Perhaps you’ve just gotten an air fryer or are considering purchasing one. But are they worth all the fuss? Absolutely, yes! So where do you start? What do you do first? And what does all the air fryer terminology mean? RecipeTeacher is here to help!
What is an air fryer and how does it work?
Think of air fryers as small, countertop convection ovens. The work by rapidly circulating heated air around the food, thus creating the crisping. With many foods, this is a great alternative to deep frying.
What are the different kinds of air fryers?
There are two very common types of air fryers: basket style and tray style.
Basket-style air fryers have a removable drawer that contains a basket that holds the food. The space around the basket allows the heated air to circulate around the food. Basket-style air fryers in the 6qt size range are the most popular.
Tray-style air fryers have a door that opens in front and one or more removable trays on which the food can be placed – similar to a small oven. They function the same way – rapidly moving heated air.
There are also lots of new appliances that do air frying, grilling, pressure cooking and all sorts of fun stuff. Even full-size ovens are getting in on the fun by adding air fryer functionality. Be sure to reference your specific appliance’s manual for detailed instructions.
Does air frying require oil?
Air fryers do not require foods to be submersed in hot oil as traditional deep fryers do. However, many foods will require a spritz of oil, usually less than a teaspoon, that helps the ingredients and the food to crisp properly.
What do all the buttons do?
There are many brands and styles of air fryers, but they all have one thing in common… the air fry setting. You may also see buttons such as bake, roast, broil, dehydrate, etc. There’s a good chance you’ll not use those buttons very often, if ever. All the recipes you find on this site will use the standard air fry setting. So unless a recipe specifically says to use one of these other functions, always default to the air fry setting.
How does breading foods work with an air fryer?
If you’re breading foods such as chicken or vegetables, you’ll want to stick with breadcrumb-based breadings. If doing the standard “breading station” method that uses flour, egg, breadcrumbs, you’re good to go in an air fryer! Just remember that the outside of the breaded food will need a spritz of oil to assure a nice golden crisp.
Foods that are normally battered in a wet, flour-based batter will not work well in an air fryer and are best suited for traditional frying methods.
Can I make frozen chicken nuggets and frozen French fries in an air fryer?
Absolutely you can! In fact, air fryers are a great way to make these types of frozen snacks. No need to get out the deep fryer and all the smelly oil.
In fact, air fryers are great for making frozen:
- French fries
- Tater tots
- Chicken nuggets and tenders
- Cheese sticks
- Fish sticks
Just be sure to follow the package directions for time and temp in the air fryer. Or, you can seek out directions from many online sources.
Can I make non-breaded foods in the air fryer?
I’m jumping up and down, waving my arms and saying YES to this question! In fact, non-breaded foods are my favorites to make in an air fryer. My recipes for Best Damn Air Fryer Pork Chops, Best Damn Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin, Best Damn Air Fryer Salmon, and many more, contain no breading at all. But instead, they use delicious seasoning rubs which are super easy to make, and will make the juiciest, most tender meals you’ve ever had.
Should I preheat the air fryer?
Almost always, yes. Consider this like a regular oven, you don’t want to put food into a cold oven to start. Preheating the air fryer also helps the get the desired crisping effect for most recipes. Unless a recipe specifies not to preheat, always preheat.
Understanding cooking meat in an air fryer
Cooking meats in the air fryer isn’t all that different than cooking meats in the oven or broiler. Or even more so – a convection oven. Because of the small cooking space and fast-moving air, foods will cook more rapidly than a conventional oven.
Air Fryer Chicken
Chicken skin will get the crispness you know and love – without the breading. An air fryer is excellent for cooking the chicken and crisping the skin all at once. The chicken will be so succulent, so moist and tender, you simply won’t believe it’s possible.
We have some awesome recipes for skin-on chicken, including:
- Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Quarters
- Best Damn Air Fryer Whole Chicken
What about boneless, skinless chicken?
If you’re using boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, you’re still in luck. Both are great for use with a breadcrumb breading, or even just with seasoning!
Some of my favorite air fryer recipes for boneless, skinless chicken include:
- Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Buttermilk Spicy Chicken Sandwich
- Air Fryer Buttermilk Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Pork
Where do I even begin here? Air fryer pork recipes are absolutely amazing! In fact, some of our top recipes are air fryer pork recipes. Pork chops, pork tenderloin, pork roast, pork belly – it’s all spectacular for the air fryer.
Check out these great air fryer pork recipes:
Air Fryer Fish
Fish recipes such as salmon are absolutely ideal for the air fryer. Taking a few salmon filets, adding some seasoning, and then just popping them in the air fryer has become our house’s go-to method for making fish. Again, it’s ideal to cook the fish quickly, while giving us that nice crust on top.
Some of our top air fryer fish recipes include:
Air Fryer Beef
While many beef recipes are popular on the grill, the air fryer is a great alternative and come out delicious.
The sky is the limit for air fryer beef ideas. Here’s a few we love:
Can I cook vegetables in an air fryer?
Funny you should ask… the thing I cook the most in my air fryer is asparagus. Your air fryer, again, is perfect for making vegetables! There are so many options when you want a quick side-dish fresh vegetables. It’s usually as simple as coating the veggies with a little olive oil and your favorite seasonings – or even just some salt and pepper.
Your’re really going to enjoy the convenience and deliciousness of air fryer vegetables!
Our favorite air fryer vegetable recipe:
Random notes for best results when air fryer cooking:
Foods cook faster in an air fryer. Be sure to follow specific recipes for temps and times for an air fryer recipe. They may be different that you’re usually used to for other cooking methods.
Many foods like to stick. Even though most air fryers have a non-stick cooking surface, meats, cheeses and other foods still like to stick. Give the basket a quick spray with a non-aerosol cooking spray to help prevent sticking.
Don’t overcrowd the food! For foods to get the full benefit of air frying, they need room for the air to circulate. This means no stacking foods. You’ll want all foods in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray.
An instant read food thermometer is your best friend. This is actually true for any cooking method – especially for meats. Your best way to get the desired results is to monitor the internal temperature of meat.
What about liners to help with cleanup?
There are many different types of liners available for air fryers to help with cleanup. Personally, I’m not a fan. Too often, they can hinder the very functionality of the air fryer, which is to circulate hot air around the food. Most air fryer baskets or trays are actually very easy to clean.
What size air fryer should I get?
The most common size air fryers are 6qt (or similar) in size. These are what I recommend. Most fit comfortably on a countertop and can easily be stashed away if desired when not in use. If you find yourself cooking for larger families, you can absolutely consider larger sized appliances. The larger sized air fryers are usually the door and tray design – similar to a small oven.
Joan says
.Thanks for sll your great recipes. After a 12 months of chemo snd radiation I needed to up my cooking game. I’ve used your oven and stovetop recipes with great success. finally plucked up the courage to buy an air fryer. Wow! These things are amazing! I never knew I could be such a good cook! I haven’t turned on my oven since I got it a month ago.
RecipeTeacher says
Thanks so much Joan. And I wish you the very best!