In just a few short years, the air fryer has earned a permanent place on many kitchen counters. It’s fast, user-friendly, and — unlike a microwave — it crisps and browns food beautifully. One of its few flaws is that it can occasionally provide too much of a good thing, leaving food (especially roasted vegetables) overly…
Steam and Convection Are Better Together
Fundamentally, an air fryer is a small, powerful convection oven. It uses a fan to circulate hot air and, because the basket is so compact, your food cooks quickly. Convection ovens have been around for a long time, and top-tier commercial convection ovens often combine convection with steam capability. This is a powerful combination because moist air conducts heat better than dry air, speeding up cook times while preventing your food from becoming dried out and leathery.
So, what does this have to do with your air fryer? Well, it turns out you can harness those same advantages at home. Before cooking items prone to drying out — such as roasted vegetables or breaded fish — lift the grate from the bottom of your air fryer and add 2 tablespoons of water. It’s best to do this after the preheat cycle is finished and before adding your food.
Replace the grate, fill your basket with food, and cook as usual. The water will evaporate during the first few minutes, leaving plenty of time for browning and crisping. Not only does this prevent your dish from becoming leathery and overcooked, but you may also find that your vegetables stay a lot brighter and more colorful.
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Other Ways To Steam
Not all air fryers are built the same. If you find a heating element or a drain under the grate, do not pour water into it. Instead, try a few alternatives. If your basket is large enough, put the water in a small, heatproof bowl or ramekin. You can also mist vegetables with a spray bottle or add a splash of water to the bowl when tossing your food with oil. Enough moisture will cling to the food to get the job done.
If you’re shopping for your first air fryer or looking to upgrade, some new models — like this one from Nutrichef — even have a built-in reservoir you can fill with water to give you that steam-roasting effect with less effort.
