Genius air fryer hacks you need to try

The air-fryer revolution

If you’re a convert to the miraculous kitchen must-have that is the air fryer, read on. In fact, even if you’re not, keep reading. By the end of this gallery, we reckon you'll be sold. Quick and easy to use, requiring less energy and cooking fat than an oven, and capable of delivering delicious results (think crispy, golden fries made with minimal oil) – the air fryer is one gadget that delivers on its promises. Here we show you how to get the very best out of yours.

Read on for game-changing air fryer tips, tricks and recipes.

What is an air fryer?

An air fryer is a small convection oven that bakes and roasts. Technically, it doesn’t actually fry. Its heating elements are located on top, relying on a large, powerful fan to efficiently circulate heat around. Much like a deep fat fryer, an air fryer can be used to cook perfectly crispy food; but, unlike a deep fryer, an air fryer uses little to no oil. Due to their small size, air fryers usually heat up quickly and are more energy efficient than most ovens.

To oil or not to oil?

When it comes to sauces and marinades, dry air frying (cooking with no added oil or butter) is best. Moisture prevents food from becoming crispy so, if this is the desired texture, stick to dry rubs or add your sauces at the last minute. For foods that do benefit from oil – when roasting veg or cooking non-breaded meats or fish, for example – just a light spray is enough. A word of warning, though: even if you’re using a non-stick spray, don’t spritz it directly into the air fryer. The residue will stick to the basket and may damage it. Use it to coat your food, instead.

Choosing your air fryer

Air fryers come in lots of different shapes, sizes and prices. Think about how many people you tend to cook for and how much space you have in your kitchen, and consider how easy the air fryer is to clean. Most importantly, think about what you want to cook in your air fryer. A typical basket air fryer is ideal for chips and vegetables, but an oven-shaped one may be big enough to cook a full chicken. If you want to really get the most from your appliance, consider a multicooker. They tend to be pricier, but have functions including pressure cooking, slow cooking, steam, and even yogurt making.

What can you cook in an air fryer?

Though air fryers and potatoes go hand in hand, you can use your device for more than just chips. From chocolate brownies to entire roast dinners, the options are extensive. An air fryer gives breaded products a lovely crisp exterior, while meats get a nice crust and a juicy, tender centre. You can also use oven-safe silicone moulds, foil, parchment paper and ramekins. Whatever you cook, distribute your ingredients evenly and be sure to not overfill your air fryer.

Do: stock up your freezer

Perfect for those days when hands-on cooking feels too much, lots of frozen products are great for air frying. Think spring rolls, dumplings, hash browns, pigs in blankets, chicken nuggets, fish fingers, croissants, sausage rolls… the possibilities are endless (and kids love them, too).

Do: use it as a dehydrator

Most air fryers come with a dehydrate setting, which you can use to dry out fruit for healthy snacks or to garnish cocktails and desserts. Simply cut the fruit of your choice into thin slices (apples, oranges, pineapple and strawberries all work well) and place in your air fryer for around four hours. We like serving our dehydrated fruit with thick Greek yogurt and granola.

Do: enjoy corn on the cob all year round

Grilled corn used to be something to look forward to during summertime but, with an air fryer, you can enjoy it all year long. Spray or brush your sweetcorn with a little bit of oil, season with salt and pepper, then air fry at 200ºC (400ºF) for 10 minutes, turning the cobs halfway through cooking. When they're ready, butter or season as you usually would.

Do: make extra-crispy bacon

Bacon cooks perfectly in the air fryer. Line the bottom of the basket with foil for easier cleaning, then cook your bacon in a single layer at 190ºC (375ºF) for two to three minutes or a little longer, depending on how crispy you like it. For deliciously candied bacon, sprinkle your rashers with brown sugar and paprika before air frying.

Do: roast garlic

Roasted garlic is a game changer. Soft, spreadable and delicious – you get all the garlicky goodness without any of the raw, harsh aftertaste. It’s also easy to do in the air fryer. Simply preheat your air fryer to 190ºC (375ºF), cut the top off a bulb of garlic, then brush it with olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Wrap the garlic in foil and air fry for 15-20 minutes. Once cooked, the cloves will pop out with a spreadable, butter-like consistency.

Do: bake a single cookie (or three)

For a fresh cookie without having to batch cook, line your air fryer with parchment paper and preheat it to the temperature stated in the recipe you're using. You can use fresh cookie dough or, for a time-saving hack, freeze your dough in ready-to-bake balls and pop one (or two) in – straight from the freezer – whenever the craving hits, adding an extra minute to the cooking time. When baking in an air fryer, note that the cooking time will be much shorter than in an oven; most cookies will bake in five minutes.

