How To Use The Nuwave Air Fryer

We asked one of our recipe testers to requite an air fryer a twirl for the beginning time ever. Here's what happened in her kitchen and how it'south changed her approach to cooking.

A nuwave air fryer.

Cookbooks. Websites. Social media feeds. Recipe contests. Magazines staring at me in the checkout line. All dedicated to recipes for air frying. Honestly? I thought air frying was just going to exist another trend, like those plastic banana holders. But my friends are still swapping recipes and tips. My Mom wants an air fryer for her birthday. And me? Well, until recently, I couldn't even tell you what an air fryer was or how one worked. I was stuck in the country of "Do they fry or do they cook with air?"

Clueless but curious, I jumped when presented with an opportunity to endeavour an air fryer. No more "beingness behind the times" for me. It was fourth dimension to figure this conundrum out. Knowing nada about air fryers or the fine art of air frying, I educated myself online while I waited for my NuWave Brio 14Qt Digital Air Fryer with Probe to arrive.

What exactly is an air fryer?

Don't laugh. Some of us nonetheless didn't know or understand the basic mechanics of air frying.

Air fryers are essentially mini ovens. Mini convection-like ovens, to exist more than verbal. They're not deep fryers. Confession: Earlier I started doing my enquiry, whenever I heard "air fryer," I somehow translated that into "deep fryer" in my mind. And I didn't know what the air had to do with anything, but it did, and well…I wasn't really into deep-frying, so I had passed on it. I couldn't accept been more wrong.

While air fryers are not true convection ovens, they operate basically the aforementioned way. An electric coil heats up inside the air fryer while a fan blows the hot air around. This allows for even heat distribution throughout the unit. At the same time, the oil on the nutrient gets converted into a mist, coats the food, and mimics deep frying. Steam from the food'south moisture helps cease the cooking procedure. This method of cooking uses less oil than deep frying and makes for easier cleanup.

What are the two basic types of air fryers?

Side by side images of two air fryers -- Ninja and nuwave. : Amazon

I noticed when looking effectually that there are essentially two types of air fryers available. The basket-type is near common. These air fryers have a removable basket in the lower one-half. Food gets placed in and cooked in the basket. This type of air fryer sort of resembles a deep fryer and works all-time for air frying but.

If you're looking for more functionality, look into a "multi-role" air fryer that resembles a toaster oven and brings more options to the party. That includes rotisserie cooking, grilling, and dehydrating. They agree more food than the basket air fryers, oftentimes have preset functions or programming adequacy, and offering accessories galore.

The unit I tried, the NuWave Brio 14Qt Digital Air Fryer with Probe, is a multi-function air fryer and comes with 100 Presets. And so, for example, if I want to make onion rings from frozen, I can. Preset #78 allows me to practice that. All I accept to practice is place the frozen onion rings in the auto, turn it on, push the PRESET button, hold the UP ARROW until it reads 78, so button the START/Break button. The machine does the rest. It knows (or is programmed) to air fry the onion rings for eight minutes at 400°F. The Preset Guide recommends how much to cook at one fourth dimension, 12 ounces in this instance, and notes that pocket-size adjustments may be necessary to achieve your desired results.

While multi-part air fryers are usually larger than basket-type models, the most notable divergence is that they don't have merely a unmarried basket. They supersede the basket with stainless steel racks, trays, a drip plate, and accessories. The NuWave Panache 14Qt Digital Air Fryer with Probe came with a reversible Grill/Griddle plate, a stainless steel Rotisserie Skewer, a stainless steel Rotisserie Handbasket (perfect for veggies and fish), and a stainless steel Roasting Drum (think roasted nuts and popcorn). Additional accessories, like baking pans and silicone cups, can likewise be purchased and used in the air fryer. Seriously multi-functional!

I haven't tried the basket-type of fryer, just I accept to admit, I became so spellbound with the NuWave air fryer I tried that I named her Olivia. Information technology's true. We're on a outset-name basis. That's how much I treasure her.

