Can You Cook Two Things At Once In An Air Fryer?

Air fryers are loved for their ability to create delicious healthier food fast compared to traditional frying methods.

They are also versatile with several cooking functions.

A common question I come across is whether you can cook two things at once in an air fryer. If yes, how?

In this article, I will share my experience on whether it is possible to cook two things at once in an air fryer.

I’ll also provide tips for successful simultaneous cooking.

Let’s dive in.

Can You Cook Two Things at Once in An Air Fryer?

So yes, you can cook two things at once in an air fryer.

Cooking multiple foods at the same time is convenient as it helps to cut down your cooking time.

The type and size of the air fryer greatly affect your ability to prepare two dishes at a time successfully.

If you have a small air fryer, it may not be possible to cook two things at once.

Trying to add more than one food type may overcrowd the basket and affect air circulation, leading to uneven cooking or burnt food.

It is simpler with a larger air fryer, often a 4-quart and above, or an air fryer oven.

Another important factor to consider when cooking two things at once in an air fryer is the type and amount of food you are cooking.

From my tests, it’s better to use this method when preparing foods that require relatively similar cooking times and temperatures.

The cooking times and temperatures as detailed in this air fryer cheat sheet affect the placement of food.

However, there are ways to work around this depending on the method you’re using to cook two things at once in your air fryer.

For example, it is recommended to place the food that requires more cooking time or a higher temperature at the bottom when using air fryer racks to stack food in the air fryer.

This way, the bottom dish will receive more heat, and the top dish will receive less heat, ensuring that both dishes are cooked evenly.

Ways to Cook Two Things at Once in an Air Fryer

There are five options you can use to cook two things at once in an air fryer. They include:

1. Use a Divider

One of the simplest ways to cook two things at once in an air fryer is to use a divider.

A divider is a cooking accessory that splits the air fryer basket into two compartments.

The Instant Vortex VersaZone is an air fryer that comes with a divider that transforms it into a dual-basket air fryer.

You can buy it here.

This way, you can cook two different dishes at the same time without any cross-contamination.

Making use of a divider is an ideal solution if you want to cook two dishes that require different cooking times or temperatures.

2. Use an Air Fryer Liner

Another way to cook two things at once in an air fryer is to use air fryer liners such as aluminum foil or parchment paper.

Simply wrap the two dishes in separate foil or parchment paper and place them in the air fryer basket.

This method works well for most types of food.

You can remove the food at any point once the ideal temperature and time have lapsed.

3. Skewers

Skewers are long, thin metal or bamboo sticks that are used to hold pieces of food together while cooking.

They are commonly used for grilling or roasting food, such as meats, vegetables, or fruits.

In the air fryer, you can thread pieces of food onto the skewers and place them in the air fryer basket.

Make sure to leave enough space between the skewers so that the air can circulate.

4. Air Fryer Rack

Air fryer racks are wire racks that are used to increase the cooking capacity of an air fryer.

To cook two things at once with a rack, place one dish on the air fryer basket and the other on the rack.

You can also use a multi-layer rack to prepare more food at once.  

5. Use a Dual Basket Air Fryer

A dual-basket air fryer is a type of air fryer that has two separate baskets or compartments for cooking food at the same time.

This makes it the best option for cooking two different things simultaneously.

The two dual-basket air fryers I would recommend are the Ninja DZ201 Foodi and the Instant Vortex Plus XL.

The best part, the dual-basket air fryers feature additional technology that allows you to optimally utilize the two air fryer baskets.

For example, the Ninja DZ201 Foodi dual basket air fryer has DualZone technology with smart finish and match cook.

The smart finish allows you to easily prepare foods with different cooking times, temperatures, and functions.

This air fryer adjusts to ensure that the different meals finish cooking at the same time.

On the other hand, match cook is suitable for large batches of food that share the same cooking temperature, time, and function.

Benefits of Cooking Two Things at Once in An Air Fryer

• Saves Time: Cooking two things at once means you can get your meal on the table faster.
• Energy Efficient: Cooking two things in an air fryer uses less energy than using two separate appliances.
• One-Pot Meal: Cooking two things together in an air fryer means you can create a complete meal without using multiple pots and pans.

Tips for Cooking Two Things at Once in An Air Fryer

· Adjust Cooking Times and Temperatures

Different foods require different cooking times and temperatures.

· Choose Compatible Foods

Choose foods that have similar cooking requirements.

They don’t need to have the same cooking temp and time but the closer the better.

· Position Food Correctly

When placing food in the air fryer, arrange the food carefully to ensure that both items cook evenly.

Make sure there is enough space between the items so that the hot air can circulate them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is It Safe to Cook Two Things at Once in An Air Fryer?

A: It is safe to cook two things at once in an air fryer, as long as there is enough space between the two items for the hot air to circulate.

Q: What Are Some Foods That Can Be Cooked Together in An Air Fryer?

A: Foods that can be cooked together in an air fryer include chicken and vegetables.

Conclusion

It is possible to cook two things at once in an air fryer.

Whichever method you use to achieve this, make sure that both dishes fit comfortably in the air fryer basket.

With a little creativity and experimentation, you can easily cook two delicious dishes in your air fryer at the same time.

For more air fryer tricks and tips, check out the following articles:

• Why Won’t My Food Get Crispy in the Air Fryer?
• How Do You Remove Food from An Air Fryer?
• Where Do You Store an Air Fryer?
• How Can I Find Recipes for My Air Fryer?
• What Not to Cook in an Air Fryer?
• How To Stop an Air Fryer