We all love using the best air fryers to make our favorite recipes. They turn out crispy, tender, and delicious time and time again, in a way that no other cooking method can achieve. But even with the best air fryer recipes, there are a few mistakes that can ruin a meal.

It's not just what not to put in your air fryer. Here are 11 mistakes that everyone tends to make and what to do about them.

1. Forgetting to preheat - If you forget to preheat your air fryer, it will not cook at the proper temperature for the required time. As a result, the food may not be fully cooked, or at least not as crispy as you would like.

Allow plenty of time to preheat the air fryer. Set it before you start preparing the food so you don't have to wait.

2. This is one of the most common mistakes. Since the air fryer has a deep basket, it is easy to fill it to the very last minute, but this should be avoided. Air fryers cook by circulating hot air, and if you obstruct that circulation, the food will not be cooked evenly.

Optimally, arrange the food in single layer in a basket to create an air path between each ingredient. Smaller items, such as French fries, can be placed on top of each other, but again, capacity must be watched. Overcrowding can cause fries to become soggy or uneven. If you have a lot of items to cook, do so in several batches or purchase an air fryer with a larger capacity.

3. If you are wondering how to care for your air fryer, don't just hand wash or machine wash the accessories after use. If you use it regularly, you should take the time to do so.

Deep cleaning will inevitably prolong the life of your fryer and remove stuck-on odors, so there is little reason not to do it.

4. Forget to Shake - Most people assume that the air fryer does it all, but you will get better results if you lend a hand. Shaking the basket or turning the food over while it cooks will help it cook more evenly.

Don't be afraid to look inside the basket while it is cooking. Because it is a small cavity, it will not take long to reheat. Plus, keeping an eye on your food will ensure a perfect finish.

5. Put things in that you shouldn't put in - There are a few things that should never be put in an air fryer. These include light items that could be blown away by the air currents, such as herbs and seasonings, and items that could drip and burn, such as cheese and wet batter.

The same goes for items that are too large to fit in the fryer, such as whole roasted chickens. Unless you have the best toaster oven with a dedicated chicken program, this should not be attempted.

6. Air fryers do more than just crisp up chicken nuggets and French fries. The air fryer can also be used to make candy. You can make freshly baked cookies, mini pies, and even brownies from scratch. See the best air fryer recipes.

7. Positioning - Make sure the air fryer has room to breathe on the counter. Check the instruction manual for recommended distances. Failure to provide this space may cause the fryer to overheat and cause a fire. [Place the air fryer on a stable surface to prevent it from moving or tipping over due to vibration.

8. using the wrong air fryer - Most people are guilty of this sin. Make sure that the air fryer you use is best suited for the amount and type of food you are cooking. If you're going to be eating for a large crowd, you'll want a larger model that can cook a lot at once. Whether you are looking for a compact model or need one for the whole family, there is an air fryer to fit every kitchen.

9. Wrong amount of oil - Air fryers are great for cooking with very little oil. Most recipes require only a teaspoon or two of oil.

However, don't be afraid to lightly coat your food with oil to crisp it up. If you don't want the fryer wind to blow them away, oil will make it easier for the seasonings to stick together.

10. Fry wet ingredients in the fryer - If some of your recipes turn out soggy, you may be frying them wet. When the surface of the meat or vegetable is wet, steam forms inside the fryer and it takes longer to fry the meat or vegetable until it is crispy.

The answer to this is simple: wipe the moisture off the surface of the food with paper towels before air frying.

11. not checking temperatures - If you are cooking something larger than expected by the recipe, or if you are groping with respect to cooking time, it is advisable to check the final temperature.

Using one of the best meat thermometers can take the doubt out of the equation. With one of these, you will know exactly when your meat is cooked and to what level.

Be sure to check out what else we found out after a month of using our air fryer.