Practical guide on how to use the air fryer perfectly!

Here's what you need to know about how to use the air fryer for perfect results, including tips and mistakes to avoid.

The air fryer, also known as airfryer , is an appliance that is becoming increasingly popular in Italian homes. The reasons for its success are the convenience with which you can cook thanks to it and the very short cooking times .

With this appliance, you can cook without waste and mess in the kitchen. In a very quick and easy way, you can obtain dishes that are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, as well as healthier . By cooking only with the action of air – and without oil – the dishes are much healthier and contain very little fat.

Although it is called a fryer, this appliance is nothing more than a small electric oven. It can cook thanks to the fan which allows the diffusion of hot air and this makes any type of food soft.

If you also want to give in to the practicality of this appliance, follow the short guide on how to best use the air fryer at home.

Tips on how to use the air fryer and mistakes to avoid

Before starting, it is a good idea to read the instructions for each appliance, because there are many models with different characteristics. When you buy one, it is best to wash it carefully, so that the plastic does not ruin the flavor of the food. Furthermore, carry out a first cooking without food, to test the correct functioning of the fan. After these initial checks, proceed with cooking, following a few rules.

1. In some cases, you will need to preheat your air fryer . Especially if you insert large foods, or in large quantities, the temperature must be very hot from the start. A fillet of meat that is too thick, for example, requires more heat to cook.
2. Before filling it, always grease the basket . Very little oil is needed, to be spread all over the container, for better cooking. In this way, the food does not stick to the internal walls and is crispier.
3. The fundamental advice on how to use the air fryer is not to overfill the basket . Try not to overlap the foods and not to pile them up. During cooking, the hot air must circulate freely and reach the entire surface of the food.
4. For this same reason, it is essential to use the supplied grill . This piece allows uniform circulation of air, also passing through the surface at the bottom.
5. Another important precaution is to shake the basket during cooking . This way, you can stir the contents or turn the food, allowing air to reach all sides.

What to cook in the air fryer

As we have already explained, the fryer does not fry (or at least not always), but cooks using hot air . It can be used as a practical small ventilated oven, in which to heat an already cooked dish. Commonly, this appliance is used to fry frozen and pre-cooked foods in a healthier way. Breaded foods, chips and everything that requires frying becomes healthier here.

But in this appliance you can cook much more. Use it for vegetables you would normally grill, such as courgettes, peppers or aubergines; it is, above all, suitable for dishes that require dry heat, such as roast dishes . Whether it's based on meat or fish, here you can cook or roast everything.

The air fryer is also used for desserts . Like the oven, you can use it to bake muffins and other sweets with soft dough; suitable for shortcrust pastry and puff pastry preparations, you just have to pay attention to the specific instructions. And don't forget that you can also bake and reheat bread in this small appliance!

To learn more about this appliance, read all the benefits of using the air fryer .