From the book · 30 Air Fryer Hacks

Cook the main and the side together in one air fryer basket

Air fryer baskets fit one layer, so dinner usually means two batches and the first one going cold. With two levels you can cook the main and the side at the same time, and the juices from the top season what's underneath. The book shows which rack heights work, how to time the two layers so both finish together, and a full chicken-and-potatoes dinner.

The fix is in the book

4 more step-by-step sketches
The full method in 3 numbered parts
Exact times, temperatures in °C and °F, and safety notes
A recipe to try it: chicken thighs over potatoes

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Common questions

Can I cook two things at once in an air fryer?

Yes. With two levels in the basket, the main and the side cook at the same time instead of in two batches, as long as the hot air can still reach both.

Will the flavours mix if I cook two foods together?

Juices from the top layer drip down onto the bottom one. With chicken over potatoes that's a bonus; with fish over something sweet it isn't. Choose pairs that go together.

How do I time two foods in the air fryer?

Start the one that takes longer first and add the other part-way through, so both finish together. The book gives timings for a full chicken-and-potatoes dinner.