Yes, it’s generally fine for food to touch or overlap slightly in the air fryer, although it’s important to avoid overcrowding the basket. Air needs to circulate around the food to cook it evenly and to achieve a crispy texture, so leaving some space between the food items can help with this.
It’s also important to note that some air fryer models may have different recommendations for the amount of food that can be cooked at once, so it’s a good idea to consult the manufacturer’s instructions before using the appliance.
If you’re cooking foods that release a lot of oil or moisture, such as chicken or burgers, it’s a good idea to use the drip tray or to line the bottom of the basket with parchment paper to catch any excess liquid. This can help prevent smoking or burning, and can make cleanup easier as well.
Overall, as long as you are mindful of the cooking capacity and take steps to ensure that food is cooked evenly and does not generate too much moisture, it should be fine for foods to touch or overlap slightly in the air fryer.
