How to Use an Air Fryer: A Full Guide for Beginners

Way to go — you’ve made the plunge and bought one of the most convenient countertop appliances around! Here’s a detailed guide on how to use an air fryer.

If you’ve just become the owner of a brand-new air fryer, this article is for you. Air fryers are everywhere — for good reason. There is so much you can make, bake, and create. Enjoy all of the beauty of quick-cooking without a lot of clean-up or grease and oil!

You’re most likely wondering how to use an air fryer! An air fryer uses — you guessed it — air to fry your favorite foods, among so many other things. Plus, an air fryer barely uses any oil. Below are some tips, tricks, and the best ways to learn how to use an air fryer. 

Whether you want to make traditionally fried foods like French fries and potato chips, or healthier options like vegetables, an air fryer can do that. It’s important to understand exactly how to use an air fryer so that you get the results you’re looking for.

What is an Air Fryer?

An air fryer is a countertop convection oven that comes in various sizes. It is designed to imitate the process of deep-frying without all of the grease and oil that comes along with it. The fan inside the air fryer circulates hot air at a high speed, resulting in a crisp layer on the outside of food.

Air fryers cook food quickly and evenly, thanks to the concentrated heat source. The air fryer was invented by Philips in 2010. 

What does an air fryer do? The better question is, what doesn’t an air fryer do? Here are just a few examples of what you can cook up:

• Baked goods like cakes, cookies, and donuts
• Meats like wings, steak, and pork chops
• Sides like garlic bread and potatoes

Remember: you can use an air fryer to make fresh and frozen foods.

What’s the Difference Between an Air Fryer and a Deep Fryer?

The biggest difference between an air fryer and a deep fryer is that an air fryer uses little to no oil! Achieve the golden and crispy look and taste that you’re after without any of the added oil and grease. Here are some other important differences:

• An air fryer preheats faster than a deep fryer
• An air fryer requires less clean up than a deep fryer
• An air fryer is more versatile than a deep fryer

Let’s take a closer look at how to use an air fryer.

How to Use an Air Fryer: Questions and Answers

I use my air fryer every single day of the week – sometimes three times a day! There’s no denying how convenient it is to use from start to finish! It doesn’t take up too much space in my kitchen and it’s so easy to use, once you understand how it works. It’s essential to learn how to use an air fryer to get the most out of this cooking appliance.

Below you’ll find some of the most commonly asked questions on how to use an air fryer!

Air Fryer Options

Let’s back up a little bit. If you haven’t decided on which air fryer to buy, there are some things that you’ll need to consider first! 

There are several different air fryer options out there. Air fryers range from small and compact with a basket to air fryer toaster ovens, and there are even some wall ovens that include an air fryer (learn how to use those here)!

The most obvious first question you’ll need to ask yourself is what size air fryer would be best for your kitchen. 

You should also think about what kind of food you want to cook in your air fryer. If you dream of cooking up popcorn shrimp or potato chips, you should go for a small to medium-sized air fryer. If you have grand plans of roasting a whole chicken, opt for a medium to large air fryer!

Here are some of my favorite air fryer options:

• Cosori Basket Air Fryer – small, compact, and convenient (my personal favorite)
• Cuisinart TOA-60 Convection Toaster Oven – a convection oven with an air fryer option
• Samsung Gas Range with Air Fryer – a standard-sized oven with air fryer setting included
• Power XL Pro 6 Quart Air Fryer – the ultimate large air fryer

Taking Your Air Fryer Out of the Box

Let’s set up that new air fryer! Remove all of the contents from inside the box. Don’t be alarmed if there is a distinct plastic smell at first! This just means that your air fryer is brand new and has never been used. The smell will fade after a few uses. 

Once you’ve taken everything out of the box, I recommend that you wash all of the removable pieces. Make sure to include the air fryer basket, racks, and drawer.

You’ll notice that the basket features small holes to let any excess oil or grease drip off whatever you’re cooking. The air fryer drawer collects that excess oil, ensuring that none of it gets in your meal!

Run the air fryer on empty for about 10 minutes. Now, you’re ready to try it out!

Do You Need to Preheat an Air Fryer?

Yes, you do need to preheat an air fryer. So many people neglect this important step when learning how to use an air fryer. Just like an oven, you need to preheat an air fryer before you use it. No matter what make or model you use, don’t skip this step!

Some air fryers will come equipped with a convenient preheat button, but many do not. You can leave the air fryer basket inside the air fryer as it heats up. Double-check the recipe you’re using, and set the air fryer to the correct temperature. A small to medium-sized air fryer preheats in 2-3 minutes. Larger models can take up to 5 minutes.

Once your air fryer is hot enough, place the food you want to cook inside and set the timer for the desired cook time and enjoy! 

How to Clean an Air Fryer

Like any other kitchen appliance, don’t forget to clean your air fryer! Air fryers should be at least lightly cleaned after each use. You should deep clean your air fryer every few weeks. It’s especially important that you clean the air fryer basket and drawer every time you use it. You can learn everything you need to know about cleaning your air fryer here.

Don’t use any abrasive products or scrubbers and make sure that your air fryer is unplugged before you clean it. Some air fryers feature dishwasher-safe baskets and drawers, while others need to be cleaned by hand. Check your user manual before putting any attachments in the dishwasher! 

