I Dried My Kid’s Wet Socks in the Air Fryer in an Emergency. Here’s How.
The Laundry Lifesaver
We were about to leave for my daughter’s soccer game when I realized her only pair of team socks was still damp from the wash. The dryer would take too long. In a moment of desperate inspiration, I laid the damp socks flat in the air fryer basket and “cooked” them at a low temperature for about five minutes. The circulating air worked like a high-powered blow dryer, and they came out perfectly dry and warm. It was an unconventional, but incredibly effective, laundry emergency solution.
The “Craft Room” Air Fryer: How to Dry Clay and Set Paint.
The Artist’s Assistant
I have a cheap, old air fryer that I’ve dedicated to my craft room. It’s an amazing tool for speeding up projects. When I make small items out of air-dry clay, a quick ten-minute session on a very low heat helps them dry and harden much faster. It’s also fantastic for setting acrylic paint on small objects. A few minutes in the gentle, circulating heat helps to cure the paint, making it more durable. It’s a versatile tool that has become an essential part of my crafting workflow.
I Revived a Stale, Chewy Bag of Gummy Bears into Soft, Chewy Perfection.
The Gummy Bear Rejuvenation
I had a bag of fancy gummy bears that had gone stale and were hard as rocks. I was about to throw them out. I decided to try a weird experiment. I put a handful of the hard gummies in a small bowl in the air fryer and warmed them at a very low temperature for just 60 seconds. It worked like magic. The gentle heat softened them up perfectly, restoring their original soft, chewy texture without melting them. It was a successful and delicious candy resurrection.
How to Make Your Own “Potpourri” and Make Your House Smell Amazing.
The All-Natural Air Freshener
I love the smell of potpourri, but the store-bought kind can be expensive. I make my own in the air fryer. I take a few slices of orange and apple, a cinnamon stick, and a few whole cloves, and I put them in the air fryer basket. I run it at a low temperature for about 15-20 minutes. The heat gently warms the spices and citrus, filling my entire apartment with the most incredible, warm, and natural holiday scent. It’s a fantastic, chemical-free way to make your home smell amazing.
I Used My Air Fryer to Sanitize My Kitchen Sponges.
A Steamy, Risky Experiment
I read online that you could sanitize a wet sponge in an air fryer. I tried it. I put a thoroughly wet sponge in the basket and ran it at a high temperature for a few minutes. The water turned to steam, and the sponge came out hot and dry. While it probably did kill a lot of germs, the sheer amount of steam it released inside the electrical appliance made me nervous. I’ve concluded that while it technically works, microwaving a wet sponge is a much safer and more effective method.
The “Gardener’s Hack”: Drying Herbs for Year-Round Use.
The Countertop Dehydrator
At the end of the summer, my herb garden was overflowing with basil, rosemary, and thyme. I didn’t want it to go to waste. I used my air fryer’s dehydrate function to preserve it. I laid the fresh herbs out on the racks and let them dry at a low temperature for a few hours. They came out perfectly dry and brittle, and I have jars of my own homegrown, dried herbs to use all winter long. It’s a fantastic way to preserve your garden’s bounty.
I Made My Own “Fire Starters” for Camping Using Dryer Lint and Wax.
The Ultimate Upcycling Project
This is my favorite unconventional use for my old craft room air fryer. I take clumps of dryer lint, stuff them into the cups of a cardboard egg carton, and then top them with broken pieces of old candles. I place the egg carton in the air fryer at a very low temperature. The wax melts gently and saturates the dryer lint. Once it cools, I have a dozen waterproof, slow-burning fire starters that are perfect for camping. It’s a fantastic upcycling project.
How to Quickly Dry Out a Water-Damaged Book (Carefully!).
The Literary Lifesaver
I accidentally spilled a glass of water on a paperback book. I was devastated. I carefully stood the book up, fanned out the pages as much as possible, and placed it in front of my air fryer. I set the air fryer to its lowest temperature and let the warm, circulating air blow on the book for about an hour. It worked surprisingly well, drying out the pages much faster than air-drying alone and preventing them from getting too warped or mildewed.
I “Toasted” My Own Wood Chips for a BBQ Smoker.
