Updated: Mar. 11, 2024
Before you hop on the trend, know which foods you can't cook in your air fryer.
You can air fry almost anything these days. And why wouldn’t you want to? There’s a reason these appliances have seemingly taken over everyone’s kitchens, and why this person used their air fryer every day for two weeks to find a whole new way of eating. Air fryers can imitate the results of deep-frying with some intense hot air and only a fraction of the oil. With this healthier alternative, you don’t have to reserve crispy foods for nights out and state fairs. But because you can cook so many foods in an air fryer, with easy-to-use materials like foil or parchment paper, you may be wondering: What can you not cook in an air fryer? Not all foods are suitable for the kitchen gadget, so we got to the bottom of this oft-asked question. And make sure you know how to clean your air fryer and how to avoid common air-fryer mistakes before you get started on your next recipe with our favorite air fryers of 2022.
Battered foods
Avoid placing wet batter in the air fryer. It’ll create a mess, and wet batter won’t set the way it does when it’s submerged in oil, meaning the food won’t have that crunchy shell. If you’d like to add a little crispiness and get your food perfectly golden every time, coat it in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs.
That said, if a battered food is pre-fried and frozen, it’s OK to put it in the air fryer.
Fresh greens
Leafy greens like spinach will cook unevenly because the machine uses high-speed air. It’s very easy to burn foods that don’t say put. When choosing vegetables to cook in the air fryer, opt for those that hold some weight, like broccoli (speaking of, here’s why you never see canned broccoli) and zucchini. Kale chips may also be successful if you coat the kale in enough oil to weigh the leaves down. Ultimately, experts say that frozen veggies are the way to go when it comes to air fryers because they retain more moisture from the ice. This is just one of those food facts you may not have thought about before.
Whole roasts
When it comes to using an air fryer to cook a whole roast, the biggest issue is whether or not the entire roast will fit properly into the air fryer’s basket. But even if the meat does fit, it’s best to just stick to the regular oven. The roast will not cook evenly, and the part closest to the heat source will likely burn by the time the section furthest from the heat is safe to eat.
It all comes down to overcrowding. Since the hot air needs room to appropriately circulate, you’re better off cooking the roast in smaller pieces. If cooking a chicken, make sure the breast is placed face down, with the skin facing up, because air fryers heat from the top. Before you start cooking next, learn if you can put aluminum foil in the air fryer.
Cheese
Who wouldn’t love to instantly make some fried cheese to snack on? Unfortunately, because your air fryer isn’t truly frying your food, cheese placed inside without some sort of coating will just melt into a puddle and create a mess you don’t want to clean up. Unless you scavenge the freezer aisle for some frozen mozzarella sticks, there won’t be any fried cheese coming out of your air fryer.
This also applies to grilled cheese, which will likely burn under the intense pressure from the hot air. Stick to the stove top for this classic comfort food.
Raw grains
Grains such as rice and pasta can crisp nicely in an air fryer, but they have to be cooked on the stove top first. Air fryers are intended to dry cook food, so trying to cook something that needs to be immersed in water during the cooking process won’t work. Even with an insert that allows you to place water inside the air fryer, the fan will never get hot enough to boil the water and successfully cook your grains.
Hamburgers
Air fryers aren’t really designed to grill red meat, especially if you like your burgers medium-rare. Though it takes a fairly short amount of time for an air fryer to cook the inside of meat to medium-rare, the outside of the burger won’t brown as quickly. If you like your meat red and juicy, an air fryer won’t give it the char that balances it out. But if you like your burgers very well done, it should be just fine in an air fryer. While you’re at it, check out this simple and easy burger hack that guarantees the juiciest patties ever.
Toast
In theory, an air fryer would toast a piece of bread fairly well with all of its evenly dispersed hot air. You may have even seen air fryer kitchen hacks that praise the gadget’s ability to toast bread, but the high air pressure will actually make the bread move around and blow crumbs all over the basket. It’s important to remember that an air fryer is not a toaster oven. It’s best to stick to toasters and toaster ovens when you want a crispy piece of toast.
