Air Fryer

How to Use an Air Fryer | Air Fryer Basics

Here is a Beginners Air Fryer guide. Read on to know which air fryer to buy, how to use an air fryer, air frying tips, how to clean the air fryer, and must-have accessories.

If you know me you know I am a huge fan of using my kitchen gadgets and appliances to make quick and healthy meals in a fraction of the time. The Air Fryer is now one of my favorite countertop appliances! It is a versatile appliance that helps me cook delicious sides, appetizers, easy meals, and whip up fun desserts in no time.

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I love this kitchen gadget that makes healthy eating easy and fun. It requires a fraction of oil to cook while there is no mess of deep-frying. And the best part? The food is crispy, light, and flavorful.

Best Air Fryer to Buy

Are you trying to decide which Air Fryer to purchase? I own a Mealthy Crisp Lid that sits on top of the Instant Pot, Philips Air Fryer, and Cosori Air Fryer. After using all 3 Cosori Air Fryer is my favorite!

Here are a few reasons why I love and recommend Cosori Air Fryer:

Large Capacity: The 5.8-quart square basket allows more cooking area and is perfect for my family of 4
Easy to clean: Especially compared to the toaster oven style air fryers
High Temperature: Can reach up to 400 degrees F which is perfect especially to make foods crispy at the end of the cooking cycle.
Preset functions: Love the 11 handy preset buttons and the preheat option. The shake reminder option on the presets is great
Light Weight: Simple to use and light enough to move around if needed

Air Frying Vs Deep Frying

Before you start cooking with the air fryer, you must understand that air frying will not replace deep frying. Certain dishes are best deep-fried. For example - Indian Puri, or foods that use thin batter, and also light foods like papadum that will fly around with the air in the fryer. Once you know this you will not be disappointed with the foods cooked in an air fryer. Compared to oven baking, air frying takes much less time and the food is light and crispy.

How does an Air Fryer Work

Air Fryers have a heating element and a fan inside on the top. They work by circulating the hot air in a perforated basket which helps cook the food. They are similar to the convection heat with the addition of a perforated basket that helps the hot air circulate from all the sides, top and bottom.

Tips

Here are my 10 best tips when using an air fryer:

Take a few moments to read the user manual to make sure you understand how to operate your Air Fryer and for cook times on most foods.
Make sure to keep the air fryer out on the counter top on a heat resistant surface and try to use it frequently. This is the best way to get used to air frying and not have another kitchen appliance sitting around unsed.
Know that every air fryer works differently so you may have to adjust the temperature and times based on the model you own.
Preheat or Not to Preheat - I always preheat before adding food to the basket. Preheating takes just 5 minutes and can be done while you are prepping the food. If you forget to preheat, simply add more cook time in the end.
Add foods in a single layer. For some of the smaller foods like french fries, you can have a criss-crossing of 2 to 3 layers, allowing the hot air to circulate around the food. Never fill the basket all the way like they show french fries filled basket in some of the photos.
You may need to increase or decrease the air frying time depending on your air fryer. Check your food frequently to prevent it from burning. This is especially important during the last few minutes of cooking. Air fryers come in different sizes, so your food might not fit the same way that recipes online show.
Do not use aerosol spray cans to apply the non-stick spray to the basket. Aerosol spray cans usually contain harsh ingredients that are known for causing chipping in air fryer baskets. Instead lightly brush with oil or use a re-fillable oil spray bottle.
Shake the basket during cooking times for smaller things like chicken wings, fries, and small veggies. Do this every few minutes or halfway through cooking.
Do not place anything on top of your air fryer. This disrupts the airflow and will cause poor air frying results.
If you air fry high-fat foods, pour out the fat droppings from under the inner basket. This will prevent excess smoke while it cooks next time.

cosori airfryer basket showing the screws inside that need to be tightened

Tips Specific to Cosori Air Fryer

Be careful not to press the basket release button while you are carrying the baskets. This will cause the inner basket to pull out and the outer basket will drop, which might damage it.
Keep the air fryer on a flat surface this will help reduce the noise when cooking.
Remember to tighten the screws inside the basket, they tend to loosen after a few uses.

