RV Storage

An air fryer can be a great addition to your RV kitchen accessories if you have the space and power capacity for it.  Though an air fryer may appear at first to be something additional and therefore take up additional space on the counter or in the cupboard, there are some options for space savings.  There are many combo units for sale that can include a microwave, toaster oven, and air fryer all-in-one.  So depending on how much space you have, you can choose which would be the best fit for your space. 

Air Fryer Power Consumption

Of greatest concern to most RVers is the air fryer power consumption. Power consumption really is what people are indirectly asking about, when they ask “can you use an air fryer in an RV?”. While RVing there are power limitations that could impact the ease of use of an air fryer.  Even plugged in at an RV park, if you have only 20 or 30 amp service, you may need to pay attention to the power usage and not run the air fryer at the same time as other high draw appliances.  The average air fryer power draw is 1500 watts, with devices ranging from 1000 to 1800 watts. 

Alternatively, if you camp off-grid in your RV, your inverter and battery power will determine your ability to use an air fryer and for how long.  If your inverter can handle the draw of your air fryer (approx 1000-1800 watts), then battery power is the last hurdle.  

Typical air fryers will draw between 10-15 amps while in use.  So even with only 100 amp hours of battery power, you could run a typical air fryer for about 6 hours.  Also keep in mind any appliance that the air fryer might be replacing, and how the power consumption compares.  For example, a standard electric oven is a much larger space to heat up, while air fryers generally have quite a small inside space.  Therefore, they cook fast and efficiently.  

RV Cooking Made Easy 

Air fryers are among the best appliances for RV living, especially if you’re striving for a healthy RV lifestyle.  So if you have the space and power capabilities, let’s look at how it supports healthy RV eating.

First, the best RV appliances are ones that are easy to use, can cook a wide variety of foods, and are practical to use for every meal of the day.  The air fryer certainly fits this bill.  

Air fyers are truly RV cooking made easy.  And if it’s easy to cook at home, you’ll do more of it, right?  Just toss in anything fresh or frozen, close the door, and wait (but not too long, air fryers cook fast).  All you need to know how to do is pick the right setting, and the air fryer does the rest!

Is an Air Fryer Healthy?

Yes! An air fryer is a fantastic appliance for healthy cooking.  As the name implies, this appliance “fries” with air, rather than traditional frying which uses oils.  Comparatively, an air fryer uses 70-80% less fat to achieve a similar result.  Air fryers circulate hot air around your food to create a fried-like crunchy, crispy exterior.  So trade your fried foods for air-fried foods, and you’ve certainly made a healthy choice. Air Frying is a perfect way to roast proteins and vegetables!

Here are two air fryers that we have used and recommend:

Cosori Pro Smart Air Fryer 5.8 QT   packs a punch for its size at only 12 x 14 x 12”.  It draws up to 1800 watts but is very quick and easy to clean up.  There’s just one dish to do (a basket) after cooking with the Cosori. We love the square basket shape and can fit a good amount of food in here.

Cuisinart Convection Toaster Oven Air Fryer is a great combo appliance and could even replace your microwave, oven, toaster, and air fryer all in one.  It’s a bit bigger at 17 x 22 x 16” but it may be worth the counter space if you’re replacing multiple appliances with this one.  It also draws up to 1800 watts, but comes up to temperature really quickly and cooks quite fast, thus saving on power consumption.

So is an Air Fryer Worth it in Your RV?

We think so.  This could end up being one of your staple appliances that helps your RV cooking become more efficient.  If you’re convinced and looking for the best air fryer for RV life, remember to consider your power limitations before you choose, and look into one of our recommendations above. Happy air-frying! 

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Where to Start with RV Meal Planning

RV meal planning involves some RV-specific considerations to set your plan up for success. Unlike being in a traditional home, your kitchen setup and access may change week to week in RV life.  When you get ready to create your menu for the week ahead, be sure to consider whether you’ll be at an RV resort or campground with hookups, or if you’ll be off-grid boondocking somewhere instead.  This may affect which appliances you can use, and even the tools or ingredients you have on hand.  And if you’re a part-time RVer or just going away for the week, you may need to pack your kitchen supplies from the house, according to your meal plan.  Make sure you have the appliances, equipment, and ingredients you need in the RV. 

