Air fryers are popular kitchen gadgets renowned for making cooking more convenient - however, they aren't foolproof, and mistakes can be made. Cookbook author and air fryer specialist, Clare Andrews, has opened up about the "common blunders" that people often encounter with these devices - something she's no stranger to herself. She said: "One thing is for sure, I have certainly learned my lesson the hard way! And I'm here to help you, so you don't make the same mistakes that I did in the past.
" READ MORE: Air fryer lasagne burritos are 'a thing of beauty' and can be made using just 5 ingredients A common misstep among users, particularly those new to air frying, is to "overfill your basket", which can result in meals that taste unpleasant and have a strange texture. Clare explained: "This can be a problem as air fryers rely on rapid air circulation to cook food evenly and if you overcrowd the basket, that can block the hot air from reaching your food and circulating properly. Which can lead to soggy textures and unevenly cooked food.
" In a candid confession about her personal experience, Clare admitted she used to not clean her air fryer after every use, a lapse she insists she'll "never make again," reports the Mirror . Skipping clean-up may appear tempting at the time but can create a build-up of grease and crumbs resulting in burnt deposits, which not only could produce smoke but also a rather offensive smell, she cautioned. Clare, who has become quite the expert at using.