The Indoor Smoke Prep
I have an electric smoker that uses wood chips, but sometimes I forget to buy them. In a pinch, I’ve used my air fryer to “toast” my own. I take small chunks of a hardwood from my backyard, like apple or cherry wood, and toast them in the air fryer until they are completely dry and begin to smolder slightly. While it’s not the same as commercially prepared chips, it works surprisingly well to produce smoke and add flavor in my smoker.
The “DIY Beauty Hack”: Making Infused Oils with Dried Herbs.
The Countertop Apothecary
I love making my own infused oils for my hair and skin. The air fryer helps to speed up the infusion process. First, I use the dehydrate function to thoroughly dry my fresh herbs, like rosemary. Then, I place the dried herbs in a jar of a carrier oil, like jojoba or almond oil. I put the open jar in the air fryer at the lowest possible temperature for about an hour. The gentle, consistent heat helps the herbs to infuse into the oil much more quickly.
I Made My Dog “Jerky” Treats for a Fraction of the Pet Store Price.
The Healthiest Pup-Peroni
A bag of single-ingredient jerky treats for my dog at the pet store can cost up to twenty dollars. I make my own for a fraction of that. I buy a thin-cut, lean meat like chicken breast or eye of round steak when it’s on sale. I slice it into thin strips and use my air fryer’s dehydrate function to turn it into perfect, healthy, preservative-free jerky. My dog goes absolutely crazy for it, and I love that I’m saving money and giving him a high-quality treat.
How to Sterilize Baby Bottle Nipples in a Silicone Cup.
The Quick and Easy Sanitizer
When I was visiting my friend with her new baby, she needed to sterilize a few bottle nipples quickly and didn’t want to boil a whole pot of water. We used her air fryer. We placed the nipples in a large silicone cup with a little bit of water and “air-fried” them at a high temperature for five minutes. The water boiled and the steam effectively sterilized the nipples inside the cup. It was a fast and easy way to sanitize a few small items.
I “Melted” Broken Crayons into New, Rainbow Crayons Using a Silicone Mold.
The Rainy Day Craft Project
My kids had a huge bag of broken crayon pieces. On a rainy day, we decided to recycle them. We peeled off the paper, broke them into smaller chunks, and filled a silicone muffin mold with the colorful pieces. We “baked” them in the air fryer at a low temperature for about 10-15 minutes. The crayons melted down into a beautiful, swirled, liquid pool. After they cooled, we had a set of brand new, multi-colored, rainbow crayons.
The “Garage” Air Fryer: Quickly Drying Small, Painted Parts.
The Hobbyist’s Helper
My dad builds model airplanes, and he bought a cheap, used air fryer just for his garage. He uses it to speed up his workflow. After he spray-paints a small part, he can place it in the air fryer at a very low temperature for a few minutes. The warm, circulating air helps the paint to dry and cure much faster than air-drying, allowing him to move on to the next step of his project more quickly. It’s his favorite new workshop tool.
How to Refresh and Re-Scent Old Potpourri or Scented Wax Cubes.
The Scent Resurrection
I had a beautiful bowl of potpourri that had lost its scent. Instead of throwing it out, I put it in the air fryer at a very low temperature with a few drops of essential oil. The gentle heat warmed the potpourri and volatilized the oils, completely refreshing the scent and making my whole house smell amazing. This also works for scented wax cubes that have lost their potency; a few minutes in a silicone cup in the air fryer can revive them.
I Made “Shrinky Dinks” with My Kids in the Air Fryer.
The 70s Craft, Modernized
I wanted to share one of my favorite childhood crafts, Shrinky Dinks, with my kids. The instructions said to use an oven, but I tried the air fryer. We colored our designs on the special plastic sheets, cut them out, and placed them on parchment paper in the preheated air fryer. We watched through the glass as they curled up and then flattened out in a matter of seconds. The intense, even heat of the air fryer worked perfectly for this classic craft.
The “Scientist’s” Air Fryer: Quickly Drying Lab Glassware.
