Air Fryer FAQs

Air Fryers have been all the rage lately and I’m here to tell you EXACTLY why! I’ve answered all the burning questions about them in this article for those of you looking to purchase one. 

Air fryers, air fryers, air fryers! If you’ve been hearing about Air Fryers everywhere and wondering just what the hype is – I’ve got you. I asked you guys on my Instagram to share your burning questions about them for me (a true Air Fryer convert) to answer! 

I’m sure you can tell by my Air Fryer Series and my latest Air Fryer Recipes E-Book that I’ve been experimenting a lot with the things I can do with my Air Fryer. But there was a whole stage before this when I was exploring what air fryer to buy. I was also identifying if it was worth it to purchase or not. So in this article, I’ll take you through exactly that. 

Jump to section: Air Fryer FAQs

• Air Fryer – Frequently Asked Questions
• Want To Do More With Your Air Fryer?

Air Fryer – Frequently Asked Questions

1. Should we get an air fryer if we already have a convection microwave?

If your convection microwave has good airflow and high temperatures, you may not need an air fryer. However, air fryers heat up faster, cook food more evenly, and give crispier results than most convection microwaves. Plus, they’re a lot more compact. Considering this, I’d say an Air Fryer is a worthy addition to your kitchen.

2. If I’m making frozen food in the air fryer, how do I adjust baking time to air fryer times? 

I like to follow a general rule of reducing the temperature by 15 degrees celsius and the cook time by 20-30% compared to the oven directions. For example, if frozen nuggets take 20 minutes at 200 degrees celsius, I air fry them for around 15 minutes at 185 degrees celsius. Always make sure to keep checking mid-way and to flip for even cooking. Using an air fryer sometimes does involve some guesswork!

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3. How do I clean my air fryer?

After each use, make sure to wipe the basket with a damp cloth or wash with warm, soapy water. If you’re dealing with food stuck on the rim, just soak the basket in warm, soapy water for 10-15 minutes before gently scrubbing it off to remove the food and any grease. 

4. How do you cook meat in an air fryer without having it go dry?

There’s a few steps to take to ensure a juicy result – marination is one of them that I never skip. I also make sure to not overcrowd the air fryer and to cook in batches instead so that the air can circulate properly. I also outline tips specific to each meat recipe in my Air Fryer Recipes. So make sure to read the Top Tips section within those! 

5. Which air fryer is the best one to buy?

A 4 quart or 3 liter size air fryer is perfect for a family of two. To give you an idea, a small size air fryer like that is perfect to cook a chicken breast along with a side of veggies. This is also the perfect size to cook snacks and reheat food. However, if you are planning to cook full meals, then you should probably consider getting a larger size. 

For a family of four, I recommend a 6 quart or 5 litre air fryer. These days, most brands are launching larger capacity air fryers. 

I use the 5.5 L Air Fryer from Hamilton Beach and I absolutely love mine! You can also explore the Air Fryers from Hamilton Beach, Philips, and Inalsa. 

6. Some say it’s harmful. Is it so?

Not at all. In fact, using air fryers can reduce oil consumption by about 70-80%. However, some air fryer baskets have non-stick coatings that can wear down over time. So make sure you’re purchasing a quality air fryer (since the good ones don’t have this issue!)

7. Should I get a round basket or a square one?

I’m team square all the way! There’s more surface area and it’s just easier to spread out what you’re cooking so that the air circulates evenly. 

8. How can we prevent food from sticking to the bottom of the container?

You can lightly coat the basket with cooking spray or some oil. Or, you can use parchment paper / a vessel to hold the food.

9. What all vessels are safe to use in the air fryer?

Glass, ceramic and oven-safe metals will all work just fine in the air fryer. 

10. What are the best oils to use in the air fryer?

An air fryer cooks at high temperatures so you want to use an oil with a high smoke point. Choose oils like sunflower oil, ghee, or groundnut oil that can withstand the heat. 

All in all, there’s a lot you can do in with an air fryer – from baking to thawing and reheating to even making pasta! I’ve used a total of three air fryers over the years and loved the experience completely. I literally use my Air Fryer 90% of the time now. So of course I have to put you guys on this as well  

I hope this article covers the questions you had in your mind. But if you have more, feel free to shoot me a DM over on my IG @my_foodstory.

If this read has convinced you, then you need to check out my Air Fryer Recipes E-Book for the coolest ways to make use of your new gadget, from bread rolls to tandoori chicken to muffins!

This article was researched and written by Navya Khetarpal.

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