How to preheat air fryer? Anyone who is concerned about their health should consider this question.
Too much oil leads to a failing heart and obesity. We wouldn’t want that and that’s why we recommend that you get an air fryer.
In the past few years, the number of air fryers has boomed along with the ever-increasing demand. While each device has its bells and whistles, varying from conventional dials to digital controls with options and app connection, one trick that lies behind a thick, crispy, and golden-brown texture is preheating.
Although preheating isn’t an obligation, it brings out the best in fried meals. So, if you don’t know how to preheat your air fryer, you’re in for a treat. Not only are we going to tell you how to do that, but as a bonus.
How Long Does an Air fryer Take to Preheat
No one number that tells you how much time your air fryer will take to preheat. Usually, it would take 2 minutes, but the best approach is to leave it on for 5 minutes. By doing so, both the surface and the air inside get hot, and you are good to cook the meal. Some manufacturers have specified preheating instructions, so be sure to check that, as well.
It is needless to say that the temperature is crucial. For an appropriately crowded basket, which covers 3/4th, an ideal temperature range is between 350 F and 400 F. Below 350, your food remains undercooked, whereas going above and beyond 400 can burn the food. Within this range, the food comes out delicious, crunchy, and cooked to perfection.
How to Preheat Air fryer? A Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s a stepwise breakdown of how you can preheat your air fryer.
Check the instruction manual
First, you have to check the instruction manual. Not just with an air fryer, you must read every electronics’ manual before using it. You’ll know the what and how of the machine, and it will be safer and more efficient. More importantly, you will be aware of the company policy, and you won’t void the warranty.
Most manufacturers have their preheating methods, which differ from the rest. Some have the preheating instructions, some have a dedicated button for the task, and others don’t even bother. So, it is best to know your air fryer before you are going to cook some delicious fried food.
Make sure that the air fryer is clean
Not every manufacturer tells you to keep your air fryer clean, but now that you’re a grown-up, you’ll have to take responsibility. Although air fryers tend to get less messy, you should clean it every time before use. The remnants and the pungent smell of the previous food might ruin the next meal you’re planning to prepare.
If you clean your air fryer regularly, it is sure to last you a long time. You will end up saving a few bucks in maintaining and fixing the device. But don’t use abrasive tools for cleaning, as they might cost you in damages.
You would want to use the oil in a sparing amount because the air fryer doesn’t require much, and it makes the cleaning easier.
Plug it in and turn on the air fryer
The next step is the most obvious one. You have to plug the air fryer in and turn it on by clicking the button. Make sure that you do these steps the right way.
First, check the voltage that the air fryer requires and the supply that you have at home. You wouldn’t want a 220 V supply to grill your 120 V unit.
After you’re sure of the power supply, turn the unit on by clicking the power button. If you have done the first step right, you’ll have no trouble placing the button.
Set the timer
Now that your air fryer is on, you have to set the timer. As discussed earlier, the ideal time varies from one unit to another. So, your best bet is to check with the user guide. Usually, the right time lies between 3 and 5 minutes.
Since most units have their specified preheating time, you should refer to the duration that the manufacturer mentions in the manual. If you follow that information, you cannot go wrong with the meal.
Set the temperature for preheating
Like the duration, the temperature is not consistent with every air fryer unit. Mostly, manufacturers come up with their temperature to preheat the equipment. But if your air fryer does not mention any, you can set the temperature at 400 F to make the food crispier.
Pro tip: If the recipe or the air fryer does not require preheating, you can add a few extra minutes to the cooking time to get the desired crunchy texture, which would be at the cost of extending the cooking time. But it’ll be worth the wait.
We are also going to take a peek at the top-rated air fryers that you can buy. Let’s start with the list of the best air fryers on the market.
You May Also Interested:
- Top 10 air fryers for 2021
- Top 5 Best Air Fryer with Rotisseriein 2021
- Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven Consumer Reports
Top 5 Air Fryer for 2021 Reviews
1. COSORI Air Fryer Max XL
COSORI has emerged as an admired air fryer brand over the past couple of years. One of their best-selling models is the 5.8-quart Max XL. They went all-in with this one. The first feature that catches the eye is the preset feature on the COSORI air fryer. It gives you 11 presets, covering a wide variety of foods, an LED touchscreen, 5.8-quart nonstick pot, and much more.
This air fryer is an all-rounder. You can cook almost anything with this one, whether it be casseroles, meat, fries, veggies, or anything. The COSORI air fryer gives you complete control over temperature and time, and it lets you monitor the progress. So, you can make changes accordingly to cook the perfect recipe.
If that wasn’t enough, this COSORI air fryer features a preheat dedicated button. It comes in handy to prepare crispy meals that require high temperatures. Another praiseworthy feature is the “shake and keep warm” one. It allows you to shake the contents, such as fries, to keep the heating consistent.
Pros
- Shake and keep warm function works well for fries.
- 11 presets available on a single touch.
- This one comes with a preheat button.
