How to Use an Air Fryer

What an Air Fryer Actually Does

Despite the name, an air fryer does not deep-fry food. It works more like a compact convection oven: a fan drives very hot air around the food fast enough to crisp the surface, using only a fraction of the oil required for deep-frying. Once you picture it that way, the controls stop being intimidating. You are really only ever choosing a temperature and a time, then giving the air enough room to move.

That mental model also explains the two mistakes that trip up almost every first-time user: cramming the basket so the air cannot circulate, and trusting the timer instead of checking that the food is actually cooked through. The steps below take you from the box to a finished, safely cooked meal in order, and flag the small habits that keep your basket and your results in good shape. Where a topic deserves more depth, such as preheating or cleaning, you will find a link to the full guide.

🧰 What You’ll Need

• A heat-resistant countertop or a heat mat to sit the air fryer on.
• A high-smoke-point cooking oil, ideally in a refillable spray mister rather than an aerosol can.
• An instant-read thermometer for checking doneness.
• Tongs or silicone-tipped utensils for turning and lifting food.
• A soft, non-abrasive sponge and mild dish soap for cleanup.

🔥 How to Use an Air Fryer, Step by Step

1. Unpack it fully and give it room to breathe — Before the first cook, take everything out and check the basket and drawer for protective tape, plastic wrap, and cardboard inserts. New units often ship with padding tucked inside the basket, and anything left in place can scorch or melt on the first heat cycle. Set the air fryer on a stable, heat-resistant countertop or heat mat and follow the clearance stated in its manual. Many models call for roughly 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) around the vents, but the exact requirement varies. Keep the exhaust away from walls, backsplashes, power cords, and the underside of overhead cabinets. You will know it is positioned well when the unit sits level, nothing rattles inside, and the vents have unobstructed space. For a fuller setup check, see the guide to air fryer placement and countertop safety.
   
2. Wash the removable parts and follow the first-use instructions — Hand-wash the basket and crisper plate in warm water with mild dish soap and a soft sponge, then dry them completely. Avoid metal utensils and abrasive scouring pads, as they can wear down a non-stick coating. Some manufacturers include an empty test run or first-use cycle, while others only require the removable parts to be washed, so check your manual before running the appliance empty. If the manual permits it, run the empty air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 10–15 minutes in a well-ventilated kitchen. A mild new-appliance or plastic smell can occur during the first few uses, but stop using the unit and contact the manufacturer if the smell is strong, electrical, accompanied by smoke, or does not begin to fade. For grease, lingering smells, and the heating element later on, see the full guide to how to clean an air fryer.
   
3. Preheat for a few minutes — Preheating is not required for every air fryer or every food. Some models preheat automatically, while others are designed to begin cooking immediately. When your model allows it, preheating the empty basket at the target temperature for about 2–5 minutes can give foods a crisper initial sear and make recipe timings more predictable. Follow the appliance prompt or manual rather than assuming every model works the same way. To see which foods benefit most and when you can skip it, read the air fryer preheating guide.
   
4. Add a little oil and load without crowding — Air fryers need very little oil, usually 1–2 teaspoons or a light spray, and it works best applied directly to the food rather than poured into the basket drawer. Use a refillable pump mister or toss the food with a small amount of oil. Some manufacturers specifically advise against pressurised aerosol cooking sprays because their additives can damage or leave residue on non-stick finishes, so check your appliance manual before using one. Then load the basket without tightly packing the food. A single layer with space between pieces gives the most even browning, although smaller foods such as chips can be cooked in a deeper layer when shaken regularly. Overcrowding blocks airflow and can leave food pale or soggy. For starting amounts and timings, check the air fryer cooking times chart.
   
5. Cook, then shake or flip partway through — Let the circulating air do the work, and pause around the halfway mark to shake smaller foods or flip larger items so they brown evenly. Only use parchment paper if your appliance manual permits it. Choose paper made for air fryers, add it after preheating, keep enough basket area open for airflow, and make sure it is securely weighed down by food. Never run loose parchment in an empty or lightly loaded basket because the fan can lift it into the heating element, where it may scorch or burn. You are on track when the food is developing even colour rather than browning in isolated patches.
   
6. Check doneness with a thermometer, then cool and clean — Judge meat by temperature rather than by the timer or appearance alone. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part, away from bone where possible. Cook poultry, including ground poultry, to 74°C (165°F); minced or ground beef, pork, lamb, and veal to 71°C (160°F); steaks, chops, and roasts of pork, beef, or lamb to 63°C (145°F) followed by a three-minute rest; and fish and seafood to 63°C (145°F). Full targets for different proteins are in the air fryer meat temperature guide. When you are done, unplug the unit and let it cool completely. Wash the basket and plate according to the manual; even when parts are listed as dishwasher safe, hand-washing with mild soap and a soft sponge is usually gentler on the coating.

✅ You’ll Know It’s Working When…

Your food comes out golden and crisp on the outside rather than pale and steamed, the thermometer reads a safe internal temperature in the thickest part, and the basket wipes clean once it has cooled. Hit those three and you have used your air fryer correctly, and you can start dialling in your own favourite times and temperatures from there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to preheat an air fryer?

No, not every air fryer or food requires preheating. Some models preheat automatically, while others are designed to start cooking immediately. When your model allows it, running the empty basket at the target temperature for about 2–5 minutes can give food a crisper initial sear and make cooking times more predictable.

Why does my new air fryer smell like plastic?

A mild plastic or new-appliance smell can occur during the first few uses. Check the manual for its recommended first-use procedure. If it permits an empty cycle, running the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 10–15 minutes in a ventilated kitchen may help. Stop using it and contact the manufacturer if the smell is strong, electrical, accompanied by smoke, or does not begin to fade.

How much oil do you use in an air fryer?

Very little—usually about 1–2 teaspoons or a light spray applied directly to the food rather than the drawer. A refillable pump mister is a practical option. Check the appliance manual before using pressurised aerosol sprays because some manufacturers warn that their additives can damage or leave residue on non-stick finishes.

Can you put parchment paper in an air fryer?

Only if your appliance manual permits it. Use parchment made for air fryers, add it after preheating, leave space for airflow, and weigh it down securely with food. Loose parchment can lift into the heating element and scorch, so it should never run in an empty or lightly loaded basket.

What temperature should meat reach in an air fryer?

Cook poultry, including ground poultry, to 74°C (165°F); minced or ground beef, pork, lamb, and veal to 71°C (160°F); pork, beef, and lamb steaks and roasts to 63°C (145°F) with a three-minute rest; and fish and seafood to 63°C (145°F). Check the thickest part with an instant-read thermometer.

Is an air fryer the same as a deep fryer?

No. An air fryer is a compact convection oven that crisps food by circulating hot air, not by submerging it in oil, so it does not deep-fry in the traditional sense.