Whether you’re a beginner or just want to know more, I’m covering everything you need about How To Get Started Air Frying. I’m covering everything from how to use an air fryer to what you can cook in one, safety precautions, reheating, and cleaning, along with the best recipes for beginners!
In This Post
Curious about air frying? You’re in the right place! Air fryers have become super popular, and it’s easy to see why. They give you all the crispy, crunchy fried food goodness but without all the guilt. Whether you love trying new gadgets or just looking for an easier way to make meals, air frying is a fantastic way to cook healthier food without sacrificing taste. In this guide, I cover everything you need to know to start air frying, from picking the right air fryer to cooking your first meal.
What Is An Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a countertop appliance that can air fry, roast, bake, toast, broil, crisp, dehydrate, and reheat foods. They have a wide range of temperature settings, usually from around 125 degrees to 500+ degrees. There are mainly two types of air fryers:
- Basket style: This model has a basket that pulls out from the bottom. It is usually a bit cheaper but has a smaller capacity for food. With just one main basket, it is incredibly simple to clean.
- Toaster style: This version is more expensive but has toast and bake settings. It’s longer and shorter and has a slide-out tray on food like a standard toaster oven. It has a slightly larger food capacity and racks, allowing you to place the food at different heights in the air fryer.
Why I Love The Air Fryer
- It’s healthier since you’re not using as much oil as deep frying.
- Your food is cooked evenly on all sides. Thanks to hot air circulation, foods are crispy on the outside yet tender and juicy on the inside.
- Air fryer recipes free up oven space during the holidays.
- It’s portable, so you can take it when traveling.
- Clean-up is VERY minimal.
How Do Air Fryers Work?
Air fryers shoot hot air from all directions, similar to a convection oven. The hot air is also constantly circulating, so food can be fried with a small amount of oil.
The bake and toast settings don’t use the circulation fan with toaster-style sir fryers. So, the hot air is just coming from one direction, like it would be in an oven.
The Best Air Fryers
The key to successfully cooking in an air fryer is to test and practice with different foods. Different air fryers will have slightly different cooking times. If you are a new air fryer owner, I recommend trying yours with a simple recipe like my air fried hot dogs or bacon.
My Air Fryer Recommendations On Amazon
Reheating Food In The Air Fryer
The air fryer is the perfect choice for reheating pizza, fries, chicken wings, or leftovers that were crispy and then softened in the fridge.
How To Reheat Pizza
You can reheat a single layer of pizza slices in the air fryer basket for 3-5 minutes at 350 degrees. The thicker the pizza, the longer it will take. For pizza, preheating the air fryer is super important so the bottom of the pizza gets crispy, too.
How To Reheat Veggies
To reheat crispy veggies, like green beans, place them in a single layer in the basket. Then, air fry for about 3-5 minutes (depending on the type of vegetable) at 325 degrees.
How To Reheat French Fries
This is the only way I will eat leftover fries! To reheat them, air fry for 3-5 minutes at 350 degrees or until crispy. This method works for potato fries, sweet potato fries, or similar.
Donya’s Tips For Using An Air Fryer
- Don’t crowd the basket: Space between the food pieces is needed for the hot air to circulate. For this reason, you might need to work in batches.
- Shake the basket: For small foods like fries or green beans, shake the basket halfway through cooking time.
- Dry foods first: Foods like chickpeas and other veggies that are very moist need to be thoroughly dried.
- Watch for smoking, Especially the first time you use it. This can happen because there’s too much oil, a piece of food gets stuck, or the main food is burning.
- Presets vs. Manual: I prefer to use the manual temperature settings on my air fryer over the food presets. This allows for greater control over the cook of the food.
- Preheat the air fryer: This ensures optimal food crispiness—even the bottom will have a crispy texture! You only need to preheat it for about 5 minutes.
How To Clean An Air Fryer
Here are a few tips for keeping your air fryer clean and in top-notch working order.
- Unplug the air fryer, then let it cool. Remove any crumbs from the basket and inside the fryer.
- Wash the basket. Many air fryer baskets can be put into the dishwasher, but check the manufacturer’s recommendation. Clean the basket like other dishes with warm, soapy water, then rinse and dry.
- Clean the interior around the heating element with a damp sponge or dishcloth, and let it dry completely before using.
Common Questions
You can, but the bottom needs to have holes or perforations to allow the hot air to pass through, particularly for the basket-style air fryers. You can either puncture small holes with a fork or buy perforated sheets of foil.
