New Ninja Airfryer - any tips please?

[Batceanera]

I've made chips, bacon and the like. Are there any recommendations for recipes or food to make?

Apple pie was less successful, well cooked at the top and a bit soggy on the bottom.

The timer is strange, it starts at 20 mins as a default. Preheat is three mins so you need to reduce the time down from 20 to 3. Can you start from zero? Google and You Tube are no help.

I leave mine to warm up whilst I faff. When I put food in I either set the timer or tell alexa

Was there not a manual in the box that explains the timer? I would start there

is it the duel basket one? - I've joined a couple of facebook sites and loads of photos and recipes and tips in the groups there.

I don't warm mine up. but agree the timer starting at 20 is a faff - I've not had it long enough to know of the tricks about that.

You don't need to preheat it?

I never preheat mine. Hold the time button down and it goes back to 1 eventually.

@hilbil21 - I think it depends on what you are cooking. But its only for 2-3 mins anyway.

If it's the dual I have one and have had it a few months. Nowhere have I read it needs preheated no matter what you are making, I've had no issues.

Fish Pie: I bake lightly frozen fish fillets in foil first (no preheating required) at 200 degrees for 25 mins then take them out & use the saute function to braise onions & make a parsley white sauce (flour, butter, milk/double cream, nutmeg). To the sauce I add seasoning, grain mustard, mint sauce, tartare sauce. I then add the fish back in with some frozen veg (e.g. broccoli, peas), top with frozen mash & cheese & put the airfryer on at 180 degrees for 25 mins.

I've read the manual and it definitely recommends a 3 mins pre-heat. It is already sizzling hot when I put things in.

I just made thin toasted bread slices from a baguette and a baked cheese. It was lovely.

We had grilled chicken earlier. Although it was pale it was tasty I'll probably pan fry for colour and then finish it in the airfryer. I might try salt and pepper seasoning and more oil next time

Which model have you got?

You don’t need to pan fry for colour. Meat browns perfectly well in the air fryer. Sausages get amazingly brown all over like cartoon sausages!

3.8 litre one drawer model.

Sausages were amazing. As you say perfectly brown all over.

Skinless chicken breast were very pale. Maybe they would look better wrapped in bacon?

No saute or grill function. Just the airfryer basket.