Everything we do wrong when using the air fryer: Top 10 most common mistakes and how to fix them

A new appliance has arrived in our kitchens to stay. The air fryer is becoming more and more popular, because of its easy operation, because it allows us to cook with less fat and because it consumes much less energy than traditional ovens. It is no wonder that this small appliance is gaining popularity every day. The use of this appliance does not seem at first sight very complicated; however, a wrong use can negatively affect the results of our elaboration and even damage the operation of the appliance. Here are the most common mistakes when using the air fryer and some practical tips to avoid them.

1. Overloading the fryer basket

Sometimes we want to save time in the kitchen and are tempted to put a large amount of food in the air fryer basket. Big mistake. By overloading it, the hot air does not circulate properly, resulting in uneven cooking; some foods will be left raw, while others will be practically charred. For best results, be sure to cook in several batches without crowding the food, allowing the hot air to circulate around it.

2. Do not preheat the fryer.

Not all air fryers require preheating, but yours may. This will depend on the brand and manufacturer. Many users think that air fryers do not need preheating, but skipping this step can affect the final result of our preparation. As in a conventional oven, preheating allows the food to start cooking at the right temperature from the beginning. Most air fryers require only about 3-5 minutes to reach the ideal temperature. Read your appliance's instruction manual to be sure.

3. Using too little or too much oil

Although the air fryer allows us to cook with much less fat, oil is still necessary to achieve the optimum texture and flavor of the food. Too much oil will make the food excessively greasy and can even cause the oil to burn in the basket, generating unpleasant smoke.

Lack of oil can also be a problem, resulting in bland, uncooked and unjuicy food. It is best to spray the food with oil spray or aerosol to ensure that all the food is impregnated with a layer of oil and to guarantee even cooking and crispness.

4. Using containers that are not suitable for the air fryer or misusing them.

Not all utensils or containers are suitable for the air fryer. Many users use materials such as plastic or certain types of silicone that may melt under heat. Always use heat-resistant containers and utensils, preferably made of silicone, metal or ceramic. Make sure that any accessory is air fryer (or oven safe) and can withstand temperatures up to 390°F/200°C. Another mistake is to put parchment paper or greaseproof paper molds in the air fryer without any food on top, as they could catch fire.

5. Not cleaning the fryer regularly

Failure to clean the air fryer after each use allows food and grease residue to build up, affecting both the taste and performance of the appliance. The residue can burn and generate bad odors and flavors in the following preparations. To keep your fryer in top condition, wash the basket and drawer with hot, soapy water after each use and be sure to dry them completely before storing. Here are more tips on how to clean your air fryer and keep it looking like new.

6. Do not adjust the cooking time and temperature according to the food.

Each type of food has different time and temperature requirements to cook properly in an air fryer. A common mistake is to cook all foods at the same temperature and for the same amount of time. Follow the instructions in specific air fryer recipes, or consult the manufacturers' recommendations and guidelines.

7. Open the fryer constantly during cooking.

Constantly opening the fryer interrupts the cooking process and causes the appliance to lose heat, which can lengthen the cooking time and affect the result. If you need to check the food, do it quickly and preferably only once or twice to avoid losing too much heat.

8. Do not stir or move food during cooking.

While opening the basket too much is a mistake, it is also a mistake not to shake or turn the food in the basket to ensure even cooking. This is important so that the food does not stick together and cooks evenly. This also depends on your air fryer; there are models that, having double resistance, heat up and down, so it will not be necessary to turn the food.

9. Cooking foods that should not be put in the air fryer

Not all foods are suitable for cooking in the air fryer: foods that are too light and could fly into the basket, popcorn that could explode and fall on the heating elements, or creams, soups and broths cooked directly in the basket...

10. Ignoring the user's manual

This is perhaps the biggest mistake. Each air fryer model can have significant differences in functionality and settings. Ignoring the user's manual and not familiarizing yourself with the specifics of the model you have can lead to common mistakes or even damage the appliance. So, before you start using it, take a few minutes to carefully review the manual and the manufacturer's recommendations.