9 mistakes you're making when using your air fryer

Cheyenne LentzAug 13, 2020, 19:38 IST

There are a lot of things you can cook in an air fryer.iStock

Air fryers are able to fry food without using oil.
To get the best results, it's important to know how to properly use an air fryer and how to avoid making mistakes that can easily ruin your food.
Overcrowding the fryer basket, not flipping your proteins, and forgetting to properly clean your appliance are some of the most common air-fryer mistakes people make.

Air fryers are becoming an increasingly popular appliance found in millions of kitchens around the globe. This small device is likely popular because it has the ability to brown and crisp food without oil.

Plus, this appliance can do more than just fry. It can also heat up and even cook a wide variety of foods. But to achieve perfectly browned fries or crispy chicken wings, you'll want to know how to properly use your air fryer.

Here are some common mistakes you could be making when using your air fryer:

You're overcrowding the basket of your air fryer.

Food won't cook evenly if it's too crowded. iStock / Getty Images Plus

You're not patting your proteins dry before putting them in the appliance.

Dry the surface of your meat before putting it in the air fryer. Shutterstock

You aren't cleaning your air fryer properly or often enough.

You can scrub your air fryer basket in the sink. Shutterstock

You forget to preheat your air fryer.

This will help your food cook evenly. Shutterstock

You're only using it to make fried foods.

You can make grilled cheese in an air fryer. Erin McDowell/Insider

You don't rotate your proteins while they are cooking.

Always rotate your chicken when you cook it. iStock / Getty Images Plus / LauriPatterson

You don't move your vegetables around while you're frying them.

Move your veggies so they cook evenly. Janaki Jitchotvisut for Insider

You're not using your air fryer for baking.

You can make cookies in an air fryer. Chelsea Davis for Insider

You're never using any oil

Tossing food in oil before popping it in the air fryer isn't always a bad idea. Chelsea Davis for Insider

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