Nowadays, you can air fry almost anything. Wouldn’t it be nice to have that option? These appliances have seemingly taken over everyone’s kitchen for a reason. An air fryer can mimic the results of deep frying with some intense hot air and a fraction of the oil.
This healthier alternative to crispy food can be enjoyed at parties and state fairs alike. When something sounds too good to be true, that’s because it probably is. Thankfully, others have already made these mistakes so we don’t have to. Make sure you know which items won’t work with your air fryer before you start cooking.
We also have compiled a guide that will help you choose air fryer for family of 4, if your are looking for the best one.
Foods That Are Battered
You shouldn’t use the air fryer to cook wet batter unless the food is pre-fried and frozen. In addition to creating a mess, wet batter won’t set the way it does when it’s submerged in oil, so the food won’t have that crunchy shell. You can add a little crispiness to your food by coating it in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. You don’t want to miss this easy trick for getting your air fryer food perfectly golden every time.
Greens That Are Fresh
High-speed air will cause leafy greens like spinach to cook unevenly. Foods that don’t say “put” are very easy to burn. When choosing vegetables to cook in the air fryer, choose vegetables with some weight, such as broccoli or zucchini. Also, kale chips may be successful if they are coated in enough oil to weigh them down. When it comes to air fryers, experts recommend frozen vegetables since they retain more moisture from the ice.
Whole Roasts
Even if a whole roast fits in an air fryer basket, it’s best to just stick with the regular oven. The roast will not cook evenly, with the part closest to the heat source likely to burn before the part farthest from the heat source is even safe to eat. Overcrowding is the problem. In order for the hot air to circulate properly, the roast should be cut into smaller pieces. When you cook a chicken, make sure the breast is face down and the skin is facing up since air fryers heat from the top.
Cheese
Who wouldn’t want to snack on fried cheese on-the-spot? The air fryer doesn’t actually “fry” the food, so cheese without some sort of coating will just melt into a puddle and create a mess you don’t want to clean. The air fryer won’t produce any fried cheese, unless you scavenge the freezer aisle for some frozen mozzarella sticks. Grilled cheese will also burn in an air fryer due to the intense pressure from the hot air. Cook this classic comfort food on the stovetop.
Raw Grains
Rice and pasta can be crisped nicely in an air fryer, but first they have to be cooked on the stovetop. The air fryer is designed to dry cook food, so trying to cook something that needs water to cook properly 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 effectively cook the grains.
Foods with Loose Seasonings
Herbs or spices that aren’t stuck to your food might not stay put in an air fryer. When you salt, pepper, and season your foods, wait until they come out of the device. Otherwise, the little bits could get caught in the air fryer’s nooks and crannies, making cleanup tricky.
Raw Vegetables
The air fryer can make great fried veggies from the freezer, but it doesn’t have the same power with raw produce. They turn out soggy-definitely not the texture you want!
Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