Tally up the Amount of Weekly Meals

The typical meal plan is for one week, some people plan only for the five-day workweek, while others will plan a full seven days.  Consider how many meals you may be dining out while on the road (including travel days) and subtract those from your plan.  Determine the number of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners you’ll need for the week ahead.  And how many people are your prepping for?  Who will be eating these meals with you?  Multiply your number of diners at each meal to get a sense of how much to cook for each meal, and that becomes the outline for your RV meals for a week.

Slot in Recipes and Ingredients

Next up is the actual menu, this is the fun part!  Determine which RV recipes you want to prepare for each meal, and fill in your outline as you go.  Consider overlapping some ingredients across meals so as to simplify your shopping list. Be sure to include at least one meal that you’re excited about and will look forward to, and maybe also one easy meal that doesn’t take a lot of RV meal prep or cooking effort.  Then, you can use this plan to create a list of ingredients that will become your shopping list.

RVer Pro Tip: try to keep your recipes simple, and the ingredients basic so you can find them easily at any grocery store on the road.  

Build Your Shopping List:

Organize your healthy RV food shopping list in order from the beginning of the week to the end.  Make note of any ingredients that are needed for the latter half of the week, will they keep for a week or should you wait to purchase them until mid-week?  Also, only buy what you need.  If you’re only cooking RV meals for two people, you may only need a small amount of an ingredient.  Shop the bulk section or the salad bar, to buy only the amount you need to eliminate waste. Don’t forget the healthy RV snacks for in-between meals and travel day sustenance. And be sure to check the pantry to confirm any staples you may not have in the RV before you head off to the grocery store. 

RV Food Storage:

Especially when it comes to RV meal planning, having the right RV food storage containers on hand is important.  You’ll want to have an assortment of sizes, and containers that stack and use space wisely in your cupboards and fridge.  Plus, you want an air-tight seal to maintain freshness and keep out any pests. 

One RV Cooking Recipe to Inspire Your Meal Planning-

The foil packet dinner is designed to be cooked over a campfire and is one of our favorites because cleanup is so easy.

• Tear off a piece of aluminum foil and set it out on the counter as your dinner canvas. 
• Add a protein and as many veggies as you like, then season with your favorite spices.
• Create an envelope around your ingredients, with some room for them to breathe.
• Cook over the campfire (or grill) and have some tongs ready to remove and open.
  

With time and practice, the meal planning process will get easier and quicker.  Over time, you will identify some go-to staple meals or themes that will show up in your weekly rotation regularly. Play around with different RV cooking ideas, and explore new RV meals on the go to keep things fun. Or maybe shop local and try some RV meals that reflect the destination you’re visiting. Just remember to keep it simple enough so you can stick with the plan.  Bon appetite!

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• Propane Stove Top– the RV propane stovetop can be permanent or portable, depending on your RV.  Small vans often opt for the portable stove top so it can be stowed away when not in use. It is also portable to use both indoors and outdoors. You may prefer a propane stove top if you like to camp off-grid but don’t have enough solar to support an electric cooktop.  There are many applications from standard cooktop uses that can sit on gas burners. Pots and pans, stovetop griddles, and pizza ovens can all sit on the gas burners. Most standard RVs come equipped with a plumbed propane stove top, so it’s a great way to get started with stock cooking equipment. Plus, if you have a gas stove in your sticks and bricks home, this will be very similar to what you are used to. This may be the most commonly used of all RV cooking essentials. 
  
• Propane Oven- some RVs come equipped with a propane oven and stove top combination appliance.  However, some RVs come standard only with a stovetop and no oven.  If cooking in an RV oven is important to you, look for an RV that comes with one already installed.  It is possible to manage RV cooking with no oven, most people do so with a toaster oven instead. An RV propane oven will cook closer to a home gas oven, but with any RV oven remember that the inside cooking space is smaller than a residential oven and cook times will vary as a result.  Very few RVs come equipped with a residential oven (few large fifth wheels and motorhomes may have full or ¾ residential ovens factory installed).
  
