Air Fryer Tips & Tricks
Mastering the air fryer can elevate your home cooking with efficiency and creativity. Here are some expert tips to make the most out of your air fryer.
Freshly updated 24 August 2026 · new tips every week
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Preheat for Optimal Results
Preheating the air fryer for about 3 minutes before adding food helps achieve more uniform cooking and crispier textures. Just like a conventional oven, starting with a hot cooking environment ensures better results.
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Use Skewers for Even Cooking
For foods like chicken pieces or vegetables, threading them onto skewers can help ensure even cooking. This method allows hot air to circulate freely around the food, reducing the chance of unevenly cooked meals.
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Layer with Parchment Paper
Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of the basket and place it underneath food items prone to sticking. This keeps the basket cleaner and helps prevent delicate foods from breaking apart.
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Shake the Basket Midway
For foods like chips or small vegetables, shaking the basket halfway through cooking redistributes the food, promoting even browning and crispness. It also helps in checking the progress without interrupting the cooking process significantly.
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Rest Cooked Food Briefly
Allowing food to rest for a few minutes after air frying helps redistribute the juices and firms up the texture. This small waiting period enhances flavour and ensures a better eating experience.
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Use a Light Oil Spray
A light spray of oil on the food surface can enhance browning and crispness without adding much fat. Opt for oils with high smoke points like rapeseed or sunflower oil for best results.
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Prevent Overcrowding
Arrange food in a single layer with space between items to ensure hot air circulates effectively. Overcrowding leads to steaming rather than frying, resulting in soggy textures.
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Utilise the Rack for Dual Cooking
If your air fryer comes with a rack, use it to cook two layers at once. This is ideal for preparing a main and a side simultaneously, but remember to swap layers midway for even cooking.
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Employ the Pause Function
Use the pause function if your air fryer has one, to safely check doneness and flip items without resetting the timer. This feature helps maintain consistent cooking times and temperatures.
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Experiment with Baking
The air fryer isn't just for frying; you can bake cakes and pastries by adjusting recipes slightly. Reduce the oven temperature by about 10-15°C and start checking doneness a few minutes early to avoid overbaking.
Ready to put these into practice?
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