Why Your Air Fryer Isnt Crisping Like The Ads Say (With Solution)

There's something heartbreakingly anticlimactic about biting into a chip expecting a crunch, only to be met with soggy disappointment. The air fryer, dubbed the miracle appliance of the decade, swept into kitchens across the UK with promises of crispiness without the calories. TikTok videos, glossy ads, and food bloggers made it look foolproof, just pop it in, press a button, and voilà: crispy perfection.

But here's the thing. For many, the dream of crunchy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside fries has given way to tepid textures and underwhelming results. If your air fryer meals feel more steamed than seared, don't bin the machine just yet. There are several surprisingly common reasons why your air fryer isn't performing like the slick videos suggest, and the good news is, most of them are fixable with a tweak or two. Let's unpack the crispy conundrum, one chip at a time.

Why Your Air Fryer Isnt Crisping Like The Ads Say (With Solution); Photo Credit: Pixabay

1. You're Overcrowding The Basket

It's tempting, especially when feeding a hungry bunch, to cram as much as possible into the air fryer basket. After all, if it fits, it fries, right? Not quite.

When you overload the basket, you're cutting off the circulation of hot air. Think of it like this: an air fryer is a mini convection oven on turbo mode. It works by rapidly circulating hot air around your food. But if your chips are piled high like laundry on a Sunday, that air can't get through.

The result? Uneven cooking and limp, soggy exteriors. Those chips on the top might brown a bit, but the ones underneath are steaming in their moisture.

The fix: Cook in batches. Yes, it takes longer. But crispiness is a dish best served in small quantities. Give your food some breathing room, and it'll thank you with a golden crunch.

2. You're Not Using Enough (Or Any) Oil

Wait a minute, wasn't the whole point of an air fryer to ditch the oil? Well, not entirely. While it dramatically reduces the amount needed, a little drizzle goes a long way.

Oil helps promote that lovely Maillard reaction, that magical bit of science where food browns and flavours deepen. Without it, food tends to dry out or go limp rather than crisping up.

This doesn't mean soaking your sweet potato fries in oil like a Saturday night chippy run. But tossing them with a teaspoon or two of oil helps create that even, golden coat.

The fix: Lightly coat your food in oil before it goes into the air fryer. A spritz from a spray bottle works wonders, just don't overdo it or you'll end up with oily splatter and a smoky mess.

3. You're Starting With Wet Food

Water and crispiness are sworn enemies. If you've just washed your veg or your frozen nuggets are dripping with condensation, you're setting yourself up for a steamy failure.

Excess moisture creates steam, which interferes with browning. It's like trying to toast bread in a damp sock, no good can come of it. Patting food dry before cooking is a small step that makes a huge difference.

The fix: Dry everything thoroughly before it goes into the air fryer. That includes blotting with paper towels, giving frozen items a quick defrost-and-pat session, or just letting things air-dry for a few minutes on a rack. No one wants a soggy courgette.

4. You're Not Preheating The Air Fryer

Unlike the microwave, air fryers need a little warm-up. That first burst of high heat helps food crisp from the get-go. Skipping the preheat stage means your food starts cooking in a lukewarm environment, giving it time to go soggy before the crispiness even begins.

Some air fryers come with a built-in preheat function; others require you to run the machine empty for a few minutes. It may seem unnecessary, but it's key to locking in texture from the very start.

The fix: Give your air fryer three to five minutes to preheat before you add the food. Think of it like warming up your oven, or your muscles before a run. It gets things going.

Why Your Air Fryer Isnt Crisping Like The Ads Say (With Solution); Photo Credit: Pexels

5. You're Using The Wrong Temperature

Too low and your food just sweats. Too high and it might burn on the outside while staying mushy inside. It's a delicate dance.

Different foods have different temperature sweet spots. Chips, for example, usually thrive around 180–200°C. But breaded items might need a bit less to prevent the coating from going dark before the inside cooks through.

If you're using the same setting for everything, you might be missing out on that ideal crunch zone.

