- Not Preheating: Just like with an oven, it’s important to preheat your air fryer before cooking. Preheating ensures even cooking and better results.
- Overcrowding the Basket: Overloading the air fryer basket can lead to uneven cooking. Make sure there’s enough space for the hot air to circulate around the food.
- Using Too Much Oil: One of the main advantages of air frying is using less oil. Using too much can make your food greasy and defeat the purpose of air frying.
- Neglecting to Shake or Flip: To ensure even cooking, pause and shake or flip the food in the basket at least once during the cooking process.
- Using Non-Air Fryer Safe Accessories: Only use accessories that are safe for air fryers. Using materials that can’t withstand the high temperatures may lead to melting or other safety hazards.
- Not Checking for Doneness: Always check your food for doneness before the timer runs out. Some items might cook faster than expected.
- Not Adjusting the Temperature: Not all air fryer models cook at the same temperature. Adjust the temperature settings based on your specific model and the recipe you’re following.
- Not Using Parchment Paper or Liners: Using parchment paper or silicone liners can make cleanup easier and prevent food from sticking to the basket.
- Neglecting Maintenance: Regularly clean the air fryer’s basket, tray, and other removable parts. Neglecting maintenance can lead to reduced efficiency and unpleasant odors.
- Using Wet Batters: Wet batters, like traditional tempura, are not well-suited for air frying. The moisture can prevent the food from becoming crispy. Instead, opt for dry coatings or use a light mist of oil….
