Preheat if the air fryer’s manual says to do so. Preheat if the recipe says to do so. Preheat when you want your food to be crispy. When in doubt, preheat.
All makes and models are different, so read your air fryer’s instruction guide on how to use the preheat button.
Whether you preheat at 400 °F (204 °C) or the cooking temperature is all up to you! Some air fryer users swear by 400 °F (204 °C), while others prefer preheating following a recipe’s instructions. Always double and triple-check the air fryer’s manual to make sure your air fryer can handle preheating.
We recommend preheating when cooking fried chicken, french fries, potato chips, tortilla chips, and even wings.
Did you know you can make bacon in the air fryer? Preheating can help it get that perfect crunch.
Try reheating chicken wings, roasted chicken, vegetables, french fries, chicken nuggets, and pizza.
Preheating can help you avoid underbaked goodies as your dough or batter can start cooking immediately at an even temperature.
Always monitor the food in your air fryer closely. Flipping the meat halfway through the cooking process can help it cook evenly and keep it from burning. Some air fryers have preset buttons for chicken or roasts.
Now, this is all about personal preference! Try cooking your favorite foods in an air fryer and oven to see what you prefer. Wrapping foods in tin foil, using oil, or marinating foods for longer can help retain moisture. [11] X Research source
If you’re in the market for an air fryer that can preheat, do additional research before buying. The last thing you want is to open that manual and have your preheating dreams crushed.
