5 Mistakes Everyone Makes with their Air Fryer

An air fryer is like an oven: It needs to be hot so it can properly cook whatever you put in it from the moment the door shuts. If it’s too cold, the final food may suffer. Check your recipe’s suggested temperature when you begin pulling out ingredients for cooking. Go ahead and turn the air fryer on so it can be plenty hot when you’re ready to use it. It won’t take long—that small space can reach the right temperature in under five minutes, which makes it great for weeknight cooking.

3. Not cleaning the air fryer

A dirty air fryer can be dangerous for your stomach and your nose. You put yourself at a much higher risk of food contamination if you do not clean your air fryer between uses. Aim to clean your air fryer after every meal that’s cooked in it. It might seem like a big mess, but it’s quite easy. Just use hot water with a bit of dishwashing liquid. Let the basket soak as long as it needs so you don’t have to scrub off baked-on food. Three minutes of your time will keep your air fryer fresh [and] your tummy safe, and your kitchen won’t stink. 

4. Putting too much food in the basket

The machine needs air around it, and the food does, too. If you overcrowd the basket in your air fryer, your food won’t have a lot of exposed surface area. Where the hot air meets the surface of the food and any oil is where the cooking (and flavor) happens. Because air fryers cook quickly, you can cook in small batches—and that will ensure each piece has the best flavor and texture possible. If you loathe the multi-batch approach, look for a larger air fryer. Cooking for a crowd may still require some batch cooking, but for a family of four, it’ll be plenty of space for a weeknight round of crisp cauliflower or broccoli.

5. Not using any oil

You can have too much oil—and you can have too little, too. Most recipes will recommend the amount that’s right for that dish, but when in doubt, give everything a quick spritz with oil. Oil is a great medium to transfer heat. Using a little on your food, via non-stick spray, will make your food infinitely more crisp and browned.

With these 5 tips in mind, you are certain to achieve that golden brown and crispy texture on your next air frying endeavour!