What Is the First Thing to Cook in a New Air Fryer? A Beginner’s Guide by Chef Emma

You just unboxed your air fryer. It’s sitting on your counter and you’re staring at it, wondering what to cook first — and whether you’ll mess it up. I’ve been there. And I’ve seen dozens of first-time air fryer cooks make the same avoidable mistakes.

I’m Chef Emma, and over years of testing kitchen appliances, the first cook in a new air fryer is always the same: it either hooks you for life or frustrates you into never using it again. The difference comes down to two things — what you cook first and how you prep the machine.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly what to cook, how to prep your air fryer correctly, and how to read your specific model like a pro. You’ll never need to guess again.

Why You Must Prep Your Air Fryer Before the First Cook

Most people skip this step entirely. They unbox the air fryer, toss in some food, and wonder why it smells odd or tastes faintly of chemicals. The reason is simple: every new air fryer has factory residue, lubricants, and coating agents on its internal surfaces. These burn off during initial heating — and you want that to happen without food in the basket.

During the manufacturing process, new air fryers can have a coating of residue or factory lubricants that affect the taste and cooking performance of your food. That plastic or chemical smell you notice the first time is exactly this residue burning off. The fix is a quick break-in process before any real cooking starts.

Before your first cook, it’s essential to properly prepare your new air fryer. Unlike other countertop appliances you can use right out of the box, your air fryer needs a little prep before you cook something in it. Think of it as the 10-minute investment that protects every meal you’ll ever make in this machine.

How to Season Your Air Fryer Basket Before First Use

Seasoning an air fryer basket works the same way as seasoning cast iron. This process creates a non-stick surface, prevents food from sticking, and protects the basket from rust. By applying a thin layer of oil, you fill in microscopic pores on the basket’s surface, creating a smooth cooking area.

Here’s how to do it right:

That whole process takes about 25 minutes. It’s boring — but it means every meal from this point on will taste cleaner, cook more evenly, and slide right out of the basket.

What Is the Best First Food to Cook in a New Air Fryer?

French fries are the single best first food to cook in a new air fryer. They’re simple, affordable, and require almost no prep skill. More importantly, they act as a calibration test for your specific machine — revealing how hot it actually runs, where the hot spots are, and how long things really take.

Most air fryers claim the same temperatures on their dials. But in practice, a 400°F setting on one brand can cook noticeably hotter than another. Your first batch of fries tells you exactly how your machine behaves. That data is worth more than any recipe you’ll ever read online.

French fries win because they show you results visually — golden brown means good timing, pale means more time needed, dark edges mean your machine runs hot. No guesswork. No thermometer needed.

How to Cook Perfect French Fries in Your New Air Fryer

Whether you use fresh potatoes or frozen fries, the process is nearly identical. The critical difference is that fresh-cut fries need a soak in cold water first. That soak pulls out excess starch and is the single biggest factor in getting truly crispy results — not just cooked ones.

Fresh Homemade French Fries (Recommended for First Cook)

Here’s what you need: 2 medium russet potatoes, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and salt. That’s it. Simple ingredients mean your focus stays on learning the machine — not the recipe.

Frozen French Fries (The Easiest First Cook)

If you want the simplest possible first cook, use frozen fries. They’re pre-cut, pre-seasoned, and already contain the right amount of oil. You just need to not overcrowd them.

Add frozen french fries to the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer for the best results. Cook for 8–12 minutes depending on the style of fry. Give the fries a good shake halfway through cooking. Thin shoestring fries take less time. Thick steak fries take more. Check at 8 minutes and add time as needed.

You might be thinking: “Aren’t frozen fries already fried once?” Yes — most are par-cooked. That’s actually why they work so well in an air fryer. The hot circulating air finishes them quickly without drying them out.

What Else Can You Cook First? 3 Other Great Beginner Options

French fries are the top pick — but not everyone wants fries. Here are 3 other strong choices for a first air fryer cook, each with a clear reason why they work well for a beginner.

Chicken Wings

Air fryer chicken wings are easy to make and take less than 30 minutes. Pat wings dry with paper towels before adding seasonings — this step is essential for the wings to be crispy. Place wings in the air fryer basket skin side up, turning every 5 minutes during cooking, until crispy and browned (15–20 minutes).

Wings are great for a first cook because the visual cues are obvious — golden brown skin tells you they’re done. Just don’t stack them. A single layer is non-negotiable.

Bacon

Bacon is the fastest way to see your air fryer perform. It cooks in 8–10 minutes at 375°F, produces zero mess (the drawer catches the grease), and comes out crispier than a pan. The only watch-out is smoke — if your air fryer starts smoking, the grease level is too high. Empty the drawer, add a tablespoon of water to the base, and continue.

Carrots

For a vegetable first cook, carrots are ideal. Cut them so they aren’t too small — they could fall through the basket. Add a tablespoon of oil to coat them and any seasoning you need, then put them in the air fryer in a single layer, not overlapping, for 10 to 15 minutes at 375°F (190°C). They come out caramelized and tender every time.

