they make the perfect pair. The size of the meatballs can vary, but the ones I used were on the larger side, and the gnocchi turned out just right—fluffy on the inside with a subtle, crispy outer layer.
One of the best features of the air fryer is how easy it is to check on your food as it cooks. Unlike sous-vide or Instant Pot cooking, where the food is sealed in a bag or under pressure, you can open the air fryer, check the progress, and close it back up without worrying about losing heat (any heat that escapes is quickly replenished). Start checking your balls at around 8 minutes. Cut one open to check if it’s heated through, and if not, give it another minute or two. If you can handle microwaving a TV dinner, you’ve got this pasta dish covered.
Air-Fried Gnocchi and Meatballs
Ingredients
Gnocchi, as much as you’d like to enjoy
Frozen meatballs, as many as you want (keep them frozen, no need to thaw)
Olive oil
Garlic salt (or a mix of garlic powder and salt)
Your favorite pasta sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Preheat the air fryer to 385℉. In a mixing bowl, toss the gnocchi with just enough olive oil to coat them lightly. Season with garlic salt to taste, then transfer the gnocchi into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space for the meatballs. Add the frozen meatballs, close the basket, and cook for 8-11 minutes, until the gnocchi are golden and crispy on the outside and the meatballs are thoroughly cooked. While that’s cooking, heat up enough sauce for your meal (about 1/3 cup should do). Once done, plate the gnocchi and meatballs, pour over the sauce, and garnish with grated parmesan or fresh basil if desired.