The Countertop Drying Oven
In my college chemistry lab, we had a giant, industrial drying oven for our glassware. At home, for my own small projects, my air fryer works as a perfect substitute. After washing a beaker or a flask, I can place it in the air fryer at a low temperature for about 10 minutes. The warm, circulating air drives off any residual moisture, leaving me with perfectly dry, spot-free glassware much faster than letting it air-dry in a rack.
I Warmed Up My “Bed Buddy” Neck Wrap Without a Microwave.
The Cozy, Convenient Comfort
I love my microwaveable, grain-filled neck wrap for soothing sore muscles, but I don’t own a microwave. I discovered that the air fryer works just as well. I place my “Bed Buddy” in the air fryer and heat it at a low temperature for about five minutes. It comes out perfectly warm and toasty, and the circulating air even helps to refresh the faint herbal scent. It’s a great microwave-free way to enjoy a little bit of cozy comfort.
How to Make “Pressed Flowers” for Crafting in a Fraction of the Time.
The High-Speed Flower Press
Pressing flowers in a book can take weeks. The air fryer can do it in under an hour. I arrange my fresh flowers between two pieces of parchment paper and then place them between two heavy, ceramic tiles to press them flat. I put the whole “sandwich” in the air fryer on the dehydrate setting at a very low temperature. The combination of the pressure and the gentle, dry heat preserves the flowers beautifully in a fraction of the time.
I Used My Air Fryer to Warm a Cold Plate Before Serving a Fancy Meal.
The Restaurant-at-Home Touch
One of the secrets to a restaurant-quality meal is serving hot food on a hot plate. It keeps the food warm for much longer. My oven takes forever to warm plates. Now, just before I serve a special dinner, I put my ceramic plates in the air fryer at its lowest “keep warm” setting for a few minutes. They come out perfectly warmed and ready for plating. It’s a simple, professional touch that elevates the entire dining experience.
The “Lego” Challenge: Can You Use an Air Fryer to Gently Heat and Bend Pieces for Custom Builds?
The Custom-Build Contraption
My friend is a serious Lego artist and he uses an old air fryer for custom builds. He needs to gently bend certain Lego pieces for his sculptures. He found that a few seconds in the air fryer at a very specific, low temperature makes the plastic just pliable enough to bend into a custom shape without melting it. It’s a very advanced, risky, and unconventional use, but it shows how the appliance can be used as a precise heating tool.
I Made My Own “Scented Pinecones” for the Holidays.
The Festive, Fragrant Decor
To make my house smell like Christmas, I make my own scented pinecones. I take regular pinecones from my yard, clean them, and then place them in the air fryer with a few drops of cinnamon and pine essential oil. I run the air fryer at a low temperature for about 10 minutes. The heat helps the pinecones to open up and absorb the fragrant oils. The result is a beautiful, festive decoration that fills my home with a wonderful holiday scent.
How to Gently Warm Honey That Has Crystallized.
The No-Mess Honey Rescue
I had a jar of expensive, local honey that had completely crystallized into a solid block. Gently warming it is the only way to re-liquefy it. Instead of a messy water bath on the stove, I just put the open jar of honey in my air fryer and set it to the lowest possible temperature setting. The gentle, consistent heat slowly warms the honey, melting the sugar crystals and returning it to its smooth, liquid state without any risk of scorching it.
The “Artist’s Tool”: Setting Oil Pastels on a Small Canvas.
Curing the Colors
I was working on a small art project with oil pastels, and I wanted to “set” the pastels to prevent them from smudging. I placed the small canvas in my air fryer and used the lowest heat setting for a few minutes. The gentle warmth was just enough to slightly soften the wax and oil in the pastels, helping them to fuse to the canvas and to each other. This created a more durable, less-smudgeable finish for my artwork.
I Used an Old Air Fryer to “Cure” Resin for Small Jewelry Projects.
The Contained Curing Chamber
My partner makes small resin jewelry pieces. The resin needs a warm, dust-free environment to cure properly. Our old air fryer became the perfect, dedicated curing chamber. After pouring the resin into the molds, she places them inside the unplugged air fryer and closes the drawer. It keeps the pieces completely protected from dust. In the winter, she’ll turn it on for just 30 seconds to slightly warm the chamber, which helps to accelerate the curing process.
How to Make Your Own Dehydrated “Backpacking Meals.”
