--- title: "Air fryer: what it means in cooking — Tiny Plates" description: "An air fryer is a small countertop oven that blows very hot air around food to crisp it with little oil. See how to use one and convert oven recipes." url: "https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/air-fryer" --- # Air fryer An air fryer is a small countertop oven that blows very hot air around food to crisp it with little oil. See how to use one and convert oven recipes. An air fryer is a small electric countertop oven with a strong fan. It blows very hot air around food sitting in a basket or on a tray, so the outside dries and browns fast. It does not fry in the classic sense. It roasts quickly, and a light coat of oil gives a crisp, [golden-brown](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/golden-brown) surface close to what you get from a [deep-fry](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/deep-fry). ## How to do it 1. Preheat for 3 to 5 minutes, unless the manual says yours needs no preheating. 2. Toss the food with a little oil, about 1 teaspoon per 250 g (9 oz) of vegetables or potatoes. 3. Spread it in one layer in the basket. Leave gaps so the air can reach every side. 4. Cook at 180 to 200°C (350 to 400°F) for most foods. 5. Shake the basket or turn the pieces halfway through. To convert an oven recipe, a common starting point is to lower the temperature by about 15°C (25°F) and cut the time by about 20 percent. Check early, because small models with strong fans run hot. ## How to tell it is done Look for an even brown color and a dry, crisp surface. For meat and poultry, color tells you little about the inside. Use a [thermometer](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/thermometer) and cook to a safe [internal temperature](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/internal-temperature), for example 74°C (165°F) for chicken. ## Common mistakes * Overcrowding the basket. Food steams instead of crisping and cooks unevenly. * Using no oil at all on potatoes or breaded food. They dry out and stay pale. * Spraying aerosol oil directly onto a nonstick basket. Some sprays leave a sticky film that damages the coating. Toss food with oil in a bowl instead. * Putting loose parchment or foil in an empty basket. The fan can lift it into the heating element. * Cooking wet batters. They drip through the basket before they set. ## In recipes A recipe that says "air-fry" or "cook in the air fryer" means cooking in this machine. Basket models and oven-style models with racks both count. Times differ between models, so treat any recipe time as a guide and check a few minutes before the end. ## Recipes made with it 86 recipes from the sites we collect. * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Chicken-Eggplant-Parmesan-9.jpg)Chicken Eggplant Parmesanwww.skinnytaste.com · 35 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/chicken-eggplant-parmesan/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Lazy-Deviled-Egg-Salad-8.jpg)Lazy Deviled Egg Salad Recipewww.skinnytaste.com · 46 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/deviled-egg-salad/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Air-Fryer-Chicken-Nuggets-1-6.jpg)Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipewww.skinnytaste.com · 15 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/air-fryer-chicken-nuggets/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Shawarma-Spiced-Grilled-Chicken-with-Garlic-Yogurt-Sauce-3.jpg)Shawarma-Spiced Grilled Chicken with Garlic Yogurt Saucewww.skinnytaste.com · 85 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/shawarma-spiced-grilled-chicken-with-garlic-yogurt/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Air-Fryer-Chicken-Thighs-6.jpg)Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighswww.skinnytaste.com · 149 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/air-fryer-boneless-chicken-thighs/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Cilantro-Lime-Chicken-Breast-6.jpg)Cilantro Lime Chicken Breast (Grilled or Air Fryer)www.skinnytaste.com · 80 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/cilantro-lime-chicken-breast/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Chili-_-Lime-Air-Fryer-Salmon-6.jpg)Chili-Lime Air Fryer Salmonwww.skinnytaste.com · 15 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/chili-lime-air-fryer-salmon/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Air-Fryer-Gochujang-Salmon-Rice-Bowls-5.jpg)Korean Salmon Rice Bowlwww.skinnytaste.com · 21 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/korean-salmon-rice-bowl/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Breakfast-Egg-Roll-6.jpg)Breakfast Egg Rollswww.skinnytaste.com · 30 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/breakfast-egg-rolls/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Buttermilk-Roast-Chicken-in-the-Air-Fryer-8.jpg)Buttermilk-Marinated Air Fryer Whole Roasted Chickenwww.skinnytaste.com · 1495 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/air-fryer-whole-chicken/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Air-Fryer-Baked-Sweet-Potato-5.jpg)Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatowww.skinnytaste.com · 46 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/air-fryer-baked-sweet-potato/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Air-Fryer-Salmon-Patties-8.jpg)Air Fryer Salmon Pattieswww.skinnytaste.com · 25 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/air-fryer-salmon-patties/) ## Related terms * [Air-fryAir-frying cooks food in a small, fan-driven oven that blows very hot air around it, giving a crisp outside with a spoonful of oil instead of a pot.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/air-fry) * [Deep-fryDeep-frying cooks food fully submerged in hot oil, usually 170 to 190°C (340 to 375°F), for a crisp shell and a moist inside. Here is how to do it safely.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/deep-fry) * [RoastRoasting cooks meat or vegetables uncovered in a hot oven, so dry heat browns the outside and concentrates flavor while the inside cooks through.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/roast) * [Sheet panA sheet pan is a flat, rimmed metal baking tray for cookies, roasted vegetables and one-pan dinners. Here are the common sizes and how to use one well.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/sheet-pan) * [Golden brownGolden brown is the deep, even gold color food turns as it browns in the oven or pan. It signals flavor from browning and that baked goods are cooked.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/golden-brown) [More in equipment](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/category/equipment)[Every term from A to Z](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary)