With the growing popularity of air fryers, many people wonder if they can cook twice as much food by using a double rack. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around food to produce a crunchy, fried texture without submerging food in oil. Using a double rack seems like an easy way to increase capacity and cook more food at once. However, there are a few important factors to consider before using a double rack in your air fryer.
How Airfryers Work
Air fryers are small countertop convection ovens that use a combination of hot air and high speed air circulation to cook food. A fan and heating element rapidly circulate hot air around food at high speed to recreate the crispy, golden brown texture of deep fried foods. This rapid air circulation allows food to cook quickly and evenly from all sides without the need for submerging food in oil.
For an air fryer to work properly, there needs to be enough space inside the cooking chamber for air to freely flow and circulate around the food. The high speed air circulation is key to achieving that crispy fried texture. If the cooking area becomes overcrowded, airflow can be restricted, preventing food from cooking evenly.
Benefits of Using a Double Rack
There are a few potential benefits to using a double rack in an air fryer:
- Increased capacity – Using two racks can allow you to cook twice as much food at once.
- Make different foods – The double rack setup lets you cook two different foods separately at the same time. For example, fries on one rack and chicken pieces on the other.
- Save time – Cooking two batches of food at once reduces total cooking time.
For larger families or batch meal prepping, a double rack seems like an easy way to get more done at once. The ability to cook two different foods simultaneously also provides more versatility.
Considerations When Using a Double Rack
However, there are a few important factors to keep in mind when using a double rack:
- Airflow – The key to how air fryers work is having space for air to freely circulate. Blocking too much of the cooking chamber can restrict airflow and lead to uneven cooking.
- Capacity – Only use a double rack if recommended by the air fryer manufacturer. Overfilling the cooking basket prevents proper air circulation.
- Cooking time – Foods may take longer to cook thoroughly when using a double rack. The increased batch size and reduced airflow usually increases cooking time.
- Food placement – Stagger items between racks, leaving space for airflow. Overcrowding racks blocks air circulation.
- Food rotation – Rotate food placement between racks midway during cooking for even exposure to airflow.
- Cleaning – Extra care is needed to fully clean the air fryer with a double rack configuration.
Following the user manual guidelines is essential when using a double rack. Exceeding the recommended capacity can lead to poor performance and unsafe conditions.
Tips for Successful Double Rack Cooking
Here are some tips for safely and effectively using a double rack setup in your air fryer:
- Consult your air fryer manual to confirm if a double rack can be used. Not all models support double rack cooking.
- Reduce batch size compared to single rack cooking. Overfilling restricts airflow.
- Place thinner foods on the top rack. The bottom rack should be used for thicker foods needing more exposure to airflow.
- Stagger food placement between racks so air can flow around all food surfaces.
- Allow extra cooking time, up to 50% more, for double rack cooking.
- Rotate food placement between racks midway during cooking for even exposure.
- Use cooking spray or oil to prevent food from sticking when double rack cooking.
- Watch closely and check food frequently to prevent over or uneven cooking.
- Clean the air fryer thoroughly after double rack cooking to remove any stuck on food particles.
Best Foods for Double Rack Cooking
Some foods are better suited for double rack air fryer cooking than others. The best choices are foods that cook quickly and benefit from maximal air circulation. Here are some of the top foods to consider:
French Fries
French fries come out crispy and delicious when using a double rack. Use fresh cut potatoes and divide between the two racks for even cooking. Allow extra time compared to normal frying and shake the racks midway.
Frozen Foods
Frozen foods like chicken nuggets, tater tots or fries are ideal for double rack cooking. The thin frozen items heat through quickly and come out crispy when exposed to air circulation on all sides.
Vegetables
Fresh vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, peppers and carrots develop a nice roasted texture when cooked using a double rack. Toss vegetables in oil and seasonings before dividing between racks.
Chicken Wings
Chicken wings cook up fabulously crispy and saucy when cooked on a double rack. Divide wings evenly between racks and flip midway during cooking for perfect results.
Fish Sticks & Fillets
Breaded fish sticks and fillets get an extra crunch from the increased airflow of a double rack. Use cooking spray to prevent sticking and rotate food placement mid-cooking.
