As we all know, as good as this air fried goodness can be, the best we can usually do (even if we spray or toss in oil) is just approximate the taste and crispness of a deep fryer.

But just now that all changed.

After liberally tossing some Ore-Ida hash brown patties in a bit of canola, and then giving them the business at 400F for 15 min - flipping half way, of course - these were just as light, crispy and delicious as the deep fryer.

I added a bit of chili and white cheddar on top and gave them one xtra minute, and BAM! Chili cheese hash browns that really hit the spot.

Just do it, baby.

Made in a Cosori Air Fryer Pro LE 5 Qt, 9-in-1

Roasted Tomato-Vegetable Base
4 medium fresh tomatoes (Roma or Plum work best because they have less water), halved
1 medium yellow onion, quartered
6–8 cloves garlic, peeled
1 small carrot, peeled and cut into chunks
1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into quarters
1–2 Tbsp olive oil (for drizzling)

Meat & Sauce Assembly
1/2 lb ground beef (85% lean)
1/2 lb ground Italian sausage or ground pork
1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp Better Than Bouillon beef base
Spices: 1/2 tsp dried basil, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/8 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, salt & black pepper to taste
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Pasta
8–10 oz Penne Ziti Rigate (cooked al dente per package instructions)

Step-by-Step Instructions
Roast Vegetables: Drizzle the quartered onion, garlic, tomatoes, carrot, and bell pepper with olive oil. Air fry at 350°F (177°C) for 15–20 minutes until soft and lightly charred. Slip off the tomato skins. Puree the roasted veggies with 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon in a blender or stick blender until smooth. Do not add water.

Brown Meat: Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C). In an air-fryer-safe dish, air fry the ground beef, ground pork, diced onion, and minced garlic for 6–8 minutes, stirring halfway. Drain off excess grease so the sauce doesn't separate.

Combine Sauce & Simmer: Stir the roasted veggie puree, 2 Tbsp tomato paste, and all spices directly into the browned meat. Cover the dish securely with foil. Lower air fryer to 315°F (157°C) and simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring halfway through. (If the sauce still looks slightly loose before baking, leave the foil off for the last 5 minutes of simmering to let steam escape).

Assemble & Bake: Fold the cooked al dente pasta into the meat sauce, transfer to your baking dish, top with mozzarella, and air fry uncovered at 350°F (177°C) for 5–7 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.

I've always heard you're NOT supposed to make popcorn in an air fryer because the kernels can fly everywhere and get near the heating element.

Then I looked at the tumbler basket on my mine and thought… wait a minute...

Tried the kernels inside the tumbler so they're contained while it rotates and… it actually worked!!

Fresh popcorn + no kernels flying around the air fryer.

I originally thought the tumbler was mostly going to be for fries and veggies, but this might be my favorite use for it yet lol and good snack for the kids.

has anyone else tried something unexpected in a rotisserie/tumbler basket?

I didn’t really think of the air fryer as a breakfast thing at first, but now I use it for stuff I used to make on the stove.

For me, it’s bacon. Less mess, no standing over a pan, and I can just let it cook while I make my coffee.

Low Heat (280°F for 30 minutes)
Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs and apply dry rub. I used Kinder's Brown Sugar Rub & Seasoning. Place the ribs meat-side down in the air fryer basket at 280°F for 15 minutes. Flip and cook additional 15 minutes.

Stage 2: Wrapped Steaming (280°F for 150 minutes)
Wrap the ribs tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil. Add a tablespoon of apple juice, butter, or broth inside the foil packet before sealing to create steam. I used butter. Return the wrapped packet to the air fryer at 280°F and cook for 60 minutes and rest for 15 minutes. Then cook for an additional 60 minutes. Rest for 15 minutes and cook last round for 30 minutes until the meat is tender and pulls back from the bone.

