How to get started with air fryer cooking?

When converting any oven recipe to the air fryer, reduce the temperature by 25°F (15°C) and the cooking time by about 20%. Air fryers circulate hot air more efficiently than ovens, so food cooks faster and at lower temperatures. Check food a few minutes early until you learn your machine.

The best foods to start with are those that are nearly impossible to ruin: frozen fries (400°F, 15 min), chicken wings (380°F, 24 min, flip at 12), roasted broccoli (375°F, 8 min), bacon (350°F, 8-10 min), and salmon fillets (390°F, 8-10 min). These build confidence quickly.

Arrange food in a single layer with space between pieces. Air needs to circulate around each piece to crisp it. Overcrowding traps steam and produces soggy, unevenly cooked food. Cook in batches if needed rather than piling food on top of itself.

Even though air fryers are marketed as "oil-free," a light spray or brush of oil on food makes a dramatic difference in crispiness and browning. Use an oil sprayer with avocado oil or olive oil — just a thin, even coat on exposed surfaces.

Print or save an air fryer cheat sheet that lists common foods with temperatures and times. Many free printable charts are available online covering proteins, vegetables, and frozen foods. Apps like AirFry Calculator provide times and temperatures searchable by ingredient.