Foods You Should Never Cook in the Air Fryer — Eat This Not That

No Comments

Photo of author

By Ghuman

Introduction

Air fryers are a great way to make delicious, healthy meals without all the added fat and calories of deep-frying. But not all foods are suitable for air frying. Some foods can be dangerous to cook in an air fryer, while others just don’t turn out very well. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the foods you should never cook in an air fryer, and why. We’ll also provide some healthier alternatives that you can make in your air fryer instead. So read on to learn more about the foods you should never cook in an air fryer.

Foods You Should Never Cook in the Air Fryer — Eat This Not That

Air fryers are a great way to make delicious, crispy foods without all the added fat and calories of deep-frying. But not all foods are suitable for air frying. Here are some foods you should never cook in an air fryer.

1. Dried Fruit

Dried fruit is a great snack, but it’s not suitable for air frying. The high heat of the air fryer can cause the fruit to burn quickly, leaving you with a charred mess. Stick to oven-baking or stovetop-cooking for dried fruit.

2. Delicate Fish

Delicate fish, such as flounder or sole, can easily become dry and tough when cooked in an air fryer. Stick to baking or pan-frying for these types of fish.

3. Saucy Dishes

Saucy dishes, such as pasta dishes or stir-fries, can become soggy and unappetizing when cooked in an air fryer. Stick to stovetop cooking for these types of dishes.

4. Doughy Foods

Doughy foods, such as pizza or bread, can become hard and dry when cooked in an air fryer. Stick to oven-baking for these types of foods.

5. Soft Vegetables

Soft vegetables, such as mushrooms or zucchini, can become mushy and unappetizing when cooked in an air fryer. Stick to stovetop cooking or oven-roasting for these types of vegetables.

Conclusion

Air fryers are a great way to make delicious, crispy foods without all the added fat and calories of deep-frying. But not all foods are suitable for air frying. Dried fruit, delicate fish, saucy dishes, doughy foods, and soft vegetables should all be avoided when cooking in an air fryer. Stick to oven-baking, stovetop-cooking, or pan-frying for these types of foods.

Ever since the air fryer has soared into popularity, it almost feels like you can make pretty much anything in it. From breaded chicken to pork chops and even meatballs, what can’t the air fryer do? Well, a few things, actually. According to Eat This! expert board member Chef Nik Fields, also known as The Chic Chef, not all foods cook well in the air fryer. Some will get too soggy, too messy, or just cook unevenly. So before you experiment with another air fryer creation, be sure to keep these foods to never cook in the air fryer in mind—and then try cooking up these 16 Healthy Air Fryer Comfort Food Recipes instead.

batter
Shutterstock

“It’s messy and the batter won’t set,” said Chef Nik. “You won’t receive that crunch when it’s fried in traditional oil.”

Instead of dipping foods in a wet batter—like chicken—make a healthier breadcrumb coating instead. Dip the chicken into eggs and coat it in breadcrumbs before placing it within the air fryer.

Air fryers make for much healthier versions of your favorite crispy items—especially with these 27 Air Fryer Recipes That Make Healthier Fried Foods.

leafy greens kale spinach
Shutterstock

Chef Nik points out that leafy greens—like cabbage and spinach—aren’t the best for crisping up in the air fryer.

“Unlike cooking with oil the air fryer cooks unevenly and will cause foods that are lighter weight to burn faster and become soggy.”

For a healthy veggie snack, try making these Ranch Flavored Veggie Chips instead!

popcorn
Shutterstock

If you’re looking to pop up some popcorn for movie night, you’re better off cooking it in a pot, microwave, or in a classic popcorn maker—not the air fryer.

“The air-fryer doesn’t get hot enough for the kernels to pop,” says Chef Nik.

Here’s The One Trick That Will Make Your Popcorn Taste Better.

raw whole chicken
Shutterstock

If you want to roast up an entire chicken, it’s best to just do it in the oven instead of attempting to cook it up in an air fryer. Chef Nik points out that the uneven temperature won’t cook the chicken thoroughly and will cause parts of the chicken to dry out.

“Also, the air fryer is smaller than the chicken so it won’t all roast at the same time,” she says. Why not make this Classic Herb Roast Chicken With Root Vegetables in the oven instead?

So while you can get away with air frying almost everything, you may want to skip these particular items next time.

Kiersten Hickman

Kiersten Hickman is a freelance health and nutrition journalist. Read more



Leave a Reply