[Tips] 10 Tips for Using the Airfryer

February 26, 2017 The Hedgehog Knows 13 Comments A⁺ a^-

Congratulations! Bought your new airfryer and can't wait to use it?

The airfryer, one of the latest kitchen appliances around, has been marketed as the solution to healthy living. It requires 80% less fats to produce food that tastes just as crispy and is easy to use. Well, I have to agree that it is my favourite kitchen appliance as it works like an oven and more. I have warmed up leftovers in the airfryer before and even made leftover french fries crispy again. Reheating food in the airfryer is certainly healthier then doing so in a microwave oven!

While an airfryer can work like an oven, grill and toaster, not much information is available on how to really use it well if you are a newbie. So, here are our top 10 tips. Do bookmark or pin this page so you can refer to this again. Have fun!

1) Invest in an oil spritzer.

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Yes, the brochures say that you will be frying with air and the food will be crispy. When I started out, I naively thought an airfryer really worked magically like that, but seriously, you will need a little oil to make the food crunchy and golden-brown on the outside and tender on the inside. So do invest in an oil spritzer to help you spray some oil onto the food. You can get things more crispy by spraying halfway through too. If you can't find a spritzer in your area, a good o' food brush would work too.

2) Always line the bottom of the airfryer base drawer

[Refer to our Cornflakes Peanut Cookies airfryer recipe here.]

Lining the bottom of base drawer with aluminium foil makes cleaning up much easier. Using kitchen towel paper/ baking paper also works (and is a cheaper alternative!), but always be very careful. There was once I used baking paper without putting on the mesh basket, and the paper flew up and caught fire!

3) Try using the airfryer without the mesh basket.

Wait, did I say I didn't use the mesh basket? Yes! You can remove the mesh basket and start cooking in it like an oven. Contrary to what most believe, the hot air really doesn't escape. I like how the useable capacity is much larger this way. That said, do check that your airfryer's design is suitable or similar to mine first.

4) Check your kitchen cupboards.

[Refer to our Almond Cookies airfryer recipe here.]

Now that you know how to unlock the airfryer's full potential, you will soon realise that you will want some baking pans etc. While basic items may be included with your airfryer and some brands even sell accessories that fit snugly into their appliances, do check out what you already have at home before buying a bunch of new stuff. Corningware and Pyrex bowls, as long as they fit into the airfryer, can be used. In fact, as long as the accessory is oven or microwave oven safe, it can be used in the airfryer too! Metal plates work well too.

5) Give the food enough space inside.

[Refer to our Lemon Rosemary Chicken airfryer recipe here.]

Don't overload the poor airfryer. It works by having hot air circulate within the enclosed cavity. Do split up the food into batches instead of filling it up to the brim.

6) Convert your favourite oven recipes.

[Refer to our Savoury Cheese Buns airfryer recipe here.]

Want to explore new airfryer recipes but cannot find many online? Convert your favourite oven recipes for the airfryer! If it is your first time converting your oven recipes, start off by lowering the temperature by 20% and reducing 40% of the cooking time. If you are not sure, just set the airfryer at a shorter time first. It is better to work with an uncooked dish than a burnt one!

7) Open midway.

[Refer to our Apple Pie airfryer recipe here.]

For most food, do check halfway through the cooking time and shake/ flip if you want the food to be crispy on all sides. If you are going to be multi-tasking while airfrying your food, just set the timer at half the required time so that the cooking can be stopped before flipping. I do this all the time!

8) Use silicone cups to hold the food together.

[Refer to our Portuguese Egg Tart airfryer recipe here.]

I have not managed to find muffin trays that fit into the airfryer, so I find silicone cups really useful. If you are not sure if your silicones can be used at high heat, line the cup with muffin paper cups.

9) When baking cakes, cover with aluminium foil.

[Refer to all our airfryer cake recipes here.]

The heating element for most airfryers is at the top. Especially since a cake would go nearer the heat as it rises, it is crucial to cover the cake pan with alumnium foil and poke a few holes before setting it to bake. Just a few minutes before the cake is ready, just remove the aluminium foil to allow the cake to brown to perfection.

10) Soak basket in warm soapy water right after use.

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For easy cleaning, remove the basket from the airfryer and soak it in warm soapy water, right away after use, for around 30 minutes. This works especially well if there are food bits stuck in the basket. Scrub gently with sponge thereafter.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, I would have to say that you should just be adventurous and keep experimenting. Feel free to add on to our Tips list by sharing your comments and do explore our other great recipes and tips below:

5 Easy Airfryer Dishes (And Tips) for The Beginner

6 Fun Airfryer Recipes Kids Can Make

5 Easy Festive Airfryer Cookies Recipes (Lard-Free!)

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13 comments

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AUTHOR

26 February 2017 at 22:26 delete

The aluminum disposable foil muffin pans will work in Air Fryer if you cut across 2 pans removing them. Leaving you with 4 to fit in fryer.

Kelli

26 February 2017 at 23:42 delete

Great tips!! I have 2 family members who are really enjoying their air fryers, and I'll have to share this article with them.

Sophia

18 March 2017 at 12:30 delete

Thanks for sharing the recipes for baking in airfryer!

juanjuergens

7 April 2017 at 16:42 delete

Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting?I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style. Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work.
Air fryer recipes

Tsure

14 April 2017 at 19:51 delete

To clarify. Are you lining the bottom of the basket (which I do)? Or are you lining under the basket as well? Thank you

19 January 2018 at 23:04 delete

Great tips! Another thing, preheating is also the key. We all want consistency when it comes to cooking and get our food cooked just the way we like it. Well this is a tip that will ensure that you get the same result by using your Air Fryer. Turn on your air fryer and set it to the cooking temperature according to the food you are planning to cook. Leave it on for 3-4 minutes. More>>> http://airfryerguru.net/air-fryer-tips-and-tricks/
— Jeff @airfryerguru

Anonymous

20 March 2018 at 20:34 delete

Great post. Air fryer is a device that can cook food. It circulates air around food and makes the food fat free. I can prepare rice, sauce and stir fry with this fry. That’s the perfect fryer. I can get my desired food ready within a short time. That why I love my air fryer.Thanks for your info before buying air fryers we should read the reviews of products to know more about it know more

Viraj

26 July 2019 at 20:28 delete

This information is very useful for me. Thank you. For more details Click Here

Arun G

17 October 2019 at 19:55 delete

Thanks for the informative article about Tips for using Air fryer. I will try this tips and make some delicious recipes in my newly bought Ninja Air Fryer AF101. This newly bought air fryer AF101 can roast, reheat and dehydrate edibles besides air frying.