For example, if you are airfrying soft food like cheese or vegetables, you can stick toothpicks through them before tossing them in the basket. The toothpicks will weigh the food down and act as a barrier so items don't stick together.
The easiest way to weigh down bread in the air fryer is to place a wire rack or trivet on top of it. These weights allow plenty of hot air to circulate around the toast, and it will not compress the bread. You can also use a trivet as a weight.
To avoid all of these problems, tuck light items under an air fryer accessory like a heat-safe metal rack, use toothpicks to secure portions that may fly open, and use a parchment liner to secure any small bites—and make clean-up easier.
Another workaround is to just lay a fork on each edge of the liner to hold it down. Just a plain fork. It will obviously get hot, so be careful to let it cool (or use tongs) before removing the fork(s), but it works fine. Spoon, butterknife, fork, whatever.
A slice of bread in the bottom of your air fryer can help collect grease without making a mess.
No need to wrap each potato in aluminum foil, only to have to unwrap the hot foil multiple times to see if the potato is cooked through. Air frying allows the hot air to circulate in a small closed environment for perfectly cooked potatoes that have a soft interior and crispy skin.
Another option is to use the cooking rack or tray that comes with most air fryers as a weight to keep food in place. Before you turn the temperature up, remove the crisper plate or tray from the bottom of the basket, place your food inside, and rest the tray on top.
Adding a small amount of water to the bottom of the air fryer can create steam, which keeps the inside of the food tender while allowing the outside to crisp up. For baked goods, such as pastries or bread, a little water can mimic the humid environment of a traditional oven, giving a softer texture or a better rise.
For this reason we love using parchment paper to keep air-frying convenient, healthy and delicious. It's also a more sustainable option than lining your air fryer with aluminum foil.
One of the major risks of air fryers is acrylamide formation, which occurs when cooking foods at high temperatures. The chemical often develops in starchy foods like potatoes or bread and is created through a reaction between sugars and an amino acid called asparagine when the food is heated above 120°C.
Line Your Air Fryer Basket With Pre-Cut Parchment
The liners are especially helpful if you have an air fryer basket with a fine-mesh bottom—food stuck in those little holes is so hard to clean out. You'll have a lot less cooked-on mess that will take almost no effort to wash off.
Even if your air fryer has a non-stick basket, a light coat of oil can make a big difference. It helps your food crisp up beautifully and keeps it from sticking.
leave at least 5 inches between the fryer and the wall. And the most common mistake everyone does. is not investing in a good air fryer.
'People choose to buy air fryer liners for a variety of reasons but mostly for the time saved on cleaning up,' explains Dennis Digwa, appliance expert at RGBDirect. 'By preventing food from sticking directly to the basket, liners can contribute to keeping the air fryer in better condition over time.
Airflow is essential to the machine, so while a paper towel is useful for cleaning, it should not be used while cooking food in the air fryer. It can restrict the airflow of the machine and even catch fire. It's important to remember that the air inside the air fryer can get very hot.
If you are going to use aluminum foil in an air fryer, use a small amount in the bottom of the basket, making sure not to cover the food. This will help make the cleanup even easier while still allowing the hot air to circulate and heat your food.
Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.
"For dry pasta, simply add your favourite sauce and water, then cook at 200°C for 15–20 minutes, stirring halfway through." He also suggested using the air fryer for more than just noodles, recommending crispy, cheesy pasta bakes and even air fryer pasta chips.
While air fryers are popular, the most expensive models can start to get a little pricey, which could undermine their status as a budget item. Taking to social media to share their opinions, many people have revealed that they reckon halogen ovens are the best option for frugal cooking.
A good rule of thumb? Use a temperature about 25 degrees F lower than what you may might be accustomed to with a conventional oven: Baking in the air fryer is typically about 325 instead of 350 degrees F, roasting will be about 400 instead of 425 degrees, and so on.
Can I Use a Kitchen Towel or Dishcloth Under My Air Fryer? While a kitchen towel or dishcloth might absorb oils or spills, it's not the best option for heat protection. Instead, use a heat-resistant mat or trivet to ensure your countertop stays safe.
Foil holds in moisture and steams the potatoes, resulting in a "boiled" taste and texture. Plus, without the use of foil, the skin will get extra crispy and flavorful.
If you put baking paper or tin foil in your Philips Airfryer without placing food on it, the baking paper or tin foil could be sucked into the heating element and start to burn.
Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Rub potatoes with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley. Place potatoes in the air fryer basket. Cook in the preheated air fryer until potatoes are soft, 40 to 50 minutes, depending on potato size.