What tin can I cook with an air fryer?

Having cleaned "Olivia" and read the manual, it was fourth dimension to start cooking. Armed with no air frying skills, I started slow and chose recipes from the cookbook that came with the air fryer. First was Air-Fried Tortilla Fries, then Citrus Light-green Beans. The recipes had minimal ingredients and simple instructions—perfect for a beginner. For the tortilla chips, the recipe directed me to preheat the machine, set the temperature to 390°F (200°C), and cook for 4 minutes. So, I prepped the nutrient and pressed these buttons:
ON/OFF
Light ('cause I wanted to see inside!)
PREHEAT
Up Arrow until the temperature showed 390F
START/PAUSE
TIME
Downwardly ARROW until the fourth dimension was iv minutes (it defaults to xv minutes)

Olivia started preheating and helpfully beeped when she reached 390°F (200°C). I opened the door, placed the lightly oiled tortillas in the unit, and closed the door. The air fryer started back up automatically and the timer started counting down from 4 minutes. Later on 4 minutes, the unit turned off automatically. I pulled out the (now) tortilla chips and seasoned them. Piece of cake! And crunchy, fresh tortilla chips, seasoned however I wanted! I was pretty surprised and pleased to notice the controls for the NuWave Brio 14Qt Digital Air Fryer with Probe and so user-friendly.

I moved on. I warmed up frozen prepared food (including pizza puffs and egg rolls) and made a couple of simple from-scratch recipes (similar crisped chickpeas). These went well, were easy, and improved our snacking game.

Next came chicken wings and garlic bread from scratch. These were both a hit. The craven wings were delish. I did accept to adjust the cooking fourth dimension just information technology wasn't a problem every bit I had but wanted crispier skin than the recipe produced so I kept calculation 1 minute to the cooking time until they were our-type-of-perfect. The garlic staff of life was an impromptu improvision 1 night. I was making dinner and decided I wanted garlic bread. I grabbed ii hoagie rolls from the fridge, cutting them in one-half, "toasted" them in Olivia for 2 minutes at 350°F, pulled them out, rubbed some garlic on them, slathered them with butter, then threw them dorsum into the air fryer. I watched thru the window until the tops were golden and bubbly.

I did completely ruin 2 pieces of salmon. Pause of shame. It's true. I should be clear, I didn't just ruin them. I demolished them. They were dry. Dry as in a few more minutes in the air fryer and they would have been dust sort of mode. I'm beyond embarrassed to acknowledge that but it's office of my learning curve. I completely forgot to adjust down the fourth dimension and temperature from the conventional oven recipe every bit the didactics manual had cautioned. I was so bummed. Information technology was my starting time large neglect with Olivia. Merely my husband was swell. He but laughed and asked, "What are we getting on our pizza?"

I have referred back to the manual and Quickstart Guide a few times (simply to exist sure as I'm however working on my air fryer confidence!) and constitute both to exist useful and full of adept information. (I really like the Quickstart Guide. It breaks processes downwards into unproblematic steps and includes a Cooking Guide.) This is a new style of cooking for me.

I find myself (when I recollect) cooking at a lower temperature and checking on the nutrient oftentimes. I'grand afraid to overcook items so I just go slow and like shooting fish in a barrel. Remember the salmon? My confidence is improving and air frying is something I think I will get the hang of. Ane thing'southward for sure, I'chiliad really enjoying information technology.

So which air fryer is right for me?

A photo of a girl looking confused. : Ospan Ali

Here are a few things to consider when selecting an air fryer:

Functions
How do you program to use your air fryer? What foods exercise yous want to prepare in it?

Size
How many people will y'all exist cooking for? Tin can y'all cook multiple foods at once? How much infinite do you lot take for an air fryer?

