The air fryer, a trending kitchen appliance touting crispy textures with less oil, has taken the world by storm. However, not all foods were created equal when it comes to cooking with this popular tool. In fact, some culinary creations simply don’t play nicely with the air fryer’s unique cooking method.
Sure, it’s tempting to throw everything into the air fryer and hope for the best. But certain foods will leave you with a burnt, soggy, or downright dangerous mess. Don’t let these culinary blunders ruin your air-frying experience.
So, before you preheat your appliance, familiarize yourself with these 11 foods best left out of the air fryer.
1. Wet Battered Foods
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Think juicy, crispy fried chicken? Think again. Wet batters, like those used for corn dogs or tempura, simply won’t crisp up in an air fryer. Instead, they’ll drip through the basket and create a gooey mess.
If you’re craving a crispy coating, try using a dry batter or breadcrumb mixture. Alternatively, opt for pre-fried frozen foods, which are designed to crisp up nicely in the air fryer.
2. Fresh Leafy Greens
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Delicate leafy greens like spinach or arugula wilt and burn quickly in the air fryer’s intense heat. Their lightweight nature also causes them to fly around the basket, making for an uneven and messy cook.
Stick to sturdier greens like kale or Brussels sprouts, or opt for roasting them in a traditional oven for better results. If you’re craving air-fried greens, try using frozen vegetables, which tend to retain more moisture and cook evenly.
3. Cheese
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Unless you’re looking for a melted mess, avoid placing blocks or slices of cheese directly in the air fryer. The high heat will cause the cheese to melt rapidly and drip through the basket, creating a sticky cleanup situation.
If you want to add cheese to your air-fried creations, consider sprinkling shredded cheese on top during the last few minutes of cooking. Or, use pre-made cheese snacks like mozzarella sticks, which are designed to withstand the air fryer’s heat.
4. Rice and Other Grains
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Cooking rice or other grains in an air fryer requires a precise amount of liquid and constant monitoring, making it a less efficient and reliable method than using a stovetop or rice cooker.
Stick to traditional cooking methods for grains, or opt for pre-cooked rice or quinoa that can be easily reheated in the air fryer without the risk of burning or drying out.
5. Delicate Fish
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The powerful air circulation in an air fryer can easily overcook delicate fish fillets, resulting in a dry, rubbery texture. Thinner fillets can also flake apart and become difficult to handle.
If you want to air fry fish, choose thicker cuts like salmon or cod, and cook them at a lower temperature for a shorter time. Marinating the fish beforehand can also help to retain moisture and flavor.
6. Unprotected Herbs and Spices
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The powerful airflow in an air fryer can send lightweight herbs and spices flying around the basket, resulting in an unevenly seasoned dish and a messy clean-up.
To prevent this, consider using a spice rub or marinade to infuse your food with flavor before air-frying. Alternatively, enclose herbs and spices in a small foil packet or place them under heavier ingredients to keep them in place.
7. Foods with High Water Content
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Foods with high water content, like tomatoes and zucchini, will release a lot of moisture in the air fryer, leading to a soggy and unappetizing outcome.
Stick to air-frying foods with lower water content, such as root vegetables, potatoes, and meats. If you want to include high-water-content foods in your air fryer meal, consider dehydrating them first or cooking them separately and adding them later.
8. Sugary Glazes
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While air fryers are great for creating crispy textures, they’re not ideal for cooking with sugary glazes. The high heat can cause the sugar to caramelize too quickly, resulting in a burnt and bitter taste.
If you want to add a glaze to your air-fried creations, consider applying it during the last few minutes of cooking or after the food has been removed from the air fryer. This will allow the glaze to set without burning.
9. Baked Goods
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Some baked goods can fare decently in the air fryer, but the results are often inconsistent. Delicate pastries can dry out or burn easily, while cakes and muffins might not rise properly due to the rapid air circulation.
For best results, stick to traditional baking methods for your cakes, cookies, and pastries. If you’re looking for an air fryer-friendly dessert, try brownies or fruit crumbles, which are less finicky and tend to hold up well under the air fryer’s heat.
10. Hamburgers
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While air fryers can cook burgers, they might not achieve the ideal sear you’d get from grilling or pan-frying. The lack of direct heat and the air fryer’s cooking process can result in unevenly cooked patties and a less-than-satisfying outer crust.
For juicy, flavorful burgers with a perfect sear, opt for a traditional grill or stovetop. If you prefer the convenience of an air fryer, consider using pre-formed patties or smashing your burgers for a thinner, quicker cook.
11. Whole Roasts or Chickens
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Air-frying a whole roast or chicken can lead to disappointment (unless it comes with a rotating skewer just for chicken). The air fryer’s compact size and rapid air circulation can cause the exterior to burn before the interior cooks through, resulting in an unevenly cooked and potentially undercooked meal.
Save your air fryer for smaller cuts of meat, such as chicken breasts or pork chops, which cook more evenly. For larger roasts or whole birds, the oven or crock pot/instant pot remains your best bet for achieving a perfectly cooked and flavorful result.