Using Multiple Trays In Your Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Air fryers have become a staple in many kitchens, with over 50% of UK households owning one. But can you use two trays in an air fryer? The answer is... it depends. Some air fryers come with multiple trays or shelves that can be used simultaneously, while others have a single tray or basket. Using two trays at the same time can be tricky, as it may require adjusting cooking times and swapping trays halfway through. Additionally, some air fryers have specific recommendations for tray placement to ensure optimal cooking results.

Using two trays for chicken wings

• Check your air fryer model: Not all air fryers have multiple layers or racks. Make sure to refer to your air fryer's user manual or consult the manufacturer to determine if your model supports using two trays.
• Ensure proper spacing: When using two trays, it is crucial to maintain adequate spacing between the trays. The hot air circulation in the air fryer needs to reach all sides of the chicken wings for even cooking and crisping. Overcrowding the air fryer may lead to uneven cooking and soggy wings.
• Adjust cooking time: Using two trays may require adjusting the cooking time. It is recommended to cook chicken wings in a single layer for optimal crisping. When using two trays, you may need to increase the cooking time slightly to ensure even cooking.
• Use similar-sized wings: Try to use chicken wings of similar size when cooking with two trays. This helps ensure that all the wings cook evenly and reach the desired level of doneness at the same time.
• Flip or rotate the wings: To promote even cooking and browning, remember to flip or rotate the wings during the cooking process. This is especially important when using two trays, as the wings on the lower tray may take longer to cook.
• Experiment with different recipes: You can find various recipes for air fryer chicken wings online, offering different seasoning blends and cooking techniques. Experiment with different recipes to find the ones that work best with your air fryer setup and personal preferences.

Crispy food without burning

Air fryers are a fantastic way to cook crispy food without the excess calories and fat of deep-frying. You can achieve a golden, crunchy exterior without burning by following a few simple steps.

Firstly, it's important to understand how air fryers work. They use hot air circulation to cook food quickly and evenly, with minimal oil. This hot air moving around the food creates a Maillard reaction, resulting in appetising browning and crunchiness.

To get the best results and avoid burning, there are several things to keep in mind. Firstly, preheat your air fryer. This ensures immediate high heat contact as soon as your food goes in, helping to create that desirable crisp texture.

Secondly, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. This is crucial, as it allows the hot air to flow freely around each piece of food, promoting even cooking and uniform crispiness. Leave space between items for optimal air circulation. If your air fryer is overcrowded, simply work in batches.

Thirdly, use oil. A light coating of oil or cooking spray will help develop a golden, crispy exterior. Oils with high smoke points, like avocado, coconut, or olive oil, are ideal. You can also use a non-stick cooking spray for an even lighter coating.

Additionally, cut your food into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture. Aim for similar thicknesses, especially when cooking potato wedges or similar foods.

Finally, season your food before air frying. Salt draws out moisture, enhancing crispiness, and dry seasonings are best for this. For buffalo wings, apply the sauce after cooking to maintain their crispness.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy crispy, delicious food without burning.

Pros and cons of dual air fryers

Dual air fryers are a great way to prepare an entire meal in your air fryer, instead of just cooking a main or side. They offer more space and much greater cooking flexibility. They also have a ‘sync’ function that ensures that the food cooking in both drawers will be ready at the same time.

Pros:

• More space and flexibility: Dual air fryers have two separate drawers, offering more space and the ability to cook an entire meal at once. This is especially useful if you have a large family or want to cook multiple dishes at different temperatures or times.
• Time-saving: The 'sync' function allows you to programme both drawers to finish cooking at the same time, so you don't have to wait for each dish to finish individually.
• Energy efficiency: Even with two drawers, dual air fryers can be just as energy-efficient as single-basket air fryers. When cooking a single dish, you can opt to use only one drawer.
• Match function: The 'match' function copies the cooking time and temperature from one drawer to the other, so you only need to programme once.
• Grilling option: Some dual air fryers, like the Tefal Easy Fry Dual Air Fryer & Grill, come with a grill function, allowing you to create grilled food without the cooking odour and smoke.

