Air fryers have revolutionized the way we cook, offering a healthier alternative to deep frying by using hot air to crisp up food with little to no oil. However, not everything is suitable for air frying. Here are some things you should never put in an air fryer to ensure safety and the best cooking results.
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Wet Batter
One of the most common mistakes people make with air fryers is attempting to cook foods with wet batter. While deep fryers can handle wet batters by immediately crisping them up, air fryers do not work the same way. The circulating hot air in an air fryer blows around the wet batter, causing it to drip off the food and create a mess inside the basket. Instead, if you want that crispy coating, opt for foods with a dry coating, like breaded chicken or vegetables.
Cheese
Cheese is another food that should be kept out of your air fryer. When exposed to high heat, cheese melts quickly, and in an air fryer, this can cause it to drip through the basket and burn, leading to a difficult-to-clean mess. While you might be tempted to make cheesy snacks, it’s better to add cheese to foods after they’ve been air fried or to use cheese-stuffed items that are securely sealed.
Raw Grains
Raw grains like rice or pasta should never be cooked in an air fryer. These grains need to be cooked in water or another liquid to absorb moisture and become soft, which an air fryer cannot provide. If you want to make rice or pasta dishes, cook the grains first in a traditional method, and then use the air fryer to add a crispy texture to the cooked product, like air-fried risotto balls or crispy noodles.
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens like spinach or kale may seem like a healthy snack idea, but they are too light and thin for an air fryer. The hot air circulation can cause the leaves to fly around the basket, leading to uneven cooking and possible burning. If you want to make kale chips, it’s best to do so in an oven where the heat is more evenly distributed and controlled.
Whole Roasts
Air fryers are not designed for cooking large cuts of meat like whole roasts or entire chickens. These foods require even cooking at a controlled temperature for an extended period, something an air fryer struggles with due to its smaller size and high-heat environment. If you want to cook meat in an air fryer, stick to smaller cuts like chicken breasts, pork chops, or fish fillets.
Fresh Herbs
Much like leafy greens, fresh herbs are too delicate to withstand the intense heat and air circulation inside an air fryer. They can easily burn, lose flavor, and create a bitter taste. If you’re preparing a dish that includes fresh herbs, add them after the food has been cooked in the air fryer, or use them as a garnish to maintain their flavor and freshness.
Saucy Foods
Foods with a lot of sauce or marinade are not suitable for air frying. The sauce can drip through the basket, leading to smoking, burning, and a big mess. Furthermore, the sauce won't caramelize or thicken properly in an air fryer like it would on a stovetop or in an oven. If you want to air fry marinated food, it's better to pat the food dry first and air fry it separately from the sauce, adding the sauce afterward.
Conclusion
While air fryers are versatile and convenient, they have limitations. Avoid putting wet batter, cheese, raw grains, leafy greens, whole roasts, fresh herbs, and saucy foods in your air fryer. By understanding what works and what doesn’t, you can maximize the benefits of your air fryer and enjoy delicious, mess-free meals.