• Portable Induction Cooktop- induction cooking in an RV is a bit of an RV cooking hack. This appliance is an RV favorite for its safety and is especially popular in rigs that have lots of solar.  Why burn fuel when you have free power from the sun?  The biggest consideration for selecting this appliance is the cooktop power requirements.  The wattage demand will likely vary depending on the appliance you choose, but the lowest-end consumption will start around 1500-1700 watts, and to power this RV cooking accessory you’ll need a solar system that can support that much power draw. Skillet meals are the most simple, and we have tons of easy skillet recipes to pick from!
  
• Instant Pot- the instant pot is RV cooking made easy.  If you have the power to use an instant pot, it will save you on dishes and the need for other cooking tools.  So whether you’re out for the weekend or living full-time on the road, the Instant Pot is a favorite by many RVers. Instant Pots use between 700-1200 watts so they’re also quite solar-friendly.
  
• BBQ Grill or Smoker- RVers love their smokers.  It almost seems like they belong together, perhaps it’s something about the slower lifestyle. Smokers for RVs help complete your outdoor kitchen and can keep you from cooking in an RV. This is especially helpful when it’s hot outside and you don’t want to heat up the interior of the RV by cooking for long intervals inside the RV. Smokers also use little to no electricity if power is a concern on your RV adventure. BBQ grills for RVing serve many of the same pros as smoker grills. If space aboard is a concern, you may find BBQ grills available in smaller sizes than smokers. BBQ grills are perfect for items such as our Shawarma Spiced Chicken.
  
• Blackstone- The Blackstone griddle is a top contender. It’s an excellent method for outdoor cooking and comes in various sizes. Whether you’re cooking for two or for a crowd, it’s a winner. Some of our favorites to cook are stir frys, bacon, eggs, toast, and other items that you can’t put on a grill.
  
• Air Fryer- the air fryer oven for RVs is up there with the instant pot for easy healthy RV meals. And in fact, it’s actually our #1 favorite of all healthy RV cooking appliances! Again, it’s an all-in-one type appliance that cuts down on dishes. So it’s great whether you’re RVing for the weekend or the long haul.  There’s also an air fryer toaster oven for RVs now that can further cut down on appliances needed. These models provide the functionality of an air fryer, toaster, oven, and more all-in-one. The wattage on air fryers varies greatly depending on the model, so if power consumption is of concern to you, read the fine print carefully before choosing the air fryer for your RV.
  
• Jetboil- jetboils carry over to RV life well from camping, and can be a great resource if you’re trying to limit power consumption.  Jetboils are quick and efficient on gas consumption.

All of these amazing RV appliances can support your healthy RV eating goals.  When choosing the appliances to stock your RV kitchen with, if solar is a consideration, be sure to know the power requirements of the appliances and the capability of your solar system.

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RV Food Storage Considerations

RV life is small and mobile.  Here are some important considerations when choosing RV food storage containers to optimize organization. 

• Size & Shape – choose sizes and shapes that work together, preferably square or rectangle over round, to maximize the use of space.
• Stackable & Nestable – choose brands that stack (and preferably lock together) when in use, and that nest well when in storage.
• Air Tight – a good air-tight seal will protect your food from weather, both dryness, and humidity.  It will also keep you from attracting rodents and insects. 
• Leak-Proof – choose food storage containers with lids that are labeled leak-proof for less worry, especially on move days. 
• Clear – choose clear containers with transparent lids so you can see the contents without having to open the container (or move three other containers just to get it out to open it)
• Plastic over glass – while some glass food storage will stand up to a bumpy move day, it’s not worth the worry.  Broken glass in your fridge or pantry can cause a loss of lots of food, in addition to what was in the container.  Plus, the mess to clean up.
• Mice-Proof – something you may not worry about in your sticks and bricks home, but always must consider in an RV. Look for mice-proof food storage to be labeled as mice-proof containers but when in doubt, choose heavy-duty, hard plastic containers with a tight-fitting lid. Mice can chew through soft plastics.

RV Food Storage for Optimizing Nutrition

If you’re trying to eat healthily and cook at home, the right storage containers will really help make it easier.  One key aspect of healthy RV eating is RV meal planning and prep.  Choose the best RV storage containers with the guidelines above, and you can extend the life of your produce, extend the life of your pantry items, and have the ability to purchase in bulk while on the road. Being prepared with the right RV cooking essentials and storage containers is one of our favorite RV cooking hacks. Healthy RV meals begin with having the best ingredients, so investing in proper storage containers is the first step to storing and keeping good food protected and fresh in your RV.