Do: reheat your takeaway

This one might be our favourite tip of all. Did you know your air fryer can bring your takeaway leftovers back to life? Yep, that includes cold, soggy fries. The rapidly circulating hot air is perfect for reviving crispy foods like chips, onion rings, chicken wings and pizza. You can also wrap cooked burger patties, topped with a slice of cheese, in foil and heat them in your air fryer for an instant fast food–style cheeseburger.

Do: crisp up your veggies

Air frying vegetables with a little oil and seasoning gives them a delightful crunch. Chop them into even-sized pieces, drizzle with oil, season, spread in a flat layer in your appliance and set the temperature to 190ºC (375ºF). Quick-cooking vegetables like asparagus and courgettes can take just 10 minutes in an air fryer, whereas firmer vegetables (like root vegetables and butternut squash) will take 20-30 minutes. Don't forget to shake your air fryer once or twice to make sure your veggies cook evenly.

Don’t: batter your foods

When deep-frying, batter solidifies almost as soon as it drops into the oil. However, this isn't the case with air-frying. Your batter won't cook properly and is likely to leak underneath the basket. It can even splatter all over your fryer, thanks to the fan that circulates the heat. This is one easy way to damage your air fryer, so is best avoided.

Don’t: sauce things up

Just like batter, sauces are a no-no. When air frying, you should avoid adding any liquid that can splatter, smoke or cause damage to your device. In any case, adding moisture isn’t the best way to achieve the crispy crunch air fryers are famous for. For dishes requiring a glaze (such as barbecue ribs or teriyaki salmon), add the sauce within the last couple of minutes of cooking time.

Don’t: make popcorn

A movie night just isn't a movie night without some popcorn… but it can quickly turn into a horror film if you try to make this classic snack in your air fryer. The kernels will fly right into the heating element, causing a fire hazard. Save the popping action for the microwave or the hob.  This same principle applies to all lightweight ingredients. Anything that’s too light is likely to be propelled around your air fryer by the force of the fan. If you really need to air fry something light, make sure you secure it in place using a toothpick or kitchen twine.

Cooking temperatures and timings

To help you get started with your air fryer, we’ve gathered some easy guidelines with the best temperatures and cooking times to refer to. Bear in mind that most gadgets have different wattages, so cooking times may vary. However, the more you use your air fryer, the easier it will be to get a grasp of timings.

Chicken

Chicken breasts are best cooked at 190ºC (375ºF) for 10-15 minutes. Season and brush with oil before air frying, and flip halfway through cooking. Chicken thighs need a bit more time, so oil and season them before cooking them at 200ºC (400ºF) for 15-20 minutes, with the skin facing up for extra browning. Cook wings at 200ºC (400ºF) for 20-25 minutes, with a dry rub seasoning. A pinch of baking soda in the rub will make them crispier.

Steak

You can cook steak in your air fryer, too. Season thoroughly and set the temperature to 200ºC (400ºF). The time will vary according to the thickness of your steak and how you like it. For reference, a one-inch (2.5cm) steak will take 10-15 minutes (make sure you flip it halfway) to achieve a medium-rare result.

Fish

An air fryer is a good, healthy and wonderfully easy way to cook fish. Brush your fillets with a little oil, season properly and cook for 8-10 minutes at 200ºC (400ºF). Throw in some vegetables and aromatics – like garlic, herbs, mushrooms and tomatoes – to make a complete meal.

Potatoes

Is there anything better than a crispy yet fluffy jacket potato? You can cook a perfect baked potato or sweet potato in the air fryer at around 200ºC (400ºF), with a cooking time of 35-40 minutes. Meanwhile, roast potatoes and sweet potato wedges will take just 12-15 minutes at the same temperature. Toss with oil, season to taste, and shake vigorously halfway through cooking.

Butternut squash

Prep your butternut squash for air-fryer perfection by cutting it into one-inch (2.5cm) pieces. Toss your squash cubes with oil, season, then air fry at 200ºC (400ºF) for 12-15 minutes. Shake halfway through cooking for even browning.

Frozen fries or chips

Finally, for restaurant-quality chips, air-fry your favourite store-bought frozen chips at 200ºC (400ºF) for 12-15 minutes. Spray with a light coating of oil and shake vigorously once or twice while cooking. Season once cooked.

How to clean your air fryer

Cleaning your air fryer properly after every use is essential. Be sure to read your model’s manual to check on the specifics. As a rule, avoid abrasive sponges, steel wire brushes and metal utensils that could ruin the non-stick coating. Stay safe by unplugging your air fryer and allowing it to cool down before cleaning it. Don’t submerge it, either; a damp microfibre cloth or non-abrasive sponge with a bit of washing-up liquid is your best bet.

Now discover the common mistakes that most people make with their air fryer

Last updated by Emily Shardlow-Price.