Cons
- Build quality needs improvement.
2. GoWISE USA 5-Quart Air Fryer
If you are someone who doesn’t have an extended family or a party to organize every other week, you won’t be getting the best deal out of your large-pot air fryer. In that case, GoWISE USA does well if you have to prepare a meal for 2 people. However, you won’t miss out on what the big dogs offer.
You can cook multiple dishes with ease if you’re using this one, you get 8 cooking presets. Which comprise fries, chicken, steak, shrimp, fish, casserole, bacon, and shrimp. It comes with a wide temperature range of 170 F to 400 F, which you can control using the LCD with much ease.
One thing that might tick you off is the paint wearing out before time. You might think it would be a sign of the air fryer going out of order, but the insides and the functioning of the device are impressive. Along with the fryer, you get a recipe book to try different dishes. Cool, right?
Pros
- 8 cooking presets
- Easy to clean.
- Set time and temperature using LCD digital control.
Cons
- Resting period is long between usage
3. Dash DCAF150GBBK02 Compact Air Fryer
If you live alone in a small apartment, you wouldn’t need a fryer that takes much of your kitchen’s space. So, for oil-free eating, you can consider the Dash Compact Air Fryer. It is a compact and lightweight device, but it won’t sell you short on your meal. With its 2-quart capacity, you can prepare a pound of fries.
This Dash air fryer features the cool touch housing function, which prevents the handle from getting too hot. Along with it is an auto-shutoff safety feature to make sure it doesn’t overcook the food. There is another 30-minute timer feature which eliminates the possibility of burning your food.
This one is easy to use, and you’ll be making your dishes in no time. Although it is lightweight, the manufacturer does not compromise on the build quality of this one. If you’re an aesthete, Dash offers you this fryer in 5 vibrant colors to go with your kitchen.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact, which makes it easier for you to shift.
- Its safety features are praiseworthy.
- It is easy to use.
Cons
- Cleaning can be difficult if the food is stuck.
4. Breville BOV900BSS Smart Oven Air
Although it may appear to be an ordinary microwave oven, don’t let Breville Smart Oven Air’s looks deceive you. It’s a 5-in-1 countertop oven that will substitute your air fryer, dehydrator, wall oven, and microwave oven. Whether it is fries, cookies, or turkey for thanksgiving, you can cook them all with this one.
Breville Smart Oven Air has 13 settings that help you switch to different types of food without any hassle. If you’re wondering about the turkey statement made earlier, you can fit an entire thanksgiving bird in this oven.
With that said, you can imagine that this oven will take a lot of space on the counter but think of all the appliances this one is going to replace. This one is easy to use with its dials beneath the LCD screen.
You get a lot of space, which you can use smartly to fit four trays inside the Smart Oven Air. The cleaning of this device is easy and painless, owing to the nonstick interior. So, if you’re planning to throw a thanksgiving party, and it’s giving you nightmares, you can count on the Breville oven cum air fryer for delicious cooking and easy cleaning later.
Pros
- It can substitute 5 appliances, including the wall oven.
- Features a spacious interior that can fit a turkey.
- This one preheats quickly and is easy to clean.
Cons
- It may seem pricey when you compare with other air fryers.
5. Ninja FD401 Foodi Deluxe XL Air Fryer
The Ninja FD401 Foodi Deluxe XL is not only an air fryer, but a well-rounded oven, roaster, dehydrator, cooker, and steamer.
Ninja has added a yogurt function, which will come in handy to make some homemade yogurt. If you have got guests to attend, the Ninja air fryer can help you cater to them with its 8 -quart cooking pot. You will find it delightful that the pot is nonstick, and the cleaning is effortless.
Ninja made this air fryer sturdy with a stainless-steel finish. You will find cooking simpler with its digital display and a central dial to set the temperature and time with ease. Despite all the space, you can stuff more food in its 8-quart pot, thanks to the reversible two-piece rack. You can put the lid on the cooker with ease, thanks to the white line on the housing.
Although LCD control is remarkable, a progress bar would’ve been an excellent addition to the screen. The beeping sound is enough that you can hear it from the living room.
Owing to the steel body and a large pot, you can expect this one to one of the heavier air fryers. For an all-in-one product, the Ninja Foodi Deluxe XL Air Fryer does an excellent job as a cooker and adds exceptional value to your kitchen.
Pros
- 9 functions in one product
- Additional yogurt feature
- Large cooking capacity
Cons
- Weighing 26 pounds, it’s remarkably heavy.
Conclusion
Let’s sum up, now you know why and how to preheat air fryer, and you can prepare delicious fried food much better now. Even if you have never worked with an air fryer or find preheating to be a daunting task, this step-by-step guide will help you to prepare crispy and crunchy fried meals.
As a bonus, we also included a list of top-notch air fryers that will help you in making your first buy or replacing your rusty old unit. Cheers to eating relatively healthy air-fried meals, and we hope you enjoy your oil-free and hassle-free cooking experiences.