If it starts smoking, that’s most likely because of the grease splattering the heating element. Don’t panic! There are very simple ways to fix this: Use water: Pour a small amount of water into the basket to cool down the hot oil on contact. Use parchment paper: Buy special parchment paper designed for air fryers (they have holes for efficient circulation of the hot air). Bread method: Alternatively, add a slice of bread to the lower pan to absorb the excess grease.