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Air fryers are all the rage these days. They’re fast, convenient, and use less oil—what’s not to love? But are air fryers like ovens? Do you need to preheat them before cooking? We’ve got all the answers to your most burning questions, so keep reading to learn when and how you can preheat an air fryer.
Steps
Section 2 of 4:
How to Preheat an Air Fryer
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Turn on the air fryer. Double-check that everything’s clean, plugged in, and ready to go. If something seems amiss, consult the air fryer manual to fix any troubleshooting. [2] X Research source
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Hit the preheat button. Some air fryers already come with a preheat button, making it even easier for you to preheat! All you have to do is hit the button, set the temperature at the cooking temperature, and then enter the cooking time. The air fryer will alert you when it’s reached the desired temperature. [3] X Research source
- All makes and models are different, so read your air fryer’s instruction guide on how to use the preheat button.
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Heat at 400 °F (204 °C) for 3 to 5 minutes if there’s no preheat button. This will get that hot air moving way before you drop any food in the basket. You can also manually preheat for 3 to 5 minutes using the cooking temperature listed in the recipe you’re following. [4] X Research source
- Whether you preheat at 400 °F (204 °C) or the cooking temperature is all up to you!
- Some air fryer users swear by 400 °F (204 °C), while others prefer preheating following a recipe’s instructions.
- Always double and triple-check the air fryer’s manual to make sure your air fryer can handle preheating.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionAre recipes different for an air fryer basket or air fryer oven?MoeCommunity AnswerYes, recipes can vary slightly between air fryer baskets and ovens. Air fryer ovens often have larger capacities and different heat distribution, which can affect cooking times. However, most recipes can be adapted with minor adjustments.
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QuestionDo you do set the amount of time to preheat - how does time work?MoeCommunity AnswerPreheating an air fryer takes 2-5 minutes. Set the temperature, turn it on, and wait for the preheat light to go off.
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Tips
- Never preheat your air fryer with parchment. Without food weighing the paper down, it can easily burn.Thanks
- Leave the basket in when preheating an air fryer. This will make sure all parts of the air fryer are warm and toasty. Some makes and models may not even allow you to preheat without it.Thanks
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Warnings
- Read your air fryer’s instruction manual before preheating. Some models will actually advise against preheating, so read that caution page carefully.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.tastingtable.com/797417/should-you-be-preheating-your-air-fryer/
- ↑ https://www.themanual.com/food-and-drink/how-to-preheat-air-fryer/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/AfXmruBMeJo?t=15
- ↑ https://www.themanual.com/food-and-drink/how-to-preheat-air-fryer/
- ↑ https://www.simplyrecipes.com/how_to_use_an_air_fryer_a_first_timers_guide/#toc-to-preheat-or-not-to-preheat
- ↑ https://www.tastingtable.com/797417/should-you-be-preheating-your-air-fryer/
- ↑ https://www.tastingtable.com/797417/should-you-be-preheating-your-air-fryer/
- ↑ https://www.mashed.com/147113/mistakes-everyone-makes-with-air-fryers/
- ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/air-fryer-desserts
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