Showerthought: Preheating vs not preheating your air fryer

I swear by preheating after a disaster at a potluck in Toledo last month where my chicken tenders came out soggy because I skipped it. But my buddy claims he's done 50 batches without preheating and they turn out fine. What's your take on this whole debate?

2 comments

2 Comments

betty_fisher514d ago

Preheating is non-negotiable for anything breaded or battered. Soggy chicken tenders are a crime against humanity. Your buddy might be fine with frozen fries or reheating pizza, but he's living on the edge.

webb.xena14d ago

I'd say 375 degrees for 18 minutes is the sweet spot for frozen battered fish fillets. Preheating isn't just about texture for breaded stuff, it's about making sure the inside cooks through without the outside burning. Your buddy must be used to that sad, limp crust from throwing things in a cold oven. Idk, maybe he's never had proper chicken tenders that actually crunch when you bite them. I've messed up enough batches to know that skipping the preheat is basically asking for greasy, half-raw food. It's worth that extra 10 minutes.