1. Check ingredients before searching for a recipe
Discard spoiled food, check use-by dates and separate anything that may trigger an allergy. List the main ingredients, approximate amounts and basic seasonings available.
2. Should you type ingredients or use a photo?
Manual entry works well when you know each item. A fridge photo is a faster starting point, but image recognition needs review. Add or remove anything the initial list gets wrong.
3. Match ideas to your cooking equipment
The same ingredients may suit an oven, air fryer, stovetop or microwave in different ways. Selecting the equipment first reduces suggestions that you cannot prepare.
4. Read the entire recipe before cooking
Review time, portions, temperatures and preparation steps before you begin. AI-assisted suggestions can be incomplete or wrong; they do not replace allergen, doneness or food-safety guidance.
5. Give enough detail for a useful suggestion
- Name ingredients that need to be used first.
- Select the equipment and time available.
- State the number of servings and foods to avoid.
- Ask for fewer steps if you are a beginner.
You can try the CookFit recipe-idea app to enter ingredients, select equipment and review possible recipes.