Ever since Oprah Winfrey declared it as one of her favorite kitchen appliances in 2013, the unassuming air fryer has gained immense popularity and has become a must-have in many kitchens.
Using hot air instead of hot oil to cook food, the air fryer offers a quick and healthy alternative to traditional deep-fat fryers.
However, many people who have purchased an air fryer have discovered that there is a learning curve in mastering this appliance.
Fortunately, Which? has come to the rescue by identifying the most common air fryer fails and providing solutions to fix them.
According to Emily Seymour, Which? Energy Editor, “Air fryers are generally user-friendly, but it is possible for things to go awry. If you overcrowd the machine or neglect proper cleaning, you may end up with undercooked chicken and chips or a smoky kitchen.”
After purchasing an air fryer, many budding chefs have learned the hard way that there’s a learning curve to mastering the appliance
1. Undercooked chips
Achieving perfect golden-brown fries in an air fryer can be challenging, especially when it comes to frozen chips.
Which? explains, “Undercooking or overcooking chips initially is normal, but if it keeps happening, you may be making some basic mistakes.”
Overfilling the basket or tray is a common mistake that results in burnt chips on the outside and soggy chips in the middle.
To determine the optimal capacity of your air fryer, consult the manufacturer’s instruction manual or experiment with different quantities of food.
Additionally, remember to shake the basket regularly during cooking to ensure even cooking and avoid underwhelming chips.
We all love a frozen chip, but achieving perfect golden-brown fries in an air fryer can be tricky
2. Air fryer smokes or emits an unpleasant smell
If your air fryer hasn’t been cleaned in a while, it may smoke or emit unpleasant odors.
Which? explains, “Each time you use your air fryer, grease, crumbs, and small bits of food accumulate at the bottom of the basket.”
To avoid this, it is important to clean out the grease and food particles before each use.
Most air fryer baskets have a non-stick coating, making them easy to clean.
For tougher-to-remove bits, immerse the tray or basket in hot soapy water, let it soak, and then wash it off and air dry before the next use.
3. Dry chicken
Dry and tough chicken can be disappointing when cooked in an air fryer.
Cooking instructions for chicken in the oven do not automatically translate to the air fryer.
To overcome this, Which? suggests using pre-set programs and regularly checking on the food to ensure it is cooked to perfection.
4. Messy batter
Cooking foods with wet batters in an air fryer can result in a messy outcome.
To prevent this, Which? advises making the batter thicker and coating it with bread crumbs or corn flour before cooking battered foods.
When making desserts, using silicone tins or oven-safe glass bowls can help contain the batter and minimize mess.
For more expert buying advice and Which? Best Buys, visit which.co.uk/air-fryer
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