How To Keep Food from Flying Around in Air Fryer?

When I use any of my air fryers, I get different experiences depending on what I cook.

Nothing truly prepares you for the outcome especially when cooking food for the first time in an air fryer.

When air is circulating inside the air fryer, it causes cause lighter foods, such as vegetables or small pieces of meat, to fly around and not cook evenly.

If you don’t control the placement of these foods, you have no control over where they may end up.

In some cases, it may cause damage to your air fryer if the food comes in contact with the fan or heating element.

Food debris coming in contact with the heating element is one of the causes of smoke coming out of an air fryer.  

Why Does Food Fly Around in Air Fryer?

Before we delve into the tips, let’s first understand why food flies around in the air fryer.

As mentioned above, air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food, which cooks the food evenly from all sides.

However, if the food is too light or has a high moisture content, it can be blown around by the circulating air, leading to uneven cooking and a messy kitchen.

It is important to keep food from flying around in an air fryer to ensure proper cooking and avoid incidents.

So, how do you keep food from flying around in an air fryer?

6 Ways to Secure and Keep Food from Flying Around in Air Fryer

Tip #1: Use a Parchment Paper or Aluminum Foil

Parchment paper and aluminum foil are commonly used as liners in an air fryer.

Using parchment paper or aluminum foil is a simple yet effective way to keep your food from flying around in the air fryer.

Cut the parchment paper or aluminum foil to the size of the air fryer basket and place it at the bottom of the basket before adding the food.

This will create a barrier between the food and the circulating air, preventing the food from flying around.

With aluminum foil, you can cover the food to secure it better which encourages heat retention and even cooking.

Tip #2: Use Skewers or Toothpicks

Using skewers or toothpicks to hold the food in place can also help prevent it from flying around.

Insert the skewers or toothpicks into the food and place it in the basket. This will help in holding the food in place, preventing it from getting blown around.

There are several variations of skewers depending on the size and type of air fryer you have.

A good example is the Instant Vortex lifting rack with skewers to secure and elevate food when cooking.

Tip #3: Air Fryer Rack or Mesh

An air fryer rack or mesh is a metal rack that sits inside the air fryer basket.

The rack creates a second level inside the basket, allowing you to stack food and cook multiple items at once.

By using an air fryer basket rack, you can cook your food more evenly.

When using an air fryer rack to keep food from flying around in an air fryer, it’s recommended to use it upside down.

Use the rack to pin down the food, with its legs facing up to prevent lighter items from flying around inside the air fryer.

Tip #4: Adjusting Air Fryer Settings

Most air fryers have temperature and time settings that can be adjusted to suit the food you are cooking.

When cooking with an air fryer, if the temperature is too high or the cooking time is too long, the hot air can cause the food to move around inside the fryer basket.

To prevent this from happening, you can adjust the temperature and time settings on your air fryer.

Lowering the temperature and shortening the cooking time can help keep the food in place and prevent it from getting blown around.

Tip #5: Use a Heavy Dish

Using a heavy dish to cook the food in the air fryer can also help prevent it from flying around.

Place a heavy oven-safe dish on top of the food in the basket.

This will hold down the food preventing it from getting blown around.

Tip #6: Use Heavier Food

One of the joys of using an air fryer is the ability to cook two things or more at once.

You can use the heavier food to secure lighter foods that are likely to fly around.

For example, you can use bread to secure bacon. The key is to find foods that have similar cooking requirements.

The foods should also comfortably fit your air fryer to allow proper air circulation.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I cook frozen food in the air fryer?

Yes, frozen food can be cooked in the air fryer. However, it is important to preheat the air fryer and add some cooking time to ensure that the food is cooked evenly.

Q. How do you cover food in an air fryer?

You can cover food in an air fryer using air fryer liners such as aluminum foil, silicone baskets, or liners and parchment paper.

Q. How often should I clean my air fryer?

It is recommended to clean the air fryer after every use.

This will prevent the build-up of grease and food particles, which can affect the performance of the air fryer and lead to unpleasant smells.

Q. Can I stack food in the air fryer basket?

Yes, you can stack food in the air fryer when cooking.

It helps to cut down the time it takes to cook multiple batches of food.

When stacking food, you need to ensure that there is proper air circulation for even cooking.

Conclusion

Cooking with an air fryer can be a great experience, but it can be frustrating when the food flies around inside the fryer.

You can keep food from flying around in an air fryer using easy and effective methods that can enhance your cooking experience.

By using the simple techniques mentioned you can avoid the frustration of food flying around in the air fryer and achieve evenly cooked, delicious meals.

If you found this article helpful, please share it with your friends and family who might be struggling with the same issue.

Don’t forget to leave a comment below and let us know which tip worked best for you.

Also, check out these articles:

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• Can You Leave an Air Fryer Unattended?
• Can You Use PAM Non-stick Cooking Spray in an Air Fryer?