Are you looking into buying an AirFryer? You’re probably wondering if they are easy to use, how to use an air fryer and what you can cook in it… apart from chips.
The most important thing when using an air fryer is to NOT think of it as a fryer but instead…Think of it as a mini oven instead.
This was like a revelation for me and I think I have Tracy J to thank for that.
It was that revelation that prompted me to finally buy an Air Fryer after years of consideration.
It was also what helped the Air Fryer earn its permanent spot on the kitchen counter. Space is at a premium, one-dish wonders live elsewhere, definitely not on the kitchen counter but… a kitchen gadget that can cook a ton of different things, that on stays on the worktop.
Use it as a mini oven for pretty much everything that will fit in it! And this part will depend on what size air fryer you have. Read product information, reviews and look out for photos to work the size that’s right for you and your household or ask for opinions in my Kitchen Gadgetry with Feisty Tapas Facebook group.
My airfryer is very expensive nowadays, but this Philips one is similar and looks good! It’s a fancier version of mine. A lot of people are really happy with the Power Air Fryer XL. Again, ask in my Kitchen Gadgetry group for opinions. These are affiliate links that may mean I earn a penny or two if you buy after clicking on them but do remember I don’t have direct experience of these air fryers… mine is the Philips 9220 which I reckon must have been discontinued.
No need to preheat
This one is a biggy. You do not have to preheat your airfryer.
My airfryer consists of the housing where the mechanics of it all is housed, a drawer and a basket that inserts inside that drawer. The drawer slots straight into the housing and you’re off. You can see how it works in this video, that’s the airfryer I have.
You place your ingredients in the basket and start from cold.
This, of course, means that if you have an electricity-guzzling oven like I do, an air fryer will help massively with energy consumption and, with energy prices going up, your air fryer will soon start earning its keep as it provides energy savings.
So, how do you use your air fryer as an oven?
It’s extremely easy. Place your ingredients in the basket. Set the temperature (mine is permanently set in between 180 and 200ºC). Set the time. You’re off.
If you’re cooking something for which you have times and temperatures. Set the temperature and programme the time but bear in mind it might actually cook faster than you
With a lot of things you might have to take the drawer out half way through cooking and turn the ingredients, toss them or shake the basket a bit. I find silicone tongs handy for this (that’s my affiliate link by the way, so if you buy after clicking on it I may get a few pennies without it costing you a penny extra).
The drawer is easy to pull out, as easy as a drawer basically. No major science there.
I have a Philips Air Fryer 9220, the basket and the drawer both go in the dishwasher so super easy to keep clean.
It’s easy for things to get stuck to the mesh bottom of the basket so sometimes I just put foil underneath if I am cooking something like sausages, which are likely to stick. With foil, just make sure that you don’t cover the whole of the basket, leave some of the mesh on show for the heat to get through.
Some examples of the things I tend to use my air fryer for:
Airfryer Sausages
Airfryer Garlic Bread
Airfryer Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables with Halloumi Cheese
Find the recipe right here.
Air Fryer Roasted Red Pepper, Chorizo, Red Onion and Tomatoes with Chicken
I’ve got this recipe written up, I may publish it soon. It was delicious and super easy.
Airfryer Giant Mushroom stuffed with Ragu Bolognese and Topped with Low Carb Cheese sauce
That Low Carb Cheese Sauce is amazing!! I improvised it in the Thermomix and I can’t wait to make it again.
Airfryer Giant / Portabella Mushroom stuffed with ingredients of your choice
Or just the giant mushroom on its own while you cook scrambled eggs on the hob and then serve the mushroom filled with the scrambled eggs (5 minutes at 180ºC). You could even turn it into a low carb “pizza”… fill the mushroom with a bit of tomato sauce, cheese and your favourite ingredients and you’re off.
Airfryer Chicken Legs
Chicken legs mothered in your favourite sauce or marinade (in this photo I had used red Thai paste in one and smoked paprika and olive oil in the other). 15 minutes each side at 180ºC, could probably get away with less thime
I hope that helps give you a bit of an insight into how to use an airfryer. Super easy as you can see.
Do I ever cook chips in it? Nope.
How do YOU use your air fryer?
Love my Cookware AirFryer, it’s perfect for two people.
It’s just like a mini oven but quicker.
I have used it for the usual, battered fish, chunky fish fingers, marinated chicken thighs, pizza slices, garlic bread, duck breast, steak. I have even baked Yorkshire puddings in it…my favourite at the moment are McCains tripled cooked gastro chips with Chinese curry. 😋
Thank you Maria. I picked up a really cheap airfryer in Aldi just before we came back to France and having shoved a batch of chips in was wondering what to do next – instruction booklets very limited! I feel a bit more inspired now!!