Avoid a Kitchen Catastrophe: What Not To Put In An Air Fryer

Air fryers have rapidly become a kitchen staple, lauded for their ability to deliver crispy, 'fried' foods without the need for gallons of oil. From whipping up a quick batch of crispy fries to roasting vegetables and even baking, the versatility of these handy gadgets has been a game-changer in the culinary world.

Understanding how an air fryer works is the first step towards making the most of this appliance. Essentially, an air fryer circulates hot air around the food to produce a crispy, fried-like texture. However, the mechanisms that allow for this 'frying' without oil also create limitations on what can be safely cooked in these devices.

If you've just purchased your first air fryer or have been using one for a while, it's crucial to know what foods work best and what should be avoided. Some foods can potentially damage your air fryer, create a mess, or even become a fire risk. Our goal with this blog post is to keep your cooking adventures safe and your meals delicious, by educating you on the do's and don'ts of air fryer cooking. So, let's get started!

Foods to Avoid in Your Air Fryer and Their Alternatives

1. Wet Batters

Foods dipped in a wet batter, such as corn dogs or tempura, will not cook successfully in an air fryer. The circulating air can blow the batter off the food, resulting in a big mess.

Alternative: Use traditional deep-frying methods for these foods or bake them in an oven.

2. Cheese

While some cheeses can withstand the heat, soft cheeses will likely melt and drip onto the heating elements, causing smoke and potential fire risk.

Alternative: Consider toasting or broiling cheese-topped dishes in your oven instead.

3. Whole Roasts or Large Cuts of Meat

Large items such as a whole chicken or beef roast are not recommended because the outside can become overcooked before the interior reaches a safe temperature.

Alternative: Use your traditional oven for these large items, or cut meat into smaller pieces before cooking in the air fryer.

4. Foods with High Oil or Fat Content

Foods with high oil content like bacon can splatter and create smoke. This can lead to a potential fire hazard.

Alternative: Consider cooking these items on the stove or in your oven.

5. Overfilled Food Baskets

Overfilling the food basket leads to uneven cooking and can potentially be a fire hazard.

Alternative: Cook in smaller batches or use a traditional oven for large amounts of food.

6. Leafy Greens

Leafy greens, like spinach or kale, are too light for the air fryer and will likely fly around, causing a mess or potential fire risk.

Alternative: Use the stovetop or oven for these foods.

7. Raw Grains

Raw grains, like rice or pasta, won't cook properly in an air fryer.

Alternative: Boil these items on your stove, following package instructions.

8. Plastic and Cardboard Food Containers

Plastic and cardboard containers can melt or catch fire in an air fryer.

Alternative: Use oven-safe containers or cook the food directly in the air fryer basket, if appropriate.

The Functionality of Air Fryers and the Best Foods to Cook in Them

Air fryers are innovative kitchen gadgets that cook food by circulating hot air around it using the convection mechanism. A mechanical fan circulates the hot air around the food at high speed, producing a crispy layer via the Maillard effect. This results in a texture similar to frying, but with significantly less oil.

Air fryers are versatile and can be used to cook a variety of foods. Here are some of the best foods to cook in an air fryer:

1. Fries and Potato Wedges: Potatoes become incredibly crispy in the air fryer without the need for a ton of oil. They're a classic choice and undeniably delicious.

2. Chicken Wings: Chicken wings cooked in the air fryer are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and full of flavor.

3. Vegetables: From brussels sprouts to broccoli to bell peppers, most vegetables roast beautifully in an air fryer.

4. Frozen Snacks: Frozen snacks like nuggets, mozzarella sticks, and egg rolls cook quickly and evenly in an air fryer.

5. Fish: Lightly breaded fish fillets can be made crispy and delicious without the need for deep-frying.

While this list covers some of the most popular air fryer foods, the possibilities are practically endless. From crispy tofu to donuts, there's much to explore!

For a more comprehensive guide to air fryers, check out our detailed article here. It covers everything from different models, detailed functionality, to extensive recipe guides. Enjoy your air frying journey!