So you got an air fryer - and now you want to use it. But how do you get started? In this post you will get the answers to the most commonly asked questions about air frying - from how to use it, to what to cook in it (and what not to!).
Jump to:
- What are the benefits of an air fryer?
- Which is the best air fryer for me?
- Does air fryer make food crispy?
- Is an air fryer faster than an oven?
- Isn't an air fryer just an oven?
- Is Ninja Foodi a good air fryer?
- Can you boil water in an air fryer?
- Do you have to preheat an air fryer?
- How do you preheat an air fryer?
- Do you need to defrost before air frying?
- Can I use oil in my air fryer?
- Where do I put oil in my air fryer?
- Does the air fryer need oil?
- How much oil to use in air fryer?
- How does air fryer work without oil?
- What's the best oil for an air fryer?
- Can you put butter in an air fryer?
- Can you put flour in an air fryer?
- Do I need to use parchment paper in my air fryer?
- Can I put parchment paper or baking paper in my air fryer?
- Can I put wax paper in an air fryer?
- Can I use aluminum foil in my air fryer?
- Can you put paper towel in air fryer?
- Can you put skewers / wood skewers in air fryer?
- Can I use metal in air fryer?
- Can you put a plate in an air fryer?
- Can you put aluminum pan in air fryer?
- Can the air fryer basket go in the dish washer?
- How to keep air fryer clean?
- Do you have to flip chicken in air fryer?
- Can you stack chicken in an air fryer?
- Does an air fryer stink up the house?
- Can you have an air fryer in a dorm room?
- What are the best things to cook in an air fryer?
- What do I do if it doesn't work?
- Reviews
What are the benefits of an air fryer?
- Healthier food as you can "fry" or bake with less oil (or even without oil)
- Even cook thanks to the circulating hot air
- Easy cleanup as many air fryer baskets both have a non-stick coating and can be washed in the dishwasher
Which is the best air fryer for me?
Which air fryer is bets for you depends mostly on the size you need and your budget. Three very popular air fryer brands are Philips, Ninja and Cosori, all with multiple different models and sizes. For more information, check out my extensive guide to finding out which air fryer is right for you as well as my guide to air fryer sizes.
Does air fryer make food crispy?
Yes, an air fryer makes food crispy. But the type of food and ingredients will also impact the level of crispiness.
Try crispy air fryer frozen french fries or air fryer tortilla chips.
Is an air fryer faster than an oven?
Yes, an air fryer is generally faster than both a regular oven and a convection (fan) oven.
Try air fryer buffalo cauliflower - it cooks faster in the air fryer!
Isn't an air fryer just an oven?
Yes, an air fryer is basically a small convection (fan) oven. The difference is that since the air fryer has a basket or wire tray, the hot air can reach all sides of the food. This is why it both cooks quicker, and the end result is crispier.
Air fryer potato wedges become perfectly crispy on the outside, and soft and baked on the inside.
Is Ninja Foodi a good air fryer?
Ninja Foodi is a very popular air fryer and has great reviews, so yes, it is a good air fryer.
Can you boil water in an air fryer?
No, you can not boil water in an air fryer.
Do you have to preheat an air fryer?
Yes, you should always preheat your air fryer for the best end result.
How do you preheat an air fryer?
Some air fryer models have a preheat function or button, and in this case you can use this.
If your air fryer does not have a specific preheat function just run the air fryer with the empty air fryer basket for 5 minutes at your target temperature.
Do you need to defrost before air frying?
No, most foods do not need to be defrosted before air frying and are better when cooked straight from frozen. This includes foods such as frozen French fries, frozen mozzarella sticks and frozen garlic bread as well as veggies like brussels sprouts, green beans and broccoli.
For other foods you can choose to defrost, or not to defrost. I love saving time by cooking steak, chicken and pork chops straight from frozen - but if the recipe calls for thawed or fresh proteins, it's better to defrost first.
Can I use oil in my air fryer?
Yes, you can use oil in your air fryer - but you should not add large amounts of oil to it as you would to a deep fat fryer. In an air fryer you instead brush the basket with a smaller amount of oil or coat what you are cooking in oil.
Where do I put oil in my air fryer?
Either brush the air fryer basket with a small amount of oil, or coat what you are cooking in oil. A small amount will go a long way!
Does the air fryer need oil?
You don't have to use oil in your air fryer, but I recommend it for all but a few recipes.
How much oil to use in air fryer?
You just need a small amount of oil when air frying food. Less than 1 teaspoon is usually enough.
How does air fryer work without oil?
The air fryer uses hot air circulating around your food to make it crispy. This way it can make it crispy even without oil.
