Did you just purchase an air fryer and you’re wondering what you can do with it? Here are 20 Best Air Fryer Tips for Beginners that will help you make the most out of your air fryer.
1. Purchase the correct size for your family
Air fryers come in a variety of sizes and prices. If you are cooking for two people than a 3.7 quart or smaller should be fine. However, if you are cooking for a family of 4 or more than you should opt for the bigger capacity of 5.8 quarts and above.
2.Clean your air fryer
So, you’ve purchased an air fryer and you’re excited to start cooking with it. However, the first thing you should always do is wash it with a mild detergent, soft cloth or sponge and then wipe dry.
3. Give it space when cooking
An air fryer can warm up to 400°, so because of this it’s recommended that you make sure and leave 5 inches of space all the way around it.
Another quick tip is to put it on a cutting board to protect your countertops from the heat.
4. Grease your basket
Before you start cooking anything in your air fryer, a small amount of oil in the bottom of your basket helps to make sure everything comes out golden brown.
It will also prevent sticking especially any breaded food. If you are just going to be cooking meat like beef, oil is not necessary because of the extra fat already in the meat.
5. Don’t use aerosol sprays
Don’t use aerosol sprays such as Pam because they can cause peeling of the baskets. It’s better to rub oil on or invest in an oil mister.
Here are some tips to make the most of your air mister:
- It’s best to loosen the top of your air mister to release any of the leftover air pressure after using it. This will help the oil come out easier the next time. Then, just re-tighten.
- Make sure to only fill with oil halfway. Otherwise, there isn’t enough room for the pressure to build-up resulting in a drizzle of oil instead of a spray.
6. Resist the urge to turn up the heat
Don’t let your food dry out. In order to prevent this, you may need to cook at a lower setting. Air fryers get hot very quickly and since it’s moving that hot air around, cooking at a lower temperature will help to prevent your food from becoming dry, hard and chewy.
When trying to adapt recipes that are cooked in the oven, I will usually cook them at about 25° lower in the air fryer so if the recipe says to bake at 400° then I will cook it in my air fryer at about 375°.
You can use air fryer calculator to find out the conversions of oven baking to air frying.
7. Don’t overcrowd the basket
When putting your food into the basket try not to overcrowd it, this will help your food to cook quicker and more evenly. Giving your food the extra space allows the air to circulate more easily so you can get that crispiness on all sides.
Keep in mind that although meat does tend to shrink during cooking, it’s still important to make sure that you are not stacking the meat on top of each other. It will cook best if placed in a single layer in your basket.
8. Use a toothpick
The hot air that circulates blows light things around. So, use a toothpick or utensil to hold the top item down. This works well if you are cooking something like grilled cheese sandwiches so the bread doesn’t fly off.
Of course, if you decide to use a utensil make sure to use tongs to remove it from the basket before flipping your food over.
Easy Grilled Ham and Cheese
- Preheat air fryer (390°) for 3 minutes
- Place cheese and ham between two slices of bread
- Spread butter on top of both slices of bread (I like to use light mayo in place of butter)
- Place in your air fryer and use a toothpick or small utensil so the top piece of bread doesn’t blow off.
- Cook grilled cheese at 390° for 4 minutes on one side, flip and cook for an additional 3 minutes or until golden brown. (If you like your bread cruncher, then you can add an extra minute)
Try adding a pickle or tomato slices to your grilled ham and cheese for some extra flavor.
9. Preheat air fryer
I didn’t bother preheating my air fryer when I first got it because I had read that it wasn’t necessary. However, after coming across a recipe one day that suggested it, I found that my food cooked more evenly, faster and just came out better.
If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat button, just turn your air fryer on and let it run for 2-3 minutes before you start using it.
10. Use presets
Presets are great when you are just getting started with the air fryer because you don’t have to think about how long to cook your food. The air fryer takes the guesswork out of it, making it easier for you.
12. Shake or turn halfway through cooking
When using your air fryer make sure to pause halfway through cooking to shake your food or turn it with a good pair of heat resistant tongs.
A quick shake or turn will allow your food to cook more evenly.
13. Grease one more time
You only have to use oil sparingly but it may be helpful when checking and turning your food to give it another light spray especially if you notice any flour spots left on your breaded items.
However, don’t use too much oil because it may end up making your food soggy.
14. Stop white smoke
In order to prevent smoke from happening when cooking with your air fryer, put a slice of bread under the basket. It will catch any grease that may fall especially if you are cooking fatty pieces of meat such as bacon or hamburgers.
Another option is to use a couple of tablespoons of water in the bottom before you begin cooking. This will stop the grease from getting too hot causing smoke to occur.
15. Check your food
Despite how easy it is to cook in because you don’t have to watch it as closely as something that is cooking on the stove. You should still check it at least halfway through the cooking time. Don’t let your food overcook as it will dry out in the air fryer if left in too long or is cooked at too high a temperature.
This meat thermometer works well for checking if your food is done. Just remember that different models may cook differently so you may need to adjust the amount of time it takes to cook your food in the air fryer.
16. Learn how to bread your food
Since the fan is quite strong and causes light items to blow around inside. When breading your food, it’s a good idea to use the 3 step breading method. Start by dredging your food in flour first, then dipping in an egg mixture and then pressing the bread crumbs on for best results.
You can also toss your breading in a small amount of oil before putting it on your meats or vegetables.
17. Try cooking healthier food in your air fryer
An air fryer is amazing for quickly cooking prepackaged frozen foods and your favorite fried food more healthy. However, don’t forget that an air fryer can also cook homemade food that not only tastes good but is good for you.
18. Use for leftovers
If you have ever cooked french fries in the oven or tried to warm pizza the next day in the microwave you will notice that they come out soft and sometimes soggy. However, an air fryer makes warming up leftovers a breeze. Your food will turn out crispy and delicious, almost like you were eating it for the first time.
19. Use to bake desserts
By now, you have discovered how amazing the air fryer is to cook your favorite fried foods in a healthier way. But, did you know that you can bake desserts in it too?
20. Clean your air fryer when finished using
Before cleaning your air fryer make sure it’s completely cooled. Then use a mild detergent to wipe clean. A quick and simple way to dry your air fryer is to replace the basket after it’s been washed and turn on the air fryer for a couple of minutes to dry the basket.
If you want to make clean-up even easier, you can purchase liners for your air fryer.
