What 4 Foods Should You Not Put in an Air Fryer?

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance in recent years due to their ability to create crispy, delicious foods with much less oil compared to traditional frying methods. However, while air fryers are versatile, they aren’t suitable for all types of food. Knowing what not to cook in an air fryer is just as important as understanding its benefits. In this article, we will explore the five foods you should never put in an air fryer to avoid ruining your meal and potentially damaging your appliance.

Before we dive into the details, it’s important to understand how air fryers work. They circulate hot air around the food, cooking it with very little oil. This creates a crispy exterior while keeping the inside moist and tender. However, not all foods can handle this cooking method. For example, foods with wet batters or cheese can make a mess in the air fryer.

If you want to use your air fryer effectively, you should understand air fryer safety and avoid some common cooking mistakes.

1. Wet Batters

When cooking with an air fryer, one of the worst mistakes you can make is trying to use wet batters, such as those used for tempura or battered fish. While air fryers are great for dry coatings like breadcrumbs or panko, wet batters just don’t hold up well in the hot air environment.

Why Wet Batters Should Be Avoided

• Messy results: Wet batters tend to drip and create a sticky mess inside the air fryer. This not only makes cleanup harder but can also damage the appliance.
• Uneven cooking: Wet batters often fail to crisp properly in the air fryer, leaving your food soggy and undercooked. The batter will not adhere to the food evenly.

To get the best results, opt for foods that have been lightly breaded or coated with dry ingredients. If you absolutely need to use a batter, consider shallow frying or oven-baking your dish instead.

2. Cheese

You might be tempted to throw some cheese into your air fryer, especially when making dishes like cheese sticks or pizza. However, air frying cheese often leads to undesirable results.

Why Cheese Doesn’t Work in an Air Fryer

• Melting and mess: Cheese tends to melt very quickly, and once it liquefies, it can ooze out of the food and cause a sticky mess. This can not only ruin the food but can also create a significant amount of cleaning work afterward.
• Excessive oil: Some cheeses have high-fat content, and when they melt, they release oils that can splatter inside the air fryer. This can lead to smoke and an unpleasant smell.

If you’re craving a cheesy treat, consider alternatives like cooking your cheese-stuffed foods in the oven or grilling them instead. You can also wrap cheese in a protective layer like dough to prevent it from oozing out.

3. Leafy Greens

While air fryers are fantastic for cooking crispy potatoes or even roasted vegetables, leafy greens like spinach or lettuce are not ideal candidates.

Why Leafy Greens Shouldn’t Be Air Fried

• Quick burning: Leafy greens are extremely delicate and can burn quickly in the air fryer. The high heat used in air frying can cause them to become over-crisped and lose their nutrients.
• Loss of texture: The crispiness you expect from air frying doesn’t translate well to leafy greens. Instead, they end up dry and crunchy, rather than tender.

To enjoy air-fried veggies, stick with heartier vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower. These have a better chance of holding up to the high heat.

4. Stuffed Foods

While stuffed foods can be delicious, they often don’t fare well in the air fryer. Items like stuffed chicken breasts or stuffed peppers require a longer cooking time to ensure the filling is cooked thoroughly.

Why Stuffed Foods Are Not Ideal for Air Frying

• Uneven cooking: The air fryer works by circulating hot air around the food, but stuffed foods can have uneven heating. The filling in the center may remain undercooked while the exterior becomes overdone.
• Messy outcome: In some cases, the filling can leak out during the cooking process, making a mess in the air fryer and impacting the texture of your dish.

For stuffed foods, it’s better to bake them in the oven or cook them on the stovetop where you can control the temperature and cooking time more precisely.

Additional Foods to Avoid in the Air Fryer

While the above five foods should be at the top of your list of air fryer don’ts, there are also other foods you should avoid cooking in the appliance.

Foods with Excessive Oil

Many foods that are pre-cooked or packaged with a lot of oil will cause problems in the air fryer. The oil will heat up and may cause the appliance to smoke or even malfunction.

Popcorn

Popcorn may seem like a fun snack to make in an air fryer, but it’s not ideal for this method. The kernels may not pop evenly, and you might end up with burnt popcorn instead of fluffy kernels.

