Air fryers are prized for their versatility and ability to make crispy, delicious dishes with less oil. However, not everything is a suitable candidate for air frying. The appliance’s cooking method relies on circulating hot air, which can affect the outcome of certain foods.
In this guide, we’ll explore the foods and ingredients that may not fare well in an air fryer, helping you decide what to cook with this handy kitchen tool.
Table of Contents
What Cannot Be Cooked in Air Fryer
While air fryers are versatile kitchen appliances, certain foods and ingredients aren’t well-suited for air frying. Here are 14 items that cannot cook in an air fryer:
1. Roast Chicken
Roasting a whole chicken in an air fryer can be problematic. The strong air circulation crisps up the skin too quickly, leaving the inner meat undercooked. A regular oven is a safer choice, providing even heat distribution for a perfectly cooked roast chicken with crispy skin and tender meat.
2. Raw Rice
Air fryers aren’t meant for cooking raw rice. They work with hot, dry air; rice needs moisture to cook well. If you try to air fry raw rice, it might not cook evenly, and it could even get burned because air fryers can’t make the steam needed to cook rice properly.
3. Cheese
Melting cheese in an air fryer can create a mess. It may drip onto the heating element or basket as it liquefies, causing smoke and making cleanup challenging. To avoid this, it’s better to use cheese as a topping or add it after cooking your air-fried dish to enjoy melted cheese without cleaning up a sticky, smoky mess.
4. Popcorn
Air fryers aren’t ideal for making popcorn. The strong airflow in these appliances can blow around lightweight popcorn kernels, resulting in uneven popping. This can leave you with unpopped kernels and potentially damage the air fryer.
When it comes to making popcorn, it’s better to stick with dedicated popcorn-making methods like using a stovetop pot or microwave to ensure consistent and reliable results.
5. Water
Air fryers are not designed to handle liquids like water. Adding water to the appliance can disrupt the cooking process and potentially damage its electrical components. It’s crucial to avoid introducing any liquids into the air fryer to ensure safe and efficient operation.
6. Wet Batter
Foods coated in wet batter may not turn out well in an air fryer due to the moisture content. The result can be a soggy, unappetizing texture and a messy cleanup. It’s better to use dry coatings or breading for air frying to achieve a crispy and satisfying outcome.
7. Red Meat
While thin cuts of red meat can cook well in an air fryer, thicker or larger cuts may not fare as well. The rapid circulation of hot air can lead to overcooking on the outside and undercooking on the inside. It’s important to consider the cut’s thickness and adjust cooking times accordingly.
8. Liquid Sauces
Liquid sauces, particularly those high in fat, can splatter and create a mess in an air fryer. High heat and strong airflow can cause sauces to bubble and splatter uncontrollably. To avoid a messy cleanup and maintain optimal air fryer performance, it’s best to add sauces after cooking.
9. Bread for Toasting
Using an air fryer to toast bread may not yield the desired results. The appliance’s powerful air circulation can blow lightweight bread slices around, preventing even toasting. For consistently crispy and perfectly toasted bread, it’s recommended to use a traditional toaster or toaster oven, which are better suited for this task.
10. Most Commercial Spray Oils
Many commercial spray oils contain propellants that can accumulate on the air fryer’s non-stick coating over time, potentially damaging it. To maintain the longevity of your air fryer and ensure safe cooking, it’s recommended to use a manual oil sprayer with pure cooking oil or apply oil using a brush rather than commercial spray oils.
11. Loose Seasoning and Breadcrumbs
Air fryers’ strong air circulation can be problematic when working with lightweight ingredients like loose seasoning and breadcrumbs. These ingredients can be blown away, leading to uneven seasoning or coating on your food. It’s advisable to ensure a more even application of seasoning and breadcrumbs through other cooking methods.
12. Vegetables with Low Water Content
Vegetables like broccoli and fresh greens have a low water content, making them susceptible to drying out and becoming overly crispy in the air fryer. Lightly coating them with oil before cooking can help retain some moisture.
13. Pasta
Pasta can become overly crispy and overcooked quickly in the air fryer due to its high heat and rapid air circulation. It’s best to use the air fryer for reheating or adding a crispy texture to already-cooked pasta.
14. Hard Boiled Eggs
Air frying hard-boiled eggs is not advisable. The high heat and strong airflow in the air fryer can cause the eggshells to crack during cooking, leading to a mess and potential damage to the appliance. Traditional boiling or steaming methods are more reliable for achieving perfectly hard-boiled eggs.
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FAQs
Can You Cook Sausages in an Air Fryer
Yes, you can cook sausages in an air fryer. Pierce the sausages a few times and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 180°C for 10-15 minutes, turning every 5 minutes until cooked.
Can I Fry an Egg in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can fry an egg in an air fryer. Just preheat it, put a little oil or butter in the fryer, break the egg in, and cook it at about 370°F (187°C) for 3 to 5 minutes until it’s as done as you like.
Can I Cook 2 Things at Once in My Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook two different things at once in your air fryer if they require the same temperature and cooking time. Simply place them in separate compartments of the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap, to ensure even cooking.
Can You Grill With an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can grill with an air fryer. To achieve the high heat needed for grilling, preheat it to 400°F. Also, ensure it’s hot when you begin for maximum charring. Then, when you’re ready to grill, lower the temperature to 380°F to cook your food to perfection.
Can Glass Go in Air Fryer
Yes, glass can go in the air fryer if your glass is made of borosilicate or tempered glass. But if it’s soda-lime glass, it can’t handle the high air fryer heat. Always check labels and strength, and you can even test it empty before using it for cooking.
Final Verdict
Air fryers are handy tools, but they have some limits. Foods with lots of moisture liquid or needing special cooking methods like deep frying aren’t the best fit. So, it’s important to know these limits for successful air frying.
Moreover, keep reading this article to get more helpful info on what works and what doesn’t in an air fryer, plus useful tips and recipes. It’ll help you make the most of your kitchen gadget!
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