Air Fryer Magic: Stacking Multiple Foods Together

Air fryers have become increasingly popular since 2017, and for good reason. They provide a healthy alternative to deep-fried foods, resulting in about 70% fewer calories and decreased levels of acrylamide, a chemical associated with cancer. Air fryers are also easy to use, requiring only that you place your food in the basket and set the time and temperature. But can you put multiple things in an air fryer at once? The short answer is yes, but there are some important guidelines to keep in mind. Firstly, avoid overcrowding the basket as this will cause uneven cooking. Instead, opt for foods with similar cooking times and requirements, such as French fries and potato wedges. Additionally, consider investing in air fryer accessories like baskets or racks, which can maximize space and allow for multiple layers of food without sacrificing air circulation. So, the next time you're cooking for a crowd, don't be afraid to experiment with your air fryer and try cooking multiple dishes at once!

Use a separator or divider to prevent ingredients from rolling into each other

Using a separator or divider is a great way to cook multiple things in your air fryer without them rolling into each other. This method is ideal if you want to cook two different items that have similar cooking times and requirements. For example, French fries and potato wedges can be cooked together, as can chicken wings and drumsticks, or fish fillets and asparagus.

Some air fryers come with a built-in separator, but if yours doesn't, you can purchase an air fryer rack or divider separately. These accessories are designed to maximise your cooking space, allowing you to cook multiple layers without sacrificing air circulation. Stackable racks, skewers, and even baking pans are available, so you can choose the option that best suits your air fryer model and your cooking needs.

When using a separator or divider, it's important to leave some space between the food items to allow for even heat distribution and browning. For optimal results, try the shake and rotate method, which ensures even cooking, especially with multi-layered dishes. If using racks, pause the air fryer midway and swap the racks' positions. If you're using a single basket, gently shake the contents halfway through to promote browning on all sides.

By using a separator or divider, you can cook multiple dishes in your air fryer at once, saving time and effort. Just be sure to choose foods with similar cooking times and requirements, and always monitor your food closely to avoid undercooking or overcooking.

Pair items with similar cooking times and oil requirements

When cooking multiple items in an air fryer, it is important to pair items with similar cooking times and oil requirements. This ensures that your food cooks evenly and efficiently, without any items being undercooked or overcooked.

For example, French fries and potato wedges typically have the same cooking requirements and go well together. Similarly, chicken wings and drumsticks can be cooked together, as they require similar temperatures and cooking times.

If you are cooking items with different cooking times and oil needs, it is best to start the item that requires a longer cooking time first and then add the other item later. For instance, if you are cooking potatoes and a steak, start with the potatoes and add the steak a few minutes before serving. This way, both items will be cooked perfectly without having to cook them separately.

Some air fryers come with a separator or divider, which can be useful when cooking multiple items with different cooking requirements. The separator prevents the ingredients from rolling into each other while cooking. Additionally, using a rack can help increase your cooking surface area and allow you to cook multiple items at once.

It is important to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, as this can obstruct airflow and lead to uneven cooking. If you have a large amount of food, you may need to cook it in batches or invest in air fryer accessories such as stackable racks or skewers to maximize your cooking space.

Use a rack to increase your cooking surface area

Using a rack is a great way to increase your cooking surface area and cook multiple things in your air fryer. This method is especially useful if you don't want to deal with the limited options that come with cooking without a rack. An important rule of air frying is to avoid overcrowding the basket, as this will cause the food to cook unevenly. For example, stacking chicken breasts without a rack will prevent the centre pieces from getting proper heat flow.

Racks help to make space for different food categories horizontally. They are ideal for cooking steaks and steaming large chicken pieces, as they allow the air fryer to cook the food without needing to flip both sides over by circulating hot air. You can cook food of the same kind or variety by inserting racks into your air fryer.

You can find stackable racks, skewers, and even baking pans. Choose options that are compatible with your air fryer model. Accessories also simplify cleaning and prevent food from sticking to the basket.

However, do not go overboard with racks, as overcrowding still obstructs airflow. A good rule of thumb is to leave some space between food items, even on different racks, to allow for even heat distribution and browning. Embrace the shake and rotate method to ensure even cooking, especially with multi-layered dishes. If using racks, pause the air fryer midway and swap the racks' positions.

Avoid overcrowding the basket to prevent uneven cooking

Air fryers are a great way to cook food with about 70% less calories than deep frying, while also decreasing the amount of acrylamide released—a chemical associated with cancer. They are also easy to use, with quick cooking times. However, there are some things to keep in mind when using an air fryer to ensure even cooking and the best results.

One important rule to remember when air frying is to avoid overcrowding the basket. Overcrowding obstructs airflow, which can lead to uneven cooking. Food crammed together will not cook evenly, resulting in raw middle pieces and burnt outer layers. It can also cause soggy textures and longer cooking times, defeating the purpose of the air fryer's speed and increasing energy consumption.

To avoid overcrowding, it is recommended to cook in a single layer whenever possible. If you need to cook multiple items, try to pair foods with similar cooking times and requirements. For example, French fries and potato wedges, or chicken wings and drumsticks, can be cooked together. Avoid pairing foods with different cooking needs, such as chicken breasts and frozen vegetables, as they require different temperatures and times.

If you are cooking multiple items, you can also use air fryer accessories like stackable racks, skewers, or baking pans to maximize space without sacrificing air circulation. These accessories can also simplify cleaning and prevent food from sticking to the basket. However, even when using racks, it is important to leave some space between food items to allow for even heat distribution and browning.

In summary, when using an air fryer, it is important to avoid overcrowding the basket to prevent uneven cooking. Pair similar foods with similar cooking times and requirements, and use accessories to maximize space if needed. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your food cooks evenly and efficiently.

Use stackable racks, skewers, and baking pans to cook multiple layers

Stackable racks, skewers, and baking pans are essential accessories for your air fryer, enabling you to cook multiple layers of food efficiently. These accessories are especially useful if you have a large family or are cooking multiple dishes.

Stackable racks are a brilliant way to increase your air fryer's capacity without overcrowding the basket. They come in sets of heat-resistant rings that stack neatly inside your air fryer, resembling a bowl-shaped cooling rack for cookies. You can adjust the number of racks to suit your needs, and they're easy to clean, too. However, be mindful that some users report that closely stacked racks may not accommodate larger foods.

Skewers are another handy tool for cooking multiple items in your air fryer. They are part of multipurpose air fryer accessory sets, which often include a cake tin, silicone mat, pizza pan, metal trivet, egg bites mould, and skewers with a rack. These sets expand your air fryer's versatility, allowing you to cook a variety of dishes, from banana muffins to kebabs.

Baking pans are also a great addition to your air fryer arsenal. Baking sets typically include a pizza pan, bread tin, cake tin, and silicone tools, enabling you to bake a wide range of treats, from pizzas to cakes.

When using stackable racks, skewers, or baking pans, it's crucial to follow some essential guidelines. First, ensure that the accessories are compatible with your air fryer model. Second, avoid overcrowding by leaving space between food items, even on different racks, to ensure even heat distribution. Third, embrace the "shake and rotate" method to promote even cooking, especially with multilayered dishes. Finally, monitor your food closely and adjust cooking times as needed, as air fryers cook faster than conventional ovens.

Frequently asked questions