Air Fryer Beginner's Guide: How to Choose and Use One?

1. Choose the Right Air Fryer for You

Capacity
Small (2-3 liters): Ideal for singles or small families. If you often cook simple snacks or have a small family, a 2-3 liter capacity will meet most needs. For example, you can prepare a small amount of fries, chicken wings, or chicken breasts at a time.
Medium (4-5 liters): Ideal for families of 3-4. This capacity allows you to cook more food at once and is suitable for everyday family use. A 4-5 liter air fryer can usually make 2-3 main dishes at a time, which is sufficient for most families. If you like to cook larger quantities of food or occasionally host friends, this capacity is a good choice.
Large (5 liters or more): Ideal for large families or those who like to host parties. Larger capacity air fryers can usually cook larger quantities of food, for example, over 1 kg of fries, a whole chicken, or roasted lamb chops. They are suitable for cooking large quantities of food, but they take up more space and are more expensive.

Power
Air fryers typically have a power rating between 1200 watts and 1800 watts. Higher-wattage air fryers heat food faster, shortening cooking time. A 1500-watt unit is suitable for most households and can cook French fries or fried chicken wings in under 20 minutes. If you prefer fast and efficient cooking, a higher-wattage air fryer is a good choice.

However, higher wattage also increases energy consumption. If your home is power-constrained or requires a particularly efficient power supply, consider a lower-wattage air fryer.

Operation
Mechanical controls: These typically use a knob to adjust the temperature and time. They are simple and intuitive, making them suitable for those less familiar with electronics. Simply set the desired temperature and time, turn the knob, and start cooking. The downside is that they tend to have limited functionality and lack complex preset programs.

Digital controls: Touchscreen or push-button controls allow for more precise temperature and time settings, and even have many preset cooking modes (such as French fries, chicken wings, and grilling). These designs are suitable for those who prefer high-tech features and more customization. While more complex to operate than mechanical controls, they generally offer greater convenience and flexibility.

Accessories
Some air fryers come with additional accessories, such as baking trays, grills, and baking baskets, to expand your cooking options. For example, a baking basket allows you to make toasts and cakes, while a grill is ideal for grilling. When purchasing an air fryer, it's best to check whether these accessories are included or available for purchase as needed.
Ease of Cleaning
Cleaning an air fryer is crucial. Most air fryer components, such as the basket, inner pot, and baking rack, are removable, and many are dishwasher-safe. Choosing an air fryer with this design can save significant cleaning time. Also, be sure to check if the air fryer has a non-stick coating to prevent food from sticking and making cleaning more difficult.

2.How to Use an Air Fryer?

Preheating
Some air fryer models require preheating before cooking. This process, like preheating a traditional oven, ensures that the food is evenly heated upon entering the fryer. This typically takes 2-5 minutes, depending on the model. Some modern air fryers have a "preheat" mode that automates this process. Even if some air fryers don't require preheating, proper preheating can still help improve cooking results, especially for baked goods like cakes and bread.

Food Preparation
For some foods, such as French fries and chicken wings, you can spray them with a small amount of oil beforehand to help them crisp more evenly. French fries, in particular, can be lightly sprayed with oil to reduce the fat content while still making them crispier.

Note that some foods, such as chicken and seafood, contain natural fats and don't require additional oil. During the cooking process, the hot air releases the fat from the ingredients, resulting in a crispier surface.

Setting the Temperature and Time
Cooking in an air fryer is simple; you simply need to set the temperature and time. Different foods require different temperatures and times. For example, French fries are typically cooked at 180°C for 15-20 minutes, while chicken wings are cooked at 200°C for 20-25 minutes. Recommended time and temperature settings vary by air fryer model; consult the manual or online recipes when purchasing. Many air fryers have preset modes, such as "Fries," "Chicken Wings," and "Grill." Once you select a mode, the machine automatically sets the recommended temperature and time. This makes it very easy for novice users.

Turning the Food

During the cooking process, you can pause and turn the food. This ensures even cooking, especially for foods like fries and chicken wings that require even cooking. Most air fryers are equipped with a stop button, allowing users to easily pause and turn the food.

Removing the Food After Cooking

Once the set time has expired, the air fryer will sound a reminder. Be careful when removing the food to avoid burns. The food will usually be very hot due to the high-temperature surface, so wait a few moments for it to cool slightly before eating.

3. Common Foods in the Air Fryer

French Fries: French fries are very convenient to make in the air fryer. Cut the potatoes into even strips, spray them with a light spray of oil, and place them in the air fryer. By setting the temperature and time, you'll have crispy fries on the outside and tender on the inside in just a few minutes.

Chicken Wings: Chicken wings are another common way to cook in the air fryer. Season and marinate your chicken wings before placing them in the air fryer. Using the right temperature and time will create incredibly crispy wings that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Fried Chicken: The air fryer simulates the effect of traditional deep frying, but with much less fat. Coat the chicken in breadcrumbs or batter and place it in the air fryer for a crispy, tender, and tender chicken without deep frying.
Desserts: The air fryer is perfect for both main dishes and desserts. For example, you can make air fryer versions of apple pie and chocolate cake. Simply prepare the ingredients and place them in the air fryer for a delicious baked dessert.
Roasted Vegetables: The air fryer is a great choice for roasting vegetables. Adding a suitable amount of olive oil and spices to vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and onions in the air fryer not only preserves their nutrients but also makes them crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, enhancing their flavor.

4. FAQ

Why doesn't air fryer food taste like fried food?
Air fryers use circulating hot air, not deep frying, which eliminates the greasy feel and distinct flavor of fried food. If you want a more fried flavor, spray the food with oil or choose ingredients with a higher fat content.
Food sometimes dries out. What can I do?
Drying out is usually caused by cooking too long or at too high a temperature. Make sure the food is cut evenly and cook within the recommended time. If you're worried about the food drying out, lightly spray it with oil during cooking to help keep it moist.
What types of food can be cooked in an air fryer?
Air fryers are extremely versatile. They can be used to make everything from fries, chicken wings, and fried chicken to desserts, toast, cakes, and roasted vegetables. Simply find a recipe suitable for the air fryer and easily create a variety of dishes.