The fix: Don't just rely on the ‘fry' button. Check recipe recommendations, experiment with temperature tweaks, and pay attention to how your food behaves. You'll soon discover your fryer's personality, it's a bit like dating, but with less heartbreak.

6. You're Forgetting To Shake Or Flip

Air fryers aren't entirely hands-free, despite the adverts. Leaving food untouched throughout the cooking cycle can lead to uneven results, crisp on one side, squishy on the other.

Shaking the basket or flipping items halfway through redistributes the heat and ensures everything gets its fair share of crunch. It's especially important for chips, tofu, or anything with edges that need to brown.

The fix: Set a timer to remind yourself to shake or flip halfway through cooking. If your air fryer has a built-in reminder, even better. Think of it as a mid-cook check-in, because good crispiness deserves attention.

7. You're Using The Wrong Accessories

That silicone tray might make cleanup easier, but it could also be sabotaging your crunch. Anything that blocks airflow reduces the fryer's ability to circulate heat. This includes baking paper, foil, or overcrowded skewers.

Some accessories are designed to maximise crisping, think wire racks or perforated pans. Others act like a heat trap.

The fix: Choose tools that allow air to flow freely. If you're using parchment, make sure it's perforated. Better yet, go bare-basket when possible and give it a good clean afterwards. The crunch is worth the wash-up.

8. You're Expecting Deep Fryer Results

Let's get real for a moment. An air fryer is not a magic wand. It's a very efficient, healthier version of a mini oven, but it won't replicate the exact results of plunging food into bubbling hot oil.

The textures are different. The flavours are, too. And while you can get impressively close, especially with the right tricks, expecting identical results will always leave you a bit underwhelmed.

But here's the twist: once you adjust your expectations, air fryer crispiness becomes its kind of joy. It's crunch with less guilt, less mess, and way more weeknight-friendly.

The fix: Embrace the unique texture air frying offers. It may not be a chip shop fry, but it's pretty darn close, and with far less oil to boot. Celebrate it for what it is, not what it isn't.

Why Your Air Fryer Isnt Crisping Like The Ads Say (With Solution); Photo Credit: Pexels

Products Related To This Article

1. The Better Home by Fumato Aerochef 1300W With Touchscreen Panel And Multiple Preset Function Air Fryer

2. Greenchef Frizzle Air Fryer

3. IMPEX Nutrifry 7 in 1 Function, Uses up to 90% Less Fat 1150 W, Cyclonic Air Flow Cooking, Smart Touch Display (Black) Air Fryer  (4.5 L)

4. Pigeon Healthifry+ with 360 High Speed Air Circulation Technology 1200 W with Non-Stick Basket

5. Prestige Nutrifry Digital Air Fryer

6. MasterChef Nutri.King with Digital Touch Panel Air Fryer

7. PHILIPS NA120/00 with uses up to 90% less fat, 1500W, with Rapid Air Technology Air Fryer

8. iBELL AF650M Smart Rapid 1600 W Frying Machine, 8 Presets, Detachable Basket, Auto-off Air Fryer

9. Pigeon 16547 Stellar 1500 W Bladeless 360 AirWhirl Technology Air Fryer

10. Prestige Multi-Chef All-in-One Air Fryer

The humble air fryer may have set itself up with bold promises, but it's still a game-changer in the kitchen, especially once you understand its quirks. Most of the issues that get in the way of that golden crunch are fixable with small adjustments: dry your ingredients, don't overcrowd, shake things up, and treat oil as a helpful sidekick.

There's no need to give up or relegate your fryer to the back of the cupboard. With a little care, a touch of experimentation, and a few tried-and-tested tricks, you'll have it turning out gloriously crisp results that make the effort worthwhile. And remember, perfectly crisp air fryer food isn't a myth. It's just a matter of knowing how to play the game.

Disclaimer: The images used in this article are for illustration purpose only. They may not be an exact representation of the products, categories and brands listed in this article.