How to Use an Air Fryer (Beginner’s Guide)
Updated 9 September 2026
An air fryer is a small fan oven with a basket. If you can use an oven you can use one of these - but there are four habits that separate good results from disappointing ones, and none of them are in the manual.
Quick answer
- 1Run it empty at maximum for 10 minutes before first use, to burn off manufacturing residue.
- 2Preheat for 2-3 minutes for anything breaded, frozen or that you want crisp.
- 3Load a single layer with gaps - never pile food two deep.
- 4Shake or flip at the halfway point.
- 5Check 5 minutes before the recipe says, because models vary a lot.
The single-layer rule matters more than temperature
Almost every disappointing air fryer result comes from an overloaded basket. Food piled two deep traps steam between the pieces, and steam prevents browning no matter how long you leave it.
Two small batches will always beat one crowded one, and the second batch cooks faster because the basket is already hot.
Converting oven recipes
Drop the temperature by 20°C / 25°F and cut the time by about 20%. That gets you close on almost anything.
Then check early. Thin or small food often finishes faster still, while a dense joint may need nearly the full oven time because heat still has to reach the middle.
Oil: less than you think, but not none
Frozen breaded food needs no oil at all - it is already coated. Fatty meat needs none either, because it renders its own.
Fresh vegetables do need about a teaspoon per basket. With no oil they dehydrate and turn leathery instead of roasting. Never pour oil into the basket; it pools and smokes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to preheat an air fryer?+
For anything breaded, frozen or that you want crisp, a 2-3 minute preheat helps noticeably. For longer cooks it makes very little difference.
How do you use an air fryer for the first time?+
Wash the basket, then run it empty at maximum temperature for 10 minutes to clear manufacturing residue. Then cook something simple like frozen chips to learn how hot your model runs.
Do you put oil in an air fryer?+
A teaspoon or two tossed through fresh food, and none at all for frozen breaded items or fatty meat. Never pour oil directly into the basket.
How full can you fill an air fryer basket?+
One layer with gaps between the pieces. If food overlaps it steams instead of crisping, and extra time will not fix it.
Why is my air fryer food not crispy?+
Almost always an overloaded basket or food that went in wet. Cook in a single layer, dry the food first, and salt after cooking rather than before.