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Air fryer guide: Tips, recipes, cooking times & cleaning
What is an air fryer and how does it work?
An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that cooks food using fast-circulating hot air. Unlike a traditional deep fryer, it needs little to no oil. The intense air circulation makes food crispy on the outside while keeping it juicy on the inside.
The air fryer is especially popular for:
- Potatoes and chips
- Vegetables
- Fish and meat
- Frozen food
- Part-baked bread rolls
- Snacks and small bakes
The benefits of an air fryer at a glance:
- Up to 80% less fat than a traditional deep fryer
- Shorter cooking times than an oven
- Fast to heat up
- Crispy results
- Endlessly versatile
- Often more energy-efficient than a full-size oven
Sceptical about air fryers? Here's whether it's really worth it
A lot of people wonder whether an air fryer can really do more than an oven — after all, both cook with hot air. The difference comes down to the compact cooking chamber and much stronger air circulation.
The advantages of an air fryer:
- It heats up within minutes.
- Small portions cook faster.
- Food often turns out extra crispy.
- Energy use can be lower for small quantities.
An air fryer doesn't necessarily replace your oven — but it's a genuinely useful addition, especially for quick meals during the week.
Potatoes in the air fryer: chips and jacket potatoes
Potatoes are one of the most popular things to cook in an air fryer. The hot air makes them crispy on the outside while keeping them soft in the middle.
Chips in the air fryer
Method:
- Cut the potatoes into even-sized chip shapes.
- Toss with 1–2 tsp of oil.
- Season to taste.
- Cook at 180–200°C for around 15–20 minutes.
- Shake the basket halfway through.
Tip: Don't overfill the basket — the air needs room to circulate properly.
Jacket potatoes in the air fryer
- Temperature: 200°C
- Cooking time: 18–25 minutes
- Prick the potatoes lightly first
For extra flavour, try adding rosemary, garlic or paprika.
Salmon in the air fryer: juicy and cooked to perfection
Salmon is one of the most popular fish dishes to make in an air fryer. The even heat keeps the fish beautifully juicy and gives it a lightly crisp top.
How to get it right:
- Temperature: 180°C
- Cooking time: 7–10 minutes
- Skin-side down
- Season with lemon, salt and pepper
Tip: Thicker fillets will need a little longer than thinner ones.
Sausages in the air fryer: quick and evenly browned
Sausages in the air fryer couldn't be simpler and need almost no prep.
Cooking time for sausages in the air fryer:
- Temperature: 180°C
- Cooking time: 10–15 minutes
- Turn halfway through
The result: browned on the outside, juicy on the inside — with no extra fat needed.
Eggs in the air fryer: soft, medium or hard-boiled
It surprises a lot of people, but eggs are just as easy to cook in an air fryer.
Cooking times at 170°C:
- 8 minutes → soft-boiled
- 10 minutes → medium, soft-set yolk
- 12–14 minutes → hard-boiled
Cool the eggs briefly in cold water afterwards.
Steak in the air fryer: perfect crust, juicy centre
Steak works especially well in the air fryer when it's a thicker cut.
Method:
- Bring the steak to room temperature.
- Brush lightly with oil.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Preheat the air fryer to 200°C.
- Cook for 8–12 minutes.
Core temperatures:
- Rare: 50–52°C
- Medium: 55–58°C
- Well done: from 65°C
Let the steak rest for around 5 minutes after cooking.
Related read: How to prepare the perfect steak
More popular air fryer dishes
There's a lot more you can cook in an air fryer beyond chips.
Vegetables in the air fryer
Broccoli, cauliflower, peppers or courgette come out beautifully roasted at 180°C in around 10–15 minutes.
Frozen food in the air fryer
Frozen chips, nuggets or fish fingers often crisp up faster than they would in the oven.
Chicken breast in the air fryer
Chicken breast is one of the most-cooked air fryer dishes out there, and it's easy to get right.
- Temperature: 180°C
- Cooking time: around 18–20 minutes for an average-sized breast, turning halfway through
- Brush lightly with oil and season or coat in your favourite marinade
- Check the thickest part reaches 75°C before serving
Tip: The same method works well for chicken thighs — they're more forgiving and stay juicy even with a couple of extra minutes in the basket.
Bacon in the air fryer
- Temperature: 180°C
- Cooking time: around 8–10 minutes, depending on how crispy you like it
- Lay the rashers in a single layer so the air can circulate
- No oil needed — the fat renders out as it cooks
Tip: Line the basket with a small sheet of baking paper first to make clean-up easier — just don't block the air vents.
Part-baked bread rolls in the air fryer
- Temperature: 160–170°C
- Cooking time: around 6–8 minutes
Perfect for a small batch in the morning.
Cleaning your air fryer: how to keep it hygienic
Regular cleaning doesn't just keep things hygienic — it can also help your air fryer last longer.
After every use:
- Let the basket and insert cool down
- Wash with warm water and a mild washing-up liquid
- Don't use abrasive scourers
Removing stubborn residue:
- Mix baking powder with a little water into a paste
- Leave it to work for 15–20 minutes
- Then wipe gently
Many baskets and inserts are dishwasher-safe — check your manufacturer's instructions to be sure.
Common air fryer mistakes to avoid
- Overfilling the basket → food turns out less crispy
- Too much oil → unnecessary smoke
- Not checking partway through → food can overcook
- Wrong temperature → uneven results
Air fryers: versatile, efficient and made for everyday
Whether it's jacket potatoes, salmon, steak, chicken breast, sausages, bacon or eggs — the air fryer wins people over with how easy it is to use, how quickly it cooks, and how crispy the results are, all with a fraction of the fat.
For a lot of households, the air fryer has long since stopped being just a trend — it's become a genuinely useful part of a modern kitchen.
Related reading:
Photos: Instant Pot, Zwilling, Ninja, OBH Nordica, Wilfa
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