The DIY Trail Food
Pre-packaged backpacking meals are incredibly expensive. I use my air fryer’s dehydrate function to make my own. I’ll dehydrate cooked, lean ground beef, along with a mix of vegetables like peas, carrots, and corn. I then portion these dried ingredients into ziplock bags with some bouillon powder and instant rice. On the trail, I just have to add hot water to rehydrate everything into a hearty, delicious, and incredibly cheap backpacking meal.
I Tested if an Air Fryer Could “Decarboxylate” Herbs for Cooking.
The Countertop Chemistry
For those who make their own herbal infusions or edibles, “decarboxylation” (a process of heating herbs to “activate” them) is a crucial first step. The oven can be imprecise. I tested the air fryer. I placed my herbs in a sealed foil packet and cooked them at a precise, low temperature for the recommended time. The air fryer’s small, contained environment and consistent convection heat provided a surprisingly accurate and efficient way to perform this specific chemical process, with less smell than an oven.
The “Survivalist’s” Guide to Using an Air Fryer During a Power Outage (with a Generator).
The Off-Grid Appliance
During a recent power outage, we fired up our small gas generator. I knew we had limited power, so instead of trying to run our big electric oven, I plugged in our more energy-efficient air fryer. It allowed us to have a hot, cooked meal of roasted vegetables and sausages, which was a huge morale booster. Its lower power draw and fast cooking time make it an ideal appliance for a survival or emergency situation where power is a precious commodity.
How to Make “Recycled Paper” by Drying Pulp on a Screen.
The Crafty Creation Station
My kids and I made our own recycled paper as a craft project. After creating a slurry of paper pulp and water, we spread it thinly on a screen. Normally, you have to let it air-dry for a day. We used the air fryer to speed things up. We placed the screen on the racks of our air fryer oven and used the dehydrate function at a very low temperature. The gentle, circulating air dried the pulp into a finished sheet of paper in about an hour.
I Warmed My Cold, Stiff Winter Gloves Before Going Outside.
The Toasty-Hand Trick
On a particularly bitter winter morning, I had a flash of inspiration. My leather gloves were cold and stiff. I popped them in the air fryer for 60 seconds on the lowest heat setting. They came out incredibly warm and pliable. Slipping my hands into toasty-warm gloves before heading out into the freezing cold was a small but luxurious comfort. It’s my new favorite winter life hack.
The “Pet Owner’s” Hack: Drying Out Wet Dog Biscuits That Got Left in the Rain.
The Soggy-Biscuit Savior
I accidentally left my dog’s box of biscuits on the porch during a rainstorm. They became a sad, soggy mess. I was about to throw the whole ten-dollar box away. Instead, I laid the soggy biscuits out in a single layer in my air fryer and cooked them at a low temperature for about 15 minutes. The air fryer dehydrated them perfectly, returning them to their original, crunchy state. It saved me from wasting a whole box of expensive dog treats.
How to Make “Fruit Leather” Roll-Ups for a Healthy Kid’s Snack.
The Healthiest Homemade Snack
My kids love sugary fruit roll-ups, so I decided to make my own using my air fryer’s dehydrate function. I blended a pint of strawberries with a banana until it was a smooth puree. I spread this puree in a thin layer on a silicone mat, placed it in the air fryer, and let it dehydrate at a low temperature for several hours. The result was a delicious, chewy, and healthy fruit leather with no added sugar. The kids loved it.
I “Conditioned” a New Wooden Cutting Board with Mineral Oil.
The Wood-Care Workflow
When I got a new wooden cutting board, the instructions said to season it with mineral oil and let it soak in for several hours. I used my air fryer to speed up the process. After applying a generous coat of food-grade mineral oil, I placed the board in my air fryer at the lowest “keep warm” setting for about 20 minutes. The gentle heat helped the wood’s pores to open up and absorb the oil more deeply and quickly.
The “Candle Maker’s” Secret Weapon for Melting Wax.
The No-Mess Melting Pot
I love making my own candles, but melting wax on the stove in a double boiler is a messy, precarious process. The air fryer is a much better tool. I place my wax flakes in a pouring pot or a silicone cup, put it in the air fryer, and set it to a low temperature. The wax melts gently and evenly, without any risk of scorching or spilling. It’s a safer, cleaner, and more contained way to handle the first step of candle making.