You can make clean up even easier if you use these air fryer accessories:

• Parchment paper (learn how to use parchment paper in the air fryer here)
• Silicone liner
• Silicone basket
• Aluminum foil

Remember, proper maintenance will make your air fryer last longer! A dirty air fryer can result in bad tasting food and can cause your air fryer to malfunction. Or worse, it can result in a kitchen fire.

Do You Use Oil in an Air Fryer? 

There is a common misconception out there that an air fryer uses zero oil. While an air fryer is different from deep frying, you should use a small amount of oil in an air fryer. You can toss the food you’re cooking in a bit of oil, use a basting brush, or you can mist it with an EVO Oil Sprayer.

Whichever way you add it, put the oil directly on whatever you’re cooking. Don’t put the oil in the air fryer basket. Depending on what you’re making, you can add up to 1 tablespoon of oil. 

If you make frozen food like ravioli or dumplings in your air fryer, you’re definitely going to want to add a bit of oil to prevent dryness. However, most meats don’t need any excess oil, especially if you marinate first. Other frozen foods like onion rings don’t need any added oil as they are cooked in oil before being frozen.

Maybe most importantly, don’t ever, ever use PAM or any other aerosol cooking spray in your air fryer! These sprays feature an ingredient (soy lecithin) that is next to impossible to remove from your air fryer and can eat away at the non-stick surface.

Are Air Fryers Safe?

Yes, air fryers are safe! You just need to follow a few rules to make sure that you’re using your air fryer correctly — and safely:

• Never place your air fryer on a stove, whether it’s on or off.
• Keep your air fryer on a heat-resistant surface. Depending on the material of your countertops, you may need to buy a silicone mat or rolling tray to keep your counters safe.
• Keep your air fryer 6 to 12 inches from the wall when cooking. If there is an outlet on the wall near where you’re cooking, keep your air fryer 12 inches away, the back of it can get very hot!
• Avoid burning your hands and forearms by using a long oven mitt or silicone tongs to remove food from your air fryer. 
• Make sure to unplug your air fryer after each use.

Plus, unlike deep fryers, you don’t have to worry about getting burned by splashing oil if you use an air fryer. Follow the tips above and you can’t go wrong!

Tips for Cooking in An Air Fryer

I’ve been using my air fryer for years now and I’ve learned a thing or two along the way! Here are some of my favorite tips for cooking in an air fryer:

• Always preheat your air fryer.

• Air fryers cook more quickly. If you use a recipe that calls for a traditional oven, make sure that you decrease the time (and temperature) that you cook your food! You can use this air fryer conversion chart to help.

• Air fryers can be loud. Don’t be alarmed if you find yours to be noisy!

• Always cook your food in one layer unless the recipe states that stacking is okay (like in these air fryer French fries and sweet potato fries recipes)

• Never fill an air fryer more than halfway full. This can cause uneven cooking and you can end up with half-burnt and half raw food.

• Get that deep-fried taste you’re looking for by using a little oil. My favorite method is to use this EVO Oil Mister. 
  
  However, don’t ever put cooking spray on your air fryer as it will damage it.

• Ditch the microwave and reheat leftovers in your air fryer for a crispier (and yummier) result.

• Use silicone tongs to remove food from your air fryer instead of just dumping out the basket into a bowl. Do this to avoid any excess oil that could burn you or make your meal soggy and to not scratch it.

• Be aware that the outside of your air fryer is hot (especially the back). Be careful not to touch it!

• I’ve made my share of mistakes with my air fryer along the way, which is why I’m so passionate about helping air fryer beginners!

What are the Best Things to Cook in an Air Fryer?

The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to using an air fryer! Well, not so endless that you can steam broccoli in your air fryer, but you get the idea. Recipes that call for roasting, baking, and frying can be adapted to use with an air fryer. Don’t be afraid to get creative! 

Now that you know how to use an air fryer, let’s take a look at the best things to cook in an air fryer:

• Raw and frozen vegetables, like carrots, spaghetti squash and okra (here’s a whole list of air fryer vegetables to choose from!)
• Frozen foods, like frozen waffle fries and hamburgers
• Reheated foods like pizza, steak, and chicken wings
• Chicken like bone-in chicken breast and even a whole chicken (here are some more air fryer chicken recipes to try too)
• Seafood like calamari, scallops, and so many other air fryer fish recipes
• Desserts like lava cakes and a cookie cake (here’s my favorite list of air fryer desserts!)

If you’ve never used an air fryer before, these beginner recipes are the perfect place to start. I love them all, but favorites include garlic bread, ranch potatoes, french bread pizza, and air fryer apple wedges!

If you’re thinking about what to make for dinner, this list of easy air fryer dinner recipes is filled with ideas and inspiration. I’m a huge fan of bone-in pork chops with breading, shrimp with lemon and pepper, and the chicken fajitas!

Summing it Up!

Whether you’re an air fryer expert or a novice, it helps to learn how to use an air fryer! The bottom line is that like any other kitchen appliance, if you don’t know how to use your air fryer you won’t get the most out of it.

Now you know how to use an air fryer from the moment you take it out of the box, how and when to clean it, and exactly what to cook up. Happy air frying!