How To Make The Most Of An Air Fryer

Always Pre-Heat Your Air Fryer

Air fryers come in various models and sizes, but most have a pre-heat setting which should always be used, explains private chef Jacob Roberts. “Always heat up the drum, especially when cooking meat and fish. You should think of your air fryer like a conventional oven in this way to ensure your food cooks evenly. It’ll also help reduce the amount of energy you use overall, as some models can heat up in as little as two minutes.” Simon Locke, head chef at The Boathouse, agrees. “I like to whack my air fryer on at 200°C for about five minutes to heat it up. That way, you can maintain a regular temperature and time the cooking accurately.”

Use Oil Sparingly

“Air fryers are generally healthier than other cooking methods as they require little to no oil,” Simon explains. “For a full drum of food – like roasted veg or potatoes – you only need about a quarter of a teaspoon of cooking oil. Drizzle it directly over the food before giving it a shake. I would stay away from extra virgin olive oil (which is better in dressings) and stick to oils that cook at a high temperature instead, like sunflower or sesame oil. But remember, less is more.”

Don’t Overcrowd The Drum 

To ensure the food cooks evenly, don’t overcrowd the drum and try to cook food in batches, says Jacob. “I’d recommend an air fryer with two drawers like the Ninja Dual Zone Air Fryer so you can cook two dishes at the same time. If your model has one drum, don’t add too much at a time otherwise your food won’t cook evenly. This is particularly important for meat, so it comes out moist on the inside and crispy on the outside – one of the main benefits of an air fryer. With chicken, for example, don’t be tempted to layer it up. Instead, make sure there’s enough space between pieces. One of my favourite recipes is chicken shawarma marinated in garlic, smoked paprika, chilli, lime juice, spices and natural yogurt. Cook it for around 20 minutes at 200°C until crispy, and serve with flatbreads, hummus and kebab chillies.” 

Don’t Bother Lining It

“Not many people know you can put tin foil and baking tins in an air fryer if it’s big enough to do so,” says Simon. “That said, you really don’t need to line your air fryer with anything, whether you’re cooking oven food or a whole chicken from scratch. You can spray the main drum with some oil, but you’ll get the best result if you pop your food in and let the machine do its thing. Just make sure to shake the drum every 10-15 minutes so it cooks from every angle.” If you’re worried about food sticking, add a small tray suggests Jacob. “I also like to wrap homemade burgers in foil and pop them in the fryer for five minutes to let the cheese melt and bun soften – Five Guys style.”

Don’t Be Afraid To Cook A Whole Chicken

For a great crispy roast chicken, pop it in the air fryer suggests Simon. “Air fryers aren’t just for roasted veg and healthy chips. Take the chicken out of the fridge for around 15 minutes before seasoning with herbs and spices of your choice. Shove half a lemon, fresh thyme and plenty of garlic into the cavity before adding it to a pre-heated air fryer. For a 7lb medium-sized chicken, allow 75 to 90 minutes of cooking time. Cook it at 200°C for 40 minutes, before turning it down to 180°C for the remainder of the time. You’ll get some lovely juices at the bottom which you can use for basting and to make a gravy.”

Air Fryers Are For Dessert Too

“One of my favourite recipes is air fryer cookies,” says Simon. “Make a simple dough and roll them into balls before freezing. When you’re craving a snack, pop one in the air fryer for five minutes for a perfectly baked gooey-in-the-middle cookie – chocolate chips are a must. I also use mine to cook everything from Jus-Rol croissants to basic cakes which you can bake in a normal tin.” Jacob suggests: “For a simple pudding, cut a fresh pineapple into fingers and glaze with honey or agave syrup. Cook them at 200°C for 15 minutes until sticky and charred. I like to top them with coconut cream and crushed gingernuts for a Caribbean-inspired treat.”

Clean It After Each Use

Don’t be tempted to use your air fryer continuously without washing it, says Jacob. “Clean it after every use otherwise you run the risk of reheating old oil which can get smoky and smelly. Wash the drum after each use or pop in a new silicone liner which can be taken out and washed.” Simon likes to use a sponge and soapy water to wash his: “Wipe it out with a cloth if you’re worried about submerging the drum in water. You can then dry it with kitchen towel before using again.”