Cleaning

Cleaning Air Fryer is easy as long as you clean the air fryer basket after every use. This will prevent stick build-up of oil. I also recommend cleaning the air fryer basket by hand instead of using the dishwasher. Here are few easy steps:

Allow the basket to cool down to room temperature.
Next, add a few drops of dish soap to the air fryer basket and fill it with warm water.
Allow it to soak for 20 minutes that will loosen any stuck foods
Lightly wipe down any stuck foods with a non-abrasive sponge or scrub pad.
Rinse throughly and dry completely befre returning the basket back to the air fryer.
Once a month also clean the insides of the air fryer by simply wiping down with a damp soapy cloth and then wiping with a clean dry cloth.
Wipe the outside of the airfryer with a damp cloth and then dry it completely.

Air Fryer Recipes

Ready to try cooking in the air fryer? Start with a few simple recipes, like buffalo chicken wings, fries, or broccoli. Once you have mastered one of the easier recipes try my Air Fryer donuts you will love the healthy take on the traditional deep-fried donuts. For more recipes check out these delicious 15+ air fryer recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is air-fried food healthy?

Air-fried food can be considered healthier than deep-fried foods as it uses a fraction of the oil. So if you just consider the amount of oil and calories then yes Air Fried food is healthier. For me personally, I am using the air fryer to cook a lot of veggies such as broccoli, string beans, sweet potatoes, etc which are all healthy. I do have some indulgent foods like the air-fried donuts which are not healthy but low calories than the deep-fried versions.

Can I use frozen food in my Air Fryer?

Yes, you can use frozen food in your Air Fryer. You will simply need to increase your cook time by about five minutes. If you are cooking frozen meat in the Air Fryer you will want to keep a close eye on the internal temperature to ensure the meat is done.

Should I always spray my Air Fryer basket?

The air fryer basket is nonstick, so you do not need to spray the basket. If the food you are cooking has oil it will help or some foods like chicken can have fats that are enough for air frying. If the recipe calls for spraying oil in the basket or on the food, use your favorite type of cooking oil and spray using a reusable sprayer bottle instead of the aerosol oil spray cans.

Air Fryer Accessories

Here are some of my favorite air fryer accessories:

air fryer with accessories and recipes book

Cosori Support is amazing so feel free to reach out to them with any technical or warranty-related issues.

Chicken Shawarma

Let’s be honest - anything wrapped in a warm flatbread is going to be DELICIOUS. Here is my super easy and incredibly flavorful recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma. Chicken thighs bathed in Middle Eastern Spices are marinated then cooked to juicy perfection with yummy crisp edges in the Air Fryer. Sliced thin, topped with Homemade Dill Tzatziki Sauce, lettuce, tomato, and onion - there's nothing better!

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This is the ultimate wrap - every element of texture and temperature has its match which makes biting into one of these so satisfying. The sizzling, juicy chicken needs the fresh, crisp lettuce and tomato, just as the mixture of spices needs the refreshing yogurt dill sauce - cooling the palate like a splash of cold water on a hot day.

Lately, I’ve been loving the fusion feel of using flaky parathas to sandwich all this goodness together, but I have also used the more traditional pitas plenty of times. It also works perfectly as a low-carb option to serve the Chicken Shawarma over a bed of lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and onion with the dill yogurt sauce as dressing. A perfect dinner recipe!

What is Shawarma

Shawarma, a classic Middle Eastern street food, is typically made by layering marinated meat onto a spit in a sort of cone-shaped mound. As the meat is rotated and cooked on the spit, the meat bathes in its own dripping juices, and slices are shaved off to order. By using boneless, skinless chicken thighs, and thoroughly marinating, we ensure the meat stays juicy through the cooking process.

Inspiration

I first tasted Chicken Shawarma at Mammouns - an NYC spot famous for late-night eats. I instantly fell in love with the big flavors! Years later I decided to try making it at home, even though I never thought of Shawarma as something homemade. The best part about my recipe is how easy it is to put together. It’s also the perfect make-ahead meal. Simply marinate the chicken overnight and then just 12 minutes in the Air Fryer!

