Recipe
No-Fry Burger & Fries Dinner
As we welcome in a new year, many of us vow to abide by a healthier body and mind. As college students trying to find that perfect balance between cheap costs, quality products, and time restraints, it is more than easy to straggle away from such resolutions. However, rediscovering my airfryer has given me some room to experiment with a recipe that can be replicated in either the kitchen or a dorm room. The combination of cajun fries and an avocado & black bean burger, topped with toasted onions, is enough to fill hearty appetites while sticking to a healthier you.
Are air fryers really healthier? Investing in a new cooking appliance can seem like a bad decision, when you can easily spend that college budgeted money somewhere more useful- grabbing that daily morning black coffee or spending it towards your Trader Joe's end of the week shopping, especially when your stove-top pan can do the same thing at a much cheaper price. After testing out this appliance, I can confirm that the hype surrounding it is very much real.
So how does it work exactly? The air fryer circulates hot air through convention and the hot air in turns cooks your food, presenting you with a dish that is cooked with little to no oil - a healthier and tastier option. The airfryer I used to make this recipe is the Phillips Air Fryer. This one is a little on the pricey side, but for a cheaper option, check out this one by Elite. Think of it as an investment for your health.
Black Bean and Quinoa Burger + Cajun Fries
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Servings: 2
Ingredients
- For the burger:
- 1 large burger
- 1 avocado
- 2 large tomatoes
- Whataburger Creamy Pepper Sauce or sauce your choosing
- 4 hamburger buns
- Dr. Praeger's Black Bean Quinoa Veggie Burgers
- For the cajun fries:
- 2 large potatoes
- cajun seasoning
- 1 bag toasted onions
- salt and pepper to taste
- olive oil
Step 1
Preheat the air fryer to 350°.
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Tip: Some of the seasoning will get lost in the basket, so to ensure adequate seasoning of the fries, use the seasoning mixture again after they are done.
Step 7
Step 8
Chop one large onion into thin slices.
Step 9
Step 10
Step 11
Step 12
Step 13
Then, add your burger, your chopped tomatoes, chopped onions, and sliced avocado.
To finish, top the burger with toasted onions for an extra crunch!
Your burger is now assembled! Serve with cajun fries for a hearty meal!
Whether you are looking for healthier alternatives to frying, reducing your daily oil intake, or just feel like experimenting in the kitchen, I definitely recommend an air fryer in preparing your next dinner dish! You can even use your airfryer to make more recipes like roasted chickpeas or peppers - the options are endless. You won't be disappointed!