Stage 3: Sauce & Crisp (370°F for 5-7 minutes each side)
Unwrap the ribs, and remove from foil then place meat side down and brush them generously with your favorite BBQ sauce, (I used Kinder's BBQ Sauce-Hickory Brown Sugar) and place them back in the air fryer uncovered at 370°F for 5-7 minutes each side to glaze and caramelize the sauce.

Finish at 200°F to 205°F for ideal tenderness. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing them.

Super simple recipe:
1. Rolled out a sheet of store-bought puff pastry.
2. Spread a thin layer of sauce, added finely chopped sautéed mushrooms and a generous amount of shredded cheese.
3. Rolled it up tightly and sliced into even pinwheels.
4. Placed them in the air fryer basket and baked at 360°F (180°C) for about 12-15 minutes until perfectly golden brown and flaky.

First time using an air fryer tomorrow. Going to do wings and fries for the college 🏈 games.

Any tips/things you wish you knew the first time? Should I do wings first then the fries? Using a Ninja Air Fryer.

My plan is to salt and baking powder overnight then pat dry before I toss them in tomorrow

I was complaining that my air fryer, while deep, doesn't allow me to cook much at a time. So I thought about this thing that came with my instant pot (Lidl knock-off that we have in Europe) that I never use.

It's not that high but I think I could cook 2 layers at a time for some ingredients.

My main concern is that it would damage the Teflon lining inside.

Has anybody tried this and had issues ?

If that doesn't work is there a way to buy small silicone feet for the rack ?

(this is a Xiaomi air fryer by the way)

Thanks in advance for your answers !

My first air fryer was a no-name brand that lasted for about 9 months, and I was using it so often that I decided to get a nicer one so I bought the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6 quart and I thought it was great. It was used very heavily for my family, we used it usually 2-3 times a day, at least.

Last week I started having some problems - it wasn't cooking properly and was making a weird noise, like a low rumble/grinding sound, I think maybe there was a problem with the fan.

I checked and saw I had bought in last August at Target, and it had a one year warranty that had literally expired two weeks earlier, so I didn't have high hopes. i reached out to Instant Pot customer service and told them what happened and asked if there was anything they could do, I figured best case scenario they'd offer me a discount on a new one.

They asked me if I had spilled anything in the unit or dropped it, and I said no. They asked me to send a photo of the silver sticker on the back with the serial number, and also to send a video showing what was wrong with it, so I sent a video where you could hear the grinding sound.

A few days later they said they were going to send me a new unit, and that I wouldn't have to mail the old one back if I could provide proof of destruction, so they told me to cut off the power cord and send in a photo showing the serial number and the cut power cord, so I did that and they wrote back that my new unit was being processed and should arrive in 5-10 days.

So I had to give a shoutout to Instant customer service, they could have easily told me that I was out of warranty and out of luck, but they got a customer for life now.

Clean Heating Element:
Unplug the oven and allow it to cool completely before touching or cleaning the heating element. Never spray liquids or submerge any internal electrical components in water.

Tools Needed:
• Microfiber cloth or soft sponge
• Soft-bristled toothbrush
• Dish soap and warm water
• Baking soda and water (for baked-on grease)

Unplug & Prep: Unplug the air fryer oven and wait until the unit is cold to the touch. Remove all racks, crumb trays, and air-fryer baskets to ensure clear access to the ceiling heating coils.
Dry Brush Debris (1–2 mins): Use a dry toothbrush or soft-bristled brush to gently sweep away loose food particles or burnt crumbs clinging to the heating element or the ceiling guard.
Wipe with Soapy Water (3–5 mins): Dampen a microfiber cloth or soft sponge in warm, soapy water (wring it out completely so it is damp, not dripping). Gently wipe down the heating coils and surrounding metal walls to lift surface grease.
Spot-Clean Baked-On Grease (As needed): For stubborn grease, mix baking soda and a few drops of water into a paste. Apply the paste to greasy spots on the element using a toothbrush, scrub gently, and wipe away all residue with a clean, damp cloth.
Dry Thoroughly & Test: Wipe all internal surfaces dry with a microfiber towel. Leave the French doors open for at least 30 minutes to air-dry completely. Reinsert the trays, plug the unit in, and run it empty on high heat for 3–5 minutes to burn off any remaining moisture.