Foods Not Ideal for Double Rack Cooking
While many foods work well with a double rack setup, some may not turn out right when cooked this way. Here are some foods you may want to avoid cooking with a double rack:
- Whole chickens or roasts – Larger thick foods need maximum exposure to circulating air. A double rack setup could lead to uneven cooking.
- Foods requiring batter coating – The increased airflow of a double rack can blow batters off foods during cooking.
- Delicate baked goods – Items like cakes, muffins or pastries are too fragile and may not cook evenly with a double rack.
- Thin sliced meats – Sliced meats may overcook or dry out when using a double rack.
- Foods prone to sticking – Double rack cooking makes sticky foods like melty cheeses more likely to stick to racks.
- Greasy foods – Excess grease and oil dripping from foods on two racks can cause smoke and mess.
For the best results, choose naturally leaner foods that cook quickly when using a double air fryer rack. Avoid delicate baked goods or anything runny that could drip or fall through racks.
Double Rack Air Fryer Recipes
Here are some tasty recipe ideas that are ideal for making with a double rack air fryer setup:
French Fries
- 2 large russet potatoes, cut into 1/4 inch fries
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Toss fries in oil and seasonings. Divide evenly between racks. Air fry at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, shaking racks halfway.
Chicken Wings
- 24 chicken wings, tips removed
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp each salt, pepper, garlic powder
- BBQ sauce or hot sauce for dipping
Toss wings in flour and oil then seasonings. Divide between racks and air fry at 390°F for 22-25 minutes until crispy, flipping once.
Veggie Fajitas
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 zucchinis, sliced
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- Pinch of salt
Toss veggies in oil, lime juice and seasonings. Divide between racks and air fry at 370°F for 10-12 minutes until tender crisp. Stuff into tortillas.
Fish & Chips
- 4 cod fillets
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 lb frozen fries
- Tartar sauce
Dip fillets in flour, egg then breadcrumbs. Place fish on bottom rack and fries on top rack. Cook at 400°F for 13-15 minutes until fish flakes and fries are crispy.
Choosing a Double Rack Air Fryer
When shopping for an air fryer that can accommodate double rack cooking, keep these features in mind:
- Adequate capacity – Look for a minimum 5 quart capacity to fit two racks.
- Adjustable racks – Height adjustable racks allow more flexibility.
- Mesh rack design – Racks with an open mesh design allow for the best airflow.
- Square design – Square fryers can fit more food than rounded models.
- High powered heating – Models with at least 1700 watts quickly cook double batches.
- Digital controls – Precise time and temperature control helps prevent uneven cooking.
The top double rack air fryer picks include:
| Brand & Model | Capacity | Rack Positions | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja AF100 | 5.5 qt | 3 | 1500W |
| Instant Vortex Plus | 6 qt | 2 | 1700W |
| Cosori Dual Blaze | 6.8 qt | 3 | 1700W |
| Ultrean AF900 | 5.5 qt | 2 | 1700W |
FAQs About Double Rack Air Fryers
Do all air fryer models work with double racks?
No, only certain air fryer models are designed to accommodate double racks. Consult your air fryer manual or product details to confirm compatibility before purchasing a double rack accessory.
Should I still use oil when double rack cooking?
Yes, it is recommended to lightly coat foods in oil before double rack cooking to promote browning and prevent sticking. Use just a teaspoon or two of oil tossed with food.
Why does food take longer to cook using double racks?
The increased batch size and reduced airflow caused by double rack cooking requires longer cook times, usually around 1.5 times the normal cooking duration.
Can I cook a whole chicken on a double rack?
No, it is not recommended to cook large whole birds or roasts using a double rack, as the airflow restriction could lead to uneven cooking.
Is double rack cooking safe in an air fryer?
Yes, double rack cooking is safe if done according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Be cautious of overfilling racks or exceeding recommended capacity.
Conclusion
Using a double rack in your air fryer can be an effective way to increase capacity and cook batches of crispy foods with minimal oil. However, special care must be taken to prevent restricted airflow and uneven cooking when using double racks. Monitor cooking closely, allow extra time, and rotate smaller batches of food for the best results and safety. With the right techniques, double rack cooking can make whipping up big batches of wings, fries, and other favorites fast and delicious.