How to Use an Air Fryer for the First Time

On this page (9 sections)

1. How do you use an air fryer for the first time?
2. What food should you cook first?
3. How much food should you put in the basket?
4. What temperature and time should you set?
5. Should you shake or turn the food?
6. Do you need oil in an air fryer?
7. How can you check that meat is cooked?
8. What should you do after cooking?
9. How to use an air fryer: what should you remember?

To use an air fryer, arrange food in a loose layer, set the time and temperature, and check it before the timer ends. Follow your model's manual for setup, preheating, safe use, and cleaning.

Start with a simple recipe and a small batch. Air fryers vary, so use the recipe as a starting point and adjust after checking the food.

How do you use an air fryer for the first time?

Read the manual, set the fryer on a stable heat-safe surface, and make sure the basket is clean and dry. Remove packaging and accessories that aren't meant to stay inside during cooking.

Leave open space around the air intake and exhaust, as your manual directs. Don't place the appliance near a wall, curtain, or other item that could block airflow or be damaged by heat.

Before cooking, check whether your model needs an initial wash or an empty run. Follow the maker's setup instructions, including any guidance about a new-appliance smell.

Our guide to why a new air fryer may smell like plastic covers what to check if an odor continues.

What food should you cook first?

Choose a familiar food with a recipe written for an air fryer, such as frozen snacks or vegetables. These are easier starting points than a large roast or a recipe that needs several timing adjustments.

Check the food halfway through if the recipe calls for shaking or turning it. The Cuisinart 4.5 Qt Basket has presets for French fries, wings, frozen snacks, and vegetables, plus a toss reminder.

The Cuisinart also has air fry, roast, bake, and keep warm functions. If you want to compare other controls and layouts, see our easy-to-use air fryer picks.

How much food should you put in the basket?

Spread food in a loose layer so hot air can move around it. If pieces overlap heavily or the basket is packed, cook a smaller batch and check whether it browns more evenly.

A basket air fryer cooks food in the space available inside its basket. The Chefman TurboFry Touch 5 Qt has four presets for fries, chicken, fish, and meat, and a shake reminder.

The Chefman has a 5-quart capacity, while the Cuisinart has a 4.5-quart capacity. Capacity alone doesn't tell you how much of a particular food to load, so leave room for airflow and follow the recipe.

What temperature and time should you set?

Use the time and temperature from a recipe made for an air fryer, then check early. A recipe written for a conventional oven may need changes, and air fryer models can cook differently.

If the food isn't ready, continue in short intervals and check again. Write down adjustments that work for your usual foods, but don't assume the same timing will suit a different recipe or batch size.

Some recipes call for preheating, while others don't. Check your manual and our guide to whether you need to preheat an air fryer.

How do you use an air fryer without a preset?

Choose the temperature and time recommended by a suitable recipe. Presets are shortcuts for selected foods, not a guarantee that every portion will finish at the same time.

If you prefer manual controls, our guide to manual air fryers and dial controls explains what to consider. For how the appliance cooks, read how an air fryer works.

Should you shake or turn the food?

Shake small pieces or turn larger pieces when the recipe or manual recommends it. This can expose more surfaces to the circulating air, though it doesn't replace checking the food for doneness.

Pause the fryer before removing the basket, and use care around hot surfaces. Some models pause when the basket is opened and resume when it is returned; check your manual for your model's behavior.

Do you need oil in an air fryer?

Many foods cook without added oil, but some ingredients benefit from a light coating. Follow the recipe, and use only oils and application methods allowed by your manual.

The YARRAMATE 16 oz Oil Sprayer can spray or pour oil. A quick press produces a fine mist, while a slow press creates a stream.

Check your basket's care instructions before using an oil spray. For more detail on when oil helps, read whether you need oil in an air fryer.

How can you check that meat is cooked?

Use a food thermometer and a reliable temperature chart to check meat in its thickest part. Don't rely on browning, crispness, or the timer alone to judge safety.

The TempPro TempSwift Instant-Read Thermometer has a digital display and a 4.3 in stainless steel probe for checking food temperatures. Clean it according to its care instructions after each use.

Follow current food-safety guidance for the type of meat you're cooking. The USDA safe minimum internal temperature chart lists temperatures for meat, poultry, seafood, and other foods.

What should you do after cooking?

Switch off the fryer, let hot parts cool as directed, and clean the basket and tray according to the manual. Avoid immersing the appliance body or using abrasive tools unless the maker permits them.

Some removable parts are dishwasher safe, but that doesn't apply to every air fryer. Our guide to cleaning an air fryer basket and inside explains a careful cleanup routine.

How to use an air fryer: what should you remember?

For your first use, follow the manual, cook a small batch, and check the food before time runs out. Use a thermometer for meat, and add oil only when the recipe calls for it.

Choose Cuisinart or Chefman if presets and reminders suit the way you cook. Use the TempPro thermometer for checking meat and the YARRAMATE sprayer when you want to apply a little oil; then see how air fryers compare with ovens if you're deciding which appliance fits a recipe.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need to preheat an air fryer?

Some air fryer recipes call for preheating, while others don't. Follow the recipe and your model's manual, since preheat settings and instructions vary.

If your fryer has no preheat mode, you can run it empty only when the manual allows it, then add food carefully.

Should food touch the bottom of an air fryer basket?

Food can sit in the basket, but keep it in a loose layer when you want hot air to reach the pieces. Crowding can lead to uneven cooking, so work in batches if needed.

Use any rack or accessory only if your air fryer manual says it's compatible.

Do you need oil to use an air fryer?

No, many foods cook without added oil, though a small amount can help some ingredients brown or crisp. Check your recipe and avoid aerosol sprays if your manual warns against them, since some can damage a nonstick coating.

Apply oil lightly and evenly.

How do you know when air-fried food is done?

Check the food before the timer ends and follow a reliable recipe or food-safety temperature chart for doneness. For meat, use a food thermometer in the thickest part and clean it after use.

Color and crispness alone can't confirm that meat has reached a safe temperature.