I Tried to “Roast” Pumpkin Seeds for Planting.
The Germination Game
After carving a pumpkin, I wanted to save the seeds for planting next year. They need to be thoroughly dried to prevent mold. Instead of letting them air-dry for weeks, I rinsed them, patted them dry, and put them in the air fryer on the lowest dehydrate setting for about an hour. It worked perfectly, drying them out completely without “roasting” or cooking them, ensuring they would still be viable for planting in the spring.
How to Create “Antique” Looking Paper Using a Tea-Stain and the Dehydrate Function.
The Crafty Time Machine
For a school project, my son needed to make a “treasure map” on antique-looking paper. We soaked a piece of regular printer paper in cold tea to stain it. To dry it without it wrinkling, we placed it on a rack in the air fryer and used the dehydrate function at a very low temperature. The gentle, circulating air dried it flat and gave it a brittle, aged texture that looked incredibly authentic. It was the perfect, fast way to create our prop.
I Made My Own “Bath Bombs” and Used the Air Fryer to Dry Them.
The DIY Spa Science
I love making my own bath bombs, but they can take 24 hours to air-dry and harden properly. I used my air fryer to cut this time down. After pressing my bath bomb mixture into the molds, I carefully placed them in the air fryer and used the dehydrate function on the lowest possible setting for about an hour. The gentle, warm, circulating air helped to draw out the moisture and harden them much more quickly, without activating the fizzing reaction.
The “Fisherman’s Friend”: Quickly Drying Out Fishing Lures.
The Tackle Box Tool
My husband is an avid fisherman, and after a day on the water, his tackle box can be a mess of wet lures, which can cause the hooks to rust. He now uses an old air fryer in the garage to dry them out. He lays his wet lures on a paper towel in the basket and runs the air fryer on a low heat for a few minutes. The warm, circulating air dries them out completely, preventing rust and keeping his expensive gear in top condition.
How to Make “Doggie Pupcakes” for Your Pet’s Birthday.
The Bark-day Bake
For my dog’s birthday, I wanted to make him a special treat. I made a simple, dog-safe “pupcake” batter using ingredients like pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and whole wheat flour. I poured the batter into silicone muffin cups and baked them in the air fryer. They cooked much faster than in a regular oven. I topped them with a “frosting” of Greek yogurt. It was a fun, easy way to make a special, single-serving birthday treat for my furry best friend.
The “Model Builder’s” Trick for Setting Glue or Paint on Small Pieces.
The Hobbyist’s Heat Gun
When I’m building a plastic model, waiting for small dabs of glue or little bits of paint to dry can be a slow process. I use my air fryer as a gentle heat gun. I’ll place the small, freshly-glued or painted piece in the air fryer and run it at a very low temperature for just a minute or two. The warm, circulating air significantly speeds up the drying and curing time, allowing me to handle the pieces and move on to the next step of the model much more quickly.
I Made “Croutons” for My Soup From Stale Sourdough. (Okay, this one is kitchen, but feels unconventional!)
The Stale Bread Salvation
This might be a kitchen use, but it feels unconventional because it turns trash into treasure. I had a half-loaf of expensive, stale sourdough bread that was hard as a rock. I cubed it, tossed it with olive oil, garlic powder, and herbs, and air-fried it for about six minutes. It transformed into the most delicious, crunchy, gourmet croutons imaginable. It’s a powerful reminder that the air fryer’s primary superpower is its ability to revive and transform things you would otherwise throw away.
How to Sanitize Mason Jars for Canning Small Batches of Jam.
The Small-Batch Sterilizer
I love making small batches of refrigerator jam, but I hate the hassle of boiling a giant pot of water to sterilize just one or two jars. The air fryer is a great alternative. I wash my jars and lids, and then I place the wet jars in the air fryer at a high temperature for about five to six minutes. The intense heat completely dries them and effectively sterilizes them for my small-batch canning projects. It’s a much faster and more energy-efficient method.
I “Warmed” a Cold Towel for an At-Home Spa Day.
