# Using an Air Fryer

## What is an Air Fryer?

An air fryer is an electronic cooking appliance that uses hot air instead of hot oil to cook food, allowing ingredients to achieve a result similar to deep-frying without coming into contact with oil.

### How It Works

An air fryer generates high-temperature hot air via a heating element located above the cooking chamber. This hot air circulates around the food, rapidly heating the food's natural fats and removing moisture. This process creates a deep-fried effect and gives the food a crispy texture similar to traditionally fried items.

### Benefits

*   Since no cooking oil is required, it **significantly reduces** the intake of high-fat and high-calorie oils.
*   The high-speed circulation of hot air dehydrates the food, turning the surface golden and crispy while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
*   It is easy to operate and beginner-friendly.

## Instructions

*   Place the air fryer on a stable, flat, and level heat-resistant surface.
*   Remove the cooking basket, place the ingredients inside, and slide the basket back into the unit.
*   Adjust the preset temperature and rotate the dial to set the cooking time.
*   Once the time is set, the appliance will begin cooking. The cooking is complete when the timer beeps.
*   Pour all the food from the basket into a bowl or plate. Be sure to remove the basket containing the ingredients from the cooking chamber, as **hot oil or grease may remain at the bottom**.

## Precautions

*   When using an air fryer, ensure the temperature is not set too high (ideally within 120°C, and preferably not exceeding 168°C) and the cooking time is not too long (approximately 10 minutes) to avoid generating excessive harmful compounds such as [Acrylamide](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%99%E7%8E%AF%E9%85%B0%E8%83%BA).
*   Reduce cooking starchy foods like potatoes, bread, and fried dough sticks in an air fryer to minimize [Acrylamide](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%99%E7%8E%AF%E9%85%B0%E8%83%BA) intake. Conversely, air fryers are better suited for foods with higher fat or moisture content, such as meats and vegetables.
*   During use, do not block the air intake vent at the top or the air exhaust vent at the back. Blocking them with your hands may result in **burns from hot air**.
*   Temperature differences between different brands of air fryers can reach ±10°C. For the first attempt, it is recommended to reduce the time by 10% and adjust gradually.

## Cooking Tips

### Common Foods

| Food Name    | Temperature (℃)   | Time (Minutes) | Method & Steps                                                               |
|---------|---------|--------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **French Fries**  | 200     | 15-20  | 1. No need to thaw frozen fries; spray a light layer of oil on the surface. - 2. Arrange in a single layer in the fryer basket (do not overlap); shake every 5 minutes. - 3. Increase temperature to 210℃ for the last 2 minutes to crisp and brown.    |
| **Chicken Wings**  | 180     | 18-22  | 1. Score the chicken wings and marinate with light soy sauce, cooking wine, oyster sauce, and minced garlic for 1 hour. - 2. Arrange in a single layer in the basket; brush with honey water on the surface. - 3. Roast for 10 minutes, then flip and continue roasting.       |
| **Fish**  | 180-190 | 12-15  | 1. Score both sides of the fish; marinate with ginger slices, scallion segments, salt, and cooking wine for 20 minutes. - 2. Brush oil on the fish surface and line with aluminum foil to prevent sticking. - 3. Flip halfway through cooking.          |
| **Steak**  | 200     | 8-12   | 1. Let the steak come to room temperature; season both sides with salt, black pepper, and olive oil. - 2. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes; place the steak inside and roast according to thickness (4-6 minutes per side).        |
| **Beef Cubes** | 180     | 15-18  | 1. Cut beef into 2cm cubes; marinate with light soy sauce, cornstarch, and black pepper for 30 minutes. - 2. Arrange in a single layer in the basket; flip once after 10 minutes of roasting. - 3. Can add onions and bell peppers to roast together. |
| **Pork Chops** | 175-185 | 16-20  | 1. Tenderize pork chops with the back of a knife; marinate with light soy sauce, garlic powder, and five-spice powder for 40 minutes. - 2. Spray with oil and line with parchment paper. - 3. Flip halfway through and brush with marinade.          |
| **Egg Tarts**  | 170-180 | 12-15  | 1. After thawing the tart shells, pour in homemade egg mixture (milk + heavy cream + sugar + egg yolks). - 2. No need to preheat the air fryer; roast until the crust is golden and the center is slightly caramelized.            |
| **Cake**  | 160     | 25-30  | 1. Line a 6-inch mold with parchment paper and pour in cake batter (fill 70% full). - 2. Roast at low temperature; insert a toothpick, and if it comes out clean, it is done. - 3. Invert to cool to prevent collapsing.            |
| **Pizza**  | 180-190 | 8-12   | 1. Frozen pizza does not need thawing; you can add extra cheese. - 2. Line with aluminum foil to prevent dripping; roast until cheese has browned spots. - 3. For homemade pizza, pre-roast the crust for 5 minutes before adding toppings.        |
| **Peanuts** | 160     | 10-12  | 1. Soak raw peanuts for 5 minutes, then drain. - 2. Toss with a light spray of oil and salt. - 3. Arrange in a single layer; shake every 3 minutes.                  |

### Key Operational Points

1. **Preprocessing Essentials**
    - Thaw meat thoroughly and pat the surface dry (steaks/pork chops are recommended to come to room temperature)
    - Frozen foods (fries/pizza) can be cooked directly, but increase the frequency of shaking/tossing

2. **Anti-Stick Techniques**
    - For foods prone to sticking like fish/cakes, use parchment paper or aluminum foil as a liner
    - Place onion slices/lemon slices on the bottom of the fryer basket to enhance flavor and isolate juices

3. **Coloring Control**
    - Increase the temperature by 10-20°C in the last 2-3 minutes to make the surface crispier (suitable for fries/wings)
    - Cover the surface of egg tarts/cakes with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning

4. **Doneness Testing**
    - Meat: Press with chopsticks; firm indicates well-done, soft and elastic indicates medium-rare
    - Cake: Insert a toothpick into the center; if no batter sticks, it is done