An air fryer is basically a small, powerful fan oven — it circulates hot air to crisp food with little or no oil. If it's your first one, here's all you need to get cooking with confidence.
Key takeaways
Q: How do you use an air fryer?
A: Set the temperature and time, add food in a single layer, and shake or turn it partway through. That's the core of it.
Q: Do you need oil?
A: Very little — a light spray helps some foods crisp and brown, but many need none at all.
Your first use
- Wash the basket and tray before first use and dry them.
- Run it empty at a high temperature for 10 minutes to clear any manufacturing smell.
- Read the dial — most models set a temperature and a timer, and that's it.
The five rules
- Single layer. Don't overcrowd — air needs to circulate.
- Shake or turn halfway for even cooking.
- Go easy on oil — a light spritz, not a glug.
- Dry food first so it crisps instead of steaming.
- Check early the first time you cook something.
A foolproof first cook
Frozen chips are the perfect confidence-builder: a single layer at 200°C for 15–20 minutes, shaking once. From there, work through the cooking times chart. Wondering about preheating? See do you need to preheat, and sidestep the usual slip-ups with air fryer mistakes to avoid.
Frequently asked questions
How do you use an air fryer for the first time?
Wash the basket, run it empty at high heat for 10 minutes to clear any smell, then cook something simple like frozen chips in a single layer, shaking halfway.
Do you put oil in an air fryer?
Only a little — a light spray helps some foods crisp, but many, like frozen items, need none. Never fill it with oil like a deep fryer.
How do you know what temperature to use?
Follow a cooking times chart to start. As a rule, 180–200°C suits most foods, with lower temperatures for delicate or sugary items.