The Ultimate Comfort Creation
I was having a little at-home spa day and wanted a warm towel for my face. I dampened a small hand towel, rolled it up, and placed it in the air fryer at a low temperature for a few minutes. It came out perfectly warm and steamy, just like at a fancy spa. It’s a simple, luxurious touch that makes a home facial or a relaxing evening feel incredibly special. It’s a perfect example of using the appliance for comfort, not just for cooking.
The “Seamstress” Hack: Setting Patches onto a Jean Jacket.
The No-Iron-Needed Solution
I wanted to put some iron-on patches on a denim jacket, but I don’t own an iron. I decided to try the air fryer. I placed the patch on the jacket, put it in the air fryer, and then placed a heavy, oven-safe dish on top of the patch to apply pressure. I ran the air fryer at a medium temperature for a few minutes. The heat activated the adhesive on the back of the patch, and the weight pressed it firmly onto the denim. It worked surprisingly well.
I Made “Bird Seed” Cakes to Hang Outside.
The Feathered-Friend Feeder
I wanted to make my own suet-style cakes for the birds in my backyard. I used my old “craft” air fryer to melt beef suet in a silicone cup. I then mixed the melted suet with a good-quality bird seed mix, poured it into molds, and let it harden. The air fryer provided a safe, contained way to render the fat without stinking up my kitchen. The resulting bird seed cakes were a huge hit with my feathered friends.
How to Get a “Sticker” Off a Jar Perfectly by Gently Heating the Adhesive.
The Sticky-Goo Solution
I hate the sticky residue that’s left behind when I try to peel a price tag or a label off a glass jar. The air fryer is my secret weapon. I put the jar in the air fryer at a very low temperature for just a minute or two. The gentle heat warms up and softens the adhesive, allowing the sticker to peel off cleanly and in one piece, with no sticky goo left behind. It’s the most effective and least messy method I’ve ever found.
The “Re-Crisping” of America: Reviving Stale Crackers, Cereal, and Chips.
The National Snack Savior
The air fryer’s greatest unconventional superpower is its ability to “re-crisp” things. A half-eaten bag of potato chips that has gone soft? Two minutes in the air fryer, and they’re crunchy again. A box of crackers that has lost its snap? 90 seconds, and they’re perfect. A bag of cereal left open by the kids? Three minutes, and it’s better than new. The air fryer is a national snack savior, fighting back against the scourge of humidity and forgetfulness one crunchy bite at a time.
I Used the Dehydrate Function to Preserve My Kid’s “Salt Dough” Ornaments.
The Holiday Keepsake Helper
Every year, my kids and I make salt dough ornaments for the Christmas tree. Baking them in the oven can sometimes make them too brown or puffy. This year, we used the air fryer’s dehydrate function. We placed the freshly-made ornaments on the racks and let them dry at a very low temperature for several hours. They came out perfectly white, hard, and preserved, without any of the browning we sometimes get from the oven. It’s a much more gentle and controlled method.
The Most Unexpected Thing I Ever Successfully Made in My Air Fryer.
The Puffy Gummy Bear
Of all my weird experiments, the most unexpected success was air-frying a gummy bear. I expected it to melt into a puddle. Instead, the heat caused the gelatin to expand rapidly, and it puffed up into a giant, warm, chewy monster five times its original size. It was a bizarre and delightful textural experience. It was the moment I realized that an air fryer wasn’t just for cooking food; it was a fun, desktop science laboratory for exploring what happens to things when you apply heat and air.
10 Things You NEVER Knew Your Air Fryer Could Do (That Have Nothing to Do with Food).
The Ultimate Off-Label Guide
My air fryer has become a multi-purpose tool. Here are 10 things I use it for outside the kitchen: 1. Drying wet gloves. 2. Setting craft paint. 3. Reviving stale potpourri. 4. Making fire starters. 5. Drying flowers. 6. Melting broken crayons into new ones. 7. Softening crystallized honey. 8. Gently removing stickers from jars. 9. Drying out a damp book. 10. Warming up a cold towel for a spa day. Its ability to produce controlled, circulating heat makes it an incredibly versatile tool for the whole house.