There’s a reason people who have air fryers never stop talking about air fryers—used correctly, this trendy appliance can help make mealtime effortless, especially if you have small children. “Because air fryers use hot air and a fan, usually just a spritz of cooking oil is needed,” says Jamie Pronschinske, RDN, CD, via the Mayo Clinic Health System. “That makes air frying a lower-in-fat-and-calories alternative to deep-fat frying. Air fryers significantly reduce cooking time and tend to give off less heat, which makes them ideal for hot-weather cooking.” While incredibly convenient, mistakes can be made with air fryers, to the detriment of your food. Here are ways you may be using your air fryer all wrong, according to experts.
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Don’t Air Fry a Whole Chicken
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Chicken pieces do wonderfully well in the air fryer—whole chickens, not so much. "Beyond the obvious question of whether they'll fit in the air-fryer basket, larger roasts and whole chickens just won't cook evenly in the air fryer," Stephanie Pixley, the deputy food editor of America's Test Kitchen, tells Business Insider.
Avoid Anything With Wet Batter
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Avoid trying to cook anything with wet batter—for example, a corn dog—in your air fryer. "Not only will the batter drip off the food during cooking and probably burn and stick to the bottom of your air fryer — it ends up chewy and not at all crispy," Pixley says.
Don’t Overload the Basket
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Overcrowding the basket is a big no-no. "This can be a problem as air fryers rely on rapid air circulation to cook food evenly and if you overcrowd the basket, that can block the hot air from reaching your food and circulating properly,” Clare Andrews, air fryer expert and recipe book author tells Daily Express. “Which can lead to soggy textures and unevenly cooked food.”
Not Using the Presets
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If your air fryer has presets or specific instructions for temperatures, make use of them. “Sometimes food can look lovely and brown on the outside but can then be cold or even worse – raw on the inside,” Zoe McClean, senior home economist at Breville, tells Ideal Home. “This is because the oven is too hot for the food you are cooking. Make use of the pre-sets built into your air fryer for chips, chicken, vegetables and meat. These are set to the recommended cooking temperature and are fully interchangeable, allowing different-sized foods to cook evenly.”
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You’re Not Cleaning Your Air Fryer
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Be honest, when was the last time you gave your air fryer more than a rudimentary wipe down? "As tempting as it may seem to leave it for another day, this can cause a build-up of grease and crumbs leading to burnt residues, which can cause smoke and sometimes a rather unpleasant odor,” Andrews says. “This of course can also lead to your air fryer not performing as it should, and the longevity of your machine. If you don't fancy cleaning every time, certain foods can be cooked in a silicone liner and even oven-proof dishes."
You Have the Wrong Air Fryer
ShutterstockThere’s a reason air fryers come in so many different shapes and sizes—what’s appropriate for one person may not be for another. “Many people buy the smallest, simplest machine they can and are disappointed that they can't cook enough food or types of food to directly replace their conventional oven,” Graham Speake, UK & Ireland's country manager at Princess Appliances, tells Ideal Home. “There are many types and sizes of air-fryer, make sure you do your research to get the machine you need.”
Not Checking In With Your Food
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An air fryer is not like an oven or a deep fryer—you can’t just put the food in and remove it when the timer goes off. "Another frequent mistake is not shaking the basket or turning your food halfway through the cooking time,” Andrews says. “Doing this will ensure your food is lovely and crispy all over. Remember, all air fryers are different, so when you're following a recipe or packet instructions don't be afraid to open your air fryer during the cook, to check that nothing is overcooking. Unlike ovens, air fryers get back up to cooking temperature very quickly so it's OK to open them."
