How to avoid over-drying food in your air fryer

Air fryers have gradually become an indispensable cooking device in modern kitchens because they can achieve the ideal taste of crispy food on the outside and tender food on the inside while reducing the use of oil. However, in the actual cooking process, some users may face the problem of food being too dry and losing flavor. In order to ensure that the food maintains proper moisture and rich flavor in the air fryer, users can consider the following professional strategies.

Choose the right ingredients
The choice of ingredients is a key factor in ensuring that food remains moist. Ingredients with high moisture content, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, usually maintain a good taste after cooking in an air fryer. Relatively speaking, dry ingredients, such as chicken breast or lean beef, are prone to losing moisture during the cooking process. Therefore, it is recommended that users give priority to ingredients with a higher fat content, such as chicken legs, fish or pork. These ingredients can not only retain moisture during cooking, but also enhance the overall flavor.

Use oil in moderation
Although the original intention of the air fryer design is to reduce the use of oil, the right amount of oil can effectively help food lock in moisture and avoid drying. Before cooking, you can lightly spray a layer of olive oil, vegetable oil or other cooking oil on the surface of the food, which not only enhances the flavor, but also forms a protective film to prevent the loss of internal moisture. Generally speaking, one to two teaspoons of oil are sufficient, and excessive use may cause the food to be greasy.

Accurately control cooking time and temperature
Cooking time and temperature are important factors affecting the degree of dryness of food. In an air fryer, high temperature and long cooking time can easily cause the surface of food to dry quickly. Therefore, users should reasonably adjust the temperature and time according to the characteristics of different ingredients. Generally, it is recommended to extend the cooking time at a lower temperature, so that the moisture inside the food can be gradually released to avoid drying caused by rapid evaporation.

Use marinating and soaking techniques
Marinating and soaking are an effective way to enhance the moisture and flavor of food. Before cooking, users can soak meat or vegetables in a seasoning liquid, which usually includes water, soy sauce, lemon juice, spices and oil. This treatment method not only increases the moisture of the ingredients, but also significantly enhances the flavor. The marinating time is generally between 30 minutes and several hours, and the specific time can be adjusted according to the type and thickness of the ingredients.

Turn the food regularly
In the air fryer, turning the food regularly helps to achieve even heating and avoid over-drying one side. It is recommended to turn the food every 5 to 10 minutes, especially when cooking thicker or larger foods. Turning ensures that different sides of the food are fully exposed to the hot air, thus avoiding the problem of drying caused by prolonged heating.