The air fryer has quickly become a must-have kitchen appliance, celebrated for its ability to "fry" food using little to no oil. If you’ve recently gotten your hands on one (or are thinking about it), you’re probably excited to dive into the world of crispy fries, juicy chicken, and even healthier desserts. But before you start experimenting, there are a few things you should know to get the most out of your air fryer.
In this guide, we’ll cover seven essential tips to help you get the most out of your air fryer. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro looking to improve, these tips will make your air frying experience more efficient, healthier, and even more fun.
Just like you would preheat your oven for baking, preheating your air fryer is an essential step to ensure your food cooks evenly and gets that signature crispy finish. While many people skip this step, taking a few extra minutes to preheat your air fryer could make a significant difference in the texture and taste of your meals.
Most air fryers have a preheat function that you can use, or you can manually set the temperature and let it run for 3-5 minutes before adding your food. This allows the air fryer to reach the desired temperature and ensures that your food starts cooking immediately once it’s inside, giving you that perfect crisp.
If you skip preheating, your food might cook unevenly, leaving you with soggy spots or parts that are overdone.
Handy Tip: For even cooking, shake or flip your food halfway through the cooking time, especially for items like fries or chicken wings that may pile up in the basket.
One of the most common mistakes air fryer users make is overcrowding the basket. While it might be tempting to fill it up and get everything cooked at once, overcrowding could significantly impact how well your food turns out. The air fryer relies on hot air circulating around the food to achieve that crispy finish, and if the basket is too full, the air can’t move freely.
To get that perfectly even, golden-brown crisp, make sure to place your food in a single layer, with some space between each piece. If you need to cook a larger batch, it’s better to work in smaller portions. Yes, this means cooking in rounds, but the end result—crispy, evenly cooked food—is well worth the wait.
This rule is particularly important when cooking things like French fries, chicken nuggets, or vegetables. Overcrowding will leave you with unevenly cooked food, with some pieces crispy and others disappointingly soggy.
Handy Tip: If you need to cook larger portions at once, look for air fryers with a bigger capacity, or consider getting one with multiple cooking racks, which allows you to air fry more food without overcrowding the basket.
One of the biggest appeals of the air fryer is its ability to create crispy, fried food without the need for much oil. But that doesn’t mean oil has no place in air frying—just the opposite! In fact, a light spritz of oil can help certain foods get that perfect golden-brown crisp, especially when air-frying frozen or breaded items.
Use oil sparingly. You don’t need to drench your food as you would when deep frying. Instead, a light coat of oil is all that’s required for optimal crispiness. For example, homemade fries or breaded chicken might benefit from a quick spray of oil before cooking, helping them crisp up beautifully without becoming greasy.
On the other hand, foods that already contain natural fats, like fatty cuts of meat or frozen pre-cooked items (like store-bought fries), may not need any additional oil. In these cases, the air fryer will pull the fat from the food to help it crisp up naturally.
Handy Tip: Use an oil mister or spray bottle to lightly coat your food with oil rather than pouring it directly onto the food. This ensures an even distribution without overloading your meal with unnecessary oil.
Cooking with an air fryer may seem straightforward, but each type of food has its own ideal cooking time and temperature. Getting these right is key to achieving the best results, and while many air fryers come with presets for popular foods, it’s still important to adjust based on what you’re cooking.
For instance, cooking delicate foods like fish or vegetables might require lower temperatures (around 350°F) for a shorter time, while denser items like bone-in chicken or thicker cuts of meat may need to cook longer at a higher temperature (around 375-400°F). Using the right settings could mean the difference between food that’s tender and juicy versus overcooked or dried out.
Experimenting is half the fun, but if you’re new to air frying, many manufacturers include basic cooking guides in their manuals. This could help you get started while you get the hang of adjusting the settings to your liking.
Handy Tip: Keep an eye on your food during the cooking process, especially if you’re trying out new recipes. It’s easy to pull out the air fryer basket to check on your food, give it a shake, or adjust the time if needed.
While we often think of air fryers as tools for fresh meals, they can also be a fantastic option for reheating leftovers. Forget about soggy microwave results—your air fryer could give life back to pizza, fries, and other leftovers that lose their crispness in the fridge. It’s quick, easy, and could produce reheated food that’s just as good (or even better) than when it was freshly cooked.
To reheat, simply set your air fryer to a lower temperature, around 300°F, to gently warm the food without overcooking it. The circulating hot air will restore that crispy texture to foods like pizza crust, fried chicken, or roasted potatoes. Plus, it heats much faster than an oven, making it a convenient option for quick meals.
And here’s a bonus: reheating bread in an air fryer could help bring back that just-baked softness, especially for items like rolls, garlic bread, or even croissants.
Handy Tip: Reheat small portions of food at a time to ensure they heat evenly. Overloading the basket with cold leftovers could prevent your food from heating properly.
When you think “air fryer,” the first thing that probably comes to mind is crispy, fried-style food. But this appliance is far more versatile than you might realize. In fact, you could use it for a wide range of cooking techniques, from roasting vegetables to baking desserts.
Want perfectly roasted Brussels sprouts or sweet potatoes? The air fryer’s high-heat circulation system is perfect for caramelizing vegetables while keeping them tender inside. You can even toast nuts, make crispy bacon, or bake muffins in an air fryer, giving you endless options for meals, snacks, and desserts.
With a bit of creativity, you might find yourself using the air fryer for things you never expected, like baking small batches of cookies or even “frying” donuts. The more you experiment, the more possibilities you’ll uncover, making it one of the most versatile tools in your kitchen.
Handy Tip: When baking in the air fryer, try using silicone baking cups or liners to contain your batter or dough. This keeps your air fryer clean while allowing for perfectly baked goods with minimal cleanup.
To keep your air fryer working efficiently and producing great results, regular cleaning and maintenance are essential. Luckily, most air fryer parts—like the basket and tray—are non-stick and dishwasher-safe, making cleanup quick and easy. However, if you want to keep your air fryer in top condition, hand washing with warm, soapy water may be the better choice to prolong the life of its non-stick coating.
Be sure to also wipe down the heating element and the inside of the fryer after every few uses, especially if you notice any oil or food residue accumulating. A clean air fryer not only ensures better-tasting food but also prevents the risk of smoking or overheating.
Regularly cleaning your air fryer doesn’t just keep it looking nice; it also helps it run efficiently. By taking just a few minutes to clean it after each use, you’ll help extend its lifespan and keep your food tasting fresh and delicious.
Handy Tip: If your air fryer develops a lingering smell from cooking strong-flavored foods like fish, try wiping the basket and tray with a little vinegar and water. This natural solution helps neutralize odors and leaves your fryer smelling fresh for your next use.
The air fryer is more than just a trendy kitchen gadget—it’s a versatile, time-saving tool that could simplify your cooking routine while helping you create delicious, healthier meals. Whether you’re using it to crisp up frozen snacks, roast vegetables, or even bake treats, knowing these essential tips could help you get the most out of your air fryer.
From preheating and avoiding overcrowding to experimenting with new recipes and keeping it clean, these air fryer basics provide a strong foundation for cooking with confidence. The more you use it, the more you’ll discover just how much your air fryer can do—and how it could transform the way you cook.