Shawarma Spices

My recipe uses spices that I already have in my kitchen (garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander) If you don't have some of the other spices like (cloves or cardamom) you can skip them! I promise the Shawarma will still be excellent.

The combination of spices is essential in laying the base for flavor, here are a few highlights! (These are the ground versions):

Paprika - mild sweet paprika that adds vibrant red color without too much heat
Cumin - warm and earthy with a hint of bittersweet citrus
Coriander - adds a hint of citrus, often paired with cumin for just the right balance of earthiness.
Cinnamon - adds sweet and earthy heat. So versatile it’s used throughout the world in both savory and sweet dishes.
Cardamom – heady and super aromatic, wonderful in desserts!
Cloves – aromatic flower buds from the evergreen clove tree. Slightly sweet and pungent, often paired with cinnamon and black pepper for a perfect spice blend.

Substitutions

I recommend using chicken thighs for this recipe as it will give your tender juicy meat with crisp edges. You can also use chicken boneless chicken breasts for this recipe, but make sure to marinate it at least for 4 hours and do not overcook
Check the temperature of the chicken using a digital thermometer to make sure the thickest piece reaches 165 degrees F
Smoked paprika will add subtle smoky flavors but you can also use regular paprika
Add more or less cayenne pepper to your taste. I do not like this dish to be overly spicy but have a balance of flavors with various spices
Use your favorite flatbreads to wrap the chicken, you can also use gluten-free bread or serve on warm steamed rice. For a low-carb option serve the sliced chicken over lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions drizzled with tzatziki.

There’s Way to Cook Chicken Shawarma for Every Kitchen

Marinate the chicken for up to 24 hours and then either grill, bake, or air fry (my newest obsession) for those perfect charred edges. Instructions for each technique are described in the recipe below. YOU CAN MAKE THIS AWESOME CHICKEN SHAWARMA EVEN WITHOUT AN AIR FRYER.

Instructions

Here is a step-by-step recipe showing how I cook the chicken for shawarma in the air fryer. Please scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for printable recipe card with ingredient quantities, instructions and also how to bake or grill if you do not have an air fryer!

In a large bowl mix together salt, garlic, paprika, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, ground cloves, ground black pepper, lemon juice, and oil. Add chicken and coat well. Allow to marinate for 2 hours or overnight.

Preheat the Air Fryer at 400 degrees F. Line the chicken in a single layer. Spread sliced onions on top. Air Fryer at 380 degrees F for 10 minutes. Turn over and cook for another 2 to 5 minutes. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before cutting into thin strips.

Lemon Dill Tzatziki

Peel and grate cucumbers and then press out all the excess liquids using a strainer or a cloth. Stir together the yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and dill in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasonings.

Chop the veggies - lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, etc. Next, warm up the bread. You can either use pita bread or other flatbread you like. I also love serving the Shawarma on either homemade parathas or the flaky Kawan Parathas sold in Indian grocery stores.

Serving

Here is the classic way to serve shawarma - spread Tzatziki on the warm bread, top it with your favorite veggies, lettuce, and tomato are a must for me. Then layer over the sliced chicken. Roll up and enjoy.
You can also serve them as Pita pockets. Bake the pita bread in the toaster oven until it fluffs up. Allow it to cool for a minute and then cut into half. Carefully open up each half and spread Tzatziki inside. Add lettuce, tomatoes, and top with chicken.
For a low-carb meal, serve the shawarma meat on a pile of crispy lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and drizzle with creamy yogurt Tzatziki.

Storing

Chicken Shawarma is a perfect make ahead meal. Cooked Chicken can be refrigerated for up to a week. Warm up in a stove top pan, air fryer or microwave.

I hope you will try this easy recipe. My entire family loves it and it is also a kid-friendly meal. Make a batch of quick and easy white chocolate bark for dessert with this meal.