You Can’t OutRun a Bad Diet

Maintaining fitness on the road and having a healthy RV lifestyle starts with proper nutrition.  Nutrition is critical for reaching and maintaining your fitness and physique goals. And proper fueling for an active lifestyle is important. Start with having the right ingredients on board in your RV, and storing them properly to stay fresh.

Having healthy options in your refrigerator is key. Prepping food makes such a huge difference in adhering to diets. Don’t let preventable challenges become your excuse!

Top RV Food Storage Choices from Full-Time RVers

Make the investment in good quality food storage containers that are the right size and shape for the storage space available in your RV.  It will save you from spills, spoils, and pests. It’s a tool that will help optimize your health and save you money. Here are a few of our top picks:

These are our #1 pick for in the refrigerator. Use on fresh produce with a dry paper towel, or to store prepped food/leftovers (such as our Cucumber Tomato Salad or Shawarma Chicken).

If you are looking for pantry storage to use on bulk items like oats, nuts, quinoa, or rice, these are perfect. This is where the rodent protection comes in!

This mice and moisture-proof dog food container will leave your Fido happy. Keep Fido’s food clean and spill-free! A great option for inside the RV and doubling up extra in your exterior pass-thru.

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As we travel around the country, we enjoy learning about the places we visit; their history, their food, and what makes each place unique.  So in today’s deep dive into healthy RV living, we’re looking at the New Mexico green chile and how we can cook with it.  The green chile is an important plant that’s been grown in New Mexico for over 100 years and is steep in tradition.

History of the New Mexico Hatch Green Chile

New Mexico chile is often referred to as hatch green chile due to the region where it’s grown and its color.  The chile plant itself actually ripens into a red color but is named due to its primary color during growth (green).  Only those chiles grown in Hatch Valley, New Mexico are referred to as hatch chiles. 

This famous state vegetable is an important crop to New Mexico’s culture and economy, as the hatch green chile is sold worldwide.  New Mexico accounts for 77% of the United States’ chile pepper growth, and in 2019 produced $50 million in sales for the state.

Furthermore, the New Mexico hatch green chile is the most sought-after chile pepper in the world.  They say the growing conditions are unlike anywhere else on earth, from the flood-plain soil and mountain stream irrigation to the fluctuating temperatures, thus making it difficult to replicate.

Where to Buy Green chile

Wherever you are in the world, you can buy the iconic New Mexican green chile.  Thanks to providers like the Hatch Chile Store, you can buy online (with free shipping) and direct from the farmers in Hatch Valley (in-season, pre-order now to ship July/August).  https://www.hatch-green-chile.com/

But if you find yourself visiting or passing through New Mexico, you won’t be able to miss the green chiles for sale and in all of the local cooking.  The state question is: “red or green?” and the only appropriate answer is “Christmas” (both).  So if you want to live like a local when you’re in New Mexico, order your hamburger “Christmas-style.”

If you’re lucky enough to visit Santa Fe you have to stop at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market. Out of season, you’ll find them dried and canned, but in season you’ll find them fresh and being roasted on-site. Plan your visit for late summer if you want to score some fresh local green chiles.

RV Friendly Recipes

Due to the short harvest season, you may not find fresh green chile year-round.  Instead, you may only have access to dried New Mexico chiles, or New Mexico chile powder.  That’s okay!  These recipes will all be amazing whether using fresh or dried green chiles. 

Below are some simple RV cooking recipes for making use of your New Mexican green chiles.  We like green chiles as an easy way to spice up any healthy RV meal.

Green Chile Chicken Enchilada

For a healthy twist on any enchilada dish, make sure your chicken is skinless. Choosing reduced-fat versions for your cheese and yogurt also helps bring calories down. We like this recipe because it uses minimal dishes and is easy enough for a beginner cook.  Plus, it packs 29 grams of protein per serving!

