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title: What Is an Air Fryer? Here’s What It Really Does to Your Food

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# What Is an Air Fryer? Here’s What It Really Does to Your Food 

What is an air fryer?
The air fryer is essentially an amped-up countertop convection oven—it doesn’t actually fry your food. (Although, keep in mind that there’s a difference between air-frying and baking.) Patented by Philips Electronics Company, the small appliance claims to mimic the results of deep-frying with nothing more than hot air and little or no oil. For more at [Air fryer](https://airfryers.ltd/).



How do air fryers work?
The top section of an air fryer holds a heating mechanism and fan. You place the food in a fryer-style basket and when you turn it on, hot air rushes down and around the food. This rapid circulation makes the food crisp—much like deep-frying, but without the oil. Bonus: This air fryer cheat sheet will help you master air fryer cooking ASAP.
1. Place your food in the basket
Depending on your air fryer’s size, the basket may hold anywhere from 2 to 10 quarts. In most cases, you’ll want to add 1 or 2 teaspoons of oil to help the food get nice and crispy. If you’re in a hurry, you can put foil in an air fryer to make cleanup a bit easier.
2. Set the time and temperature
Air fryer cooking times and temperatures typically range from 5 to 25 minutes at 350° to 400°F, depending on the food you’re cooking. For more at [Best air fryer](https://airfryers.ltd/) .

3. Let the food cook
In some cases, you may need to flip or turn the food halfway through the cooking time to help it crisp up evenly. Once you’re done cooking, it’s important to clean your air fryer.
Want to know the secret to crispy, golden-brown air-fried food? We’ve got air fryer tips that’ll help every recipe come out perfectly—and air fryer mistakes you’ll want to avoid. Home chefs also love this air-fryer grill pan that transforms their air fryer into an indoor barbecue.
What can you cook in an air fryer?
While many of the best air-fryer recipes are foods that are typically deep-fried, you can also use this appliance to roast vegetables, cook meat and bake cookies.
Frozen Finger Foods
The air fryer is a star when it comes to preparing frozen foods that are meant to taste deep-fried. Frozen french fries, mozzarella sticks and chicken nuggets are some of the many frozen air-fried foods you can make.
Homemade Finger Foods
If you prefer to make your finger foods from scratch, the air fryer is a great option for making crispy homemade snacks and sides—try air-fryer sweet potato fries, air-fryer pickles or air-fryer potato chips. Don’t miss these addicting air-fryer appetizers like air-fryer ravioli and air-fryer egg rolls, either.
However, while air-fried frozen mozzarella sticks are delicious, fresh cheese melts into a gooey mess (so homemade cheese curds are out). For more at Electric air fryer .

Chicken, Fish and Meat
You can make air fryer chicken that’s tender and juicy. Try air-fryer chicken recipes, like air-fryer Nashville hot chicken. For a healthier option, air-fryer keto meatballs are a great choice. When it comes to fish and seafood dishes, we love this air-fryer crumb-topped sole and air-fryer cod.
Comforting recipes like air-fryer meat loaf and air-fryer pork loin roast are possible to make with this wonderful appliance, too.
Roasted Vegetables
Since air fryers are essentially small convention ovens, they’re great for roasting vegetables—especially if you’re only cooking for one or two people. Some of our favorite air-fryer vegetable recipes include air-fryer herb and lemon cauliflower, air-fryer red potatoes, air-fryer asparagus and air-fryer garlic-rosemary Brussels sprouts.
However, when you’re using this gadget to cook veggies, skip the leafy greens.
Some Baked Goods
Air fryers can be great for making single-serving desserts, including small baked goods like cookies and apple fritters (here’s how to make air-fryer cookies). You can also try making these air-fryer peppermint lava cakes for the winter holidays or these air-fryer mini Nutella doughnut holes for an indulgent treat any time of year. Don’t neglect the air fryer for the first meal of the day, either: some air-fryer breakfast recipes to try include air-fryer bourbon bacon cinnamon rolls and air-fryer French toast sticks. For more at [Best large air fryer](https://airfryers.ltd/) .
However, you can’t make anything that uses a liquid batter (unless you freeze it first).

