Foods you shouldn’t put in an air fryer

While air fryers are a great kitchen appliance that can cook a variety of foods quickly and with less oil than traditional frying methods, there are certain recipes which will result in nothing but disaster and avoiding them can help make an air fryer last longer.

Here are some examples:

Wet Batters

Foods that are coated in wet batter, such as tempura or beer-battered fish, may not cook well in an air fryer. The batter may not adhere properly to the food and can become soggy or fall off during cooking.

High-Fat Meats

While you can cook meats such as chicken, beef, and pork in an air fryer, fatty cuts of meat like bacon or sausages may not be suitable. The high-fat content can cause the air fryer to smoke and create a mess.

Cheese

Foods that contain a lot of cheese, like cheese sticks or stuffed peppers, may not cook well in an air fryer. The cheese can melt and ooze out of the food, creating a mess in the air fryer basket.

Leafy Greens

Foods like kale or spinach may not be suitable for air frying, as they can become too dry and crispy or even burn. It’s best to stick to heartier vegetables like potatoes, carrots, or bell peppers.

Raw Vegetables

Raw vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower may not cook evenly in an air fryer, as they can become too dry or burnt on the outside while remaining raw on the inside.

Batter-coated Foods

While you can cook breaded foods like chicken tenders or onion rings in an air fryer, foods coated in a thick batter may not cook well. The batter can become too thick and dry out before the food inside is fully cooked.

ALSO SEE: Airfryer spicy fried drumsticks

Written by Unathi Balele for BONA.

Feature image: Getty