Air fryers have exploded in popularity in recent years, giving foodies a means of cooking up a storm with minimal effort – and less oil. They’re also cheaper to run, and can be used to cook everything from meat, and fish to vegetables.
And while almost anything can be prepared in one, experts warn there are some dishes best cooked by other means. Laurie Klein, a chef and consumer test kitchen specialist at Hamilton Beach Brands, spoke to food and lifestyle outlet Real Simple and revealed 10 kinds of food that don’t fare as well when heated in them.
In some cases this is because of challenges in ensuring dishes are evenly or properly cooked, including things like leafy vegetables, and large bone-in meat cuts, she told the outlet.
And in the case of hamburgers, it’s difficult to modulate doneness and get it rare (if that’s your preference).
Meanwhile, things like pre-cooked grains and popcorn can also produce disappointing results due to difficulty in reaching suffient temperatures to cook them properly.
Popcorn kernels can also get stuck, and cause a safety risk, she warns.
The consistency that airfryers produce when cooking some foods is another issue, Klein says, warning that it can render various types of shellfish rubbery and chewy.
In other cases, like with cheesy dishes, wet-breaded foot stuffs, and things like chicken wings that are dripping in sauce, it can cause a mess within the basket or tray.
It can also damage the appliance, making these types of food better prepared in the oven or in a pan.
People using it for cooking baked goods should also keep an eagle-eye on them if they want to avoid a mess too, though it can be an effective way to prepare them if you reduce the time and temperature you’d use with an oven, Klein says.
Full list of things you shouldn’t cook in an airfryer
- Battered or breaded foods
- Things like beer-battered fish or shrimp tempura
- Some leafy vegetables
- Such as kale, spinach, bok choy, nad Swiss chard
- Shellfish
- Including like mussels, oysters, and clams
- Saucy foods
- Cheesy dishes
- Including things like mac and cheese, mac and cheese, and potatoes au gratin
Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts
- Such such a whole chicken
- Uncooked grains
- Including pasta, rice, and quinoa
- Popcorn
- Hamburgers
- Baked goods (though you can get good results by adjusting cooking times)
You can find out more about Klein’s tips and why some foods suit airfrying more than others here.