The Beginner’s Guide to Getting the Most Out of Your Air Fryer

Air fryers have taken the home cooking world by storm in recent years – and for good reason. These powerful countertop convection ovens allow you to enjoy crispy, “fried” foods using little to no oil. But beyond just whipping up a healthier version of French fries or chicken tenders, air fryers are surprisingly versatile appliances that can do so much more. With a few hacks and tricks up your sleeve, you can unlock your air fryer’s full potential and transform it into your favorite kitchen tool.

1. Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: While it’s natural to assume an air fryer is only good for traditionally deep-fried fare, the options are actually endless. From mains like steak, seafood, and vegetables to baked goods like cinnamon rolls, brownies, and cakes, almost anything is fair game. A good rule of thumb is that if you can bake it in an oven, you can likely make it in your air fryer – just in a fraction of the time. So raid your recipe box or get creative and try that dish you’ve been eyeing. Just be sure to avoid anything with a wet batter or runny sauce as it may drip through the basket.
2. Invest in a Few Key Accessories: While many models come with a basic grill rack, it’s worth picking up some add-ons like baking pans, silicone molds, parchment paper liners, or a small ceramic casserole dish. These will help you make the most of your machine, keep it clean, and protect your food from sticking. Speaking of keeping it clean, get in the habit of washing the removable parts with soapy water as soon as they’re cool enough to handle. This will help prevent grease and grime from building up.
3. Use a Cooking Spray: Another simple hack for healthier air frying is to use a neutral cooking spray to grease your fryer basket rather than liquid oil. Not only does this help your food brown more evenly, but a typical spritz contains a mere 0.3 teaspoon of oil compared to the tablespoons required for deep frying. Worried about chemicals in store-bought spray? Make your own by filling a mister bottle with olive, avocado, or coconut oil. For best results, it’s also wise to preheat your air fryer for a few minutes before adding food to help it cook faster and more consistently.
4. Preheat for Best Results: Remember that timing and temperature are key when air frying. Since the compact size and powerful fan mean food cooks much faster than in a traditional oven, keep a close eye on your dish the first few times you make it to prevent over-cooking or burning. Shaking the basket once or twice throughout the cooking process helps promote even browning – some higher-end models will even beep to remind you. When in doubt, start with a lower cook time than you think you need and check often until you get a feel for your particular appliance.
5. Shake It Up: Toss or flip food partway through cooking for even browning. One of the secrets to perfectly crispy air-fried food is to give the basket a shake or use tongs to flip the food halfway through the cooking time. This ensures that all sides are exposed to the hot, circulating air and prevents certain spots from overcooking or burning. Aim to shake or flip your food every 5-10 minutes, depending on the total cook time. Some air fryers even have a built-in reminder to shake, so take advantage of that feature if yours has one.

With these tricks in your toolkit, you’ll be churning out deliciously crispy, creative meals and snacks in no time. The beauty of the air fryer is its ability to deliver on indulgent favorites with less guilt as well as inspire you to try new things. So whether you’re a French fry fanatic, a from-scratch baker or somewhere in between, grab your tongs and get ready to join the air fryer revolution.