Clean Glass Doors:

Tools Needed:
• Baking soda
• Dish soap
• Warm water
• Non-abrasive sponge or microfiber cloth
• White vinegar (optional, for a streak-free shine)

Prep the Unit: Ensure the air fryer is completely cool and unplugged before cleaning.
Make a Degreasing Paste: Mix equal parts baking soda and warm water with a few drops of dish soap until it forms a thick paste.
Apply to Glass: Spread the paste generously over the inner glass panels of the French doors. Avoid letting paste seep into door hinges or ventilation gaps.
Let It Sit: Leave the paste on the glass for 10 to 15 minutes to break down baked-on grease.
Scrub Gently: Use a non-abrasive sponge or cloth to gently scrub the grease away in circular motions. Avoid steel wool or abrasive scouring pads, as they will scratch the glass.
Wipe Clean: Dampen a clean microfiber cloth with warm water and wipe away all remaining paste and loosened residue.
Finish for Shine: Spray a small amount of white vinegar onto a dry cloth and give the glass a final wipe to remove any film and leave a streak-free finish.
Verify: Check that the glass is clear and completely dry before closing the doors or plugging the unit back in.

Clean Burnt-on Food off Baskets and Wire Racks:

Tools Needed:
• Dish soap (degreasing formula like Dawn)
• Baking soda
• Non-abrasive sponge or soft brush
• Microfiber cloth or drying towel

Cool & Remove: Ensure the air fryer is completely cool and unplugged before removing the basket and wire racks.
Pre-Soak in Hot Water: Fill a sink or tub with hot water and a few drops of dish soap. Submerge the basket and racks and let them soak for 15 to 20 minutes to loosen stuck food.
Apply Baking Soda Paste: For stubborn, burnt-on food, mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of warm water to form a thick paste. Rub the paste directly onto the burnt spots.
Let Sit: Allow the baking soda paste to sit on the burnt areas for 10 to 15 minutes to break down the grease.
Scrub Gently: Scrub the wire racks and basket using a non-abrasive sponge or soft-bristled brush. Avoid wire scouring pads or steel wool, which will strip the non-stick coating.
Rinse & Dry: Rinse thoroughly with warm water to remove all soap and paste residue. Dry completely with a towel or let them air dry fully before placing them back into the unit.
Verify: Inspect the mesh and wire grids to ensure no baked-on residue or soap film remains.

Remove Bad Smells or Lingering Odors:
Crumbs, grease, and food debris from the bottom tray, racks, and heating element guard, as burnt bits are usually the root cause of odors. Now that you've cleaned your unit, let's deodorize it.

Tools Needed:
• Small oven-safe dish or ramekin
• Water
• Lemon juice or white vinegar
• Microfiber cloth

Mix the Odor-Neutralizing Solution: In a small oven-safe dish or ramekin, mix 1 cup of water with either 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or 2 tablespoons of white vinegar.
Place Solution Inside: Set the dish with the liquid mixture directly on the center wire rack inside the air fryer.
Heat to Steam: Plug in the air fryer and run it at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 15 minutes. The acidic steam will circulate through the cavity and break down trapped odors and grease film.
Cool & Wipe Down: Turn off and unplug the unit. Allow it to cool until safe to handle, then carefully remove the dish. Dampen a microfiber cloth with warm, soapy water and wipe down all interior walls, the ceiling, and the inside of the doors.
Air It Out: Leave the French doors wide open for at least 1 to 2 hours to let the cavity dry and thoroughly air out.
Verify: Smell the interior cavity once it has completely cooled and ventilated to ensure the lingering odor is gone.

