Your air fryer is basically a tiny, aggressive convection oven. Don’t overthink it. Don’t stress about the icons. Don’t feel like you have to use every button just because it’s there. You only need a couple of basic controls to make incredible meals—everything else is just decoration.
Want to master your air fryer without the nonsense? Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every recipe without the guesswork.
f you’ve ever stood in front of your air fryer squinting at all those little icons like they’re hieroglyphics, you’re not alone. I’ve been teaching air fryer cooking since 2017, and trust me—everyone from total beginners to seasoned home cooks has muttered, “Why are there so many buttons?” at least once. The good news? Most of those buttons are optional fluff. Yep, I said it. Your air fryer isn’t as complicated as the control panel wants you to think. Let’s break down what these buttons really do and which ones you actually need.
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Air Fryer Cheat Sheet (Printable)
Air Fryer Cooking Times-Printable Cheat Sheet in Celsius
Do You Even Need All Those Buttons?
Short answer: nope.
Long answer: Air fryers love to pretend they’re fancy appliances with a button for every mood—but underneath all the marketing, they basically do two things: heat the air and move the air. That’s it. You could cook 99% of recipes with only the temperature button and time button, and your food would turn out perfectly.
But since manufacturers insist on decorating the control panel like a cheap slot machine, let’s walk through the most common buttons so you know what’s worth pressing—and what’s just there to make the machine look expensive.
Common Air Fryer Buttons & What They Actually Mean
Air Fry Button
This is the “main” function. Think of it as the default mode. It does exactly what you expect—hot air circulating fast. Use it for nearly anything.
Use it for: fries, wings, chicken breasts, veggies, frozen foods, breaded foods, everything.
Bake Button
Same technology, different label. The only real difference might be a slightly lower fan speed, but honestly, most air fryers barely change anything.
Use it for: cakes, muffins, brownies, banana bread, casseroles, quiches.
Roast Button
Just another air fry setting in disguise. Usually cooks at a moderate heat with a steady fan.
Use it for: whole chicken, pork tenderloin, roasted veggies.
Broil Button
This is one you’ll want to remember. Broil uses top heat only, usually at a very high temp. Perfect for finishing and browning.
Use it for: melting cheese, getting a crispy top, browning casseroles, toasting garlic bread.
Don’t use it for: anything unattended unless you enjoy smoke alarms.
Reheat Button
It’s basically a microwave glow-up. Low heat, gentle air flow.
Use it for: pizza slices, leftover fries, cooked chicken.
Dehydrate Button
This one actually does what it says. Low temps + slow fan.
Use it for: fruit chips, jerky, drying herbs.
Warm Button
Keeps things cozy, not cooking. Think of it like a very mild sauna for your food.
Toast or Bagel Button (Some Models)
Mostly for marketing, but it does dial in more direct heat.
Use it for: toasting bread if you don’t want to drag out the toaster.
What About All Those Food Icons?
Ah yes, the infamous chicken leg symbol. The shrimp picture. The fries icon. Cute, but… not helpful. Every brand sets those presets differently, and they’re usually wrong.
Here’s the truth:
Food presets are just time-and-temp shortcuts. They are NOT magical settings and you do NOT need them.
You’re better off using:
- Temperature button
- Time button
- Your own judgment (or my recipes!)
So Which Buttons Do You Really Need?
If you want the honest list, here it is:
✔ Power
✔ Temperature
✔ Time
✔ Start/Pause
Everything else is optional. Helpful? Sometimes. Necessary? Almost never.
Quick Cheat Sheet
- Cooking meat? Air Fry
- Baking? Bake
- Crisping the top? Broil
- Leftovers? Reheat
- Drying fruit? Dehydrate
- Unsure? Use Air Fry and trust the process
Why Manufacturers Add So Many Buttons
Because it looks “advanced.” That’s the whole answer. People love gadgets that seem high-tech, even if the fancy labels don’t actually do anything special.
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