Breaded Foods

Air fryers can struggle with breaded foods that are too thick or have an excess of flour. This can lead to uneven crisping, with some parts of the breading overdone while others are undercooked.

Foods with Wet or Moist Exterior

Foods that have been marinated or are naturally moist, like wet chicken wings or moist vegetables, can cause a mess in the air fryer. The moisture affects the air circulation and the crisping process.

Cakes and Cupcakes

Traditional cake batters don’t fare well in an air fryer. The batter can overflow and stick to the sides of the basket, leading to a burnt mess rather than a perfectly cooked cake.

FAQs About Air Fryers and Foods to avoid

Can You Cook Frozen Foods in an Air Fryer?

Yes, the air fryer is an excellent appliance for cooking many types of frozen foods. Items like frozen fries, chicken nuggets, fish sticks, and breaded shrimp are all perfect candidates for air frying. The appliance works by circulating hot air around the food, which helps create a crispy exterior without the need for excessive oil. This makes air fryers an efficient and healthier alternative to deep frying.

However, there are a few key points to keep in mind. First, avoid frozen foods that are excessively coated in a wet batter, as the batter can make a mess inside the air fryer. Wet batters won’t crisp up properly in the hot air and can result in soggy, undercooked food. Instead, look for frozen foods that are pre-cooked with a dry breadcrumb or panko coating, as these will crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.

Also, ensure that frozen foods are arranged in a single layer in the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking, where some parts may be undercooked, while others are overcooked. Shake or flip the food halfway through the cooking process to ensure even crisping.

For the best results with frozen food, it’s also important to check the recommended cooking time and temperature on the packaging. While air fryers often cook frozen items faster than conventional ovens, it’s good practice to monitor the food closely, especially the first time you cook it.

Can You Use Aluminum Foil in an Air Fryer?

Yes, aluminum foil is safe to use in an air fryer, but it must be used correctly to ensure proper air circulation and effective cooking. When using foil, make sure it doesn’t completely block the airflow, which could prevent the food from cooking evenly. You can line the basket with foil or wrap food in foil for extra protection, but avoid covering the entire basket.

Some air fryers have non-stick baskets, so lightly lining them with aluminum foil can help with cleanup, especially for greasy or sticky foods. However, it’s important to leave space for the hot air to circulate around the food to ensure it cooks evenly. When wrapping food like fish or vegetables, ensure that the foil is tightly sealed but not overly crimped, allowing air to reach the food.

It’s also a good idea to avoid using aluminum foil when cooking foods that need to be crispy, such as potatoes or chicken wings, as it will prevent direct heat contact and inhibit crispiness.

Additionally, some air fryer models have specific guidelines about using aluminum foil. Always consult your manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you are using foil safely and effectively.

Can You Put a Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer?

Yes, cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer is absolutely possible, and it can yield fantastic results with crispy skin and juicy meat. However, there are a few considerations to ensure a successful cook. The size of the chicken is crucial. Make sure the chicken fits comfortably inside the air fryer basket, allowing enough space for air to circulate around the food. If the chicken is too large and overcrowds the basket, it may not cook evenly.

For optimal cooking, it’s best to use a chicken that weighs around 3-4 pounds. Larger chickens may require a longer cooking time or may not cook as evenly. To help the chicken cook faster and more evenly, consider spatchcocking it, which involves removing the backbone so that the chicken lies flat. This helps the chicken cook more evenly and speeds up the cooking process.

As with any poultry, it’s important to check the internal temperature to ensure the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached at least 165°F (75°C) in the thickest part of the chicken, typically the breast or thigh. Cooking times vary depending on the size of the chicken, but a 3-4 pound chicken typically cooks in 30-40 minutes at 360°F (182°C). Be sure to baste or season the chicken to add flavor and moisture throughout the cooking process.

Conclusion

Air fryers are a fantastic kitchen tool for creating healthier, crispier versions of your favorite foods. However, not everything should go into the air fryer. By avoiding foods like wet batters, cheese, and stuffed foods, you can ensure better results and a longer lifespan for your appliance.

Remember, knowing what foods to avoid is just as important as knowing how to use your air fryer effectively. By sticking to foods that work well with the appliance, you can enjoy delicious and healthy meals without any mess or frustration.