8 Air Fryer Mistakes To AVOID At All Costs

Over-filling the basket

This is the easiest mistake to make! It's all too tempting to cram as much food into your air fryer as you can. However, over-filling will not only increase the overall cooking time

Forgetting to clean after each use

Bits of food, oil, sauce and crumbs can build up in your air fryer, and this can taint food and cause unpleasant smells (or even smoke).

Not giving your air fryer enough space

Air fryers get very hot when they're in use. To cool them down, they're equipped with a powerful fan at the back – so, to give your air fryer space to function properly.

Buying the wrong size

Air fryers vary significantly in size. Deciding on which capacity will work for you will depend on how much space you have, how much you plan on using your air fryer.

Neglecting to preheat your air fryer

If you put food in the basket before your air fryer has reached the required temperature, it may stick and cook unevenly. Given that most air fryers reach the correct temperature in under five minutes

Treating it like a conventional oven

Air fryers are, of course, much smaller than a conventional oven, with a powerful fan. Foods tend to cook more quickly in an air fryer, but bear in mind that there's less space for air to circulate.

Not checking food as it cooks

It's a good idea to keep an eye on your food as it cooks by pulling the drawer out slightly every now and again.

Skipping the oil

Sure, air fryers give you that deep-fried food effect without all the oil – but you do need to add some oil to help your food crisp up, and ensure that any seasonings, such as dry rubs, stick to your food nicely.

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