7 Mistakes to Avoid When Cooking Meat in an Air Fryer (And How a Thermometer Fixes Them)

Air fryers have quickly become a staple in kitchens everywhere, promising crispy food with less oil and faster cooking times. While they excel at vegetables, fries, and even baked goods, cooking meat in an air fryer can be trickier than it looks. Many home cooks end up with chicken that looks done but isn’t, or steak that turns tough instead of juicy. The key to avoiding these pitfalls often comes down to one tool: a reliable meat thermometer. Wireless and smart thermometers make it easy to monitor temperature without opening the fryer, ensuring every cut is cooked safely and to your liking.

Mistake 1: Trusting Cooking Times Instead of Temperature

Every air fryer recipe lists a set cooking time, but relying solely on minutes and degrees can lead to undercooked or dry results. Air fryers vary in wattage, basket size, and airflow, which all affect how meat cooks. Cooking meat to a safe internal temperature ensures both safety and quality. For example, chicken needs to reach 165°F, while medium-rare steak should hit around 130°F. A meat thermometer, especially a wireless one, removes the guesswork by telling you the exact doneness. Always confirm doneness with a thermometer instead of relying only on recipe times. Smart thermometers even let you track progress from your phone so you can avoid opening the fryer mid-cook.

Mistake 2: Overcrowding the Basket

Trying to fit too much meat in the air fryer at once can block airflow, leading to uneven cooking. One piece might come out perfect while another is still raw in the center. Air fryers rely on circulating hot air. Without enough space, meat ends up steaming instead of crisping, and internal doneness becomes unpredictable. Cook in smaller batches for even airflow. Use a meat thermometer to double-check the thickest piece in the batch. That way, you’ll know everything is safe before serving.

Mistake 3: Not Preheating the Air Fryer

Many people skip preheating because air fryers heat quickly, but this can throw off cooking accuracy, especially with meat. Placing cold meat in a non-preheated basket means the exterior cooks slower, risking uneven results. A preheated air fryer sears the outside quickly, locking in juices and ensuring the inside cooks evenly. Skipping this step often leads to underdone centers or dried-out exteriors. Always preheat your air fryer for 3-5 minutes before adding meat. Then, use a thermometer to track when the center reaches your target temperature without overcooking the outside.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Carryover Cooking

Removing meat from the air fryer the moment it hits its target temperature can backfire. Residual heat continues cooking the meat after it’s taken out, a process known as carryover cooking. Without accounting for carryover, steak or pork can overshoot your desired doneness, turning medium-rare into medium-well before it even hits the plate. Remove meat from the fryer a few degrees before your target temperature. For example, pull chicken at 162°F instead of 165°F. A smart thermometer helps by notifying you at the right time, accounting for carryover automatically.

Mistake 5: Using the Wrong Cut of Meat

Not all meats cook well in an air fryer. Thick roasts or very fatty cuts may not cook evenly in the compact space, while leaner cuts like chicken breast or salmon fillets do better. Choosing the wrong cut increases your chances of uneven results, with the outside overdone and the inside raw. Stick with thinner cuts for the air fryer, like boneless chicken thighs, pork chops, burgers, or small steaks. If you do use thicker cuts, a wireless thermometer like The MeatStick can help you track internal doneness without repeatedly opening the fryer and losing heat.

Mistake 6: Opening the Air Fryer Too Often

It’s tempting to check on your food every few minutes, but each time you open the fryer, hot air escapes and cooking slows down. Constant peeking not only lengthens cooking time but also prevents the fryer from maintaining consistent heat. This often leads to uneven doneness. Instead of opening the fryer, rely on a smart thermometer. The probe stays inside the meat while you monitor progress on your phone, letting you keep the basket closed until the exact moment your meat is ready.

Mistake 7: Forgetting to Rest the Meat

Many home cooks pull meat from the air fryer and cut in immediately, only to find juices spilling out and the texture drier than expected. Resting meat allows the juices to redistribute, leading to more flavorful and tender results. Skipping this step wastes the benefits of careful temperature control. After the air fryer timer goes off, let meat rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Check the temperature one last time to confirm it has stabilized at your target doneness.

Take Control of Your Air Fryer Cooking Today

Cooking meat in an air fryer doesn’t need to be a gamble. With the right habits and a reliable thermometer, you can consistently achieve juicy, flavorful results every time. If you’re looking for a tool that makes this process effortless, The MeatStick is a fully wireless smart thermometer built to work in any cooking method, including air fryers. It lets you track temperature in real time without opening the basket, so you can avoid these common mistakes and serve perfect meals with confidence.

Getting air fryer meat right is all about balancing convenience with precision. Recipes may give you a starting point, but only temperature ensures safe, delicious results. By avoiding these seven mistakes and using a thermometer as your guide, you’ll unlock the true potential of your air fryer while enjoying meat that’s cooked exactly the way you like it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why shouldn’t I rely on air fryer cooking times alone?
Air fryers vary in wattage, basket size, and airflow, so minutes alone can lead to undercooked or dry meat. A meat thermometer confirms exact doneness instead of guessing.

What internal temperatures should I aim for?
From the blog examples: chicken needs to reach 165°F, and medium-rare steak is around 130°F. Use a thermometer to verify.

Why is preheating important for meat in an air fryer?
A preheated fryer sears the outside quickly, locks in juices, and helps the inside cook evenly. Skipping preheat can cause underdone centers or dried-out exteriors.

How do I prevent uneven cooking in the air fryer?
Avoid overcrowding so hot air can circulate. Cook in smaller batches and use a thermometer to check the thickest piece.

What is carryover cooking and how should I adjust?
Meat continues to rise in temperature after you remove it from the fryer. Pull it a few degrees before your target. For example, remove chicken at 162°F instead of 165°F.

Which cuts of meat work best in an air fryer?
Thinner cuts like boneless chicken thighs, pork chops, burgers, or small steaks cook more evenly than thick roasts or very fatty cuts.

Should I open the air fryer basket to check my meat?
Avoid opening the basket repeatedly because it releases heat and slows cooking. Use a wireless or smart thermometer to monitor doneness without opening.

Do I need to rest meat after air frying?
Yes. Rest 5 to 10 minutes so juices redistribute and texture improves. Check temperature once more to confirm it has stabilized at your target doneness.