An air fryer is not a fryer; it's a high-powered convection oven. It uses a cyclonic effect, pushing blazing hot air at high speed in a confined space. Heat transmission is much more aggressive than a traditional oven. Therefore, our algorithm applies the golden engineering rule: drop the temperature by 25°F (or 20°C) and reduce time by 20%, while applying safety caps.
Frequently Asked Questions Q: Why must I lower the temperature? High-speed cyclonic air dehydrates food surfaces rapidly. Keeping oven temperatures would burn the exterior before the inside is cooked.
Q: Can I use parchment paper or aluminum foil? Yes, but never cover the entire bottom of the basket. Blocking the upward airflow ruins the crisping effect and risks the paper flying up into the heating element.
Q: Do I need to preheat the air fryer? Due to its small chamber, it heats up in 2-3 minutes. Preheating is only recommended for delicate pastries or searing thick cuts of red meat.