What's the best oil for an air fryer?
You can use many types of oil for the air fryer, depending on if you want it to add flavor or not. Olive oil is a great choice, as is any neutral cooking oil like canola oil.
Can you put butter in an air fryer?
Yes, you can put butter in an air fryer. Cooking food with a lot of butter or other fat can make your air fryer smoke, so please be aware of this if using a lot of butter. To avoid it, you can add a small amount of water to the drawer under the air fryer basket.
Can you put flour in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook food coated in or made with flour in an air fryer.
Do I need to use parchment paper in my air fryer?
No, you do not need to use parchment paper, but you can use it if you want to, for easier cleanup. However, this means the hot air will not come into direct contact with all sides of your food, which is important if you want it to come out crispy.
If using parchment paper, please check the maximum temperature for the type of parchment paper you are using, so that it is safe to use in your air fryer. Always make sure it is weighted down by the food to ensure it does not end up obstructing the air vents.
There are also specific liners you can buy for your air fryer, both reusable and disposable. These ususally come with holes for the air to circulate.
Can I put parchment paper or baking paper in my air fryer?
Yes, you can use parchment paper or baking paper in your air fryer if you want to.
Always check the maximum temperature for the type of paper you're using to ensure it's safe to use, and make sure it's weighted down by the food.
Can I put wax paper in an air fryer?
No, you should not put wax paper in an air fryer as it is not heat safe.
Can I use aluminum foil in my air fryer?
Yes, you can use aluminum foil in your air fryer, but you should only put it in the air fryer basket, and never underneath it.
Can you put paper towel in air fryer?
No, you should not put paper towels in an air fryer.
Can you put skewers / wood skewers in air fryer?
Yes, you can use skewers and even wood skewers in your air fryer. If using wood skewers I recommend soaking them in water for 30 minutes first, to avoid burning.
Can I use metal in air fryer?
Yes, you can use metal in your air fryer. However, to preserve the non-stick coating of the basket you should opt for non-metal utenstils (wooden spoons, plastic tongs, etc.).
Can you put a plate in an air fryer?
Yes you can put a plate in an air fryer, as long as it is oven safe and able to withstand high temperatures.
Can you put aluminum pan in air fryer?
Yes, you can put an aluminum pan in an air fryer as long as it is oven safe and able to withstand high temperatures.
Can the air fryer basket go in the dish washer?
Many air fryer baskets can be washed in the dishwasher. To make sure what is recommended for your specific model, please refer to the user manual. Most manufacturers still recommend handwashing to extend the lifetime of your product.
How to keep air fryer clean?
The best way to keep your air fryer clean is to make sure to clean it after each use, following these simple steps:
- Clean the removable parts in the dishwasher (if dishwasher safe) or by hand with a dish brush or non-scratch sponge and warm, soapy water.
- Make sure the air fryer is completely cool, then use a cloth or sponge dipped in soapy water to clean the inside
- Wipe off the outside of the air fryer with a damp cloth or sponge
- Dry the air fryer and the removable parts and reassemble
Do you have to flip chicken in air fryer?
You don't have to flip the chicken, but I always recommend doing so anyway as this will allow for the most even cook.
Try air fryer chicken drumsticks and flip them halfway.
Can you stack chicken in an air fryer?
No, you should always cook chicken in a single layer in your air fryer. The exception is when using it to thaw frozen chicken pieces that are stuck together, but you should then separate the chicken into a single layer as soon as possible.
Does an air fryer stink up the house?
No, most air fryers do not stink up the house.
Can you have an air fryer in a dorm room?
Technically you could have an air fryer in a dorm room, but in most dorms this will not be allowed due to fire hazard.
What are the best things to cook in an air fryer?
- Any type of fries: French fries, sweet potato fries, curly fries, waffle fries
- Ready-made frozen food: spring rolls, dumplings and pot stickers, jalapeño poppers, chicken wings, fish sticks, mozzarella sticks, chicken nuggets, onion rings, burgers
- Frozen food when you don't have time to thaw: steak, pork chops, shrimp, sausages, chicken, all kinds of veggies
- Protein mains: steak, chicken drumsticks, pork chops, meatballs, turkey burgers, bacon and most types of beef
- Quick veggie sides: cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, brussels sprouts
- Reheating food: reheat chicken wings, steak and leftover French fries
For more ideas for what to cook in your air fryer, check out my guide with 50+ easy air fryer recipes for beginners.
What do I do if it doesn't work?
If you're having trouble getting your air fryer to work, I recommend checking out this Air Fryer Troubleshooting Guide or this post on what to do if your air fryer won't turn on.
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