We’ve talked about how much we love the air fryer before. Can it get any better? Well maybe. Here’s one little item that can make your air fryer use even easier. Check out this cheat sheet. If you don’t already have one, then you’re gonna love this! (And a HUGE “Thank You!” to www.iheartumami.com for making this available to all the Air Fryer lovers out there.)

I like how it collapses the time it takes to master the learning curve on this appliance. Now you can know exact air fryer cooking times so you’ll have perfectly cooked, crispy meals every time. Take a look and see if you don’t agree that this cheat sheet is an air fryer must-have.

Besides the topic of knowing exact air fryer cooking times, another question I’ve gotten from readers is “Thoughts on preheating my air fryer?” Air fryer experts I’ve talked to have the same answer: Preheating an air fryer is optional. The air fryer chart does not include this, but a preheated air fryer cooks food faster, like a preheated convection oven. The preheating temperature varies between brands as every brand has different air fryer settings.

Folks have also asked about oven-to-air fryer conversion methods. Due to its smaller size, an air fryer generally cooks food faster than a conventional oven. Converting an oven recipe to suit air fryer temperatures follows a general rule of thumb: lower the cooking temperature by 25°F and shorten the time by roughly 20-25%. However, the adjustments vary depending on the dish you are cooking. It’s smart to set a shorter cooking time, as you can systematically add extra time if necessary.

Lastly (and I love this question), I’m hearing from some of you that while you love this appliance, you’re not that jazzed about the space it takes. People with limited counter space are wondering if there’s a better place to put it. While air fryer sizes and kitchen layouts and sizes always vary, there is one area that might be an answer.

How about the cupboard above the fridge? Could you remove what’s already there (and either toss some things or relocate them) and dedicate some of this cupboard to your fryer? And if you don’t have a cupboard above your fridge, could you simply place your fryer atop the fridge when you’re not using it? Just some “air fryer food for thought”…

Are there any other air fryer questions you’ve had? Send them this way and I’ll do my best to find your answers. Meanwhile, here’s to easy and successful cooking with this appliance. Has it revolutionized meal-making, or what!?

    Alice Osborne
    Weekly Newsletter Contributor since 2006
    Email the author! alice@dvo.com