Air Fryer Hacks: 18 Little Tricks That Make Everything Crispier, From Leftover Pizza to Thanksgiving Sides

Air fryer hacks can turn a so-so appliance into the one you use every single day. Most of us bought an air fryer, made frozen fries a few times and then wondered why the food was not as crispy as the videos. The answer is usually a few small habits: preheating, not crowding the basket, a little oil, a quick shake. These tips are hugely popular online too, with air fryer hack videos on YouTube pulling in millions of views. Below, each trick comes with one easy recipe to try it on, from crispy wings to a Thanksgiving side that frees up your oven. Start with the first one tonight and you will taste the difference..

Preheat for 3 Minutes, the First of Our Air Fryer Hacks

Preheat it for 3 minutes. That one small step is why restaurant fries are crisp and home fries go limp. When cold food goes into a cold basket, it starts to steam before it browns. A few minutes of preheating means the outside starts crisping the second the food goes in. Many newer models have a preheat button, but you can simply run it empty at your cooking temperature. Did you know about this one..

You will need: 1 bag (2 lb) frozen french fries, 2 lb chicken wings, 1 tbsp oil, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 cup barbecue sauce.

How to make it: 1. Run the empty air fryer at 380 F for 3 minutes. 2. Pat the wings dry and toss with the oil, salt and garlic powder. 3. Cook the wings in one layer 22 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway, until 165 F inside. 4. Toss them in warm barbecue sauce. 5. Cook the frozen fries at 400 F for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking twice. 6. Serve together while hot.

Don’t Crowd the Basket, the Air Fryer Hack That Fixes Soggy Wings

An air fryer is really a small, powerful convection oven. It needs hot air moving around every piece. Pile the basket high and the food steams instead of crisps. Cook in a single layer with a little space between pieces, even if that means two batches. The first batch stays warm in a low oven. Have you ever stuffed the basket full and wondered why it came out pale?

You will need: 2 lb chicken wings (split, tips removed), 1 tbsp oil, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 cup barbecue or buffalo sauce.

How to make it: 1. Pat the wings very dry. 2. Toss with the oil and seasonings. 3. Preheat the air fryer to 380 F. 4. Lay half the wings in one layer. 5. Cook 22 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway, until crisp and 165 F inside. 6. Repeat with the rest and toss all the wings in warm sauce.

Air Fryer Hacks for Oil: Use a Teaspoon, Not a Spray Can

Among all air fryer hacks, this one saves your basket. Air fried food still needs a little fat to turn golden. Toss the food in a bowl with a teaspoon or two of oil instead of spraying the basket. Many air fryer makers warn that aerosol cooking sprays can build up and wear down nonstick coatings over time. A bowl toss also coats every side evenly. Do you use a mister, a brush or the bowl method?

You will need: 3 medium russet potatoes, 2 tsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, 2 tbsp grated parmesan (optional).

How to make it: 1. Scrub the potatoes and cut each into 8 wedges. 2. Soak in cold water 15 minutes, then dry well. 3. Toss in a bowl with the oil and seasonings. 4. Preheat to 400 F. 5. Cook in one layer 18 to 20 minutes, shaking halfway. 6. Sprinkle with parmesan and serve hot.

Shake the Basket Halfway, One of the Easiest Air Fryer Hacks

Set a timer for the halfway point and give the basket a good shake, or flip bigger pieces with tongs. The side touching the basket browns slower, so a quick shake means every floret gets crispy edges. This is one of those air fryer hacks that takes five seconds and makes a big difference. Broccoli is the perfect test, because even broccoli skeptics like it this way.

You will need: 1 large head broccoli (cut into florets), 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 2 tbsp grated parmesan, zest of 1/2 lemon.

How to make it: 1. Wash the florets and dry them well. 2. Toss with the oil, salt and garlic powder. 3. Preheat to 375 F. 4. Cook 5 minutes, then shake the basket. 5. Cook 3 to 5 minutes more until the edges are dark and crisp. 6. Toss with parmesan and lemon zest.

Pat Food Dry, One of the Air Fryer Hacks for a Better Crust

Water is the enemy of crispy. Before seasoning chicken, fish, potatoes or tofu, press it dry with paper towels. Wet surfaces have to steam off their moisture before they can brown, so dry food crisps faster and more evenly. For chicken skin, a little baking powder in the rub helps even more. Crispy skin lovers, this one is for you.

You will need: 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, 1 tsp baking powder (not soda), 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp black pepper.

How to make it: 1. Pat the thighs very dry with paper towels. 2. Mix the baking powder and seasonings. 3. Rub the mix all over the skin. 4. Preheat to 380 F. 5. Cook skin side down 10 minutes, then flip. 6. Cook 12 to 15 minutes more until the skin is crisp and the meat reaches 165 F.

