Air fryers have become every budding chef’s new best friend, whipping up meals with ease – but even the savviest of cooks can slip up.
Cookbook author and air fryer expert Clare Andrews has dished out the “common blunders” people often make with their trusty gadget – and she’s speaking from experience.
She said: “One thing is for sure, I have certainly learned my lesson the hard way! And I’m here to help you, so you don’t make the same mistakes that I did in the past.”
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It’s easy to accidentally “overfill your basket” when hunger strikes, but Clare warns against this rookie error that could leave your grub tasting less than delicious – with a weird texture too.
Clare said: “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. Which can lead to soggy textures and unevenly cooked food.”
In a startling confession about her own air fryer habits, Clare admitted she used to skimp on cleaning it post-cooking, a blunder she vows to “never make again,” reports the Mirror.
She said: “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,” revealing the grim consequences of skipping the scrub.
“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.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Despite being an air frying expert now, Clare admits she wasn’t always so skilled. She confessed: “Along with maintaining your air fryer, I have also had my fair share of disasters with some of my recipes.
“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 once attempted to make a “version of a deep-fried Mars bar”, but warned others: “Don’t do it.
“Wet batter and gooey chocolate, mixed with caramel did not work at all in an air fryer, the mess was everywhere.
“I’d also steer clear of very light foods, such as mini meringue, small tortilla wraps even cheese slices. 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,” she further advised.
If you’re aiming for “lovely and crispy” food from the air fryer, you’ll want to avoid a common blunder.
She said: “Another frequent mistake is not shaking the basket or turning your food halfway through the cooking time. Doing this will ensure your food is lovely and crispy all over.
“Remember, all air fryers are different, so when you’re following a recipe or packet instructions don’t be afraid to open your air fryer during the cook, to check that nothing is overcooking. Unlike ovens, air fryers get back up to cooking temperature very quickly so it’s OK to open them.”
Clare Andrews’ new book ‘The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook: One Basket Meals’ is out on November 7, and you can pre-order on Amazon now.