Air fryers have taken the culinary world by storm, promising a healthier way to enjoy your favorite crispy foods without all the oil. Whether you’re considering buying an air fryer or already own one and want to understand it better, this beginner’s guide is for you. Keep reading to learn how air fryers work and how to make the most of them in your kitchen – including the best air fryer recipes on Jow!
What Is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a countertop appliance that cooks food by rapidly circulating hot air around it (much like a convection oven). Since the food is exposed to hot air on all sides, it can brown and crisp up everywhere – no excess oil required. Air fryers are smaller than typical convection ovens, which allows hot air to circulate in a more confined space. This produces more direct, intense heat, leading to faster preheating and cooking times.
How to Use an Air Fryer
Using an air fryer is simple, but to get the best results, you need to know a few tips and tricks. Here, we’ll walk you through the basic steps, from preheat to clean-up.
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
Begin by preheating the air fryer to your desired cooking temperature. If there isn’t a preheat function, simply run the air fryer for a few minutes at your desired cooking temperature. Preheating helps ensure that your food cooks evenly and quickly.
Step 2: Prep the Food
Chop and season your ingredients as you normally would. Lightly coat your food with oil to encourage browning (a brush or spray bottle can help add a small amount of oil).
Step 3: Arrange the Food
Place the food in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it. Allowing space between pieces ensures that the hot air circulates properly and crisps up the food.
Step 4: Set Temperature and Time
Each air fryer comes with adjustable temperature and time settings. Many recipes call for temperatures between 350℉ and 400℉ and cooking times between 10 and 25 minutes.
Step 5: Shake or Turn Halfway
For best results, turn the food or shake the basket halfway through the cooking process. Although not essential, this step helps give the food a consistent golden-brown color and crispy texture on all sides.
Step 6: Clean the Air Fryer
First, turn off the air fryer and let it cool down. Next, remove the basket and pan and wash them in warm, soapy water. If they are labeled dishwasher-safe, you can also load them in the dishwasher.
Air Fryer Recipes on Jow
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