When I got my air fryer last year, I never imagined I would use it as much as I do. I have a crock-pot and Instant Pot, and while I use the crock-pot occasionally, I rarely dust off the Instant Pot. However, my air fryer has earned a prominent position on my counter top for daily use. My kitchen appliance love affair with my air fryer is real, and my oven has taken the brunt of the loss. Thinking about getting one yourself? Have one, but don’t know what you should do with it? Here are air fryer tips and tricks to get you started!
Why should I get an air fryer?
- You can literally cook (almost) everything in it
- Cuts the cooking time down drastically
- Doesn’t heat up your kitchen like an oven does
Which air fryer should I buy?
Each air fryer is different. I have the Ninja Air Fryer – 4 Quart Capacity, so all of my cooking times and testing are based on this specific brand. My mom also has the Ninja Max XL Air Fryer – 5.5 Quart Capacity, which I would recommend if you are cooking for more than two people. It also has a feature where it pauses automatically when you remove the basket (a small, but helpful feature) and has a MaxCrisp setting for even faster cooking. That said, I am perfectly happy with the baseline model.
What could I cook in my air fryer?
- Bacon
- Bagels
- Chicken – so many ways
- Veggies – broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, asparagus, squash, zucchini, and more!
- MORE THINGS – Skinnytaste (Gina Homolka) has a great cookbook to get you started with cooking in the air fryer.
How do I cook in the air fryer?
Air fryers have different settings. The Ninja Air Fryer has Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate. I use the Air Fry setting 95% of the time, and occasionally the roast and reheat options.
Based on the Ninja Air Fryer, here are a few quick go-to recipes for food to cook in the air fryer. Gina Homolka, Skinnytaste has a great cookbook to get you started with cooking in the air fryer.
Quick tips:
- Sometimes recipes call for preheating your air fryer. Think of this like preheating your oven. Just turn it on at the desired temperature for 1-2 minutes before adding your food.
- Air fried food is best served soon after it’s done cooking. The longer it sits, the limper the food will become. Try to time accordingly.
- If you find your food is cooking to quickly, pause the cooking and resume when you’re ready.
- Adjust your cooking time and temperature just like you would in a oven. Want it crispier? Cook longer, increase temperature, or both.
- Purchase tongs that have a protective covering. Metal tongs will scratch the air fryer.
BACON
I always hated cooking bacon because cleaning up is such a challenge. This is the easiest, fastest, least messy way to cook bacon.
Place 5-6 slices in the air fryer basket. Cook on 370°F for 10-12 minutes, turning 2-3 times during the cooking process. If you are cooking for a crowd, cook for 8-10 minutes until slightly under your desired crisp level, and you can keep the bacon warm in your microwave or toaster oven. Cook in batches and toss it all back in the basket for 2-3 minutes before serving to bring up to your desired crisp level.
BAGELS
This is based on Skinnytaste’s recipe for the bagels, with toppings inspired by Bagelsaurus, a local bagel shop in Cambridge, MA.
Mix 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1 cup of plain greek yogurt (I use Fage). Press into a dough and kneed a few times on a flour covered surface until dough isn’t sticky. Separate into 4 equal balls and roll into a long rope, connecting the two ends to create a circle. Brush the tops of the bagels with a beaten egg white. Top with minced garlic and cheddar cheese or Everything but the Bagel seasoning, or your favorite bagel topping! Preheat air fryer to 330°F. Place two bagels in the basket and cook for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Let rest for 5-10 minutes on a cooling rack before slicing.
CHICKEN
Skinnytaste’s sesame chicken tenders are a frequent weeknight staple. Preheat the air fryer 400°F. Cook 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
VEGGIES
Sides are how I most frequently use my air fryer. We love air fried asparagus. I also cook broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, asparagus, squash, zucchini, potatoes, and more!
For asparagus, preheat air fryer to 400°F. Spray the basket with olive oil. Add washed and snapped asparagus to basket. Sprinkle with Montreal Steak Seasoning and spray with a bit more olive oil. Cook for 8-10 minutes until crisp. Serve immediately.