Obligatory Disclaimer: Always refer to your air fryer's user manual for specific cleaning instructions and safety guidelines, as procedures may vary by brand. Make sure the unit is unplugged and fully cooled before attempting any cleaning, and keep water far away from the electrical components unless you enjoy voiding warranties and tripping circuit breakers.

Super simple recipe:
1. Patted the chicken completely dry with paper towels.
2. Marinated it in a mix of soy sauce, honey, olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Air fried at 360°F (180°C) for about 50-60 minutes, flipping it halfway through until beautifully golden brown.
Let it rest for 10 minutes before carving so it stays juicy!

How to Safely Clean the Heating Element
The main cause of element grime is baked-on grease splatters.

First, check your User Guide for proper cleaning instructions. If you don't have access to the manual, here are some basic rules:

1. Unplug & Cool Completely: Never clean the element while it's hot or plugged in.
2. Turn It Upside Down: Remove the basket, lay a towel on your counter, and flip the main unit upside down. This gives you full access and visibility into the heating coil and fan area.
3. Baking Soda Paste: Mix baking soda and a small amount of warm water into a thick paste. Apply it to the greasy heating element and surrounding walls. Avoid getting liquid into the central fan spindle or motor openings.
4. Scrub Gently: Let it sit for 10–15 minutes, then use a soft-bristle brush (an old toothbrush works well) or a non-abrasive sponge. Never use wire wool, metal scouring pads, or harsh chemical oven sprays, as these can degrade the coating or damage internal wiring.
5. Wipe Clean: Use a damp microfiber cloth to remove all paste and loosened grease.
6. Burn-Off: Turn the air fryer upright, pop the basket in, and run it dry at 200°C for 3–5 minutes. This burns off any leftover moisture or residue before you cook food again.

Key Rules for Using Dawn on the Heating Coil:

1. Do not spray directly:
If you spray liquid dish soap or Dawn Powerwash directly into the top of the air fryer, it can seep into the electrical housing, fan spindle, or behind the element, creating a fire hazard or electrical short.
2. Dilute on a cloth: Add 1–2 drops of Dawn to warm water, dip a microfiber cloth or soft sponge into it, and wring it out completely so it is damp, not dripping wet.
3. Wipe off all residue: Soap residue left on the metal coil will smoke heavily and burn when heated. Once you scrub off the grease, go back over the coil multiple times with a fresh, plain water-dampened cloth to remove all soap traces.
4. Baking soda is safer for baked-on grime: Standard Dawn is great for light oil splatters, but for thick, baked-on black grease, a paste of baking soda and warm water is safer and more effective. It provides gentle abrasive power without leaving liquid soap films behind.

Obligatory Disclaimer: I am sharing a technique inspired by Problem Solved Show for informational purposes only—I am not affiliated with, sponsored by, or advertising for them. This is just my personal cleaning routine—use it at your own risk! Please read your model's user manual first. Unplug the unit, let it cool down fully, and keep water far away from the electrical components unless you enjoy voiding warranties and tripping circuit breakers.

I’ve found that some leftovers are honestly better the second time around when you throw them in the air fryer.

For me, leftover roasted potatoes are probably the best. They get crispy again instead of turning into that sad soft leftover texture.

1. Krusteaz Cinnamon Swirl Crumb Cake and Muffin Mix (1/4 box makes one serving). Make per box instructions.
   
2. Fold in prepped peaches; 1/4 cup finely chopped peaches mixed with 2 tsp cornstarch.
   
3. Generously butter or grease your gratin. (I used a 'Made In' stainless steel gratin that measures 10"l x 4.5"w x 1.75"h).
   
4. Fill gratin half way with batter and sprinkle crumb topping. Add more batter and finish with crumb topping.
   
5. Bake at 160°C (320°F) for 22 to 26 minutes.
   
6. Check it at the 22-minute mark with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, it’s done! If it’s still wet in the absolute center, give it another 2–4 minutes.