Did you enjoy this easy Air Fryer Shawarma? Here are some Air Fryer Recipes to try:

Recipe

stack of chicken shawarma rolled in pita

Print Recipe

5 from 6 votes

Chicken Shawarma

Easy and incredibly flavorful recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma. Chicken thighs bathed in Middle Eastern Spices are marinated then cooked to juicy perfection with yummy crisp edges in the Air Fryer. Sliced thin, topped with Homemade Dill Tzatziki Sauce, lettuce, and tomato

Prep Time30 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Marinating Time6 hrs

Total Time6 hrs 45 mins

Course: dinner

Servings:

Calories: 288kcal

Author: Archana Mundhe

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

2 lbs chicken thighs boneless skinless
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon garlic paste
2 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons oil

Dill Tzatziki sauce

1 cup Greek-style plain yogurt
2 Persian cucumber peeled, grated (squeeze excess moisture out)
1 clove garlic minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
2 tablespoons fresh dill finely chopped
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Serving

pita bread or parathas
2 cups Romaine lettuce
2 tomatoes diced
2 persian cucumbers peeled and cubed
½ cup red onion thinly sliced

Instructions

In a large bowl mix together salt, garlic, paprika, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, ground cloves, ground black pepper, lemon juice, and oil
Add chicken and coat well. Allow to marinate for 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat the Air Fryer at 400 F. Line the chicken in a single layer. Spread sliced onions on top. Air Fryer at 380 F for 10 minutes. Turn over and cook for another 2 to 5 minutes. Note: My air fryer basket fits 4 to 5 chicken thighs at a time without overcrowding. I usually air fry chicken in 2 batches.
Allow the chicken to rest for 2 minutes before cutting into thin strips.

Tzatziki

Stir together the yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and dill in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

Bread

Warm up the pita breads, flatbreads or parathas

Serving

Here is the classic way to serve shawarma - spread Tzatziki on the warm bread, top it with your favorite veggies, lettuce, and tomato are a must for me. Then layer over the sliced chicken. Roll up and enjoy.
You can also serve them as Pita pockets. Bake the pita bread in the toaster oven until it fluffs up. Allow it to cool for a minute and then cut into half. Carefully open up each half and spread Tzatziki inside. Add lettuce, tomatoes, and top with chicken.
For a low-carb meal, serve the shawarma meat on a pile of crispy lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and drizzle with creamy yogurt Tzatziki.

Video

Notes

The nutrition facts do not include the bread.

Oven Recipe

Preheat the oven at 425 degrees F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and line the chicken thighs in a single layer. Roast in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes as the edges crisp up and the chicken is cooked through in the middle. Use a digital thermometer to make sure that the thickest piece has reached 165 degrees F. Remove from the oven and allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition

Air Fryer Kurkuri Bhindi | Crispy Okra

Using the Air Fryer for Kurkuri Bhindi means you can enjoy this favorite appetizer, side dish, and snack any time you want! The finger-licking light and ultra crispy coating is Gluten Free and packed with protein from a combination of rice and gram flours. The firm juicy okra is the perfect texture for coating and air frying.

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Kurkuri Bhindi or Crispy okra is vegan, gluten-free, and full of nutrients from the star—okra. Bhindi/Okra is a favorite ingredient in Indian cuisine as it holds up to a variety of flavors and cooking methods from stewing, to frying, sautéing, and stuffing. Okra, technically a fruit but treated as a vegetable, is jam-packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber so it ups the nutritious quality of many dishes.

For fans of okra, this dish celebrates a loved ingredient. And for those who are not familiar or don’t think they like okra—Kurkuri Bhindi is the dish to try. Air frying the okra results in a delightful texture. The complex combination of turmeric, chili, garam masala, carom/ajwain seeds, and lemon will have you coming back for more!

Okra Health Benefits

Not only does this air fryer recipe taste amazing but it is really good for you too! It is packed with polyphenols - which are antioxidants that help protect your cells from the damage of free radicals. These antioxidants m a y help protect your brain from symptoms of aging and even improve your memory.

Studies also show that it might help lower your cholesterol, so it's really good for your heart health.

Plus, okra is really high in both vitamin C and vitamins K and B6 - all very important for your overall health and energy levels. Vitamin C boosts your immune system and vitamin K is really good for healthy bones. Vitamin B6 is really important for a healthy metabolism.

