TL;DR
- Five steps: preheat, add food in one layer, set time and temperature, shake halfway, check early.
- Default setting: 180C / 360F for most food, 200C / 400F for extra crisp.
- One layer only. Crowding is the top beginner mistake.
- Best first foods: chips, frozen snacks, wings and vegetables.
- A little oil helps browning; a light spray is plenty.
Table of Contents
An air fryer is one of the easiest appliances to learn because it removes the guesswork. It heats fast, crisps in a small space, and needs almost no skill. Follow a few habits from day one and nearly everything comes out golden.
How an air fryer works
A heating element and a strong fan circulate hot air around the food. That moving air dries and browns the surface, giving you crunch with little or no oil. Understanding that helps: crisping needs a dry surface and room for air to move.
The five basic steps
- Preheat for about 3 minutes so food starts crisping straight away.
- Add food in a single layer with gaps between pieces.
- Set the temperature and time. Start at 180C / 360F and use our cooking times chart.
- Shake or turn halfway so everything browns evenly.
- Check a few minutes early the first time you cook something, then note the timing.
Best foods to start with
Pick forgiving foods you can check as they cook: chips, frozen snacks, wings and vegetables. These teach you timing and browning without pressure. Browse the full recipe collection once you find your feet.
The one rule that matters most: cook in a single layer. If you cannot see the basket between the pieces, take some out. Crowding traps steam and leaves food pale and soft.
Simple habits for crispy results
Preheat, dry your food, add half a teaspoon of oil, and shake halfway. If things still come out soft, our guide to food that will not crisp walks through the causes in order. Keep the basket clean, too, using our cleaning guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do you use an air fryer for the first time?
Wash the basket, run it empty at 200C for a few minutes to clear any factory smell, then cook something simple like frozen chips. Preheat for 3 minutes, add food in one layer, set the time and temperature, and shake halfway through.
What temperature should a beginner use?
Start at 180C or 360F for most foods, and move up to 200C or 400F when you want extra crisp like chips or wings. Drop to around 160C for baking, where high heat sets the outside too fast.
Do I need oil in an air fryer?
You do not need it, but a light spray or half a teaspoon helps food brown and taste better. Oil carries heat into the surface. Frozen foods already have a coating, so they need none.
What are the best foods to cook first?
Start with forgiving foods you can watch: frozen chips, nuggets, chicken wings and vegetables. They teach you timing and browning without much risk, then you can branch into recipes.
Why is my air fryer food not crispy?
Usually overcrowding, wet food or skipping the preheat. Cook in a single layer, pat food dry, preheat for a few minutes and add a little oil. Our not-crispy guide covers every cause.