What Not to Cook in an Air Fryer?

Air fryers provide many cooking possibilities that we’ve not had before. If they were there, it would require multiple appliances or cooking steps.

However, even with this innovation, there are some foods that you cannot cook in an air fryer.

It’s important to know what these are to avoid damaging your appliance or creating a mess in your kitchen.

In this article, we will discuss what you cannot cook in an air fryer and why.

Things You Should Not Cook in An Air Fryer

The things not to cook in an air fryer include:

1. Anything with a Wet Batter

While air fryers are great for cooking crispy fried food with less oil, they don’t work well with wet batters.

Wet batters tend to drip and make a mess in the air fryer, resulting in unevenly cooked and soggy food.

Instead of using a wet batter, it’s best to use a dry coating like breadcrumbs or flour to achieve a crispy texture.

If you must cook food with wet batter in the air fryer, line the air fryer with either parchment paper or aluminum foil.

2. Cheese

While you can cook cheese in an air fryer, it’s not recommended because cheese can easily melt when exposed to high heat for long.

Some types of cheese can release a lot of oil when heated, which can lead to smoke and unpleasant odors.

If you do decide to cook cheese in an air fryer, make sure to use parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent the cheese from sticking to the air fryer basket.

Also, minimize the heat and time the cheese is exposed in the air fryer.

3. Popcorn

Popcorn should not be cooked in an air fryer.

This is because the kernels can pop and fly around inside the air fryer, potentially damaging the appliance or causing a safety hazard.

If you want to make popcorn, it’s best to use a microwave or stovetop popper designed for this purpose.

Alternatively, secure the kernels in a sealed container in the air fryer.

4. Canned Foods

Canned foods are pre-cooked and already preserved, so there is no need to cook them further in an air fryer.

For any that may require further cooking, the high heat can create a potential safety hazard.

If you want to heat canned foods, it’s best to transfer the contents into an air fryer-safe container, or cook on the stove, or microwave.

5. Foods with a High-Water Content

Foods with a high water content are less likely to obtain the crispy texture that an air fryer gives food.

Also, with the high heat, foods rich in moisture will quickly dry out, lose nutritional value, and become unappetizing.

Only prepare high water content foods in an air fryer when looking to dehydrate.

6. Foods that Require Stirring

Air fryers work best when the food is arranged in a single layer and left untouched during cooking.

You only check on the food halfway through cooking.

This means that foods that require stirring are not ideal for cooking in an air fryer.

If you want to cook these types of foods, it’s best to use a traditional stovetop.

7. Fatty Cuts of Meat

Fatty cuts of meat, with the high heat of the air fryer, can cause the fat to splatter.

If the fat lands on the heating element, it may cause smoking from the air fryer.

Fat splatter may also make it difficult to clean the air fryer after use and facilitate rusting if cleaning is not properly done.

When cooking such meat pieces, it is best to contain the pieces with an air fryer liner.

Also, use leaner cuts of meat, such as chicken breast or sirloin steak.

Reasons Why Certain Foods Should Not Be Cooked in An Air Fryer

• Foods that are too greasy or oily to be cooked in an air fryer
• Foods that are too delicate or lightweight for air frying
• Foods that are too large or dense for air frying
• Foods that are batter-coated or breaded
• Foods that are too moist or have a high-water content

Conclusion

There are some foods that you should not cook in an air fryer.

These foods when prepared in an air fryer can cause damage to your appliance or create a mess in your kitchen.

It is important to take the necessary measures if you decide to cook these meals with an air fryer.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your air fryer stays in good condition and that your meals turn out delicious every time.

Also read, how you can use sauce in your air fryer.