Preheat the pan before adding oil for pan-searing
Warm the pan first so the oil heats quickly and the food browns instead of sticking or steaming.
Heat the empty pan over medium-high/medium until it feels hot when you hover your hand above it, then add oil. This helps you start cooking at the right temperature for browning.
The short version
- Heat the pan first, then add oil.
What goes wrong
Adding oil to a cold pan and starting before the pan is hot
Preheat the pan first, then add oil once the pan is hot.
Why it works
Starting with a properly preheated pan helps drive off surface moisture quickly and promotes browning rather than pale, wet cooking.
Put it to use
Learn next
Brown and break up minced beef in a pan for better texture
Add minced beef to a hot pan, break it into small pieces, and cook until browned before adding other ingredients.
Use a hotter final oven blast to crisp fries after baking
If baking instead of air frying, finish with a short higher-temperature step to crisp them up.
Shake air-fryer fries partway through to cook and crisp evenly
Give the basket a shake during cooking so fries brown more evenly.
Air-fry potatoes in two stages (lower temp then higher) for crispier results
Cook potato cubes at 180°C first, then finish at 200°C to boost crispness at the end.