10 Foods to Never Put in Air Fryer: A Quick Guide for Home Cooks

Air fryers have revolutionized home cooking by offering a healthier way to enjoy crispy, fried-like foods. However, not all foods are suitable for air frying. Here are nine foods that you should avoid putting in your air fryer, along with the reasons why they don’t work well with this cooking method.

Battered Foods

Foods coated in wet batter, like tempura or beer-battered fish, tend to drip through the basket or create a mess in the air fryer. The lack of hot oil immersion means the batter won’t set quickly, leading to a soggy and unevenly cooked exterior. For crispy results, opt for pre-breaded items or use a dry coating like breadcrumbs.

Popcorn

The lack of a contained environment in the air fryer basket means the kernels can fly around, potentially getting stuck in the heating element. Stick to making popcorn on a stovetop or microwave.

Leafy Greens

Lightweight and delicate, leafy greens like spinach or kale can easily fly around inside the air fryer due to the high-speed air circulation. This can result in uneven cooking and even burnt edges. If you want to air-fry greens, use them in combination with heavier ingredients that can weigh them down.

Cheese

Cheese doesn’t fare well in an air fryer on its own. Cheese tends to melt and ooze, creating a sticky mess that can be difficult to clean. If you want to air fry cheese, it’s best to incorporate it into a dish where it’s contained, like stuffed peppers or breaded cheese sticks.

Raw Rice or Grains

Air fryers are not suitable for cooking raw rice or other grains because they don’t provide the moisture needed to cook grains properly. Rice requires boiling or steaming to absorb water and soften. If you’re looking to cook rice, it’s best to use traditional methods like a rice cooker, stovetop, or microwave.

Delicate Fish

Delicate fish fillets can easily dry out or fall apart in an air fryer. The intense heat and air circulation can cause the fish to become overcooked or break into pieces. If you want to air fry fish, choose sturdier varieties like salmon or use fillets that are thick enough to withstand the cooking process.

Large Cuts of Meat

Air fryers are designed for cooking smaller, even-sized portions. Large cuts of meat can be too bulky for the air fryer basket, leading to uneven cooking and even overcooking of the exterior while the interior remains undercooked.

Unseasoned Vegetables

Air fryers are great for cooking vegetables, but unseasoned vegetables can come out bland and dry. To avoid this, always season the vegetables with oil, salt, and spices before air frying. This helps enhance their flavor and ensures a more enjoyable eating experience.

Saucy Foods

Foods with high moisture content or thick sauces aren’t ideal for air frying. The excess liquid can create steam, leading to soggy results.

Doughnuts

While it might seem tempting, air-frying doughnut batter doesn’t produce the same results as deep frying. The texture and flavor won’t be the same.