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.
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Air Fryers have quickly become one of the hottest small kitchen appliances among people wanting to enjoy fried foods in a healthier way.
Before I got my air fryer a couple of years ago, I did a lot of research. I wanted to know if it was going to be worth the cost of investing in another kitchen appliance. (I had just purchased an instant pot sixmonths earlier).
Everything I read definitely made the air fryer seem appealing. I mean, who doesn’t love the thought of being able to eat their favorite fried foods and appetizers without the extra fat or calories?
After about a month of going back and forth, I decided to take the plunge and ordered one from Amazon. The GoWISE USA 5.8-QT 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer was what I decided to go with as it was inexpensive but still large enough for my family of 4.
Of course, with any new appliance, I was excited to try it out but also apprehensive. However, it wasn’t long before I realized all the amazing things that it could do and I’m very happy to say that I am still enjoying mine almost 2 years later.
That is why I have decided to share some of the tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way. Hopefully, you will find these air fryer tips for beginners helpful so you can make the most out of your new kitchen appliance.
What is an air fryer?
An air fryer is a small, compact kitchen appliance similar to a convection oven that circulates hot air up to 400° around your food. This simple and healthy way of cooking allows for crispy food without all the oil and fat that you get with deep-frying.
Why should you purchase an air fryer?
You may be wondering if an air fryer is worth it for you? Maybe you already have a lot of small kitchen appliances and you’re curious if an air fryer deserves a coveted spot in your kitchen.
Here are some of the best reasons to love an air fryer:
- It’s a healthier way of cooking- It takes little to no oil to cook your foods in the air fryer.
- You get a nice crispy texture on the outside while keeping your food tender and delicious on the inside.
- Leftovers are better in the air fryer- As convenient as having a microwave is, leftovers always seem to come out soggy. An air fryer on the hand will keep your food crispy when reheating it.
- It’s compact and doesn’t require a lot of space. If you have a small kitchen with limited cupboards than this the perfect appliance to get.
- Makes cooking easier-an air fryer is almost a set it and forget it appliance because of how easy it is to use (of course, you need to stay close by and check once during the cooking process). But, when cooking on a stovetop you always have to keep a constant watch to prevent burning your food. Since there is less monitoring with an air fryer, it makes it easier to cook many things at once.
- It saves time- It takes less than 3 minutes to preheat your air fryer, some people don’t even bother with preheating. Compare this to the amount of time you have to sit and wait while your oven is preheating.
- Easy to clean-there is very little mess to clean up and my air fryer easily wipes clean after using it.
- You can do more than just “frying” your food- you can do so much with your air fryer such as baking desserts or potatoes and roasting vegetables.
- Perfect for cooking in the summer months- an air fryer won’t heat up your kitchen like an oven will.
When first starting out, just like any new appliance an air fryer can be intimidating. But it’s actually really easy to use the more that you experiment with it and try out new recipes. I know I have had a lot of fun cooking with mine. Here are 20 Best Air Fryer Tips for Beginners.
20 Best Air fryer Tips for Beginners
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 airfryercalculator.com 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.
11. Find recipes
There are so many great air fryer recipes available, which is so helpful when trying to figure out what to make for the first time. You can check out cookbooks or Pinterest for more inspiration.
You may like: 25 Must-Have Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners- easy recipes for using your air fryer.
12. Shake or turnhalfwaythrough 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.
Try vegetable dishes in your air fryer for a simple, crisp and nutrient-packed side dish.
Related:
- 20 Easy and Healthy Air Fryer Recipes- you can find simple and healthy recipes that go beyond cooking prepackaged frozen foods.
- 18 Simple Ways to Eat Healthy on a Budget- discover easy ways to shop for and eat healthy foods while on a budget.
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?
Related:
- 16 Easy and Delicious Air Fryer Dessert Recipes
- 19 Air Fryer Pumpkin and Apple Recipes for Fall
- 12 Best Air Fryer Cookie Recipes
You can purchase baking pans that will fit right inside your basket. Here are a few baking recipes to get you started in your air fryer:
- Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Donuts- Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons
- Air Fryer Lava Cake- The Typical Mom
- Air Fryer Chocolate Cake– Spaceships and Laser Beams
- Air Fryer Brownies– Fork To Spoon
If you want to try a quick and easy dessert, then try s’ mores in your air fryer. Top a graham cracker with a piece of chocolate and a marshmallow and cook at 380° for about 4-5 minutes depending on how brown you want your marshmallow (adjust the time if needed). When it’s done, top with another graham cracker. Enjoy!
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.
Recommended: 12 Must-Have Air Fryer Accessories- you can make the most out of your air fryer with these helpful accessories any air fryer owner will love.
As you can see, when it comes to cooking in your air fryer the opportunities are endless. Whether you decide to cook frozen foods or homemade options, you can get that crispy taste you crave without the guilt you get from deep-frying your food.
Hopefully, these air fryer tips for beginners have encouraged you to become more comfortable with your air fryer so you can start cooking and creating new recipes for your whole family to enjoy.
You may also like:
- 25 Easy Instant Pot Recipes for the Beginner- get inspiration to make simple and quick meals for busy moms.
- 85 Easy Budget-Friendly Meal Ideas- that are kid-friendly and perfect for hectic weeknights.
- 32 Easy Recipes for Leftover Holiday Ham– learn how to easily use up leftover ham after the holidays.
- 28 Easy Shortcut Rotisserie Chicken Dinner Ideas- skip take out and use a $5 Rotisserie Chicken for dinner instead.
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