Wattage
Near air fryers require between 800 and 2100 watts of power. Make sure your kitchen outlets will support the unit you wish to purchase.

Intuitive controls
Practise the controls make sense? Do they allow flexibility?

Piece of cake cleanup
Does the air fryer have dishwasher-safe parts?

Getting started

A table of contents from an air fryer manual. : NuWave

We know yous want air fryer recipes. First and foremost, though, you need to learn your machine.

Read the instruction manual
I know, I know. Who wants to accept fourth dimension and read the transmission? But air fryers cook using very high temperatures. Remember, they're mini convection-similar ovens. You lot need to make sure you empathize how to employ your unit and how to use it safely or y'all'll end up tossing your food in the trash. (Demand I remind you of the salmon incineration?)

Next, take out all of the removable parts and requite them a skillful launder.

When choosing a location in your kitchen for your air fryer, refer to your manual. This is of import. You lot'll want to place your air fryer on a heat-resistant surface and far enough abroad from walls that heat and vented steam can escape safely. Recommendations I've seen range from three to eight inches away from walls. I place Olivia in the middle of my kitchen isle when in use. This placement works well in my kitchen equally it allows enough room around the unit for air movement and I feel safe.

I also recommend doublechecking the placement of your unit when it'south in employ. Don't become only by what y'all've read. Given that yous will about likely put food in the air fryer and walk away for a few minutes, yous'll desire to make sure your air fryer is placed in a safe spot. The NuWave Brio 14Qt Digital Air Fryer with Probe gets warm on the meridian and sides. It also vents from the back—which isn't a bad thing (especially when it'due south blowing out banana bread air!) merely you lot do need to be aware of how far out the estrus and vented steam will travel and whether this will actually pose an unsafe situation in your kitchen.

Finally, racket. You lot will hear fan dissonance when the unit is running. Different air fryers will have unlike noise levels. The unit I tried has what I would consider "adequate noise." This may or may not influence where you place your air fryer.

Tips for using a multi-function air fryer

To preheat or not to preheat?
Follow your recipe. Preheating may or may non be necessary. If y'all practice need to preheat your air fryer, it will go much quicker than your "big oven." Olivia preheats to 350°F in less than iv minutes!

Use oil but not too much
Air fryers utilise dry estrus then calculation a bit of oil to your food will proceed it from drying out and assist it crisp. You will need less than you recall. (I'm nonetheless figuring this out—besides much oil and things come out soggy, besides little oil and they dry out.)

Use oil with a HIGH smoke point.
This is of import! Vegetable oil, canola oil, and peanut oil are good choices. I adopt avocado oil—it'south expensive just we're only using a little at a time. This is NOT the place for olive oil.

Choose your baking dish wisely
Any ovenproof dish or pan can be used in an air fryer (metal, drinking glass, ceramic, or silicone). Choose a dish or pan that allows ample room for air apportionment around all sides of the pan.

Don't block the fan
Permit space between your food and the fan. Place foods that tin can "fly away" (such equally pepperoni slices, pocket-size cuts of tortillas, etc.) lower in the air fryer to avert making contact with the fan.

Aluminum foil and parchment paper
Both can be used in an air fryer. Secure pieces to a pan, or under food, so that they do not come loose and risk getting into the fan. Size pieces so that they permit ample room for air circulation effectually all sides. Place breaded items on aluminum foil or parchment newspaper to prevent breading from getting stuck in mesh trays.

Avoid crowding
This goes for both horizontally and vertically. Allow a bit of space betwixt pieces of food when placed on the trays. This will allow for amend air circulation and even cooking. If using more than ane tray, place food so that air can circulate between the trays. If you take a lot of nutrient, consider cooking it in a few batches.

Stack your meals
Place meat on a tray above your vegetables and let the basting brainstorm.

Reduce the temperature
As a general rule of thumb when making a standard recipe in a convection oven, you'll want to lower the oven temperature by approximately 20 to 25°F (eleven to 14°C) and plan to check your food for doneness earlier than called for in the original recipe.

