If you’ve been considering purchasing an air fryer-or received one as a gift and never used it-you might be wondering, “What’s the big deal with these things?” To be honest, I thought the same before I began using mine to make all the things. Since I started using my air fryer, I’ve never looked back. It produces a delicious crispness on “fried” foods with less fat and calories. It also helps me cook meat, like bacon, sausage, and hamburger, with little mess, less clean-up, and less hands-on time. But- before you grab some bacon and begin frying- there’s 10 Air Fryer Cooking Tips You Need to Know to help you get the most out of your air fryer.
10 Air Fryer Cooking Tips You Need to Know
Read the Manual Before Using. I know. I know. Who wants to do this? But, this is a key step for using your air fryer properly. Some air fryers require running before the first use. Some have different cleaning instructions. All air fryers have different cooking times. By reading the manual, you’ll avoid burnt food and strange tastes, textures, and aromas. Most manuals are short and take 10-15 minutes to read. It’s worth the time.
Preheat. Most foods require a short preheating time. Remember, the preheating time for an air fryer is much shorter than preheating the oven, usually only a couple of minutes. Food will cook faster and evenly when the fryer is preheated.
Use Some Oil. This keeps the food from drying out. You won’t need much for most foods-only a spritz or two when you begin cooking and sometimes, another spritz midway through cooking time. Invest in an oil spritzer for the best results. But, don’t use nonstick cooking spray! It might remove the coating on the air fryer basket and the air fryer tray.
Don’t Overcrowd the Basket. Overcrowding prevents food, like meats, from cooking evenly. Instead, you’ll have some food that’s overcooked while some are still mushy. Leave space around meats, most vegetables, and baked goods.
Don’t Stack! Sure, you have to stack some foods like french fries if you have a small basket. Stacking other foods, like meat, will result in overcooked outsides and rare insides. And, believe me, you don’t want to go to the hospital with a case of food poisoning. Been there, done that. It’s no fun.
Add Parchment Paper for Some Foods. Interested in using the fryer for baking? Use parchment paper. I’ve learned to bake perfect cookies in the fryer, but without parchment paper, the batter slips through the grates. The same goes for battered food. No one wants their batter lying on the bottom of the fryer instead of coating the food. Parchment paper also makes it easy to remove food from the fryer. Cut the piece so it extends an inch up the sides of the fryer. You can grip the paper and pull it. Easy clean-up, easy removal.
TIP: Do not place the parchment paper inside the basket during the preheating process. It will fly around the fryer and might catch on fire.
Check Foods Halfway Through Cooking Time. This is the best time to add another spritz of oil, if needed, flip or turn food, and check temperatures. Because some ovens cook faster than others, it’s also a good time to see if food is close to done and adjust the time or temperature.
Shake the Basket. If you’re cooking french fries, mozzarella sticks, or anything that is stacked OR if you have a small basket, remove the basket every 2 to 3 minutes and shake. This will help ensure even cooking.
Batter the Right Way. Wet batters will slip off food. Instead, use the dry batter method. Dip foods into eggs or milk, coat with bread or panko crumbs, and repeat the process. This ensures the crispy coating you love and it stays on the food.
Wash The Fryer Correctly. -Most air fryers are designed to be dishwasher safe, but you’re better off handwashing. This helps keep the protective nonstick coating from being removed. Another tip- wash the air fryer after each use. Not only does this help prevent food from building up and making it harder to clean, but it also prevents germs from building up, and white smoke from spewing from the air fryer basket. White smoke is usually the result of grease accumulating in the fryer basket.
Here’s the best way to wash the air fryer. Remove the tray and basket. Place in a sink of warm sudsy water. (I like to use Dawn as it removes grease.) Allow the tray and basket to soak to remove any stuck-on food. Wash by hand, then dry both the basket and the tray thoroughly. Don’t use an abrasive cleaner or scrubber. Unplug the air fryer, and wipe the outside of the air fryer, along with the inside and coils, with a damp cloth. Place the completely dry basket and tray back into the fryer.
Do you have an air fryer? What’s your favorite tip for using the fryer? Stay tuned! This week we’ll be showing you how to make Old Fashioned Southern Fried Chicken in the air fryer.
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Want more tips and 75 recipes for the air fryer? Find them in The Southern Air Fryer Cookbook, available now on Kindle, and available in print on July 21st. You can find it on Amazon.
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I’ve been thinking about getting an air fryer for ages! Definitely keeping these tips in mind.
I love my air fryer! I use it for everything. These are some great air-fryer cooking tips! My number one is I always tell my kids, don’t crowd the basket.
Great tips, thank you! I own an air fryer but don’t really use it often!
Reading this informative post, I think I should give air fryers a try. Honestly, I haven’t seen them in this light before. Thanks for this
Air Fryer is on my next to buy list. I’ve heard only good things about it! Thanks for these tips!
I wasn’t convinced with the air fryer I saw in my sister-in-laws, I would stick to the traditional way of deep-fried cooking. But, these would come in handy and will share this to her.
These are some really great tips. Air frying is so fun and easy when you know how to do it the right way.
I was always hesitant about using parchment paper in mine, I may have to give this a try!
My air fyer is so important and I will definitely follow all these tips, thank you so much!
These tips are gold especially the tips on hand washing the air fryer rather than using a dishwasher.
I really enjoy cooking with my air fryer. They are easy to use and make your food taste delicious.
Though I don’t have an air fryer. I found these tips to be really helpful.
We have been thinking of getting an air fryer for what seems like years now. These tips will definitely help when we finally do.
I would love to have an air fryer! My husband and I would have way too much fun with that LOL. Thanks for all these great tips.
I have to admit I didn’t realise you could do so much with an air fryer – I definitely need to think about getting one for myself.
Once again I am without the gadget of the week. I do not have anair fryer but these tips will be so helpful when i get one.
I still need to get an air fryer. I keep hearing about them. At some point we might have to get one if I can figure out where to put it. Our kitchen is pretty crowded!