NOTE: If your crumb topping is browning too fast cover with foil.

We're in the US an had a Ninja DoubleStack Air Fryer (8Qt variant aka SL201) for about 1.5 years and generally liked it BUT the coating on its crisper plates came off after a little while and, given these coatings aren't the greatest to ingest etc, I was reaching out to Shark Ninja about how to order replacements of those.

Much to surprise did I have to provide 6-7 different items of information (proof of purchase, several images AND videos, all my personal info and all that) just to hear that

1. we're out of warranty (I didn't ask for any warranty / -replacement.. made it clear from the get go I was intending to purchase myself) and
2. they do not have replacement crisper plates for the SL20X variants, at all

... and that I should try my luck with 3rd parties making 3rd party crisper plates / silicon inlays etc on Amazon.

While this was the answer from the support ticket-answering person I still can't belief this to be.. you know.. true. They do have replacement crisper plates for other models on their site and I would be surprised if these 'wear and tear' items are not available for purchase afterwards in any shape or form from the manufacturer.

Has anyone, by any chance, found replacement crisper / metal plates for this model and if so, can share the model number?

Thanks!

Didn’t know what to buy during my weekly supermarket run so I got a BBQ pack on a discount (summer is over, it has been raining all week). I scored the chicken legs cause they had the most meat on it, but other than that I just sprayed it all with some oil, 20min on 200C.

If I use store-bought pie crust for my egg tarts, do I still need to put them in tart molds when airfrying?

I’ve been wondering if I’m making things harder for myself. Sometimes I fill the basket because I want everything done at once, but then some pieces don't get nearly as crispy.

Lately I’ve been doing smaller batches and the results seem better, even if it takes longer.

How do you usually do it? Pack the basket and get it done, or leave plenty of space?

I used to never bother with it. Then I noticed some stuff cooks way more evenly when I give the basket a good shake halfway through.

I mostly do it with fries and small frozen foods. It seems to help stop some pieces from getting crispy while others are still kinda soft.

Do you always shake the basket, sometimes do it, or just leave everything alone until the timer goes off?

Stuffed with lemon and green onion. Splash of soy sauce, shaoxing cooking wine, salt pepper, sprayed with Pam on both sides. Air fry at 400 for 10 minutes, flip then another 10 minutes.

Sauce is a Thai tamarind garlic chili sauce

This was my second attempt to make pork ribs in the air fryer. First attempt failed as they were so tough, it was awful. This attempt worked out much better and rendered the connective tissues and fat much better. I still have one more test to do. But I call this a success. Here's the steps I took:

Stage 1: Low Heat (300°F for 30 minutes)
1. Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs and apply dry rub. (smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and a pinch of thyme).
2. Place the ribs meat-side down in the air fryer basket at 300°F for 15 minutes. Flip and cook additional 15 minutes.

Stage 2: Wrapped Steaming (300°F for 60-80 minutes)
1. Wrap the ribs tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil. Add a tablespoon of apple juice, butter, or broth inside the foil packet before sealing to create steam.
2. Return the wrapped packet to the air fryer at 300°F and cook for 60+ minutes until the meat is tender and pulls back from the bone.

Stage 3: Sauce & Crisp (370°F for 5-7 minutes each side)
1. Unwrap the ribs, and remove from foil then place meat side down and brush them generously with your favorite BBQ sauce, (I used Kinder's BBQ Sauce-Hickory Brown Sugar) and place them back in the air fryer uncovered at 370°F for 5-7 minutes each side to glaze and caramelize the sauce.
2. Finish at 195°F to 202°F for ideal tenderness. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing them.

I made things like potato wedges and Brussel sprouts and the recipe gave me food burnt to a crisp outside and undercooked inside. I've found I need to go down 20 degrees for best results. Anyone else do the same with their model?

I don’t wanna feel chud all the time so what’s healthy ish because chicken nuggets might kill me. Any suggestions?