What Most People Get Wrong About Their New Air Fryer

This section covers the 3 most common misconceptions that lead to bad first cooks. Each one is extremely widespread — and each one is completely fixable once you know about it.

Misconception 1: “More food in the basket = more efficient cooking.” This is backwards. Air fryers work by circulating hot air at high speed around your food. When you crowd the basket, you block airflow. The result is steamed, soft food — not crispy air-fried food. Always cook in small batches. Two fast batches always beat one slow, soggy pile.

Misconception 2: “Cooking spray is safe to use on the non-stick basket.” It isn’t — at least not aerosol spray. You’re not supposed to use cooking sprays in an air fryer basket. The propellants and additives in aerosol sprays break down non-stick coatings over time. Use a pastry brush or pour a small amount of oil directly onto the food instead.

Misconception 3: “My air fryer’s temperature setting is accurate.” Most aren’t — at least not perfectly. Different air fryers cook at different temperatures depending on the wattage, the basket type, and how many fries you place in the basket, so cooking time will vary from machine to machine. Your first batch of fries is your calibration test. Note whether they cooked faster or slower than the recipe says. Adjust every future recipe by that offset.

Air Fryer First Cook Temperature and Timing Quick Reference

Once you’ve done your break-in and cooked your first batch of fries, you’ll want a simple reference for your next few cooks. This table covers the most common beginner foods with reliable starting points. All times assume a preheated air fryer and a single layer in the basket.

These are starting points — not guarantees. Your machine may run 10–15°F hotter or cooler than the dial says. Use your first few cooks to learn the offset, then apply it going forward.

Expert Tips for Getting the Most From Your First 5 Air Fryer Cooks

Your first cook teaches you the machine. Cooks 2 through 5 teach you the technique. Here’s what to focus on in those early sessions so you build real skill fast.

Always preheat. Preheating ensures that the appliance reaches the desired cooking temperature, resulting in evenly cooked meals. Most models need 3–5 minutes. If you skip it, your food starts cooking in a cold environment and the outside never gets the right crispiness.

Mix seasonings with oil before adding them to food. If you sprinkle dry seasonings directly onto your food, the hot circulating air can blow the seasonings off. Mix your spices with a teaspoon of oil first, then coat the food. Every bite gets flavor — not just the side the seasoning didn’t blow off.

Keep a cook log for your first 5 meals. Write down the food, the temperature, the time, and what the result looked like. This is how you learn your specific machine’s quirks in one week instead of one month.

Conclusion

The first thing to cook in a new air fryer is french fries — but only after you run the empty break-in preheat. That 10-minute step protects every future meal from factory residue and sets your basket’s non-stick surface. Skip it and your first cook will disappoint you through no fault of your own.

Your first batch of fries isn’t just dinner — it’s a calibration test. Pay attention to whether they finish faster or slower than the recipe says. That observation becomes your personal offset for every recipe going forward.

Air fryers reward simple cooking. Single layer, right temperature, regular shaking. Get those 3 things right and you’ll wonder how you ever cooked without one.

Do this right now: Fill your sink with warm soapy water and wash the air fryer basket. Dry it, run the 10-minute empty preheat, and you’ll be ready to make your first batch of fries tonight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to run a new air fryer empty before the first use?

Yes — always run a new air fryer empty for 10 minutes at 400°F before your first cook. New air fryers have factory residue and coating agents on their internal surfaces that burn off during initial heating. Skipping this step means that residue transfers directly into your first meal, causing an unpleasant smell and taste.

Can I use cooking spray in my air fryer basket?

Avoid aerosol cooking sprays on the air fryer basket. The propellants in aerosol sprays degrade non-stick coatings over time and can void your warranty. Instead, toss your food with a small amount of oil in a bowl before placing it in the basket, or use a brush to apply oil directly.

Why are my air fryer french fries not crispy?

The most common reason is overcrowding. When fries overlap or stack, hot air can’t circulate around them — they steam instead of crisp. Always cook in a single layer and shake the basket every 5 minutes. If fries are fresh-cut, soaking them in cold water for 20 minutes before cooking removes excess starch and dramatically improves crispiness.

How long should I preheat my air fryer before cooking?

Preheat your air fryer for 3–5 minutes before adding food. Most models reach their set temperature within that window. Preheating ensures food starts cooking immediately in a hot environment, which is critical for getting crispy exteriors on fries, wings, and other foods that depend on a fast initial sear.

What foods should beginners avoid cooking in an air fryer first?

Avoid baking (cakes, thick bread loaves), wet batters, and large roasts as your first air fryer cooks. Baked goods can cook unevenly and wet batter drips through the basket. These all require experience with your specific machine’s heat patterns before attempting. Start with fries, bacon, or wings — then graduate from there.