Yes, you can open the door
It's okay to open up the air fryer to cheque on your food—the unit of measurement will automatically "interruption" both the timer and the cooking procedure when you open the door. You don't demand to turn the unit off. After you're done checking the food, close the unit of measurement and cooking volition recommence.

Rotate your trays
When air frying more than one tray at a time, consider rotating your trays. The tray closest to the heating element will cook and brown faster than the tray farthest from information technology.

Don't overfill pans when baking
Normal blistering pans volition do but don't overfill them. The goal is to prevent the elevation of baked goods from "cresting" the pan and being diddled around past the circulating air, resulting in lopsided cakes and loaves (and a mess).

Honey your leftovers
You lot tin, and should, reheat leftovers in your air fryer. Pizza, fried chicken, anything crispy reheats wonderfully in the air fryer. No more soggy lesser. (Sorry, microwave.)

Cleaning an air fryer

A sponge with soap suds on it.
: unclepodger
Clean the within of your air fryer and removable parts after each utilise. I know that sounds like a lot just it'southward not, trust me. And it'due south worth it. Frequent cleaning will make for easier make clean-upward and it will prevent oil build-up which can cause the unit of measurement to smoke.

You will also demand to clean the heating element occasionally. Your transmission should have tips for cleaning and tell you which parts are dishwasher condom. The unit of measurement I tested cleans up easily. The within of the unit can exist wiped down using soap and h2o and the trays and drip pan can (fortunately) become in the dishwasher. I especially like that the door on the NuWave Panache 14Qt Digital Air Fryer with Probe comes off for cleaning.

One recommendation specific to the stainless steel trays—be gentle when washing by hand to remove stuck-on food. The trays are adequately sturdy but seem like they could bend or warp if too much pressure level is applied to a certain area when scrubbing. I've found that a quick soak followed by a gentle scrub removes stuck-on food. I so pop the trays into the dishwasher and allow it do the rest.

What I dear about my air fryer

I'm hooked on air frying. I love the convenience and I beloved, beloved, dearest that the NuWave Panache 14Qt Digital Air Fryer with Probe turns off when the timer reaches zero, unlike a conventional oven. Information technology doesn't matter if I'thou toasting nuts, making chicken wings or reheating pizza, when the timer stops the unit of measurement stops producing oestrus. It'southward like having a mini-insurance policy that buys yous a few extra minutes. (And trust me, I've needed it a few times.)

That may sound basic, but for someone like me, that means I tin finally toast basics and not worry about called-for them. I just set the temperature to 300°F and adjust the timer to three minutes. I can watch diligently through the window while the magic happens, checking the colour and smelling for just the right amount of toastiness, or I can walk away.

One thing I didn't anticipate was how much I would capeesh the extra oven space—and its size. Having this has already come in handy when I needed to bake multiple items at different temperatures. And this volition be a truthful luxury come vacation season.

I too intend to use the air fryer when information technology gets warm outside. Given its small size and that it'south quick to preheat, I'll be able to cook without heating upwardly the entire kitchen.

I'grand yet working on converting recipes from conventional to convection and figuring out how much oil to use. That, for me, is not intuitive, but each day I'k getting better. I keep notes on what works and what doesn't and learn as I get.

If I had one wish, it would be that there were more recipes available for air fryers with trays. Well-nigh recipes are written for air fryers with baskets. That said, I'thou not discouraged. I can think of so many more things to attempt—crisp hot dogs, rotisserie chicken, grilled meats, dehydrated fruit, air fried popcorn. The NuWave Brio 14Qt Digital Air Fryer with Probe has countless options. And I intend to attempt them all!

NuWave provided Leite's Culinaria with the air fryer (heretofore known as Olivia) for us to try in a dwelling kitchen. All opinions expressed in the article are based solely on our writer'south experience with the machine.