It’s easy to make mistakes when using an air fryer, especially when you’re just starting out. The most common mistake almost everyone makes is overfilling the basket.

Why is overfilling the basket a mistake?
An air fryer works by circulating hot air, not by immersing it in oil. When the basket is overfilled, the hot air can’t circulate effectively and evenly. This results in:

Undercooked food: The top may crisp, but the bottom will be soggy.
Long cooking times: Because the air doesn’t circulate well, food takes longer to cook.
Soggy food: Steam buildup in the basket prevents food from crisping, which ruins the desired texture.
The solution to this problem is to cook in batches. This may take a little longer, but it ensures that food is cooked evenly and with the desired crispy texture.

Other common mistakes
Don’t shake or flip the food: To ensure crispiness on all sides, it’s essential to shake the basket halfway through cooking or use a spatula to flip the food.
Don’t preheat: Just like a conventional oven, preheating the air fryer ensures that the food begins cooking immediately at the right temperature, which is essential for achieving a perfect texture.
Have you ever made any of these mistakes with your air fryer?