Yes, you can, but the bottom needs to have holes or perforations to allow the hot air to pass through, particularly for the basket-style air fryers.
It depends on your model, so I will check your air fryer’s manual. I mainly hand wash mine because it keeps the components in good shape longer.
Recipes To Get Started Air Frying
Air Fried Appetizers
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
These fries are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and when you add in a spicy dipping sauce, you've got a match made in heaven.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Crispy And Simple)
Extra crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, these Air Fryer Chicken Wings are totally irresistible! No oil or marinating is needed for the BEST wings made in about 30 minutes.
Air Fryer Roasted Nuts
Crunchy and perfectly seasoned, Air Fryer Roasted Nuts are a delicious snack, perfect for sprinkling on salads and great for entertaining. Toasting nuts in an air fryer just takes a few minutes and is the best way to bring out the most flavor in these heart-healthy treats.
Main Dish Air Fryer Recipes
Easy Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Make the VERY BEST hot dogs ever in the air fryer! Cooked in less than 10 these hot dogs are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and nestled in a toasted bun. This fast, easy way to serve up a family favorite treat is great whether you are feeding a couple of people or a crowd.
Air Fryer Whole Chicken
This Air Fryer Whole Chicken is so easy to make! Roasted chicken that's tender and juicy on the inside, with crispy skin, is totally irresistible. This guide for making the BEST whole chicken in the air fryer is one you'll use over and over again!
Crispy Air Fryer Bacon
Ready in just 10 minutes or less, Air Fryer Bacon is crispy, delicious, and perfect every time! There's virtually zero clean-up, no greasy splatters and as a bonus, you can cook the bacon to your liking.
Air Fryer Chicken Legs (Drumsticks)
This recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Legs is the best for perfectly seasoned drumsticks without heavy breading and extra oil. They are juicy on the inside with mouthwatering crispy, crunchy skin. If that were not enough, they are ready to serve in 20 minutes!
Air Fryer Juicy Steak Bites
Air Fryer Steak Bites in a garlic butter sauce are tender, juicy, and irresistibly delicious! Serve them as an appetizer, for date night or when you want to make a family dinner something special. This recipe is fast, and air frying proves that you don't need to sacrifice flavor for convenience.
Best Air Fryer Salmon (Quick And Easy)
Make the absolute BEST salmon in the air fryer! Perfectly seasoned and made in less than 10 minutes, this salmon is tender and flaky. Cooking in the air fryer makes it crispy and golden on the outside yet juicy on the inside. This will become your new way to cook salmon in no time!
Easy Air Fryer Sausage And Potatoes
Savory and delicious Air Fryer Sausage And Potatoes is an all-in-one meal that's great for dinner or lunch. It's super fast to make with easy prep and loaded with flavor!
Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken is a new healthy twist on the classic Southern dish that people rave about! With iconic sweet heat flavors of honey, cayenne, and hot sauce coating crispy air-fried chicken, this recipe will have you licking your lips and your fingers to savor every amazing bite.
Air Fryer Roasted Turkey Breast
Make the BEST Air Fryer Roasted Turkey Breast with this simple recipe! Perfectly cooked, juicy, flavorful boneless turkey breast with crispy golden brown skin is a holiday masterpiece. As a bonus, it’s easy enough to make for a weeknight meal.
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs
Perfectly cooked hot dogs, wrapped in bacon and cooked in the air fryer, are outrageously delicious and slightly indulgent! Nestled in a buttery toasted bun, they have the perfect combination of texture and flavor, making them hard to resist.
Deliciously Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Crispy fried chicken that's juicy on the inside is made in less than 30 minutes thanks to the air fryer! These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are perfectly seasoned without heavy breading and extra oil. If you love fried chicken without all the hassle of making it, then grab your air fryer, THIS recipe is for you.
Air Fryer Side Dishes
Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes cooked to perfection in the Air Fryer is a side dish that takes very little effort to make yet yields amazing results! They're tender and creamy on the inside with crispy skin on the outside for sweet potatoes that you'll be craving time and time again.
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Make the BEST Baked Potatoes ever in the Air Fryer! These potatoes are tender and flakey on the inside with an amazing super crispy skin. Keep them simple with butter, salt, and pepper or load them up with your favorite toppings for a side dish that's outstanding.