Parchment Liners Are Safe Only With Food on Top

Perforated parchment liners make cleanup easy, especially with fish and sticky glazes. But never preheat the air fryer with an empty liner inside. The fan can lift it into the heating element. Always put the liner in with the food on top weighing it down. Do you line your basket, or just soak it after?

You will need: 2 salmon fillets (6 oz each), 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 garlic clove (minced), salt and pepper, lemon slices, 1 perforated parchment liner.

How to make it: 1. Preheat the empty air fryer to 400 F. 2. Mix the oil, honey, soy sauce and garlic. 3. Season the salmon and brush with the glaze. 4. Place the liner in the basket and set the salmon on top right away. 5. Cook 7 to 9 minutes until the salmon flakes. 6. Serve with lemon slices.

Air Fryer Hacks for Leftover Pizza That Crisp the Crust Again

The microwave turns leftover pizza chewy. The air fryer brings it back to life in about four minutes, with a crisp bottom and melted cheese on top. Use a slightly lower temperature so the cheese does not burn before the crust heats through. It is one of the most useful air fryer hacks for busy families. Cold pizza for breakfast or reheated: which side are you on?

You will need: 2 to 4 slices leftover pizza, a pinch of dried oregano, red pepper flakes (optional).

How to make it: 1. Preheat the air fryer to 350 F. 2. Place the slices in one layer. 3. Cook 3 to 4 minutes for thin crust. 4. Cook 5 to 6 minutes for thick crust. 5. Check that the cheese is bubbling. 6. Sprinkle with oregano or pepper flakes and eat.

Bring Leftover Fries Back to Life

Takeout fries are sad by the time you get home, and worse the next day. A few minutes in a hot air fryer pulls the moisture out and makes them crunchy again. Spread them out, do not pile them, and give them a shake. Here is the bonus: you can make fresh homemade fries the same way.

You will need: Leftover fries, or for fresh fries: 2 large russet potatoes, 1 tbsp oil, 1/2 tsp salt.

How to make it: 1. For leftovers, preheat to 375 F and cook 3 to 5 minutes, shaking once. 2. For fresh fries, cut the potatoes into thin sticks. 3. Soak in cold water 30 minutes and dry well. 4. Toss with the oil. 5. Cook at 380 F for 15 to 18 minutes, shaking twice. 6. Salt right away.

Air Fryer Hacks for Snacks: Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas in 15 Minutes

Roasted chickpeas are one of the best air fryer hacks for snack lovers. A can of chickpeas turns into a crunchy, salty snack that tastes like corn nuts. The secret is drying them very well and peeling off any loose skins. Season them sweet with cinnamon sugar or savory with ranch seasoning. Which flavor would you try first?

You will need: 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas (rinsed and drained), 1 tsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp garlic powder.

How to make it: 1. Dry the chickpeas very well with a towel. 2. Remove any loose skins. 3. Preheat to 390 F. 4. Cook the plain chickpeas 10 minutes, shaking once. 5. Toss with the oil and seasonings. 6. Cook 4 to 6 minutes more until crunchy and cool before storing.

Toast Nuts and Breadcrumbs in Minutes

Toasting pecans for pie or breadcrumbs for a casserole topping usually means babysitting a skillet. In the air fryer it takes 3 to 5 minutes at a lower heat. Keep them in a small pan or foil tray so nothing blows around, and check often, because nuts go from toasted to burnt fast. Pecan pie bakers, take note.

You will need: 1 cup pecan halves or walnut pieces, or 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs mixed with 1 tbsp melted butter, a pinch of salt, a small oven-safe pan.

How to make it: 1. Preheat the air fryer to 320 F. 2. Spread the nuts or crumbs in a small pan. 3. Cook 3 minutes. 4. Shake the pan and check the color. 5. Cook 1 to 2 minutes more if needed. 6. Pour onto a plate right away so they stop cooking.

Air Fryer Hacks for Eggs: ‘Hard-Boiled’ With No Water

Yes, you can cook eggs in the shell right in the basket, with no pot of water to boil. The shells may get a few brown spots, but the inside cooks just like a boiled egg. Move them straight to an ice bath and they peel easily. It is perfect for meal prep or deviled eggs for the holidays. Have you tried it yet?

You will need: 6 large eggs (straight from the fridge), a bowl of ice water, salt and pepper.

How to make it: 1. Preheat the air fryer to 270 F. 2. Place the eggs in the basket in one layer. 3. Cook 15 to 17 minutes for firm yolks, or 11 to 13 for jammy yolks. 4. Move the eggs to the ice water at once. 5. Chill 10 minutes. 6. Peel, slice and season.

Air Fryer Hacks for Frozen Foods: Skip the Thaw

Frozen snacks are made for the air fryer. Do not thaw them first, because thawed breaded foods get soggy and cheese leaks out. Cook from frozen, at a little lower heat than the oven package says, and add a few minutes. Homemade mozzarella sticks freeze beautifully, so make a batch to keep for game day.

