Preheating an air fryer is simple, and is necessary for air frying recipes that require it.
First, plug in your air fryer and select the air fry setting. Your air fryer may already come pre-programmed with air fry settings; if not, simply press the button for "Air Fry". Once you select this function, you have the option of selecting a temperature range and time range for the preheating process.
After selecting the ideal air fry settings for your fryer recipes, wait until it reaches the desired temperature before adding your food.
As you get more comfortable working with air frying, you'll be able to experiment with the different settings it offers and the selection of recipes (including some great instant pot dishes that can be made by using the air fryer).
When to preheat an air fryer
The preheating step before starting to cook and using the air fry is not always a must but is advised for the following occasions:
Air fryer manual - browse through it and read carefully the instructions for first-time use and everyday use. Some air fryers require preheating before starting to cook so be sure to follow the instructions to get the best crispy results.
Pro tip - if you misplaced your air fryer manual and can't find it, don't worry. Just go online and look for the same model you bought on the manufacturer's website, and most brands keep a copy online.
Recipe instructions - follow the recipe and see if it requires preheating the air fryer during your preparation before you start cooking. Follow the recipe to the dot and that will give you the desired outcome and crunches all around.
Crunch & crisp - making some yummy french fries? or maybe you and your family are in the mood for ribs or chicken wings? All that crunch and crispy food choices we love will require preheating the air fryer to get the best possible results.
Not sure if you need to reheat before starting your cooking - Go for the sure option and preheat the air fryer. It cannot harm your recipe or the air fryer itself so why skip it if you're not sure? Just preheat and give yourself the peace of mind to focus on the other steps for your recipe and enjoy the cooking process.
When not to preheat an air fryer
We've listed rules of thumb to know when not to preheat the air fryer:
Again, check the air fryer manual instructions - some air fryer models require preheating and some don't. If you browse through it and there's no word about preheating then that means you don't have to preheat before you use it.
Again, follow the recipe - in most recipes it will indicate if you need to preheat or not, and if it doesn't say so you should avoid it as it can affect the final results and overcook your food.
Leftovers - If you got some leftovers you want to whip up into a glorious leftover dinner or lunch then you don't need to reheat the air fryer. In fact, it will even save you some time if you're in a hurry or just need to feed a super-hungry crowd.
How Long Do I Need to Preheat My Air Fryer?
Preheating the air fryer is essential for achieving the best results when cooking. The preheat function allows heated air to circulate over the food evenly, leading to a crunchy crust and juicy inside. So how long should you preheat your air fryer? You have to consider the size of your air fryer basket and the temperature required for your recipe, for the dish you're about to cook.
Generally, it should take 3-5 minutes before preheating is complete, and during this time preheated air is circulating throughout the fryer.
If you're not sure whether your air fryer has reached the proper temperature, always begin by cooking foods for a shorter amount of time and then gradually increase the cooking time as needed.
Finally, it's important to keep in mind that preheating an air fryer does require additional energy, so be sure that preheating time doesn't exceed what is recommended for each dish.
Pro tip:
The easiest way to determine how long to preheat is if the fryer basket is small you will need fewer minutes for it to heat and if the basket is larger it will take longer, makes sense, right?
Use this table:
How do I know If my air fryer is preheated?
You have a few ways to determine if your air fryer is preheated:
Look at the display feature - some air fryer models have a preheat indicator or a temperature display. One of these will show you when the preheat cycle is complete.
Wait for the beep sound - some models will make a sound like a beep or else to let you know the preheating process is finished and allow you to proceed with your cooking.
The manual - browse through the air fryer manual to check if there're any specific instructions on how there's an indication the air fryer is preheated.
Thermometer - you can use a meat thermometer or an infrared thermometer and check the temperature and see if it's reached the desired temperature.
Do I preheat my air fryer with the basket in or out?
It depends on the specific air fryer model you have. Yet, most models recommend preheating with the basket in place. This allows the hot air to circulate more evenly. Also, if you don't preheat with the basket in place, your food, whether it's chicken wings or anything else may not cook evenly.
You have to check the manufacturer's instructions for your specific air fryer model. Some air fryers require that the basket be inserted before preheating, while others may require it to be left out. If your manual does not specify, it's better to preheat the air fryer with the basket out to allow the heating elements to reach the desired temperature.
