Not only are air fryers simpler and sometimes faster to use than a traditional oven, but they can also help reduce your overall energy costs and save you a buck or two in the process.
But did you know you could be one of the thousands of people making ‘easily avoidable’ mistakes when it comes to using the nifty kitchen gadget?
The air fryer has been a US mass-market icon since 2017, but it really hit new heights during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
The contraption’s boom over the last four years has paved the way for dedicated air fryer cookbooks, websites designed to highlight the tastiest dishes to make with these appliances and how to pimp up your weekly pasta ritual.
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However, just because it seems the possibilities of what you can cook in an air fryer are endless, it doesn’t mean they actually are.
Without proper guidance, you run the risk of ruining your metallic friend and perhaps causing serious damage to both you and your kitchen counters.
One woman who knows the perils of using an air fryer all too well is Clare Andrews - a best-selling author who was first gifted the gadget during Lockdown.
The keen home cook initially began experimenting with the air fryer before sharing her recipes on social media.
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Since then, the culinary Queen has wracked up a loyal following, released an array of cookbooks and recently revealed a common mistake she and other air fryer enthusiasts are guilty of making.
Speaking to The Daily Record, Andrews said that she has had her ‘fair share’ of disasters when it comes to using the kitchen gadget.
“I'm always trying new things and when I first started on my air fryer journey, I experimented a lot with different foods and recipes,” she told the publication.
What are the common mistakes people make with their air fryers?
Below, we’ve listed four common mistakes that the air fryer expert says it common among users.
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These include cooking ‘light foods’ and filling your frying basket up to the brink.
Laziness getting in the way of cleanliness
Cuisine connoisseur Andrews has admitted that she used to be against cleaning out her air fryer in its early days of life.
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"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 odour,” she explained.
“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.”
Stuffing your basket full
Andrews has also revealed one of the most ‘common blunders’ that people make while using their air fryer is that they tend to ‘overfill [their] basket’.
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"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,” she stated.
“Which can lead to soggy textures and unevenly cooked food.”
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Cooking light foods can be a one-way ticket to disaster
If you don’t want to ruin your machine, then you should avoid cooking light items in your air fryer, says the expert.
“Steer clear of very light foods, such as mini meringue, small tortilla wraps even cheese slices,” she explained to the publication.
“They can take off in the air currents and stick to the heating element at the top, which can cause smoking and potentially ruin your machine."
Turn your food during cooking time
"Another frequent mistake is not shaking the basket or turning your food halfway through the cooking time,” says the specialist.
Giving your chips a quick spin will not only ensure they’re ‘lovely and crispy all over’, but will stop them from sticking to the bottom of the tray.
Less debris to dig off = more food and less time cleaning.
You're welcome. Happy air frying!
Topics: Food and Drink, World News, Technology, Books
Ella Scott