You will need: 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks (cut in half), 1/2 cup flour, 2 eggs (beaten), 1 1/2 cups Italian breadcrumbs, cooking oil, warm marinara for dipping.

How to make it: 1. Coat each piece in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. 2. Dip again in egg and crumbs for a double coat. 3. Freeze at least 1 hour (or up to 2 months). 4. Preheat to 390 F and brush lightly with oil. 5. Cook from frozen 6 to 7 minutes until golden. 6. Serve with marinara.

Use a Thermometer, Not a Guess

Air fryers cook fast and every model runs a little different, so the time in a recipe is only a guide. A cheap instant-read thermometer takes out the guessing. The USDA says chicken is safe at 165 F, and pulling it right at that point keeps it juicy instead of dry. Do you own a meat thermometer yet?

You will need: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, an instant-read thermometer.

How to make it: 1. Pound the thick end of each breast so it is even. 2. Rub with oil and the spices. 3. Preheat to 380 F. 4. Cook 9 minutes and flip. 5. Cook 5 to 8 minutes more and check the thickest part. 6. Remove at 165 F and rest 5 minutes before slicing.

Air Fryer Hacks for Thanksgiving: Free Up the Oven

On Thanksgiving the oven is full of turkey. The air fryer becomes a second oven for sides that need high heat, like crispy Brussels sprouts, roasted carrots or reheating stuffing so the top gets crunchy. For more holiday ideas, see our air fryer holiday recipes. Which side will you move to the air fryer this year?

You will need: 1 1/2 lb Brussels sprouts (trimmed and halved), 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, 4 slices cooked bacon (chopped), 1 tbsp balsamic glaze.

How to make it: 1. Toss the sprouts with the oil and salt. 2. Preheat to 375 F. 3. Cook 12 to 15 minutes, shaking twice. 4. Check that the outer leaves are dark and crisp. 5. Toss with the bacon. 6. Drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving.

Use a Small Oven-Safe Dish for Mini Bakes

Any small oven-safe dish, ramekin or mini cake pan that fits in the basket turns the air fryer into a tiny oven. That means single-serve baked oats, a mini mac and cheese or a two-person casserole without heating the whole kitchen. Use oven mitts to lift it out. Would you rather have baked oats or a mini cobbler?

You will need: 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats, 1/2 mashed ripe banana, 1 egg, 1/3 cup milk, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp chocolate chips, one 10 oz ramekin.

How to make it: 1. Grease the ramekin. 2. Mix everything except the chocolate chips. 3. Pour into the ramekin and top with the chips. 4. Preheat to 320 F. 5. Cook 12 to 14 minutes until set in the middle. 6. Cool 5 minutes before eating.

Air Fryer Hacks for Bacon: A Splash of Water Underneath

Bacon in the air fryer comes out evenly crisp with no splatter on the stove. The catch is smoke from the grease. Many cooks pour a couple tablespoons of water into the drawer under the basket to catch the drips and keep smoke down. Lay the strips flat and do not overlap them. Chewy or extra crispy bacon at your house?

You will need: 8 slices regular-cut bacon, 2 tbsp water (for the drawer under the basket), paper towels.

How to make it: 1. Add the water to the bottom drawer. 2. Lay the bacon in a single layer, cutting strips in half if needed. 3. Do not preheat. 4. Cook at 350 F for 8 minutes. 5. Check and cook 2 to 4 minutes more for extra crisp. 6. Drain on paper towels.

Bake Just a Few Cookies When the Craving Hits

Keep a log of cookie dough in the freezer and bake just two or four at a time. In the air fryer they are done in about eight minutes, with crisp edges and a soft middle. Line the basket with parchment (with the dough on top) and leave room for spreading. Warm cookies on a weeknight with no full batch? Yes, please.

You will need: 1/2 cup softened butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 1/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup chocolate chips.

How to make it: 1. Cream the butter and sugars, then beat in the egg and vanilla. 2. Stir in the flour, baking soda and salt, then the chips. 3. Roll into balls and freeze extras on a tray. 4. Put parchment in the basket with 4 dough balls on top. 5. Cook at 320 F for 7 to 9 minutes. 6. Cool 5 minutes in the basket.

Clean It With Lemon Steam

Greasy baskets are the worst part of air frying. Put a small oven-safe dish of water with lemon slices in the basket and run it for a few minutes. The steam loosens stuck-on grease, and the lemon makes the kitchen smell fresh. When it cools, wipe it out with a soft sponge. This is the last of our air fryer hacks, and maybe the one you will use most.

You will need: 1 cup hot water, 1 lemon (sliced), 1 small oven-safe dish, a drop of dish soap, a soft sponge.

How to make it: 1. Start with a cool basket and wipe out loose crumbs. 2. Fill the dish with the hot water and lemon slices. 3. Set it in the basket. 4. Run at 350 F for 5 minutes. 5. Unplug and let it cool fully. 6. Wipe the basket and inside with soapy water and a soft sponge, never steel wool.