The Unhealthy Mistake You Might Be Making When Cooking In Your Air Fryer

Air fryers have become immensely popular over the past few years. And it's no surprise why, considering they make foods nice and crispy with barely any oil required (via Taste of Home). This means you can enjoy your favorite fried snacks at home for a fraction of the calories. But like with any appliance, you'll only get all the benefits of an air fryer if you use it correctly.

One of the worst mistakes you can make when using an air fryer is not checking the internal temperature of your food, especially when cooking meat (via Livestrong). Although this appliance is easy to use, it isn't foolproof. It is important to follow basic food safety practices when cooking anything that can make you sick if it's underdone. According to FoodSafety.gov, beef, veal, and lamb need to reach a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit while poultry needs to reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of the meat before you eat it.

Other mistakes you may be making with your air fryer can affect the taste and texture of whatever you're cooking. According to Insider, overcrowding the basket of your air fryer will prevent even cooking and browning. "Since it functions as a convection oven by rotating hot air around the basket, you want to give room for each ingredient to have this air hit it on all sides," said Byron Puck, chef at Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group.

You also want to pat all your food dry before using the appliance. Any moisture on meat or vegetables with turn into steam while cooking and affect the crispiness of the final product. Finally, make sure to clean your air fryer regularly. Neglecting this chore can cause pieces of food and oil splatters to build up in the appliance and cause it to smoke. It can also add unwanted flavor to your newest cooking attempts. Many components of air fryers are removable and dishwasher-safe, so be sure to clean the machine thoroughly after each use.