1. Control temperature and time
The optimal cooking temperature and time are different for each ingredient, so controlling temperature and time is crucial. Air fryers usually offer different temperature settings, ranging from 180°C to 200°C. For smaller or thinner foods, like fries or chicken wings, higher temperatures and shorter cooking times are appropriate, while larger meats, like whole chickens or roasts, require lower temperatures and longer time. It is recommended that you check the product manual or recipe before using your air fryer to learn the optimal cooking parameters for each ingredient. Also, try to check the status of your food regularly during cooking, especially when you're trying a new recipe. When approaching the scheduled cooking time, pay attention to the color and texture of the food, and adjust the temperature or time in time to ensure that the food is not dry or overcooked. If the outside of the food has reached your desired golden brown but the inside still needs more time, consider lowering the temperature and continuing to cook. This will ensure that the food is evenly cooked inside and out.
2. Use oil in moderation
While Mechanical Air Fryer are designed to reduce the use of grease, the right amount of oil can significantly improve the texture and moistness of your food. In many cases, a small amount of vegetable oil not only helps food cook more evenly, but also creates a delicious crispy crust. You can use a spray bottle to lightly spray the vegetable oil, or use a brush to spread the oil evenly over the surface of the food. For some ingredients that are particularly prone to drying, such as chicken breasts, it is recommended to use a good-flavored oil such as olive oil or butter. This extra oil not only enhances flavor, but also creates a protective film that prevents moisture loss. In addition, you need to pay attention to the amount of oil when using it. Too much oil will cause the outer layer of the food to be too greasy, while too little oil may cause dryness. Therefore, finding the amount of oil that suits your taste and adjusting it can make your air fryer food more delicious.
3. Cut and place ingredients evenly
Making sure the ingredients are even in size and shape will help the air fryer heat evenly during the cooking process. When food is cut unevenly, thicker portions may take longer to cook, while thinner portions are prone to overcooking. It is recommended to cut ingredients into similar sizes and thicknesses so that they cook evenly at the same temperature and time. In addition to even cutting, proper placement of ingredients is equally important. Food should be placed in the cooking basket of the air fryer to avoid overlapping or squeezing. Food can be cooked in multiple batches, ensuring each item has enough space for hot air to circulate. This arrangement not only ensures that each piece of food is heated evenly, but also avoids the situation where some parts are too dry and some are undercooked. Remember, air fryers rely on hot air circulation to heat food, and adequate space and good air circulation are key to optimal cooking results.
4. Turn food properly
Turning food regularly during cooking is an important step to ensure even heating. Most air fryers are not designed with an automatic flip function, so you'll need to manually flip the food half the time it's cooking. For larger ingredients, like chicken legs or pork chops, flip them once halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking on both sides. If you're cooking smaller items, such as fries or chicken wings, you can flip more frequently to ensure that each side is evenly fried until golden and crispy. Additionally, turning food can help remove some moisture from the surface, further reducing the risk of overdrying. When turning food, be careful not to bump it too much, which could damage the appearance and structure of the ingredients. Mastering the timing and method of flipping allows you to cook delicious food that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
5. Add wet ingredients
When using an air fryer, adding some moist ingredients can help your food stay moist and prevent it from drying out. For example, when cooking meat, you can add a small amount of water, chicken stock or seasonings to the bottom of the air fryer to increase the ambient humidity. This method works particularly well with meats and certain root vegetables, keeping moisture inside them during cooking, thus preventing them from drying out. Another method is to marinate ingredients before cooking, using liquid marinades such as soy sauce, olive oil, and yogurt to penetrate the food. This not only adds flavor but also effectively keeps food moist. When making certain dishes, such as marinating chicken wings or beef cubes, the liquid component of the marinade can help lock in moisture, making the cooked food more tender and juicy. In addition, you can try adding some fresh vegetables or fruits according to your personal taste and add them with the main ingredients during the cooking process to add flavor and nutrition to the entire dish.
6. Pay attention to preheating
Preheating the air fryer is not only to improve cooking efficiency, but also to ensure that the outer layer of the food can quickly form a crispy crust, thereby reducing moisture loss. Before using the mechanical air fryer, it is recommended to preheat it 5-10 minutes in advance. This can help the equipment reach the set temperature and ensure that food can start cooking quickly when it is put in. When preheating, adjust accordingly based on the type of ingredients and desired temperature. If you are cooking chicken wings or fries, you can set the temperature to 200°C and preheat. For larger ingredients, such as a whole chicken, you may need to set it to 180°C for preheating. During the preheating process, the temperature inside the air fryer rises evenly, helping to form a crispy outer layer of food while maintaining a juicy texture inside. This not only improves the flavor of your food, but also shortens overall cooking time and reduces the risk of overdrying.
7. Monitor the cooking process
During the cooking process, monitoring the condition of your food is an important step to avoid overdrying or burning it. Since the cooking time and results of each ingredient may vary, it is recommended to observe halfway through cooking. Many modern air fryers are equipped with clear viewing windows that allow users to see how their food is changing. Toward the end of cooking, periodically open the fryer to check the appearance and aroma of the food so you can make adjustments. If you find that the food has reached the desired color but the inside still takes longer, you can lower the temperature appropriately and extend the cooking time to avoid overdrying or burning. It’s also important to pay attention to the characteristics of the ingredients, such as thicker cuts of meat that require more time, while thinner cuts of food cook relatively quickly. By closely monitoring the cooking process, you can adjust settings at any time based on the actual conditions of your food, ensuring the final product is delicious.
8. Use recipe guidance
Referring to professional air fryer recipes can help you master the cooking techniques and parameters of different ingredients more effectively. Many recipes provide detailed time and temperature settings, as well as methods for preparing and handling specific ingredients. When choosing recipes, try to choose ones that have been tested to ensure you get the best results when using a mechanical air fryer. Many recipes also provide tips on how to handle different types of meats, vegetables and their seasonings, helping you better understand the properties of the ingredients and appropriate cooking methods. Beginners can start with simple recipes and gradually try more complex dishes, and as you gain experience, you will become more familiar with the cooking requirements of each ingredient in the air fryer. In addition, you can also try to record your own cooking experience, record success and failure cases, and gradually develop air fryer usage skills that suit your taste and style.