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Airfryers are the new (like) wonder in the world of kitchen appliances. That’s saying a lot considering they’re kind of vying for that lofty spot with slow cookers and multicookers, both of which have had their time in the spotlight.
It’s a well-deserved honor. Airfryers offer people a healthier alternative to frying with oil. They usually use less energy than traditional ovens. They cook food faster, saving users time and energy. They are very versatile in terms of what they can cook. And they offer a much cheaper alternative to having food delivered if you don’t have much time to actually cook. Moreover, they themselves are also affordable, even with the best air fryer get regular price cuts during big sale events.
Simply put, they’re just the ticket for most households, especially in this age of inflation. In fact, PRNewswire reports (opens in new tab) that the “air fryer market in the United States is expected to experience strong growth” from now through 2028.
But as with everything else, airfryers also have their limitations. As an occasional overzealous air fryer user, I learned that there are there are some things you shouldn’t do when using an airfryer. I’ve also learned that there are things you shouldn’t even cook in one — no matter how many “hacks” those so-called TikTok influencers post to convince us otherwise.
Here are seven foods you shouldn’t cook in an air fryer or risk an unclean mess or worse.
1. Wet batter, dry seasoning
Wet batter – such as beer batter or tempura batter – needs a hot oil bath to harden quickly. That’s what makes those corn dogs and tempura veggies crispy on the outside. Because an air fryer works by circulating hot air, it doesn’t have the ability to cook your favorite crunchy foods the way they should be cooked. Instead, you end up with a tough or soggy mess that is also uneven because chances are some of that batter has dripped off during the cooking process.
Also, do not air fry food with a layer of dry spices. That circulating air blows those spices right off, especially if you’re using large ones like cornflakes. If you must, make sure you rub those spices in well or coat your food with a little oil to help them stick.
2. Raw rice
Just as wet batter needs hot oil to harden, raw rice needs water to cook. And unfortunately air fryers are not designed for this kind of cooking. I’ve seen some people doing tutorials in an air fryer, and it sounds like a pain. One recipe requires you to find a suitable container, such as a cake tin, first boil water, put the rice and boiling water in the pan, cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and then set the timer for 30 minutes! 30 minutes!
In all honesty, it is better to cook raw rice the way it should be, which is to put it in a pot of water, bring it to a boil, stir, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes until all the water has been absorbed. It’s so easy and so much less hassle. If you’re not comfortable with that, invest in a rice cooker.
3. Whole roast chicken
Again, an air fryer uses hot air to cook things, and if you’re roasting a whole chicken in it, there’s significantly less room for that air to circulate properly and cook things evenly. That is even if you have one of the larger models.
What’s more, the part of the chicken closest to the heat source is also likely to cook faster than the bottom, meaning you’ll end up with a burnt top and bottom that will take a little longer to cook. . Or worse, a soaked one! If you want the option of cooking roast chicken in an air fryer, you may want to invest in a convection oven like the Cuisinart TOA-60.
4. Burger
Okay, it’s one thing if you like burgers well done – although, also, why?! However, if you want perfectly cooked medium-rare burgers, as beef should be cooked and consumed so that it’s still nicely juicy and flavorful, you may want to skip cooking burger patties in an air fryer.
Keeping a burger patty medium-rare means you don’t have to cook it as long, which means the outside may not have enough time to brown and get a bit of that char. If you cook it long enough for the outside to brown, that inside will be cooked through and dry.
5. Popcorn
Popcorn kernels take between 400 and 460 degrees to pop, and most air fryers unfortunately don’t get that high. But if you happen to have one that does reach 400F, like mine, you also risk starting a fire.
Popcorn does what it’s supposed to do, which is popping, which means some of them could accidentally get stuck in the heating element at the top, or because a piece jumped high enough to get stuck there or because there wasn’t enough there was room to accommodate all the popped kernels in the basket. That’s a potential fire hazard, especially if that piece is still in there while you’re cooking another dish.
Of course, there are plenty of tasty meals that can be beautifully prepared in an air fryer, so check out our guides to making French fries in an air fryer, French toast in an air fryer, and even fudgy brownies in an air fryer. We can also help you learn the 9 things you need to know about your new air fryer and 6 common air fryer mistakes to avoid.