Adjusting Air Fryer Settings: Disabling The Timer Function

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance used to cook food by circulating hot air around it. They are known for their convenience and ability to cook food without the need for large amounts of oil, resulting in a healthier alternative to deep frying. While air fryers offer many benefits, it is important to be aware of some common mistakes and tips to ensure optimal usage. One of the most common issues with air fryers is related to their timer functionality. Some users have reported that their air fryer's timer is inaccurate, causing food to be overcooked or undercooked. It is recommended to keep a separate timer, such as a phone timer, to ensure accurate cooking times. Additionally, air fryers may automatically shut off when the lid is opened, which can be inconvenient if you want to check on your food without interrupting the cooking process. To address this, you can look for an air fryer model that has a Start/Pause button, allowing you to pause the cooking process and check on your food without turning off the appliance.

Preheat or not to preheat?

Preheating your air fryer is not always necessary, but it can be helpful in certain situations. Here are some insights to help you decide whether to preheat or not:

When to Preheat:

• Speed up cooking time: Preheating can reduce the average cooking time by a few minutes. If you're in a hurry, it might be worth preheating your air fryer.
• Achieve extra crispiness: Preheating can help make your food crispier, which is ideal for dishes like fried chicken, french fries, potato chips, and wings.
• Cook thinly cut meats: Preheating is suitable for cooking pounded chicken breasts or shaved steaks as it crisps up the edges while cooking the inside.
• Reheat precooked or frozen foods: Preheating can help ensure that leftover or frozen foods are heated evenly and quickly, preventing sogginess.
• Bake: Preheating is recommended for baking cakes, donuts, and cookies to ensure they cook evenly and at the desired temperature.

When Not to Preheat:

• Cook thick cuts of meat: For large slabs of meat, it is better not to preheat as the outside may burn before the inside is cooked. Place the meat in the air fryer first and then turn it on to ensure even cooking.
• Retain moisture in food: If you prefer moist food, you may opt not to preheat as the air fryer can remove moisture and change the texture. This is especially relevant for raw vegetables or sponge cakes.
• Follow the manual's instructions: Always refer to your air fryer's manual. Some models may advise against preheating, and it is essential to follow safety guidelines.

How to Preheat:

• With a preheat function: Determine if your air fryer has an automatic or manual preheat function. If it's automatic, program the cooking time and temperature, and it will preheat accordingly. If it's manual, follow the instructions in the manual to preheat using the settings.
• Without a preheat function: Set the temperature to your desired cooking temperature or the recommended temperature in your recipe. Preheat smaller air fryers for 2-3 minutes and larger models for about 5 minutes. Then, place your food inside and reset to the desired cooking time.

Air fryer cooking times

Air fryers are a fantastic appliance to have in your kitchen. They are simple to set up and easy to use. You can cook a wide range of foods in an air fryer, from chicken wings to French fries, and even desserts like easy s'mores!

Tips for Air Frying

Before you get started, there are a few things to keep in mind when air frying:

• Always preheat your air fryer. This is one of the most common mistakes people make when using an air fryer. It only takes a few minutes and will improve your cooking results.
• Air fry in a single layer. This ensures that your food cooks evenly and gets crispy. If you're cooking large quantities or larger food items, cook in batches.
• Flip your food halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and to prevent burning.

Converting Recipes for Air Frying

You can convert your favourite oven-cooked or pan-fried recipes for the air fryer. As a general rule, reduce the temperature by 25°F and cut the cooking time by about 20%. Don't forget to use the pause button to check on your food and flip it for even crispness.

• Butternut squash (cubed) and sweet potatoes (cubed): 4-5 minutes per side
• Chicken wings: 25 minutes at 390°F, flipping halfway through and spraying with vegetable oil
• Frozen French fries: 20-25 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway through
• Mozzarella sticks, tater tots, and corn dogs: Preheat to 375°F, then cook for 5-7 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway through

You can also find air fryer cheat sheets online, which provide a handy reference for the temperature and cooking times for a wide range of foods.

Air fryer cooking tips

Air fryers are a fantastic way to cook your favourite foods with a crispy, fried texture without the need for unhealthy oils or deep frying. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your air fryer:

Preheating

Preheating your air fryer is not always necessary, but it is recommended if you want a delicious sear on your food, especially when cooking meat like steak. Simply set your desired temperature and let it run for about 3 minutes before adding your food.

Avoid Overcrowding

Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and browning. Different air fryers have different size capacities, so it's important to know the size of yours before you start cooking. Give your food enough space to allow as much surface area to be exposed as possible, which will help it cook faster and give better results.

