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If you are just starting with air fryers or are a little worried about how to use an air fryer, don’t worry! We have got you covered. Air fryers have become very popular in recent years, and for good reason! They are a great way to cook food without using a lot of oil.
In this blog article, we’ll go through the basic concepts of what air fryers are and how they work, as well as discuss 9 basic steps to use them. We’ll guide you through the ins and outs of using your home appliance from preheating it to cleaning up after yourself. Additionally, we will discuss some important things you need to know before using an air fryer.
And once you’ve got to grips with the basics of air fryers you can read our roundup of the best air fryers available to buy. So, what are you waiting for? Start reading and learn how easy it is to use an air fryer!
Air Fryer – What is It and How It Works?
An air fryer is a countertop portable convection oven. It uses rapidly circulating hot air to cook food. This circulation of hot air makes the food crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside without using a lot of oil.
How does it work? An air fryer has a heating element and a fan. The heating element heats the air and the fan circulates it around the food. The food is cooked in a basket that is typically coated with a non-stick material.
As hot air circulates the food, it cooks evenly on all sides. This circulation of hot air also helps to create a crispy outer layer without using any oil or butter.
Things You Need to Know Before Using an Air Fryer
Now that we have gone over the basics of how an air fryer works, let’s discuss some important things you need to know before using one.
1. Read the Instructions Manual Carefully
The first thing you need to do is read the instructions manual that comes with your air fryer. It is important to familiarize yourself with your particular model and how it works.
2. You Can’t Fry Everything in an Air Fryer
While air fryers are versatile and can cook a variety of food, there are some things you should not try to cook in an air fryer. For example, you should not try to cook wet batters or cheese. These types of food can cause a mess in your air fryer.
3. Add Oil for Extra Crispiness
If you want your food to be extra crispy, you can add a small amount of oil to it before cooking. Just keep in mind that adding oil will increase the calories in your food.
4. You Should Not Overcrowd Your Basket
It is important not to overcrowd your air fryer basket. If you do, the food will not cook evenly. Make sure to leave enough space between each piece of food so that the hot air can circulate properly.
5. You Should Cook in a Well-ventilated area
It is important to cook in a well-ventilated area when using an air fryer. Some models can produce a lot of smoke, so cooking near an open window or door is best.
6. You Must Not Fry Lightweight Items
You should not try to fry lightweight items such as tortilla chips in an air fryer. These items can get stuck into the device’s fan.
9 Basic Steps in Using an Air Fryer
Now that we have gone over some important things to know before using an air fryer, let’s discuss how to use one.
Using an air fryer is simple and only requires a few steps. Here are the 9 basic steps you need to follow:
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
The first step is to preheat the air fryer. Most models have a preheat setting that you can use. If your model does not have a preheat setting, you can set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and heat the appliance for about five minutes.
Step 2: Take Out the Basket
Once the air fryer is preheated, you need to take out the basket. This is where you will place the food that you are going to cook.
Step 3: Fill the Basket with Food
The next step is to fill the basket with food. As discussed earlier, make sure not to overfill the basket and leave enough space between each piece of food.
Step 4: Put the Basket Back Inside
Once you have filled the basket with food, you need to put it back inside the air fryer.
Step 5: Set the Time and Temperature
The next step is to set the time and temperature. Most air fryers have a timer that you can use. If your model does not have a timer, you can set the cooking time manually.
Step 6: Press the Start Button
Once you have set the time and temperature, you need to press the start button. Now, all you need to do is let the air fryer work its magic!
Step 7: Mix Necessary Ingredients During the Cooking
There might be some instances where you need to mix certain ingredients during the cooking process. For example, if you are cooking french fries, you will need to add some chili flakes and shake the basket halfway if you want your fries good and spicy.
Step 8: Take out the Basket and Serve Food
Once the timer goes off, you need to take out the basket. Be careful as the basket will be hot. Once you have taken out the basket, you can then serve the food.
Step 9: Clean It Right After Eating
The last step is to clean the air fryer right after you are done eating. This is important because you do not want the food to dry up and become difficult to clean.
To clean your air fryer follow these simple steps:
- Let the air fryer cool down completely before cleaning it.
- Remove the basket and rinse it first.
- Then wash it with warm soapy water.
- Wipe down the inside of the air fryer with a damp cloth.
- Make sure to dry everything completely before using it again.
Conclusion
Air fryers are a healthy kitchen appliance to have as they are versatile and easy to use. Just follow the simple steps we outlined in this article and you will be an air frying pro in no time! So, what are you waiting for? Go out and get yourself an air fryer today!
We hope that our guide on how to use an air fryer has been helpful. Thanks for Reading!