Cons:

• Counter space: One of the biggest drawbacks of dual air fryers is the amount of counter space they require. If you have a small kitchen or limited counter space, this could be an issue.
• Uneven cooking: Some dual air fryers with heat sources at the back of the drawers may cook certain types of food slightly unevenly. This can be mitigated by remembering to shake or mix the contents midway through cooking.
• Learning curve: Some dual air fryers have less intuitive controls, and you may need to experiment to find the right cooking temperatures and times for your dishes.
• Noise: Air fryers use powerful fans, which can make them noisy, with some of the loudest models reaching up to 65dB.

Using two trays for French fries

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

Start by washing and scrubbing the potatoes, leaving the skin on for added texture and flavor. Then, cut the potatoes into fries of roughly equal size, about 1/4-inch thick. This ensures even cooking. You can use a mandoline for precise cutting, but a sharp knife will also do the job.

Step 2: Soak the Potato Fries

Fill a large bowl with cool water and completely submerge the cut potatoes in it. Let them soak for about an hour. Soaking helps remove excess starch, which will result in crispier fries. Change the water after 20-30 minutes for even better results.

Step 3: Season the Fries

After soaking, drain the water and pat the potatoes dry with paper towels or a clean dish towel. It's crucial to ensure they are very dry to prevent sogginess. Then, drizzle the potatoes with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to coat evenly. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or herbs for extra flavor.

Step 4: Arrange the Fries on the Trays

Place the seasoned fries on the two trays, ensuring they are in a single layer and not stacked on top of each other. Leave a little space between each fry to allow for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.

Step 5: Air Fry the Fries

Place one tray of fries into the air fryer, following the instructions for your specific model. Set the temperature to 375-400°F (190-200°C) and cook for 10-15 minutes. Toss or flip the fries halfway through to ensure even cooking. Repeat this process with the second tray of fries.

Step 6: Combine and Re-Crisp the Fries

Once both trays of fries are cooked, combine them all in the air fryer, without worrying about layering this time. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to warm and re-crisp any fries that may have cooled down.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!

Take out the crispy, golden brown fries and serve them with your favorite dipping sauces. Enjoy the delicious, healthier version of French fries!

Cooking two different meals at once

It is possible to cook two different meals at once in an air fryer, depending on the model. Some air fryers have multiple layers or racks that allow you to cook different things simultaneously. However, oven-style air fryers with multiple racks may not be as effective as the food on one level can block air circulation to the other, leading to undercooked or soggy food.

Dual basket air fryers are a good option for cooking two different meals at once. Some models have two separate drawers, allowing you to cook at different temperatures and sync finish times. You can also cook multiple items in a single drawer, as long as they require the same temperature and cooking time.

• Plan your meals and think about what needs to be cooked and for how long. This will help you set the right temperatures and cooking times for each basket or drawer.
• Adjust portions to fit the size of the baskets or drawers, especially if you are cooking for two people.
• Use dividers if your air fryer comes with them. This will allow you to cook different items in the same basket without mixing flavours.
• Experiment with flavours and use the dual baskets to try out different seasonings and marinades on the same main ingredient.
• Crispy chicken and roasted vegetables: Season chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika. Toss vegetables (e.g. carrots, broccoli, bell peppers) with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken in one basket and the vegetables in the other. Set the chicken to 180°C for 20 minutes and the vegetables to 200°C for 15 minutes.
• Salmon and asparagus: Season the salmon with garlic powder and dill, and place a lemon slice on each fillet. Toss the asparagus with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the salmon and asparagus in separate baskets and set both to 190°C for 10-12 minutes.
• Stuffed peppers and sweet potato fries: Mix ground beef or turkey with cooked rice and tomato sauce. Stuff halved bell peppers with the mixture and top with cheese. Toss sweet potato fries with olive oil, salt, and paprika. Place the stuffed peppers in one basket and the sweet potato fries in the other. Set the peppers to 180°C for 15 minutes and the fries to 200°C for 20 minutes.

Frequently asked questions