General
What is an Air Fryer?
An Air Fryer is a countertop appliance that circulates hot air to cook. Air fried food has the golden, crispy appearance and rich flavors of deep-fried food but is much healthier because the food is never submerged in oil or fat. An air fryer’s intense heat makes it ideal way to roast, bake, and broil your favorite foods and its size makes it perfect for kitchens that are tight on counter space.
How do Air Fryers Work?
An air fryer works in the same way a full-sized convection oven works; using a powerful fan to circulate hot air around the food to quickly brown it and give it a distinctive crispy, deep-fried flavor and texture without the deep frying. The Air Fryer’s temperature reaches a maximum 400°F to ensure thorough cooking and pronounced flavor.
Is air frying a healthier food preparation option than deep frying?
Yes! Air frying is a healthier choice in food preparation. Instead of submerging food in large quantities of oil or fat, simply toss your food in a small amount of oil to create beautiful, crispy golden french fries, chicken wings, fish and zucchini sticks, mushroom caps, and much more.
Where can I find recipes for the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven?
Visit our recipe site at https://recipes.instantpot.com/ or download our app https://instantpot.com/instant-pot-recipe-app-free-recipes/.
What is the best accessory to use when cooking smaller portions of meat in the Vortex Plus 10 Air Fryer?
We recommend using the air fryer basket to cook smaller portions such as fish fillets and chicken breasts.
Do I need to preheat the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven?
For faster cooking results, we recommend preheating the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven. Preheating takes up to 5 minutes and is completed when the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven cooking cavity reaches the target temperature.
How much time does it take to preheat the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven?
It takes up to 5 minutes to preheat the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven to the target temperature.
How many cooking methods are available with the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven?
The Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven gives you 6 Smart Programs to make cooking fast and easy: Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Reheat and Dehydrate.
Can I adjust cooking times and temperatures while the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven is in cooking mode?
While in cooking mode, cooking time and temperature are displayed alternately on the LCD display of the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven. Select Temp (Left) or Time (right) and use the + and – buttons to make adjustments.
Cooking time can be set anywhere from 1 to 60 minutes for non-dehydrate functions and from 1 to 15 hours for dehydrate functions
Cooking temperature can be set anywhere between 105 and 400 F.
Once you select Start, your adjustments are automatically saved for this program.
What happens if I do not turn my food when reminded to do so?
When using the Air Fry or Roast Smart Programs, the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven will beep for 10 seconds as a reminder to turn your food. After 10 seconds, the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven will continue to cook at the temperature and for the time you have selected. Fail to turn your food may result in uneven cooking. Refer to the Troubleshooting tables for further assistance.
Note: There is no “turn” food reminder when using the Broil, Bake, Reheat, or Dehydrate Smart Programs.
Does the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven remember my preferences?
Yes. The Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven automatically remembers the time and temperature settings last used with each Smart Program if you have selected Start.
How do I reset the my Individual Smart Program preferences to the factory default settings?
To return any Smart Program to its factory default setting, touch and hold the associated Smart Program key for 3 seconds. When reset is complete, the appliance will beep twice.
How do I return my Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven to the factory default settings?
To return all Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven settings to the factory defaults: When in Standby, touch-and-hold the Temperature and Time + keys at the same time for 3 seconds. When full reset is complete, the appliance will beep twice.
What safety features are included with the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven?
The Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven has built-in protection against overheating that automatically shuts off the appliance if the internal temperature exceeds 450F. The Display will show error code E2.
Can I control the sounds coming from the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven?
All appliance sounds, including reminders, may be turned off with the exception of sounds that accompany error codes. To turn off sounds: With the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven in Standby, touch and hold the “–“ Temperature and “-“ Time keys at the same time for 5 seconds.
How many servings will the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Ovens make?
The Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven can be used to prepare as many 6 servings, depending on the type of food you are preparing.
How do I prevent my food from sticking to the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven accessories?
Spray accessories lightly with a non-stick cooking spray and line the drip pan with aluminum foil to prevent food from sticking and make clean-up easier. (And an oil spritzer is a great way to flavor the oil you use to coat ingredients before air frying.)
How do I clean my Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven?
It is important to clean the air fryer after every use. Ensure that your Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven is unplugged and completely cooled before cleaning.
Wipe the exterior clean with hot water and a mild detergent. All accessories are dishwasher safe. Regularly hand wash and remove the door to wipe the hinge clean of any grease. The oven chamber should to be cleaned occasionally to remove food and grease that can build up around the heating element and may cause smoke. Be careful to regularly clean the back corners of the oven chamber with a damp cloth. Run the Air Fryer Smart Program briefly to dry out the oven chamber.
Do not immerse the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven in water or any other liquid.
INSTANT Tip: To make cleaning easier, spray cooking accessories with non–stick cooking spray before adding food, and line the drip pan with aluminum foil.
What do I do if I smell smoke while Air Frying?
