Air fryer virgin

[takealettermsjones]

This may have been done to death, apologies if so!

I've just taken the plunge and bought a dual drawer air fryer. I'm keen to put it to work and I've heard good things about it from approximately everyone I know, so I have high hopes.

I'm looking for any basic recipes and/or advice and tips on how to use it to its full potential. I'm mainly hoping it will speed things up for me midweek (cooking for 2 adults and 3 kids).

Does anyone have any advice please? ☺️

I'm also probably going to buy an air fryer recipe book so if anyone has any recommendations for a beginner, please also share!

If you have TikTok I wouldn’t bother with a recipe book just put in air fryer meals on there & you’ll find hundreds!! Tbh I don’t use ours too often, but I had never wanted one, my dad should be sponsored by them cos he doesn’t stop going on about his & bought me it for my birthday last year 🤣

Depends on the airfryer. I have a huge one (instapot duo crisp) so it rarely takes more than 20mins to air fry anything - I can also lift off the lid if I want to check on things. Smaller air fryers have their own recipe books which you should follow at least at the beginning.

Start off with something simple like potato wedges. I just cut mine, toss in two tbsp of oil and seasoning, and then airfry for 20mins - shaking them up every 7 mins. They come out perfect every time.

I'm working trial and error with mine and so far it's going ok! Basically pretty much anything that goes in the oven can go in the airfryer. Mine has a removable grill in each drawer and various settings for things like chips, chicken, fish, veg etc. I tend to use the default temperature it comes up with for each type of food and expect it to take slightly less time than it would be in the oven. I only cook for 1 or 2 people so it's much more energy efficient that heating up the oven for just a small amount of food.

One air fryer’s heat might be more ferocious than another’s. I found it useful to start off with frozen products, like chips. Put them in and keep an eye – if they cook in five minutes, you know you’ve got a very strong air fryer. Then you can start working out how best to cook other dishes.
Checking on your food regularly is important. Things can burn on the top, like cakes. If you’re cooking something for a long time, you’ll need to keep an eye on it and perhaps cover it with foil to stop it from browning too much on the outside.
Generally, the less food in the basket, the shorter the cook time and the crispier the food will be.
Don’t forget to shake the basket if the recipe calls for it. For larger items, like breaded fish fillets, flip them instead.

Here are a few simple recipes to get you started:
Baked potatoes https://realfood.tesco.com/recipes/air-fryer-baked-potato.html
Mozzarella sticks https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/airfryerrmozzarella99406
Wedges https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/air-fryer-potato-wedges
Bacon https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/air-fryer-bacon

Really depends on what you like to eat. We have a single drawer one, and family of 4 so generally find it useful for side/smaller things.
Here's what I've used mine for in the last week:

Quick banana breakfast muffins
Salmon (much less smelly than frying!)
Croissants for weekend breakfast.
Pre-made crumbed chicken (chicken kiev/chicken steak) etc
Fries
Sausages

Things I use it for regularly
Jacket potatoes
Roasted tomatoes, onions and garlic at lunchtime
Pork belly strips
Baked feta (another favourite lunch)
Fish cakes
Fish fingers

Things my SIL uses hers for regularly
Roasted peppers
Baked halloumi
Chicken nuggets
Steak (I prefer to fry mine)

Thank you! I didn't know about not overfilling but I went with a bigger version so that shouldn't be an issue (I hope). Thanks for the recipes, I will have a go at them

Thanks, this is helpful. I can see myself using it for fish cakes, fish fingers, chicken goujons, wedges, etc.

I'm hoping to make small pies/pasties too, and breakfast muffins, maybe pancakes etc.

I did mini crumbles in ramekin dishes recently
And also a baked crustless quiche - roasted veggies fhen whipped egg and cottage cheese and cheese into a bowl. Poured straight onto veggies and cooked low for 10 mins

When I first got mine I worried about getting the temperature and timing exactly right, then realised there's no need.
It's so easy to check the food while it's cooking, then turn temp up a bit or extend the time.
A meat thermometer is really useful as well to prevent over or undercooking salmon fillets, chicken breast etc.

Buy some liners from Amazon. Saves cleaning time and they are good for making omlettes etc

Ooh this is good to know, thanks - I was wondering about things with a wetter consistency.

Have a look at Boredoflunch on instagram for inspiration

I make individual spanakopita - samoosa triangle shaped - and freeze them sometimes. Then just toss however many I need into the air fryer for 5-6 minutes. It's really useful. DS likes them as a post school snack. I must do them again soon - haven't for a while.