Do I personally preheat and do I use the preheat button?
Yes, you should personally preheat the air fryer before adding frozen food or raw food before cooking. Preheating ensures your food cooks evenly and at the correct temperature.
As for the preheat button, whether or not you use it, depends on the model of your air fryer. Some air fryers have a dedicated preheat button, while others do not. If your air fryer has a preheat button, it is likely to be recommended to use it to get the best results. When you press the preheat button, the air fryer will heat up to the desired temperature before starting the cooking cycle.
If your air fryer does not have a preheat button, you can still preheat the air fryer by setting the temperature to the desired level and waiting for a few minutes before adding the food.
Sometimes you will find your cooking with the air fryer is so quick your guests or your family are not hungry yet. All you have to do is take the fried food or cooked food and wrap it in aluminum foil. It will keep it warm and your dinner will be served.
Do I need to use air fryer parchment paper?
The answer to that depends on what you are cooking and your personal preference. Parchment paper can help prevent food from sticking to the basket and make for easier cleanup. It can also help to prevent small foods from falling through the basket.
But using parchment paper is not necessary for all foods and recipes, and it's not always recommended. Some foods, such as bread items, may not crisp up when cooked on parchment paper. Also, using parchment paper can affect the final color and texture of your food, it may get less crispy.
If you choose to use parchment paper, make sure to use a high-quality, heat-resistant one specifically designed for use in air fryers.
If you don't want to use parchment paper, you can spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil or use fat before adding your food. This will help prevent sticking.
Finally, whether or not to use parchment paper when using your air fryer comes down to personal preference. You should experiment with both and see what brings you better results and what works for you.
Premium:
Instant Vortex Plus 10-Quart Air Fryer, From the Makers of Instant Pot, 7-in-10 Functions, with EvenCrisp Technology, App with over 100 Recipes, Stainless Steel
4.6 out of 5 stars
58,300 ratings
This premium air fryer scores high with our experts and users alike.
In one appliance, you have seven functions: air fry, roast, bake, boil, reheat, rotisserie, and dehydrate.
Its advanced technology ensures the airflow from the top down and you get crispy results every time. It has six customized programs so with one touch you can rotisserie your chicken or cook potatoes or cookies and much more.
It is easy to use, with a preheating function, and simple to clean and it includes safety features so you can ease your mind. Users can't get enough of it and use it every day to try out different functions and recipes. They claim it's a must for every kitchen and they wish they got it sooner.
Second best:
Ninja FD302 Foodi 11-in-1 Pro 6.5 qt. Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer that Steams, Slow Cooks, Sears, Sautés, Dehydrates & More, with 4.6 qt. Crisper Plate, Nesting Broil Rack & Recipe Book, Silver/Black
4.7 out of 5 stars
2,597 ratings
According to our experts, this one air fryer gives you 11 cooking functions in one, that's very versatile. From pressure cook to air fry, and crisp to steam, slow cook to bake or roast and broil, sous vide, and sauté and yogurt, it's truly is a Ninja.
It is simple to use with managed bottom for heating so you get even crisp or evenly cooked food. The large air fryer capacity means you can cook for a big family or a large group of friends.
This comes with 45 recipe cookbooks and cooking charts for meal-making to inspire you and help you get the best results. Users find it easy to use and also simple to clean and regret not getting it sooner.
Rated third:
GoWISE USA 7-Quart 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer with Recipe Book, 7.0-Qt, Red
4.7 out of 5 stars
1,319 ratings
This air fryer is smaller in size and has 8 pre-programmed cooking functions, the touch screen makes it easy to select: fries, pork, chicken, steak, shrimp, pizza, fish, and cake.
You can use the manual controls to customize the cooking plan if your recipe requires it. For the aspiring home cook, you can make the most out of the air fryer and follow the step-by-step recipe book so you explore new dishes and elevate your kitchen moves from home cook to chef.
Overall, the air fryer is a versatile kitchen appliance that can help you cook different types of foods quickly, easily, and healthily. If you're looking for something to simplify your cooking and save time in the kitchen, then an air fryer is definitely worth considering.
Our experts hope you find this guide useful to find the right air fryer for you and take your cooking to the next level in the best simple way. So start experimenting with your new air fryer, yes, chef!