Flip and Shake

For larger proteins like whole chickens, it's important to flip them halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. For smaller items like fries or vegetables, shake the basket to move them around and help them cook evenly.

Oil and Cooking Spray

While air fryers can achieve crispy results without the need for excess oil, you can lightly brush fresh foods with cooking oil for similar results to a deep fryer. Avoid using too much cooking spray, as it can damage the non-stick coating of the air fryer basket and contribute to chipping. Instead, use an oil mister or pump sprayer with your own oils.

Accessories and Add-ons

Don't be afraid to accessorise your air fryer with additional tools like a grill pan, baking pan, or silicone moulds. This will allow you to expand your cooking repertoire and make the most of your air fryer, cooking everything from steaks to cakes and pizzas.

Temperature and Timing

When using a non-air fryer recipe, remember to shorten your cooking time, as air fryers tend to cook food faster than a conventional oven or deep fryer. Additionally, if your air fryer doesn't have a preheat function, add an extra 3 minutes to your cooking time to account for the time it takes to heat up.

Converting oven recipes to the air fryer

Most recipes are designed with traditional ovens in mind, but you can convert them for an air fryer. Air fryers cook food faster than ovens because they circulate hot air. Therefore, you will need to reduce the temperature and cooking time when converting an oven recipe for an air fryer.

General Rules for Conversion

• Temperature: Reduce the temperature by 25°F. For example, 375°F in an oven would be 350°F in an air fryer.
• Cooking Time: Reduce the cooking time by about 20%. For instance, if an oven recipe has a cooking time of 60 minutes, you would convert this to 48 minutes in the air fryer.

Using an Air Fryer Calculator

You can also use an air fryer calculator to convert an oven recipe. Input the oven time and temperature, and the calculator will generate the air fryer equivalent.

Tips for Using an Air Fryer

• Preheat your air fryer.
• Spread food out in a single layer, and do not overcrowd the basket.
• Spray a little oil on most foods to help them turn golden. However, foods that are already high in fat, like chicken wings, do not need any extra oil.
• Shake the basket or flip your food halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
• Check your food regularly to ensure it is not cooking too quickly.
• Use a meat thermometer to check if your food is cooked.

Air fryer safety

Air fryers are a convenient and healthy alternative to deep frying, but it's important to be aware of some potential safety hazards. Here are some tips to ensure safe use of your air fryer:

Preventing Fires and Burns

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued recalls for several air fryer brands due to fire and burn hazards. These recalls are often due to faulty wire connections or other defects that can cause the air fryer to overheat, melt, or catch fire. Always check for recalls before purchasing an air fryer and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.

To reduce the risk of fire:

• Ensure your air fryer is properly connected to a functioning power outlet.
• Allow the air fryer to cool down between uses and don't place it too close to other heat sources.
• Keep flammable objects, such as towels or curtains, away from the air fryer.
• Unplug the air fryer when not in use, especially if you're going out or going to bed.

To prevent burns:

• Avoid touching any part of the air fryer other than the handle during use. Use oven mitts or heat-proof gloves if you need to touch other parts.
• Leave at least 5 inches of space between the back of the air fryer and the wall or any other objects.
• Use the air fryer only on surfaces that can handle high temperatures, such as kitchen countertops. Avoid placing it on plastic or other heat-sensitive materials.
• Allow the air fryer to cool down for at least an hour after use before handling or storing it.

Food Safety

Air fryers can be used to cook a variety of foods, but it's important to follow food safety guidelines to prevent foodborne illnesses:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after preparing food.
• Clean and sanitize surfaces and utensils before and after food preparation.
• Don't place cooked food on plates that previously held raw food.
• Keep raw meats, poultry, and seafood separate from other foods to prevent cross-contamination. Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meat and other foods.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking. Cook food in batches if necessary.
• Cook foods to a safe minimum internal temperature:
• Fish: 145°F
• Whole cuts of beef, pork, veal, and lamb: 145°F with a 3-minute rest time
• Ground meat products: 160°F
• Poultry (including ground poultry): 165°F
• Always use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of meat and poultry.
• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Other Safety Considerations

• Don't operate your air fryer with wet hands to avoid the risk of electric shock.
• Don't overfill the air fryer basket with oil or food to prevent spillage or uneven cooking.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and maintenance.
• Regularly inspect the air fryer for any loose parts or defects, especially in the lid or locking mechanism.
• If your air fryer doesn't turn off when you open the lid, unplug it and check for any debris or obstructions in the lid mechanism.

Frequently asked questions