Cecily Goodwin - Simple Air Fryer Cookbook with Pictures: Easy Recipes for Beginners with Tips & Tricks to Fry, Grill, Roast, and Bake | Your Everyday Air Fryer Book

Preheat the air fryer before placing the food inside

Even when you are going to cook food in the oven, you preheat it for a few minutes before placing the food inside. The process is the same with an air fryer. The taste of food will be more delicious in the preheated conditions. Despite that, this is a simple step that many people forget. For that reason, keep in mind the importance of remembering this advice.

Grease the air fryer basket with some oil to prevent it from sticking

Although many air fryers have a nonstick layer, it is still good to grease it to avoid potential problems. The best oil options for an air fryer basket are surely oils with high smoking points that can be used in high temperatures (such as soybean or safflower oil).

Extra tip: I recommend you to avoid extra-virgin types that smoke at the point from 350 to 410F. Despite that, you can use light types that smoke at the point between 390 and 470F.

Use oil sparingly to achieve the best crispy food level

The huge mistake is to think that putting your food in a big amount of oil will make it crispy in the machine. You should know that the amount of oil doesnt influence the crispiness of the food. Moreover, you can make your food too soggy instead of crispy if you dip it into much oil.

Add spices to the oil before spreading them over the food

Many people dont know that the air circulation in this machine is very strong. Thats why some lightweight spices can be blow off. If you want to prevent that, do as the title says, and mix some spices with oil. The oil will hold the spices and herbs on the food.

Avoid using nonstick aerosol spray to prevent damaging your air fryer

Many people dont know that nonstick cooking sprays can include additives. Those additives can produce damage to the non-sticking layer of your machine. For that reason, remember to avoid them. However, there is a perfect alternative you can find. You can buy a spray bottle and pour your oil into it.

Leave at least five inches of space around your air fryer

You need to leave enough space around all sides of your air fryer if you want to provide adequate air circulation. There is a rule of thumb to provide five inches of space around the fryer and check that the surface is heat-proof.

Dont overcrowd your air fryer

If you add too many foods into your air fryer basket, you will cause a big problem. The air fryer cannot work properly when it is overcrowded. The air circulation will be disrupted, and the food wont taste delicious. If you need to prepare a large amount of food, you need to cook it in small air fryer batches. This way, you will ensure that your food gets crispy. Keep in mind to follow this advice, especially when you are making fries.

Cook large items in a single layer without stacking

If you want to prepare something like a whole chicken, steak, fish fillets, burgers, or pork chops, you should place them in one layer instead of stacking. It is necessary to follow this advice because you will not get what you expect. The parts that are touching will be soggy and colorless. Dont rush. Cook them in batches.