The Ultimate Guide To Steam Air Frying

Steam air frying has become the go to nowadays when it comes to air frying. But what is a steam air fryer, how does it differ, what are your options, which gadgets offer it and how can it help you cook smarter in your kitchen. In our ultimate guide to steam air frying we will be sharing with you our own experiences and whether getting a gadget that steam air frys is right for you.

What Is Steam Air Frying?

Steam air frying is a type of air frying where the food you are cooking steams and it is air frying at the exact same time. This works well with foods that have a longer air fryer cooking time, as it can be cooking the food in the middle as well as a crispy texture on the outside.

Because its for longer cooking time recipes, think of things you would oven bake for a while. Such as jacket/baked potatoes, a whole chicken, leg of lamb, potato wedges, roasted vegetables and such like.

Because steam air frying is adding moisture (the steam element) it doesn’t suit food that you want cooking quickly and you want really crispy. So I would avoid it for things like battered fish, chicken nuggets, mozzarella sticks etc.

Is Steam Air Frying Any Good?

Yes, steam air frying is a great modern way of cooking. Because it combines two ways of cooking at the same time, it can speed you up and also make the food taste better. Imagine cooking the inside of a roast potato at the same time as creating the crispy texture we all know and love.   

Is Steam Air Frying Healthier?

Steam air frying and air frying without steam are the same. That is because you need the same amount of oil and the same ingredients regardless of whether you choose to air fry or steam air fry. Its more that you are mixing up two methods of cooking to cook the food quicker.

However, all the gadgets that offer steam air frying, also offer just steam cooking, and in this case when you just steam you don’t need any oil, so they can be lower in calories.

Can You Steam In An Air Fryer?

You can only steam in an air fryer, that has a steam button and has been manufactured to steam. Otherwise, it is very dangerous in doing so. Its dangerous because you are going to end up with water in the wrong place and this can lead to a water getting into the electrics and potentially causing a fire.

But to understand this fully you must understand the mechanics of the air fryers that do offer a steam feature.

First, there is the popular Ninja brand that offer a steam and a steam air fry feature. There is the Ninja Speedi which we own and is great for steam air frying. There is also the Ninja Foodi 11in1, 14in1, and 15in1.

There is also the popular Philips Air Fryer that now has an air fryer that also steams and does steam air frying.

But when you compare their setup to regular air fryers, they are not built the same and that is why they can steam air fry.

The Ninja Foodi and the Ninja Speedi for example, looks like a big cooking pot, similar to a slow cooker. So, like we all know, it’s fine to put liquid in a slow cooker, so by having an air fryer lid attached they are a dream for steam air frying. There is somewhere for the liquid to go.

Then with the new Philips Air Fryer (its this one) it has what I call a water tank at the top. This is probably not the best way to describe it. But its like a little water box at the top of the air fryer for when you use the steam air fry or steam setting. I am in love with this as you can fill it to the max line and then it will cover at least 3 recipes.

Now you know there is an air fryer that also steams. But what else do you need to know? Well, do you really need all the other bells and whistles?  

Steam Air Fry Vs Steam Bake Vs Steam Roast Vs Steam Bread

OMG now that is information overload or function overload, isn’t it? The Ninja has brought out more and more Ninja Foodi’s all with these different buttons. But you can use any of these and get the same or very very similar results. So, if you see a recipe in our cookbook – The Complete Multicooker Cookbook that uses steam bake or steam roast, note you can just as easily swap this for steam air fry.

Steam Air Fry Vs Steam Roast

We did test this with both a whole chicken and then on another occasion with some potato wedges. And the difference was so slight that unless you had the best 20/20 vison you wouldn’t notice the difference.

So, when you are air frying and have these options go with whichever button you like.

In our time and temp guide – The Complete Multicooker Cooking Guide we have a section for both but of course you can use any of the steam + settings.

Do You Need Special Water To Steam Air Fry?

No, you don’t. Just some cold water from the tap is perfect. Though if you are planning to make gravy or a sauce and using a Ninja Foodi or a Ninja Speedi, then you can swap this for cold stock.

Can You Use Oil With Steam Air Frying?

Yes, oil is recommended with steam air frying. That is because what you are cooking on the air fryer mode as well as steaming and you don’t want to make your food dry; you want yummy crispy food.

Can You Put Water In An Air Fryer To Steam For Chicken?

Only if you have an air fryer that has a steam setting or steam air fryer setting. Such as the Philips Air Fryer 5000 dual series or the Ninja Foodi or Ninja Speedi.

Do You Vent Or Seal With Steam Air Frying?

If you are using a Ninja Foodi with a steam air fry setting, you may be wondering if you have it set to venting or sealing. Well, it’s always venting because you only ever set it to sealing if you are pressure cooking.

Ninja Speedi Steam Air Fry Instructions

Now you know the ins and outs of the do’s and don’ts of steam air frying, lets talk steam air fry instructions using the Ninja Speedi.

Why the Ninja Speedi you may be wondering? Just because it’s a brilliant starting point and I love steam air frying with my Speedi.

First things first – you need a little water to steam air fry, but the food doesn’t sit in the water. This is because then it is like boiling food and not steaming. The food always sits above or below the water.

In the Ninja Speedi you add the water into the cooking pot first. The quantity of water needed to steam air fry depends on the cooking time. I find that 2 cups (480ml) are perfect. Though in some quick cooks I can use half of this.

Then you add your crisp plate which is the name given to what is the Ninja Speedi air fryer add in.

Then your food then sits on the crisp plate. So, for example let’s say you are making some potato wedges, you would mix them with extra virgin olive oil and seasonings and then add them to the crisp plate.

Then you can follow our cooking times from our Complete Multicooker Cooking Guide and steam air fry, or steam roast depending on what you prefer to do. You can also get our full Ninja Speedi potato wedges recipe here inside Kitchen Gadgets Club.

Note the Speedi has steam bake and steam air fry. Steam bake and steam roast are pretty much the same so you can switch it up.

How To Steam In The Air Fryer?

So how does this differ if you are using the Philips Air Fryer Dual 5000 series? After all this has the water above and not below.

Well, all you have to do is make sure your water is filled up to the max line and then you cook the food in the air fryer like you always do. Just throw it in and then set the time and temp to steam air fry button and you are sorted!

The steam air fryer mode with how long the food cooks is the same regardless of using the Philips Air Fryer 5000 series, Ninja Speedi or Ninja Foodi.

How To Steam In The Air Fryer?

If you want to just steam in the air fryer, those that have a steam air fry button, also have just steam. It is perfect for when you want to steam some fish, vegetables, chicken etc.

How Long Does Steam Air Frying Take?

Its actually rather quick. It needs to warm up the water first in order to steam and air fry, but once its warm its fast.

For a fun compare let’s talk air fryer chips vs steam air fryer chips. Using a regular air fryer mode it would take 25 minutes, but on steam air fryer its 22 minutes. A 3 minute saving.

Another example….medium air fryer chicken breasts take 18 minutes using steam air fry vs 20 minutes with just air frying.

So, whilst you might think this is not much, when you involve bigger food to cook such as roast gammon it can be a 20 minute cooking time difference.

These cooking times are all from our Multicooker Time & Temp Guide which includes steam air frying, steaming, air frying, grill, dehydrate and more.

And that is steam air frying 101 and lots of great information to get you started with steam air frying and of course if it is for you or not.

You can also grab our book and time and temp chart below which is brilliant for great recipes and getting going with steam air frying.

Love Sam xx

PS: Comment with what kitchen gadgets you have as we would love to know and have you got a gadget that has a steam air fryer button?