How to Use an Air Fryer

First off: Air fryers are not deep fryers.

An air fryer is essentially a small, powerful oven that uses hot air to cook food. Unlike deep fryers, which use oil to transfer heat, air fryers rely on air circulation to create a crispy, golden texture. While the results may not be exactly the same as traditional deep-fried foods, air fryers are much less messy and use significantly less oil. They can cook a variety of dishes, including vegetables, chicken wings, and even cakes, making them a versatile tool for healthier cooking.

Are Air Fryers Healthy?

Yes, air fryers can be considered healthier than traditional frying methods. They use little to no oil, which significantly reduces the fat and calorie content of foods compared to deep frying. Air fryers work by circulating hot air to cook food, creating a crispy texture without the need for submerging food in oil. This can reduce fat content by up to 75%, depending on the food. 

How Do Air Fryers Work?

Air fryers work like a mini convection oven. They are compact, powerful appliances that use hot air to cook food, mimicking the heat distribution of deep frying but without the oil. The key feature of an air fryer is its fan, which circulates hot air around the food, ensuring an even cooking temperature. This air circulation allows the food to become crispy, similar to deep-frying, but with much less oil.

Related: air fryer vs deep fry

In an air fryer, the heat is distributed more evenly than in a regular oven, where the top rack tends to be the hottest. The air fryer’s design promotes a consistent temperature throughout, ensuring uniform cooking without hot spots.

• It’s important to always place the food on the basket or tray so that the hot air can circulate around it. 
• Also, you may need to shake or turn the food a few times during cooking to ensure even crisping.
• Air fryers cook food quickly—much faster than conventional methods—so you may need to adjust cooking times and temperatures. 
• You can also pull out the basket to check on your food at any time without interrupting the cooking process, as the air fryer will automatically pause when you open the basket.
• While air fryers cook with rapid heat, they do require slightly lower temperatures compared to traditional recipes to prevent over-browning or burning the food’s exterior while ensuring the inside cooks thoroughly.

How to Use an Air Fryer?

Preparation

Plug in the air fryer and place it on a flat, heat-resistant surface. Make sure the basket is clean and free of any residues from previous uses. You can lightly coat the food with oil if desired, though the air fryer works best with minimal oil.

Set the Preset Function

Choose from one of the 8 preset functions on the control panel. The presets are designed for common foods like fries, wings, steak, fish, and vegetables, making it easy to cook your favorite meals with the perfect temperature and cooking time.

Adjust Time and Temperature (if needed)

The default preset time and temperature should work fine for most dishes, but if you need to adjust them, you can easily change the settings with the touch of a button. For example, if you like your fries extra crispy, you can increase the cooking time by a couple of minutes.

Start Cooking

After selecting your preset and making any adjustments, press the start button. The air fryer will begin circulating superheated air around your food, ensuring it’s cooked evenly and comes out crispy.

Check for Doneness

Most foods will cook in a short amount of time. Depending on the food, it may be helpful to shake the basket halfway through cooking for even crispiness. For items like chicken wings or fries, a quick shake will make sure they’re golden brown all over.

Finishing Up

Once the cooking time is complete, the air fryer will automatically turn off. Carefully remove the basket and check your food. For meats, make sure they’ve reached the proper internal temperature for safety (e.g., 165°F for chicken).

How Do You Preheat An Air Fryer?

If you are using the Ciarra Gadgets Air Fryer, preheating is simple. Just press the dedicated preheat button on the control panel. The air fryer will quickly heat up to the set temperature, and once it’s ready, you can start cooking your food. This feature helps ensure even cooking from the very beginning.

How to Clean an Air Fryer?

Cool Down Before Cleaning

Allow the air fryer to cool down for about 10-15 minutes after use. This ensures safe handling and prevents damage to the appliance.

Remove the Basket

Take out the nonstick basket, which is dishwasher-safe. You can either wash it by hand with warm soapy water or place it in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.

Wipe the Air Fryer

Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe down the inside and outside of the air fryer. Avoid using abrasive materials that could scratch the surface.

Recipes for Air Fryer

• Crispy French Fries
• Juicy Chicken Wings
• Roasted Vegetables (like asparagus, broccoli, zucchini)
• Salmon Fillets
• Breaded Fish or Shrimp
• Stuffed Mushrooms
• Air-Fried Meatballs
• Baked Potatoes or Sweet Potatoes
• Crispy Tofu
• Homemade Onion Rings
• Air-Fried Snacks like Mozzarella Sticks
• Light and Fluffy Cakes or Muffins

Related: Air Fryer Recipe Guide

Air Fryer Apple Donuts

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Totino's Pizza in Air Fryer

The Best Foods to Cook

Frozen Foods: French fries, chicken nuggets, mozzarella sticks—air fryers make them crispy without extra oil.

Vegetables: Roasting veggies like broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts gives them a delicious crunch.

Meats: Chicken wings, drumsticks, steaks, pork chops, and fish cook evenly with a crispy outside and juicy inside.

Snacks: Air fryers are great for reheating or crisping snacks without losing texture.

Baked Goods: Small cakes, muffins, and even cookies can be baked quickly and evenly.

FAQs

Is the Ciarragadget Air Fryer safe to use?

Yes. The Ciarra Air Fryer includes multiple safety features such as automatic shutoff when the inner pot is removed, child safety precautions, and overheating protection. 

Can I wash the air fryer in the dishwasher?

No. The main body of the air fryer should never be immersed in water or placed in a dishwasher. However, the inner pot and shelf can be washed with hot soapy water and thoroughly dried before reuse.

What happens if the inner pot is not placed correctly?

The air fryer will not operate if the inner pot is not correctly inserted. The display will show “---” and the heating element will not activate until the inner pot is securely in place.

How do I use the preheat function?

Press the PREHEAT button in standby or pause mode. The default preheat temperature is 200℃ for 3 minutes and cannot be changed. Press START/STOP to begin preheating.

What should I do when the “Shake” indicator flashes?

This means it's time to shake or flip your food for even cooking. You can:

Remove the inner pot, shake or flip the food, then reinsert the pot.

Ignore it; after 30 seconds the alert will stop automatically and cooking continues.

Does it have a keep-warm function?

Yes. It has a keep-warm function set to 80℃ for 60 minutes. Time and temperature cannot be adjusted in this mode.

What oils can I use in the air fryer?

Olive oil or vegetable oil works well. Apply a small amount of oil directly on the food to enhance browning and crispiness. Make sure the food is dry before adding oil to avoid excess smoke.

What is the heating range of the air fryer?

The temperature range is 80℃ to 200℃, and the time range is 1 to 60 minutes.

Can the air fryer be used to boil water or be used outdoors?

No. This product is not allowed to be used to boil water or be used outdoors.

Can you cook vegetables in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook a wide variety of vegetables in the air fryer—such as broccoli, carrots, potatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, and more.

How to put aluminum foil in an air fryer?

You can use aluminum foil or baking paper in the air fryer.
Weigh it down with food to prevent it from flying up into the heating element.
Ensure it does not cover the entire basket—allow airflow for even cooking.

Can I use an air fryer to grill meat?

Yes, the Ciarra air fryer can grill meat such as: Steaks, Pork chops, Chicken breasts, Burgers.

Use a higher temperature (e.g. 180–200°C) and flip or shake midway. Always check the internal temperature for doneness.