Did Santa bring you an Air-Fryer this Christmas?
If not, you may want to head out and pick one up, Why?

They’re “game changers” especially when it comes to slimming down.
Using one can you reduce your calorie intake by up to 80%, all while
letting you enjoy the foods you love.

They’re also incredibly quick and easy to use, and this is a boon especially
if you’re a working mom (or dad).
They (air-fryers) work by circulating fan powered hot air around food items
to quickly heat them from every angle.

So, if you’re looking for convenience and some healthy snacks and soup
dishes to make in your air-fryer, you’re in luck, just look below for the recipes.

Soup’s On!
Shave off calories and fat with the following soup recipes.

Soup No. 1- Potato Beet-
Now is the time (winter) to eat hearty root vegetables like beets and potatoes
and if you’re a fan of food that not only tastes great, but is pretty to look at,
this soup is it.
To make:
Add 2 cups of diced beets, 2 cups of diced potatoes and 1 chopped onion to
the air-fryer basket; air-fry at 350*F. for 25 mins. Transfer to a blender with 2 cups
of chicken stock, 1/2 cup of half & half, 1/2 cup of Swiss chard and 1 tsp. of garlic
salt. Blend until smooth and garnish with a sprig of parsley or thyme.

Soup No. 2- Cream of Mushroom-
Need a savory and flavorful soup for the next few months, this is it.
To make:
Add 16 baby bella mushrooms, 1 chopped onion and 2 cloves of garlic
to the air-fryer basket; air-fry at 375*F for 10 mins. Transfer to a blender
with 2 cups of beef stock, 1/2 cup of low-fat sour cream and 2 Tbs. of light
soy sauce; blend until smooth. Top with some chopped chives or parsley.

Soup No. 3- Maple Butternut-
Enjoy this soup which is a little sweeter than most soups.
To make:
Add two (10 oz.) packages of butternut squash (frozen), 1 chopped onion and
3 cloves of garlic to the air-fryer basket; air-fry at 400*F for 20 mins.
Transfer to a blender with 2 cups of chicken stock, 2 Tbs. of butter, 1/4 cup of
maple syrup and 1/2 tsp. of salt; blend until smooth. Top with sour cream and
toasted seeds- sunflower or pumpkin.

Now onto the snacks…
Snack No. 1- Kale Chips-
Popular for a few years now, and today, you won’t need to turn the oven on
to make them, just use your air-fryer.
To make:
Remove stems from 2 bunches of kale; tear leaves into bite-size pieces, then rinse
and dry. Mix leaves, 2 Tbs. of olive oil and 1 tsp,. of garlic salt or powder, rub the powder
into the greens. In batches, lay kale in single layer in the basket; air-fry at 375*F, 5 mins
per batch, shaking halfway through. Enough for 4 servings.

Snack No. 2- Crispy “Faux Peanuts” or Air-Fried Chickpeas-
You love snacking on peanuts, but you don’t like all of the salt and calories, so
to continue snacking, just eat these.
To make:
In a bowl combine 2 tsp. of paprika, 2 tsp. of garlic powder, 1 tsp. of oregano*
and 1 tsp. of salt. Take a can of chickpeas, drain and rinse the chickpeas, add
the chickpeas to the basket. Air-fry at 400*F for 9 mins; coat with cooking spray
and spice mix. Shake. Fry until crisp, about 9 mins. Transfer to a baking sheet and
let cool.
* Oregano- Read or reread our post on the benefits of oregano, the post:
The Spanish Slow-Cooked Chicken Recipe To Prevent Winter Colds and Flu.
Another tip: In addition to filling in for peanuts, use these legumes as a low-cal substitute
for croutons.

Snack No. 3- Zucchini Sticks-
If you enjoy mozzarella sticks but not the calories, make this instead.
To make:
Cut 2 zucchini into sticks. In shallow dish, mix 1 cup of breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup of
grated Parmesan and 2 tsp. of garlic salt. Toss zucchini in 1 beaten egg, then in
crumb mixture; add to fryer basket. Air-fry at 400*F, making sure to flip the squash
after 15 mins. Enough for 4 servings.

That’s it, your guide for healthy snacks and soups using the new “cooking sensation”
known as the Air-Fryer.

More tips on using your air-fryer.
* Use This Instead.
Many pressurized cooking sprays have chemical propellants that can erode the machine’s
nonstick coating. To protect your gadget, pour healthy oil like avocado or olive into a
refillable pump-style spray bottle.
* Beware of The Mess-
When making something messy (meatballs) , make a sling or boat out of
aluminum foil to cover the inside tray so you can easily lift food without spilling it.
* The Cleanup-
Choose models with a dishwasher safe basket. Brands to look for: Dash 2 .6 quart
machine of Instant Vortex Plus 6-quart model. Go online to Amazon.com or Walmart
stores.

Sources:
* Sheri Vettel, Health Coach and Dietician
* Samantha Milner, Creator of RecipeThis.com
* First For Women, Magazine
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