Home LivingAppliancesKitchenAir FryersMy top 3 air fryer dos – and my 1 epic fail don’tI love my air fryer, but I’ve had to learn some lessons the hard wayWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingAppliancesKitchenAir FryersMy top 3 air fryer dos – and my 1 epic fail don’tI love my air fryer, but I’ve had to learn some lessons the hard wayWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
I love my air fryer, but I’ve had to learn some lessons the hard way
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Philips)
(Image credit: Philips)
Some people claim to love air fryers so much that they bought thebest air fryerthey could find. Me, I bought two: the first to see if they were any good, and the second because my first one was too small to cope with my new air frying addiction.
The best air fryers are genuinely brilliant gadgets for several reasons: they make really great food really quickly, they make traditionally unhealthy foods much more healthy, and if you forget about them they won’t set your home on fire.
I’ve made some really great things in my air fryers, but I’ve made a few horrific messes too. So here are some lessons I’ve learnt the hard way, both good and bad.
Do: use the 20% rule
Do: brine and bash your chicken
Air Fryers can dry out chicken and make it a bit tough, so it’s a very good idea to flatten your fillets (I put mine in IKEA bags and whack them with the side of a wooden tenderiser) for more consistent cooking and to brine them for a good while in advance so they don’t dry out. A basic brine is just a mix of salt and water that you chuck your chicken into and leave for a while. You can brine for as little as 20 minutes but the chicken will be fine for a few hours; just don’t do it all day or overnight as the chicken starts to get mushy.
Do: make your basket non-stick
In many cases, your air fryer basket will be a very thin metal mesh – and that mesh likes nothing better than to grab onto food and refuse to let it go, tearing chunks out of your chicken or sabotaging your salmon when you try to remove it. For more delicate foods such as salmon, make sure you oil the basket and that you also pat dry and oil the skin before placing the salmon skin side down.
Don’t: overcrowd the basket
If like me you started with a relatively small air fryer, resist the temptation to cram the basket: it’s a false economy, because while it’s quicker than cooking in batches the end result will be a mix of overcooked and undercooked food. Air fryers' increased speed means batch cooking is quicker than with other methods, and given the choice between crap food quickly or properly cooked food that takes a little longer most people would pick the latter every time.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Today’s best PHILIPS AIRFRYER XXL deals1 Amazon customer review☆☆☆☆☆$112.47ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best PHILIPS AIRFRYER XXL deals1 Amazon customer review☆☆☆☆☆$112.47ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best PHILIPS AIRFRYER XXL deals
1 Amazon customer review☆☆☆☆☆
1 Amazon customer review☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
$112.47View
$112.47View
$112.47View
$112.47View
$112.47
$112.47
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Vollebak pushes the limits of outerwear with Double Graphene Puffer and Shielding SuitThe company continues to weave innovation into every thread
The company continues to weave innovation into every thread
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review: sensational sound, ordinary ANCBowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Bowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Robot vacuum cleaners are growing arms and legs?! I’m scared and intrigued at the same time…Are robot vacuums getting too out of hand?
Are robot vacuums getting too out of hand?
Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10-litre Air Fryer review: ideal for larger families, but at a premium priceAs a direct competitor to the Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer, how does it compare?
As a direct competitor to the Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer, how does it compare?
The ultimate air fryer Christmas cooking guide, according to Tefal expertsHow to make Christmas dinner in an air fryer, including turkey, potato and dessert tips
How to make Christmas dinner in an air fryer, including turkey, potato and dessert tips
Tower Vortx Air Fryer review: straightforward design with a budget-friendly priceStylish, affordable and easy to use? Go on then
Stylish, affordable and easy to use? Go on then
Ninja reveals 73% of people use an air fryer instead of an oven – here are 3 reasons you should tooHave you made the switch yet?
Have you made the switch yet?
Ninja upgrades its Double Stack Air Fryer with a more compact size than beforeNinja launches a smaller version of its Double Stack air fryer – if that’s even possible
Ninja launches a smaller version of its Double Stack air fryer – if that’s even possible
Breville’s new air fryer takes on Ninja with its huge capacity and multiple cooking zonesThe Breville Halo Flexi air fryer means you’ll never have to use your oven again
The Breville Halo Flexi air fryer means you’ll never have to use your oven again
Experts reveal your air fryer is dirtier than you think… here’s how to fix itA third of the UK doesn’t clean their air fryer enough, according to experts
A third of the UK doesn’t clean their air fryer enough, according to experts