Popcorn
Before microwave popcorn and packaged, premade popcorn bags, people had to add kernels and oil to a pot for some homemade popcorn. An air fryer chamber may seem similar to an enclosed pot, but an air fryer typically doesn’t get hot enough to pop popcorn. An air fryer is usually between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit, but it takes a temperature between 400 and 460 degrees Fahrenheit to get popcorn to pop.
Now that you know what not to cook, check out these recipes that are perfect for the air fryer.
Sources
- Food Network: “These Are the Foods You Just Can’t Make In an Air Fryer”
- Mashed: “Things You Should Never Cook in an Air Fryer”
- Food Network: “Air Fryer Do’s and Don’ts”
- Insider: “7 things you should cook in an air fryer and 7 things you shouldn’t”
Alina Indi/ShutterstockItems You've Been Using Wrong
istock/andy445Foods You Shouldn't Put in the Blender
ROLAND ANCLA LEGASPI/Shutterstock Air Frying vs. Baking
FAQs
Those beer-battered onion rings, fries, fish cutlets, plus tempura veggies and more are not well suited for a crisp in the air fryer. The batter will drip down into the base of the machine, making a big mess to cleanup afterward. Not to mention, it could even set off the alarm on models with alert systems.
What foods should not be cooked in an air fryer? ›
Those beer-battered onion rings, fries, fish cutlets, plus tempura veggies and more are not well suited for a crisp in the air fryer. The batter will drip down into the base of the machine, making a big mess to cleanup afterward. Not to mention, it could even set off the alarm on models with alert systems.
Why shouldn't you cook hamburgers in an air fryer? ›
While an air fryer can technically take a burger patty from raw to cooked, the exterior won't brown as quickly as it would on, say, a grill, which means medium-rare (and even medium) burgers are out of the question. You also won't get that irresistible char.
Why are people getting rid of air fryers? ›
Summary. In conclusion, while air fryers offer certain benefits such as reduced calorie intake and faster cooking times, they are not without their limitations. Size constraints, limited cooking options, and concerns about crispiness are driving some people to look for alternatives.
What is unhealthy about an air fryer? ›
Air-frying equipment is not known to cause cancer, but the process of air frying does result in the formation of certain compounds, like acrylamide, that are linked to cancer development. Acrylamide is classified as a probable human carcinogen.
Is there a negative to using air fryer? ›
Air fryer health risks
COPs are linked to an increase in heart disease, cancer and other medical conditions. You may have also heard about polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are carcinogens that are produced as fumes when foods are cooked at a high temperature.
Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer? ›
Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.
Why should you never cook bacon in your air fryer? ›
Here's why: Bacon doesn't require any excess oil or butter to cook because it's so full of fat. So when hot air is circulated around the bacon, your air fryer will fill up with rendered bacon fat, which will then burn and maybe even release smoke from your machine.
Can you put raw meat in an airfryer? ›
It is safe to cook raw meat in the air fryer if it is fully defrosted, seasoned, and monitored. Some fully cooked foods, including chicken tenders or fries, can be placed frozen in the air fryer. However, with raw meat, it's recommended to thoroughly defrost to allow more even cooking and a tasty final product.
Can you cook raw chicken in an air fryer? ›
Yes, you put raw frozen chicken in the air fryer! You won't be able to brine it first or pound it to an even thickness (so the results are not *as* juicy) but if you forget to thaw your chicken, it's a great option to have on hand.
- French-toast sticks make for a sweet, air-fried breakfast. ...
- Patatas bravas are a spicy meal or side. ...
- Salmon and vegetables can be cooked together in the air fryer. ...
- Crusted pork tenderloin is a quick family meal. ...
- Crispy pea falafel is a vegetarian-friendly meal. ...
- Make crunchy potato-and-lentil samosas in the air fryer.
Yes, you should flip burgers cooked in the air fryer halfway through so it cooks evenly on the top and the bottom. This also helps the internal juices redistribute better for the juiciest, most mouthwatering burgers.
