Air Fryer Glossary
Complete reference guide with definitions of common air fryer terms, cooking techniques, and technical vocabulary. Whether you're a beginner or experienced user, this glossary helps you understand air fryer terminology and improve your cooking.
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Air Fryer Basket
The removable tray or perforated basket that holds food inside the air fryer. Hot air circulates around the basket to cook food. Most baskets are non-stick coated and dishwasher safe.
Example: Remove the air fryer basket before washing to avoid damaging the electrical components.
Convection Heating
A cooking method that uses rapidly circulating hot air to cook food quickly and evenly. Air fryers use convection heating with temperatures typically between 200°F and 400°F.
Example: The convection heating in air fryers creates crispy exteriors while keeping interiors juicy.
Preheating
Running the air fryer empty for 2-5 minutes before adding food to reach the desired temperature. Preheating helps food cook more evenly and achieve better browning.
Example: Always preheat your air fryer for 3 minutes at 375°F before cooking chicken.
Smoke Point
The temperature at which oil begins to break down and smoke. Using oils with high smoke points (400°F+) in air fryers helps prevent smoking and burning.
Example: Avocado oil has a smoke point of 520°F, making it ideal for air frying at high temperatures.
Maillard Reaction
A chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars when food is heated. This creates the brown, crispy exterior and complex flavors that make air-fried food delicious.
Example: The Maillard reaction is why air-fried chicken wings are so crispy and flavorful.
Recipe Conversion
Adapting traditional oven recipes for air fryer cooking by adjusting temperature and cooking time. Typically, reduce oven temperature by 25°F and cooking time by 20-30%.
Example: Use an air fryer converter calculator to easily convert your favorite oven recipes.
Temperature Conversion Formula
The mathematical formula to convert oven cooking temperatures to air fryer settings: Subtract 25°F from the oven temperature. Example: 400°F oven = 375°F air fryer.
Example: For an oven recipe at 425°F, set your air fryer to 400°F.
Cook Time Adjustment
Reducing cooking time when converting recipes to air fryer. Air fryers cook 20-30% faster than traditional ovens due to concentrated heat and air circulation.
Example: A recipe that takes 30 minutes in the oven may only need 18-24 minutes in the air fryer.
Baking Powder
A leavening agent used in air frying to create crispy, golden exteriors on foods like chicken wings. Use baking powder (not baking soda) for best results.
Example: Coat chicken wings with baking powder and salt for the crispiest air fryer wings.
Dehydration Setting
A low-temperature cooking mode (150-200°F) used to remove moisture from foods. Used for making jerky, dried fruits, or crispy snacks.
Example: Use the dehydration setting to make homemade beef jerky in your air fryer.
Reheat Function
A dedicated setting to safely warm leftover food without overcooking it. Typically uses 300-350°F for 5-10 minutes depending on food type.
Example: Use the reheat function to warm up leftover pizza to a crispy texture.
Ceramic Coated Basket
A non-stick surface on air fryer baskets made from ceramic material. More durable and safer than PTFE/Teflon coatings.
Example: Ceramic coated baskets are safer for high-heat cooking and easier to clean.
Basket Ventilation
The small holes or perforations in the air fryer basket that allow hot air to circulate around food. Proper ventilation is essential for even cooking.
Example: Don't cover the ventilation holes in the basket or food will steam instead of crisp.
Grease Splatter
Oil or fat splattering onto the heating element or basket walls during cooking. Can cause smoking if not cleaned regularly.
Example: Line your air fryer tray with foil to catch grease splatter and prevent smoking.
Shake or Flip
Stirring or turning food halfway through cooking to ensure even browning on all sides. Essential for optimal texture and crispiness.
Example: Shake the basket of french fries halfway through cooking for even crispness.
Single Layer Cooking
Arranging food in a single layer without overlapping to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking. Overcrowding prevents crispiness.
Example: Cook chicken wings in a single layer; don't stack them or they won't crisp properly.
Parchment Paper
Heat-safe paper used to line the air fryer basket to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. Leaves small slits so air can still circulate.
Example: Use parchment paper when cooking wet batters or marinaded foods.
Aluminum Foil
Heat-safe foil used to line the air fryer basket or tray to catch drippings, prevent sticking, and reduce smoke. Leave small gaps for air circulation.
Example: Line your air fryer tray with aluminum foil when cooking bacon to prevent smoking.
Oil Spray
A fine mist of cooking oil applied to food before cooking. Helps achieve crispier texture and promotes browning through the Maillard reaction.
Example: Use a light oil spray on vegetables to help them brown evenly in the air fryer.
Cooking Capacity
The maximum amount of food that can be cooked at once in an air fryer. Exceeding capacity causes uneven cooking and crowding prevents air circulation.
Example: Check your air fryer's cooking capacity before preparing large batches of food.
Heating Element
The coil or heating mechanism at the top of the air fryer that generates the hot air used for cooking. Needs regular cleaning to prevent smoke.
Example: Wipe the heating element monthly with a damp cloth to prevent grease buildup and smoking.
Temperature Probe
An optional thermometer inserted into food to check internal temperature without opening the air fryer. Helps ensure food is cooked to safe temperatures.
Example: Use a temperature probe to verify that chicken reaches 165°F internally.
Frozen Foods
Pre-cooked frozen items that can be cooked directly in the air fryer without thawing. Usually requires 5-7 minutes longer than fresh food.
Example: Cook frozen french fries directly in the air fryer for crispy results in 15 minutes.
Marinating
Soaking food in a flavored liquid (marinade) before cooking. Adds flavor and can help prevent drying. Pat dry before air frying.
Example: Marinate chicken wings overnight for maximum flavor before air frying.
Seasoning
Adding salt, spices, and herbs to food before cooking. Seasoning enhances flavor and helps create a flavorful crust through browning.
Example: Season your chicken generously with salt, pepper, and paprika before air frying.
Quick Reference by Category
Equipment & Parts
- • Air Fryer Basket
- • Ceramic Coated Basket
- • Basket Ventilation
- • Heating Element
- • Temperature Probe
Cooking Techniques
- • Preheating
- • Shake or Flip
- • Single Layer Cooking
- • Marinating
- • Seasoning
Recipe Conversion
- • Recipe Conversion
- • Temperature Conversion Formula
- • Cook Time Adjustment
- • Maillard Reaction
Accessories & Materials
- • Parchment Paper
- • Aluminum Foil
- • Oil Spray
- • Baking Powder
Settings & Functions
- • Convection Heating
- • Dehydration Setting
- • Reheat Function
- • Smoke Point
Food Types
- • Frozen Foods
- • Cooking Capacity
- • Grease Splatter
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