The most likely cause of smoke from your Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven is a dirty oven chamber. If you see smoke or smell smoke, unplug the appliance, let it cool to room temperature and clean the oven chamber thoroughly with hot water and mild dish soap. Pay special attention to the area around the heating element and ensure that any built-up residue is removed. Wipe the oven chamber with a clean, damp cloth and run the Air Fryer Smart Program briefly to dry.
Can I use common oven cleaners on the interior of my Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven?
Yes, but with proper care and maintenance, it should not be necessary to clean the interior of the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven with anything stronger than mild detergent. It is important to remove food and grease splatter after each use to prevent baked-on build up and extend the life span of your appliance.
Never use harsh chemical detergents, scouring pads, or powders on any of the appliance or components.
Can I use my Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven to add crispness to Frozen Fries, Fish Sticks, pre-deep-fried Chicken wings or fingers?
Yes. The Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven is an easy way to add crispness to convenience foods like frozen fries, fish sticks, chicken wings or fingers. However, to fully benefit from healthier food preparation, we recommend using the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven for meals and snacks made from scratch, so you have full control over salt, fat, and oil content.
How much food can fit in my Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven for best results?
Give your food room to breathe! Leave space above and below your dish to let the heated air circulate freely and cook the food evenly. For best results, pause cooking once or twice to gently toss, shake, or rotate your dish. This also helps to distribute heat and promotes even cooking.
What can I bake in the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven?
Anything you can bake in a full-sized oven you can bake in your Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven. Oven-safe baking accessories are also safe to use. Be careful to leave enough room above the baking dish to ensure there is no contact with the heating element in case the dish rises.
How much oil should I use in the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven? How much is too much?
The amount of oil you will use depends on the food you are preparing. Most air fryer recipes call for 1 to 2 teaspoons of oil per serving, but breaded items may call for 1 to 2 tablespoons. But some recipes require no oil at all. Follow the recipe for best results.
Note: Use only the recipe-recommended amount of oil when using the Air Fryer Smart Program. Excess oil can drip and splatter, which can lead to burning and smoke.
What foods work best in the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven?
You can use your Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven to prepare any fried, pan–fried, sautéed, or baked dish, from roast beef and pizza to pies or cakes. Your Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven is also a fast, convenient and energy-efficient (compared to a full-sized oven) way to reheat and re–crisp leftovers.
The convenience of the Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven makes frozen, fresh–cut and home-fries a popular addition to any meal. We recommend cooking fries in the rotisserie basket, rotating them continuously during cooking for evenly crispy results without having to stop the cooking process to turn the fries.
Try cooking these other food items in your Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven:
- Mozzarella sticks
- Sweet Potato Wedges
- Egg Rolls
- Chicken Parmesan
- Crispy Chicken Fingers
- Garlic Parmesan Breaded Fried Chicken Wings
- Cheesy Spinach Wontons
- Meatballs
- Breaded Fried Shrimp
- Parmesan Dill Fried Pickle Chips
- Potato Chips
- Pita Bread Cheese Pizza
- Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs
- Roasted Garlic
- Tofu Satay
- Fried Ravioli
- Fried Pork Chops
- Home Fries/Hash browns
- Kale Chips
- Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
- Baked Potato
- Roasted Corn
- Buffalo Cauliflower
- Apple Dumplings
- Lava Cake
- Pies
- Muffins
- Cookies
- Onion Rings
- Stuffed Mushrooms
- Air Fried “Sautéed” Vegetables
Note: Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven cooking times will differ from conventional oven cooking times. Follow the recipe for best results.
Are there foods that cannot be cooked in my Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven?
Anything you can cook in a conventional oven can be cooked in your Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven but for best results, always arrange foods in a single layer and cook in small batches.
Note: Foods dipped in batter (e.g., calamari, tempura shrimp, and buttermilk fried chicken) should be avoided. Liquid batters tend to drip, creating a mess on the drip pan and in the cooking chamber.
Why is the food I prepare in Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven not crispy? What am I doing wrong?
The secret to crispy food is the oil. Your Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven is designed to produce deep-fryer results without all the oil, but a little bit of oil – usually a teaspoon or tablespoon of two – is still required to achieve best results. Always follow the air fryer recipe.
An oil spritzer is a great way to control the amount of oil going on to and into your food, add flavors, and experiment with different types of oil. And when experimenting, remember to choose an oil with a high smoke point. Corn, canola, peanut, avocado, grapeseed, and extra light olive oil are all ideal for Air Frying.
Other ways to apply oil to your food include:
- Brush – Use a basting brush to apply a little oil or fat to meat, fish, and roasted veggies.
- Toss – Most stir-fry and sauté recipes require vegetables to be tossed in a little oil before air frying.
- Hand-rub – Use your hands to spread the oil evenly over the surface of food.
Note: Commercial cooking sprays burn at low temperatures and may damage non-stick surfaces of your Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven and accessories.
INSTANT TIP – Do not use any fat that can be applied as a solid to air fried foods.