Best Air Fryer Potatoes Wedges
Air Fryer Potato Wedges are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside making them a great side dish or snack! These perfectly seasoned potato wedges finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and parsley are made in minutes and terrific served with your favorite dipping sauce.
Air Fryer Cajun Potatoes
Take your side dish game to a whole new level with these Cajun Potatoes cooked in the Air Fryer. With classic Cajun seasoning made with spices and herbs, these potatoes, cooked perfectly in less than 15 minutes, are extra crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
Air Fryer Corn On The Cob (Quick And Easy)
Air Frying is an easy, one-step way to cook perfect corn on the cob in just minutes. Irresistibly delicious, corn on the cob is crispy on the outside, tender and sweet on the inside, with a grilled taste you'll love!
Air Fryer Green Beans (Quick And Easy)
Learn the secret to making the best Air Fryer Green Beans. This quick and easy recipe using fresh green beans is easy to master and is the perfect way to add a delicious side dish to any meal.
Air Fryer Roasted Carrots
There's no better way to cook carrots that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside than in the air fryer. Perfectly seasoned with garlic, salt, and pepper, then finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, Air Fryer Roasted Carrots make a terrific side dish or snack.
Air Fryer Bananas
Air Fryer Bananas are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without all the guilt. With classic flavors of Bananas Foster, this recipe is simple to make in just minutes in the air fryer.
Dee
I just found your site by accident. I was on another site and they had a link to your recipe that I was looking at. I started browsing your site and love your information with each recipe as well as easy to find ingredients. I also have an air and will definitely try the hot dogs in the air fryer. I will also be trying some of the other recipes. Thank you very much.
Thank you so much for this! I’m glad you are here and cooking with me.
~Donya
Stacey
Thank you for these tips. I have an air fryer which I have been too intimidated to try! I also have an Instant Pot which I have no clue how to use, so I will look and see if you have a post on that as well! Your recipes are always excellent. I am an old-fashioned southern cook and know I can count on them to turn out good.
Barbara Ford
My new air fryer is coming tomorrow (Instant Pot Vortex Plus). Although I have been cooking and baking for 57 years, I am a newbie with the air fryer. I came to your site because I am loving all your recipes I have tried so far, so I wanted to see what you had to say about the air fryer. I want to try baked potatoes first, and I’m wondering if they need to be turned halfway through, like most foods, apparently.
Donya
Hey there Barbara!
I am thrilled to hear that you’re getting into Air Frying, it’s one of my most-used kitchen tools, I promise you’re going to love it! Starting off with a recipe like Baked Potatoes is a great idea since it’s super simple to make. For my Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe, you don’t have to flip the potatoes halfway through the cook time, you just let them bake until they’re fork tender which is about 30-40 minutes. Another easy Air Fryer recipe is my Air Fryer Hot Dogs, they’re perfect for learning how to use the air fryer since it’s a relatively inexpensive meal and it allows you to experiment with times and temps. Please let me know if you ever have any questions about a recipe, I’m always happy to help!
~Donya
Susan
Excellent recipes! Just an FYI. Did you know you can air fry with a NuWave Oven? Might be good to pass on to your fans, which I am definately one of. Thanks for all the great recipes, I have never tried one I didn’t love!
Donya
Hey there Susan!
My goodness, this has made my day! I am thrilled to hear that you’ve been enjoying my recipes, it warms my heart to hear. I appreciate you passing this on, I have seen those NuWave ovens before, but unfortunately I don’t have one so I tend to stick with my countertop Air Fryer. That way I can test my recipes a couple times over before sharing them with everyone. Thank you so very much for your kind words of support and your fabulous rating, if you ever have any questions about a dish please don’t hesitate to ask!
~Donya
Pam Elkin
My goodness! This is a wonderful, helpful, excellent post!! Thank you so much for sharing this information with us! This is just what I need to learn about my new air fryer!!
I always enjoy your posts. You share the best recipes! Thank you!!
Donya
Hey there Pam!
My goodness, reading this just made my day! I am so happy to hear that you found this post useful, I know I was slightly intimidated by my Air Fryer when I first got it so I am very glad this information was helpful. I really hope you enjoy the recipes as well, if you’re new to Air Frying I would recommend starting with Air Fryer Hot Dogs to test out all the settings and then moving onto the recipes like Air Fryer Chicken Wings. If you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. Thank you so much for your kind words of support, I hope you have a wonderful day!
~Donya