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    Home » Cooking Methods » Air Fryer

    How to Use an Air Fryer: A Simple Manual

    Published: Dec 3, 2021 Last updated: May 4, 2022 by Shelby Law Ruttan · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Preparing fabulous food with an air fryer is simple. Follow the steps below to find out the best one to use as well as cleaning tips, what you can cook in it, and some of my favorite recipes.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why I Love My Air Fryer
    • 🍳 Fried Foods Made Better
    • How It Works
    • Air Fryers Vs Convection Oven
    • Best Air Fryers to Buy
    • FAQ 
    • Tips For Amazing Results
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    Two pumpkin hand pies in the air fryer basket.

    ❤️ Why I Love My Air Fryer

    When I first bought my air fryer, it was because I wanted to get that fried food result with the hot air cooking method. Little did I realize that there was a lot to know about how to use an one correctly to get the best results.

    The air fryer has quickly become my favorite kitchen appliance. It produces the most delicious crispy food. Air frying is a whole lot easier and cleaner than doing a deep fry in hot oil and I want to share with you the things I have learned about how to use an air fryer to get the best results possible.

    🍳 Fried Foods Made Better

    If you love fried foods but don't love the grease or the mess caused from deep frying, then this is the cooking method to look at for getting similar results without the grease.

    Air fried recipes use less oil by circulating hot air around the food to cook and crisp it up. These are perfect for small jobs such as reheating and cooking frozen convenience foods such as frozen fries or chicken nuggets. As well as larger items such as rotisserie chicken or roast beef.

    Pinnable Image for Air Fryer Egg Rolls
    Air Fryer Egg Rolls {Vegan Recipe}

    How It Works

    This appliance works by circulating hot air using fans around the food you are cooking. Depending on the size and type of unit you own, the food is placed in a basket or on a mesh tray that will allow air circulation to touch all sides of the food.

    Not a lot of oil is required to get the end result. Depending on what you would be cooking a light oil rub or a spritz of cooking spray is all that is needed. 

    uncooked and seasoned roast in the air fryer cooking basket
    Air Fryer Roast Beef with Herb Crust

    Air Fryers Vs Convection Oven

    These have a similar way of cooking food. The air fryer is basically a smaller kitchen appliance that does the same thing as the convection oven, which is just another small appliance that will sit on the countertop! 

    Some of the newer oven models have a convection setting, which is also great (but expensive). However I find that the air fryer itself is a much better and more efficient way to get the fried result I am looking for.

    keto chicken nuggets on an air fryer rack
    Keto Chicken Nuggets with Canned Chicken (in the air fryer)

    Best Air Fryers to Buy

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from affiliate links.

    It is idea to think about exactly what you want to cook as well as how many people you will be feeding. Below are two options to consider depending on family size and needs.

    Basket

    These have a limited capacity and basically are big enough for two people. The Ninja AF 101 4 quart air fryer is a 5 star rated one that is reasonably priced, easy to use and clean. It has a wide temperature range with a ceramic coated non-stick basket. It does require preheating before cooking.

    Basket Tip: When using a basket it is important to remember to cook food in batches, shaking and flipping the food to make sure all areas of the item are being browned.

    Family Sized

    The Instant Vortex Plus 10 Quart is great for families and is reasonably priced (often can be purchased with a deal on Amazon). It can air fry, bake, rotisserie, dehydrate and reheat food. It comes with the rotisserie spit and forks, fetch tool, rotisserie basket, drip pan and 2 cooking pans.

    Family Sized Tips: Use aluminum foil to line the drip pan when cooking food like bacon, rotisserie chicken or roasts. This will make for easier clean up of the drip pan.

    Air Fryer Chicken Wings

    FAQ 

    Where to Place the Air Fryer?

    If you have enough counter space, I recommend placing it on the countertop. If you are like me, you will probably use it on a daily basis and the counter is the optimal place to store. Otherwise, the appliance cabinet above the fridge is a good spot to store it as well.

    Do You Use Oil in an Air Fryer?

    Oil is not required. The only time you might use oil is when a roast needs to be rubbed prior to adding the herbs and spices. Or you cooking a homemade breaded food that is not high in fat to begin with.

    What Can You Not Cook in an Air Fryer?

    You should not cook anything with a wet batter in the air fryer. Cheese without a battered coating is not a good idea as it would just melt all over the air fryer. One exception would be halloumi cheese. And leafy greens are not recommended as they would dry out. The exception here would be kale, which can be coated lightly with oil and fried to make kale chips.

    What Can You Cook in an Air Fryer?

    Anything from french fries to tater tots, fresh veggies, bacon, chicken nuggets, potatoes, hot dogs, and more.

    How Do You Clean The Air Fryer?

    Always unplug the appliance first. Then remove the baskets, pans, and drip pans to wash them with dish soap in the sink. Clean with a Microfiber cleaning cloth and dry with a cotton drying towel. Basket liners are great to help prevent a lot of scrubbing.

    Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe

    Tips For Amazing Results

    Preheat: It is important to preheat the air fryer, unless the manual tells you differently. If there is no preheat setting, then just preheat it at the cooking temp for at least 3 minutes.

    Use light coat of oil: I like to do this when the food I am cooking has little to no fat. Just fill an oil mister {like this one} with oil and keep it on hand to spritz when needed.

    Shake or flip the food: This is important when cooking things like french fries, baked potatoes, or chicken wings.

    Rotate pans: For family sized fryers with slide in pans, be sure to rotate from top to bottom part way through cooking to be sure the food is evenly browned.

    Use an instant read thermometer: this is important when cooking raw meats like chicken, beef, or pork roasts, this is a good thermometer to use.

    Air Fryer Recipes

    Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower is a crispy treat that can be a snack or appetizer.

    Making a whole chicken in the air fryer brings about the most delicious results, try this Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken.

    This Air Fryer Pork Loin with Maple Glaze is bursting with flavor, and so moist and delicious.

    Air Fryer Cod with Ritz Cracker Topping is a simple seafood recipe ready in under 20 minutes!

    My family loves this recipe for Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts.

    Air Fryer Steak Bites pieces of marinated steak that are ready in minutes and perfect as an appetizer or main dish.

    More Air Fryer Recipes

    • Featured image for pizza toast.
      Pizza Toast
    • Featured image for Air Fryer Glazed Salmon Bites
      Air Fryer Salmon Bites
    • Featured image for Air Fryer Ribeye Steak.
      Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
    • Featured image for Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans.
      Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans

    About Shelby Law Ruttan

    Shelby is the author/owner of Grumpy's Honeybunch. Established in 2007, she shares and preserves family recipes as well as recipes for cooking light and keto. She has authored the One-Pot Paleo Cookbook and The Pescatarian Keto Cookbook. She is an experienced, self-taught home cook who loves to share recipes with others. She also authors the websites Honeybunch Hunts and The Best Vegetarian Recipes. You can see her work on websites such as Veal Made Easy, Parade, Community Table, SoFab Food, Yummly, and FoodGawker.

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    Welcome! I'm Shelby Law Ruttan, I'm a mom, grandmother, and cookbook author for HoneyB's Kitchen who started blogging family recipes in 2007 for.... 

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