Crock Pot Pork Chile Verde 

Your slow cooker does all the work for this recipe because you deserve a night off.  We love that the green chile is the star of this dish and you can freeze it to have leftovers.  Cook once, eat twice is a good policy to follow in RV life. It helps you food prep and keep the dishes from piling up.

Green Chile Burgers

These savory burgers feature red chile powder inside of the burger and green chiles piled on top. Choose your desired way to serve it to make it custom to your nutrition goals.

Which Recipe Will You Try?

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about the New Mexico hatch green chile. Maybe we’ve inspired you to try one of the healthy RV meals we linked above?  Always remember that spice is your friend. Spice will bring loads of flavor to any dish, without the extra fat or calories.  Good luck cooking with your green chiles!

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To answer the question “are dates healthy?”, let’s take a closer look at them. Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree and the majority of them sold in the US today are dried (you can tell by the wrinkled skin if a date is dried). Since they’re typically dried, their calorie content is higher than most fresh fruit. So are dates good for you?
The flesh is low in fat and protein but rich in sugar, vitamins, and minerals, and high in dietary fiber.  Dates are also a good source of antioxidants. 

Sugar: dates contain fructose and glucose, both naturally occurring sugars

Minerals: dates contain potassium, magnesium, selenium, copper, manganese

Vitamins: dates contain vitamin B complex and vitamin C

Fiber: dates contain insoluble dietary fiber (which slows digestion and helps with blood
sugar control, dates are also a natural laxative)

Antioxidants: dates are a source of carotenoids and phenolics

A brief history of dates and Coachella Valley-

So how did this superfood become such a staple of Coachella Valley? In the late 1800s date seeds and offshoots were imported from Egypt, Algeria, and the Persian Gulf to the US. And in 1904 the USDA established an experimental agricultural station in Coachella Valley dedicated to cultivating dates.

In the decades that followed, Coachella Valley’s date crop production grew from 100,000 pounds in 1919 to 48 million pounds in 1955.  Today, 85% of the US date production comes from Coachella Valley. The arid climate and high heat of the Coachella Valley provided ideal conditions to produce high-quality dates.

Healthy date recipes

Dates are very sweet and taste a bit like caramel. Their most well-known recipe is the famous date shake- ‘The Palm Springs Date Shake’ even has its own recipe on Bon Appetit!

Traditional Date Shake Recipe:

• ¼ Cup Walnuts
• ½ Cup Dates
• 1 Cup Vanilla Ice Cream
• Ice

Healthy Date Shake Recipe:

• 2 Frozen Bananas
• 4 Dates
• 1 Cup Milk Alternative
• Dash Cinnamon

Here are some other healthy recipes using dates, and tips for cooking with dates instead of sugar:

Dates as a sugar substitute

The best way to substitute dates for white sugar is to make a date paste.  Mix dates with water (or milk/ alternative) in a blender, add sea salt and/or vanilla to taste.  Then replace sugar with date paste in a 1:1 ratio. 

This sugar substitute works well for cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and really any baked goods. 

Dates as a natural sweetener

You can also use whole pitted dates to make healthy snack bars, superfoods, or energy balls, or to add to smoothies.  Whole dates can be blended into sweetening sauces, salad dressings, or marinades, too. 

Peanut Butter Cup Energy Balls:

• Dates
• Peanut Butter (or other nut butter)
• Chia Seeds (sub flax or hemp if you prefer)
• Oats
• Dark Chocolate
  

Combine all ingredients, roll into raw dough balls, refrigerate and consume as-is. Easy!

Ways to Experience Dates in Palm Springs-

If you’re in the neighborhood, it’s worth a visit to the date-mecca of Coachella Valley.  Stop by Indio, Joshua Tree, Palm Desert, 29 Palms, or Palm Springs, they’ll all have date shakes for sale. The Coachella Valley has many date shake shops along Highway 111.

If you want to learn more about the history of dates in Coachella Valley, and how date farms operate, try a Palm Springs date farm tour. Sam Cobb Farms offers tours of the date farm in addition to tastings.  Established in 2002, they are a family farm that grows and sells fresh Medjool dates. Sam leads the tours himself and is a bit of a legend in dateland.

And finally, Windmill Market- a small mini-market in North Palm Springs- claims to have the “Best Date Shake in the Desert” along with other local treats.

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