Idiots guide to air fryers? Please help a terrible cook!

[AirFryerIdiot]

NC as I have already mentioned this to a few people and I don't want them to know how much time I dedicate to this site!

I am a terrible cook, I mean dreadful, I basically can't cook anything! DH was a very good chef for many years so he cooks absolutely everything (I do a lot of other things!)

Anyway, I was in Asda yesterday and noticed that they had small air fryers for a huge discount. So in a moment of spontaneity, I bought one thinking that this could be the answer to my cooking woes!

I have no idea how it works or what I could cook in it... Do I just turn it on? Is it like an oven? How long does it take? Is there anything that I should/shouldn't cook in there?

I know people love them, and I'm hoping to as well, I'm also hoping that I could make a meal in there by the end of the weekend?

So... what shall I do? How do I do it? Please explain to me like I'm 5...

Am very aware that my new little gadget might not be the best quality, hoping to upgrade to a Ninja or similar if I can get the hang of it!

Someone told me that the rule of thumb is to cook stuff for 20% less time and at 20% less heat than you would in a normal oven. It’s worked for me so far. I’m vegetarian though so I can’t say whether that also goes for meat & fish.

Turn on the temp, turn on the time... leave it alone!

Most things you should open and turn halfway through.

You can cook pretty much anything in an airfryer - even cakes! I'm still getting used to ours (my husband also does most of the cooking), but I'm getting good at air fried chicken nuggets 😅

Google whatever food you fancy cooking and the word air fryer and you’ll find recipes and suggestions

There may also be recipes or at least a list of how long to cook things for, in the manual that came with the air fryer.