Okra Tips

Buy tender long okra from Indian grocery stores, about 25 okra. The okra from regular US grocery stores is light green and thick - if using those cut each okra lengthwise into 6 pieces.
Wash the okra first, and then dry them really well before you start cutting.
Use a clean dry cutting board and knife. The knife may get sticky while cutting, notice the knife getting sticky, wipe it dry with a paper towel.
If the okra is long, cut it into half after making the vertical slits so they cook evenly without losing the shape in the air fryer.
If you have a smaller air fryer cook the okra in 2 batches.

How To Make Fried Okra in The Air Fryer

Rinse and drain the okra and completely dry each one with a kitchen towel (photo 1).
Cut the top and bottoms off of the okra. Then cut each okra into 4 quarters lengthwise. If the okra is thick you can also cut it into 6 pieces lengthwise (photos 2, 3, and 4).

Place the cut okra in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add turmeric, red chili powder, garam masala, salt, gram flour rice flour, and ajwain seeds. Mix well (photos 5 and 6).
Add lemon juice and water. Mix well coating all the ingredients well to the okra. Add the oil and mix well again (photos 7 and 8).

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Evenly place the okra in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Having slightly layered okra is ok but spread out as much as possible within the basket (photos 9 and 10).
Cook at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Shake the basket, lightly spray the okra with oil and then cook for an additional 2 minutes at 370 ° F (photos 11 and 12).

What To Serve With Kurkuri Bhindi

You can serve this bhindi dish as a meal with hot roti, parathas, or my favorite way to enjoy it is with kadhi & khichdi. To serve as an appetizer pair it with your favorite dip or ketchup!

Eating spicy foods always puts me in the mood for something sweet. These are my favorite desserts to eat after a savory meal.

Storing

Kurkuri bhindi tastes the best fresh out of the air fryer. Eat them right away. If you want to store them for later, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will become softer the longer you keep them, so eat them soon.

To enjoy them later, just reheat them for a few minutes in the air fryer.

Air Frying Tips

You may need to increase or decrease the air frying time depending on your air fryer. Check your food frequently to prevent it from burning. This is especially important during the last few minutes of cooking. Air fryers come in different sizes, so your food might not fit the same way that recipes online show.
Do not use aerosol spray cans to apply the non-stick spray to the basket. Aerosol spray cans usually contain harsh ingredients that are known for causing chipping in air fryer baskets.
Shake the basket during cooking times for smaller things like chicken wings, fries, and small veggies. Do this every few minutes or halfway through cooking.
Be careful not to press the basket release button while you are carrying the baskets. This will cause the inner basket to pull out and the outer basket will drop, which might damage it.
Do not place anything on top of your air fryer. This disrupts the airflow and will cause poor air frying results.
If you air fry high-fat foods, pour out the fat droppings from under the inner basket. This will prevent excess smoke while it cooks next time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Frying Okra

Do I need to preheat the air fryer?

No, preheating the air fryer is not necessary. If you are not preheating the air fryer you may need to cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes.

How do you reheat fried okra if you want to eat it later?

The best way to reheat leftover fried okra is in the air fryer. Reheat it for 1-2 minutes at 350°F.

How do you make this in the oven?

If you want to make this in the oven, preheat the oven to 390 degrees F. Follow the same steps in the recipe card, just bake it in the oven for 20 minutes, turning the okra halfway through cooking.

Why is my okra sticky?

Make sure you are rinsing it really well and drying it completely with a kitchen towel. Then, slice it really thin. This will give you non-slimy okra.

Can I cut the okra into round slices?

Yes, lots of people enjoy round bhindi too. Make sure you are still slicing it very thinly, that way they will become crispy in the air fryer.

Did you enjoy this easy Air Fryer Appetizer? Here are some more recipes to try:

Recipe

Print Recipe

5 from 5 votes

Air fryer Kurkuri Bhindi

Indian Spiced Crispy okra cooked in an Airfryer

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time12 mins

Total Time32 mins

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: Indian

Servings:

Calories: 94kcal

Author: Archana Mundhe