HacksdayNo rack for your air fryer? Use the cutlery drawer
The less of your food that touches the hot base, the crispier and less sticky its underside. A rack helps, but not everyone has one that fits. This hack uses something every kitchen already has, set up a particular way so the food stays steady and the air still flows underneath. The book shows which way up it goes, how to lay it out, and which cutlery is safe to use.
The fix is in the book
- 6 more step-by-step sketches
- The full method in 2 numbered parts
- Exact times, temperatures in °C and °F, and safety notes
- A recipe to try it: salmon steak
Common questions
Do I need a rack for my air fryer?
Not always, but food lying flat on the base browns less underneath and sticks more. Anything that lifts it a little and lets air pass below makes a clear difference.
Can I put metal cutlery in the air fryer?
Plain stainless steel cutlery can go in a basket air fryer. Don't use cutlery with plastic, wooden or bone handles, or anything coated or painted, and keep it away from the heater.
Why does food stick to the air fryer base?
Meat and fish proteins bond to hot metal, especially where juice and steam are trapped underneath. Less contact with the base means less sticking and an easier clean.
Stop salmon sticking to the air fryer, and cook the side dish at the same time
Cook mini kebabs in the air fryer without sticking or rolling
Cook the main and the side together in one air fryer basket