The air fryer has grown in popularity over recent years due to its ease of use and ability to produce a number of delicious dishes. Read on for some of our air fryer hacks to get the best possible use out of this handy appliance.
Try preheating
Preheating the air fryer like you would an oven can help ensure that your food is evenly cooked all the way through.
Use non-stick spray
Most air fryers have a built-in non-stick coating, but using a cooking spray can help this coating last longer and provide an extra layer to ensure your food won’t stick.
Use it instead of your microwave
For many dishes that you have historically made in the microwave, the air fryer can be a great alternative. Using the air fryer is often quicker and results in a crispier or fresher-tasting meal.
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Make boiled eggs
Don’t feel like waiting for a pot to boil or having dishes to clean up? You can make boiled eggs in the air fryer!
Give pudding a try
On top of traditionally fried or microwaved goods, you can also make a sorts of baked goods in the air fryer.
Reduce crumbs and drips
Love using your air fryer but tired of the constant clean-up? Make your life easier by layering the bottom of the basket with foil or a silicon air fryer liner, which will catch any crumbs or oil and make cleaning a breeze.
Don’t dishwash
While the dishwasher is a handy way to help keep the kitchen clean, it should not be used to wash the individual components your air fryer. Rather, use a damp cloth to wipe down the inside of the machine.
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Shake the basket during cooking
One of the most common problems with air fryers is that they don’t always evenly cook food. An easy hack to fix this problem is by periodically shaking the basket throughout the cooking time, which will move the food around and ensure a more even cooking process.
Don’t overfill the basket
Since air fryer baskets are often on the small side, it can be tempting to fill them to the brim when cooking. In order to get the best results, try cooking in batches and always leave a little space between individual items like burger patties.
Clean after each use
Leftover oils and other residue can quickly build up, meaning your air fryer may start to emit smoke with each use. Giving it a quick clean between each use can help to prevent this.
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READ MORE: Air fryer: Crispy Drumsticks with Wedges & Garlic Mayo Dip
Featured image: Kalisha Ocheni on Unsplash
