You've been using air fryers all wrong as expert warns of common mistake

Air fryers aren't immune to user error.

Now Clare Andrews, air fryer expert and recipe book author, has divulged some "common blunders" that enthusiasts often make.

Clare, who speaks from experience, humorously remarked: "One thing is for sure, I have certainly learned my lesson the hard way! And I'm here to help you, so you don't make the same mistakes that I did in the past."

She points out it's incredibly easy to "overfill your basket", a mishap that even novices can avoid. This error can lead to food emerging with a nasty taste or peculiar texture.

Issuing a stark warning about these beloved appliances, Clare highlights a pervasive 'myth'. She explained: "This can be a problem as air fryers rely on rapid air circulation to cook food evenly and if you overcrowd the basket, that can block the hot air from reaching your food and circulating properly. Which can lead to soggy textures and unevenly cooked food."

Further, Clare confesses to a surprising oversight in her past air frying practices, admitting she used to forgo cleaning her appliance after each use, an omission she vows to "never make again".

Neglecting to clean up, she cautions, could result in an accumulation of grease and crumbs that lead to burnt remnants, potentially causing smoke and sometimes an odious smell. She stated: "As tempting as it may seem to leave it for another day, this can cause a build-up of grease and crumbs leading to burnt residues, which can cause smoke and sometimes a rather unpleasant odour.

"This of course can also lead to your air fryer not performing as it should, and the longevity of your machine. If you don't fancy cleaning every time, certain foods can be cooked in a silicone liner and even oven-proof dishes."

She pointed out: "Another frequent mistake is not shaking the basket or turning your food halfway through the cooking time. Doing this will ensure your food is lovely and crispy all over."

Clare advised: "Remember, all air fryers are different, so when you're following a recipe or packet instructions don't be afraid to open your air fryer during the cook, to check that nothing is overcooking. Unlike ovens, air fryers get back up to cooking temperature very quickly so it's OK to open them."

Despite being an air frying expert now, Clare admits she wasn't always so proficient - everyone has to start somewhere. She confessed: "Along with maintaining your air fryer, I have also had my fair share of disasters with some of my recipes.

"I'm always trying new things and when I first started on my air fryer journey, I experimented a lot with different foods and recipes."

One of her experiments was a "version of a deep-fried Mars bar", but she cautioned: "Don't do it."

"Wet batter and gooey chocolate, mixed with caramel did not work at all in an air fryer, the mess was everywhere," she vented.

She further advised: "I'd also steer clear of very light foods, such as mini meringue, small tortilla wraps even cheese slices. They can take off in the air currents and stick to the heating element at the top, which can cause smoking and potentially ruin your machine."

If you're aiming for "lovely and crispy" food from the air fryer, you'll want to avoid the common blunder.

Her new book, 'The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook: One Basket Meals', is set to be released on 7th November and is available for pre-order on Amazon now.