The air fryer has become a kitchen staple for many home cooks, and for good reason. It offers a healthier alternative to deep frying, requires minimal oil, and delivers crispy, delicious results with much less mess. If you’ve recently jumped on the air fryer bandwagon or want to make the most out of your existing appliance, there are a few tips that can help you elevate your air fryer game. Whether you’re cooking veggies, proteins, or even desserts, these tips will ensure that your air fryer dishes come out perfectly every time.
1. Don’t Overcrowd the Basket
One of the most common mistakes people make when cooking with an air fryer is overcrowding the basket. The key to achieving that golden, crispy exterior is allowing hot air to circulate around each piece of food. If you stack ingredients too closely or fill the basket to the brim, they will end up steaming instead of frying, leaving you with soggy results.
Instead, cook in batches if necessary. This is especially important for items like French fries, chicken wings, or vegetables that need even airflow to crisp up properly. Give your ingredients room to breathe, and they will reward you with a much better texture.
2. Lightly Coat with Oil
While air frying significantly reduces the amount of oil needed, a little bit of oil still goes a long way in achieving that crispy texture. It’s important to remember that air fryers aren’t completely oil-free; rather, they use hot air combined with a small amount of oil to create the crispness we all love.
Use a spray bottle to lightly coat your food with oil. Olive oil, avocado oil, or even a light vegetable oil spray will help ingredients get that perfect golden brown. Just be sure not to oversaturate—a light mist is enough. Avoid aerosol-based sprays that can damage the non-stick coating of your air fryer basket. Opt for a refillable pump spray bottle instead.
3. Shake the Basket Midway Through Cooking
To ensure even cooking and browning, it’s a good idea to shake the basket halfway through the cooking process. This is especially crucial for smaller items like fries, cauliflower bites, or Brussels sprouts, which can overlap during cooking.
Shaking the basket helps redistribute the food and exposes different sides to the hot air, ensuring an evenly crisped result. For larger items like chicken breasts or pork chops, use tongs to flip the pieces midway through cooking so they cook evenly on all sides.
4. Preheat the Air Fryer
Much like an oven, preheating your air fryer can make a big difference in the final outcome of your food. Preheating ensures that the air fryer reaches the optimal temperature before you add your ingredients, which helps start the cooking process immediately and delivers a better texture.
Most air fryers only need 3-5 minutes to preheat. Simply set the air fryer to the desired temperature, let it run empty for a few minutes, and then add your food. By preheating, you’re guaranteeing that the cooking time is accurate and your food will come out crispy every time.
5. Pat Food Dry for Better Crispiness
Moisture is the enemy of crispiness, especially in an air fryer. If you’re air frying items like chicken wings, tofu, or even vegetables, make sure to pat them dry before seasoning and cooking. Excess moisture can prevent your food from getting that delicious, golden crust and may lead to a less satisfying texture.
For proteins like chicken or fish, using a paper towel to pat them dry ensures that the oil and seasonings will adhere better, creating a flavorful, crispy coating. If you’re making something like zucchini or eggplant, salting them beforehand and letting them sit for a few minutes helps draw out extra moisture—just be sure to pat them dry afterward.
6. Adjust Temperature and Cooking Times as Needed
Air fryer cooking times are not one-size-fits-all, and each air fryer model can have slightly different temperature calibrations. It’s important to keep an eye on your food and adjust cooking times or temperatures as needed. If a recipe calls for 15 minutes at 400°F, you may find that your air fryer only needs 12 minutes—or perhaps it takes closer to 20.
It’s always better to start checking your food a few minutes earlier than the recommended cooking time to avoid overcooking. Once you become familiar with how your specific air fryer operates, you’ll get a feel for the adjustments needed to get consistent results.
7. Use Parchment Paper for Easy Cleanup
To make cleanup a breeze, consider using air fryer-safe parchment paper liners. These specially designed parchment sheets have holes that allow air to circulate while preventing food from sticking to the basket. This is particularly useful when cooking foods that tend to release juices, like marinated chicken or fish, or sticky foods like baked goods.
Just make sure not to add parchment paper during the preheating stage or without food on it, as it could fly up into the heating element and burn. Parchment paper is most effective when it’s weighed down with food, keeping it in place.
8. Season After Air Frying for Certain Foods
If you’re cooking items like French fries or potato wedges, consider seasoning them after they come out of the air fryer. Some seasonings can burn during the cooking process, especially finely ground spices or herbs. To avoid a bitter taste, sprinkle seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or grated Parmesan cheese right after cooking when the food is still hot and can absorb the flavors well.
For foods that are marinated or coated in a spice blend before cooking, like chicken wings or tofu, you can season ahead of time. Just be aware of which spices might burn easily, and adjust accordingly.
9. Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
The air fryer is incredibly versatile, and it’s worth experimenting with different types of food beyond just fries and chicken nuggets. You can make roasted vegetables, crispy chickpeas, stuffed peppers, and even baked desserts like hand pies or churros. The sky is truly the limit when it comes to what you can do with an air fryer.
Try air frying fruits like apple slices or pineapple for a naturally sweet treat, or make crispy croutons from leftover bread for a quick salad topping. The more you use your air fryer, the more you’ll discover just how many creative possibilities it offers.
10. Avoid Wet Batters
One thing to keep in mind is that wet batters don’t work well in an air fryer. Unlike deep frying, the air fryer won’t set the wet batter quickly, which means it will likely drip off and create a mess in your basket. Instead, opt for dredging foods in a dry coating like seasoned flour or breadcrumbs for a crispy crust.
If you want to make something like fried chicken, coat it in flour, then dip it in an egg wash, and finally press it into breadcrumbs or panko. This way, the coating stays intact and gets nice and crunchy in the air fryer without the mess of a wet batter.
11. Use Cooking Racks for Multi-Layered Cooking
Many air fryers come with additional cooking racks that allow you to cook multiple layers of food at once. This is great for making larger quantities or cooking different components of a meal simultaneously. If your air fryer didn’t come with racks, they can often be purchased separately and are well worth the investment.
Cooking racks can help you maximize the available space in your air fryer, but it’s still important to avoid overcrowding. Make sure there’s enough space between items for air to circulate effectively, which is essential for that crispy finish.
12. Marinate or Brine for Added Flavor
If you want to take your air fryer recipes to the next level, consider marinating or brining your proteins before cooking. Marinating chicken, fish, or tofu can help infuse deeper flavors and keep the meat tender and juicy. Even a short marination time of 30 minutes can make a big difference.
For chicken wings or pork chops, a simple brine made with water, salt, and a little sugar can enhance both flavor and texture. Just make sure to pat the food dry before air frying to get the crispiest results.
