10 Air Fryer Mistakes You Need to Avoid! — Are you ready to level up your air frying game? Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, avoiding common mistakes can make all the difference in achieving that perfect, crispy goodness.
We’ve compiled a list of 10 Air Fryer Mistakes You Need to Avoid! to help you get the most out of your air fryer and cook like a pro.
Buying the wrong size air fryer.
Buying the wrong size air fryer. Before you purchase your first air fryer, make sure it will be large enough to cook all of your food at once. Two quarts is ideal for 1-2 people. Three quarts for 2-4 people and five quarts or above for larger groups. If you plan on baking in your air fryer, it is best to buy a toaster oven with an air fryer function since you can easily make cookies, pancakes, and other baked goods with the extra space.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Steakhouse Potatoes
Buying a low-quality air fryer.
Buying a low-quality air fryer. Not all air fryers are created the same. Focus on purchasing an air fryer from a well-known brand. Always read the reviews on sites like Amazon to find out how the air fryers perform for other customers. Here are my three recommendations. I have owned over 40 air fryers since I started air frying, and I have narrowed my advice down to these three: (affiliate links) Instant Pot Vortex Plus, GoWise, and Omni by Instant Pot.
Get the recipe: air fryer curry roasted potatoes
Trying to cook liquid batter foods in an air fryer.
Air fryers work best with batters that are thick and hold together. Liquid batters like tempura do not work well with an air fryer. If in doubt, you can always rely on the classic three-step breading procedure (flour, egg dip, bread crumbs coating) for the air fryer.
Get the recipe: air fryer beer battered onion rings
Adding too much or too little oil
You only really need 1-2 teaspoons of oil for most recipes or 1-2 tablespoons for breaded items. Using too much oil can cause the oil to drip and hit the bottom tray, which can cause smoke. Some recipes require no added oil, like steaks that have a fat cap. If your food already contains a lot of fat, like bacon, add a piece of bread to the bottom of the tray to help prevent it from smoking while cooking.
Get the recipe: trader joe’s seasoned waffle cut fries
Overfilling the basket.
The air fryer works by circulating hot air around your food. If you put too much food in the basket, your food will not cook evenly. Only add one layer of food to cook, so it cooks evenly and gets crispy. This is why it’s essential to purchase an air fryer large enough to meet your needs. If your basket is too small, cook in batches.
Get the recipe: air fryer hasselback bacon and bleu cheese potatoes
Not removing the basket first when finished cooking
When your food is done, make sure to release the basket from the bottom that collects the fat before dumping the food into your serving dish. This is to avoid accidental dumping of the oil all over the food.
Get the recipe: air fryer hasselback sweet potatoes
Not preheating
You do not need to preheat for most recipes. In fact, if you preheat for cookies or pancakes, you will end up with a huge mess. I only preheat generally for meat.
Get the recipe: air fryer sweet potato tempura
Not cleaning your air fryer.
Air fryers hold onto the smells from the food you previously cooked. Cleaning your air fryer between uses prevents your french fries from tasting like last night’s air fryer salmon. To help make cleaning easy, spray the basket with olive oil spray before adding the food or line the bottom tray with aluminum foil. Thoroughly wash the cooled basket and bottom with hot soapy water.
Get the recipe: air fryer spanakopita phyllo cups
Not using your air fryer’s full potential.
An air fryer can cook anything that your oven or grill can cook. You can even bake with your air fryer! Just imagine making hot dogs, quiche, pie, cinnamon buns, steak, roasted vegetables, and so much more in your air fryer.
Get the recipe: air fryer garlic parmesan roasted potatoes
Not shaking your basket while cooking.
You need to always shake your basket in the middle of cooking items like french fries, chicken wings, etc. If you would typically remove food from the oven to turn it over so it gets evenly cooked, then you need to do that with food in your air fryer too.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Breaded Pierogies
