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Our Smartest Air Fryer Tips

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August 12, 2021
Photo Credit: Stay Snatched

With more than 850K hits on Instagram, the air fryer isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, it may be even better than the Instant Pot. Regardless, this “it” appliance is definitely worth the investment — so long as you know what to expect from it (spoiler alert: it’s not exactly the same as frying) and how to use it. Here are our smartest tips for how to air fry like a boss.

1. Do: Use some (high-quality) oil.

A big reason the air fryer has become so popular is because you need a fraction of the oil to cook fried favorites, such as fries and chicken. But you still need some! “I typically use ½ tbsp. to 1 tbsp of oil, depending on how large my batch is,” says registered dietician Kailey Proctor.

It’s also important to choose an oil that can withstand high heat. Avocado oil is our fave.

2. Don’t: Overcrowd your air fryer.

For the best results, you want to make sure that your food has space to get crispy. Make sure all the food in the air fryer touches the bottom and isn’t piled up. If you overcrowd your air fryer, you’ll end up steaming whatever’s in there.

3. Do: Think beyond French fries.

If you’re only using your air fryer to make plain old fries, you’re not getting the most out of your air fryer. For example: “Brussels sprouts were made for the air fryer,” says registered dietician Dana Angelo White, author of The Healthy Air Fryer Cookbook.

Here’s some air fryer inspo to get you started:

4. Don’t: Get carried away.

We know, we know: We just told you to think outside the proverbial box. But some things, like air fryer pasta chips, just aren’t worth it.

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