Why do chefs hate air fryers? ›
Some say it's too good to be true, that you can't effectively “fry” something with a few tablespoons of oil and hot circulating air. Some say yeah, it works but it takes up too much countertop space for what it's worth.
What's the warning about air fryers? ›
These gadgets are superb for cooking 'small things that cook quickly', but Lewis pointed out that loading the air fryer with various foods can increase energy consumption and bump up your bills.
What is better than air fryers? ›
Air fryers have a smaller capacity than convection ovens; that's why they cook food faster. On the downside, they struggle with more than four portions (conversely, a convection oven can cook food for a crowd, thanks to multiple racks and generous surface area).
How do I prevent acrylamide in my air fryer? ›
While acrylamide formation increases with time and temperature in deep frying, it is minimized by combining high temperature and short time (200°C, 8 min) in an air-fryer (3).
Which is healthier microwave or air fryer? ›
Which is better: an air fryer or a microwave? An air fryer is ideal for cooking healthier, crispy dishes, while a microwave is best for quick reheating and defrosting. Choose the appliance that aligns with your specific cooking needs and preferences.
What is the downfall of air fryers? ›
What are Disadvantages of Using an Air Fryer? Air fryers vary in the amount of foods they can hold, but usually do not have a large capacity. Air fryers may not be convenient when cooking for large groups. Foods that are air fried have different sensory characteristics than foods that are deep fried.
What is the controversy with air fryers? ›
Increased air fryer recalls since 2021
But that doesn't mean air fryers pose no risk. Faulty wiring or user error can cause air fryers to overheat, burn the food inside or melt the machine itself, leading to several reported cases of kitchen fires and burns.
Why is air fried food not healthy? ›
In one study, air frying of fish raised the amount of a substance called "cholesterol oxidation products" (COPs). COPs form when the cholesterol in meat or fish breaks down during cooking. Studies connect these substances to coronary heart disease, hardening of the arteries, cancer, and other diseases.
Airflow is essential to the machine, so while a paper towel is useful for cleaning, it should not be used while cooking food in the air fryer. It can restrict the airflow of the machine and even catch fire. It's important to remember that the air inside the air fryer can get very hot.
What is the best thing to put on the bottom of an air fryer? ›
Parchment paper is good for food that might stick to the basket, like chicken wings, making clean up a bit easier. If you're tempted to use parchment every day or are simply waste-conscious, consider instead a silicone liner for air fryers. They're reusable and dishwasher safe, cutting down on both waste and worry.
Is parchment paper safe in an air fryer? ›
Parchment paper can handle the heat inside your air fryer - up to 428°F (220°C). To get the best results, add the parchment paper to the air fryer basket at the same time as you add your ingredients. This prevents the paper from lifting up and coming into contact with the heating element while cooking.
What are the top 10 foods to cook in an air fryer? ›
Start air frying these 13 foods and watch your cooking time drop and your satisfaction in healthy meals skyrocket!
- Chicken Breasts. ...
- Tofu. ...
- Zoodles. ...
- Cauliflower Gnocchi. ...
- Salmon (chopped) ...
- Chickpeas. ...
- Personal Pizzas. ...
- Frozen Cauliflower.
Before you even consider putting any dish, plate, or bowl in your air fryer, verify the dish is oven-safe. This will either be marked on the bottom of the dish or on the original packaging for the dishes. Plastic and certain types of glass should never be placed in an air fryer.
What material is bad in air fryer? ›
Nonstick air fryers that use materials like Teflon have chemicals that can be associated with health risks. However, experts say that you can only be exposed to these chemicals if your air fryer is damaged. It's best to choose an air fryer made without non-stick chemicals, such as ceramic or stainless steel.
What are the best foods to throw in an air fryer? ›
It's great at heating frozen foods, but it's also fantastic for from-scratch foods, like chicken wings, potato chips, donuts, and extra-crisp cookies. Here, we've rounded up 81 air fryer recipes to show just how versatile the appliance can be.
