Welcome to the wild world of air fryers—those magical boxes that promise crispiness without the calories. But beware!
Not everything can be tossed in and expected to emerge golden and glorious. Some foods, like a rebellious teenager, refuse to behave. Here’s a list of 17 culinary delinquents that should never meet the hot air of an air fryer.
1. Cheese
Ah, cheese! The gooey delight we all adore. But try popping it in an air fryer and watch it morph into a bubbling, oily mess.
Not the dreamy stretch you imagined, right? Instead of achieving that golden crust, you’ll find yourself scrubbing stubborn, burnt cheese bits off your appliance.
2. Leafy Greens
Think spinach chips sound like a crunchy snack? Think again! Leafy greens are the free spirits of the kitchen, refusing to be tamed by hot air.
They’ll burn to a crisp or fly around like confetti. Not exactly the healthy treat you had in mind. Stick to roasting them.
3. Battered Foods
Craving that fish and chips vibe? An air fryer won’t play nice with battered foods.
The hot air can’t set that batter like a deep fryer can, leaving you with a soggy disappointment instead of golden perfection.
4. Rice
Rice in an air fryer? That’s like asking a fish to climb a tree. Without liquid, this staple grain turns into a crunchy, inedible disaster.
Keep your air fryer for crispy delights, and let your rice cooker or pot handle the grains.
5. Toast
Who doesn’t love toast? But the air fryer is no toaster substitute! Instead of a warm, even crisp, you’ll end up with burnt edges and a still-soft center.
Stick to the reliable toaster for your breakfast bread needs.
6. Popcorn
Popcorn is the life of the snack party, but in an air fryer, it’s a wallflower. Don’t make this mistake!
Most kernels will remain stubbornly unpopped or burn to a crisp. Best left to the microwave or stovetop for that classic pop!
7. Hamburgers
A juicy hamburger is the stuff of cookout dreams, but an air fryer will squash those dreams fast.
The hot air dries out the patty, leaving you with a hockey puck instead of a juicy burger. Stick to the grill for burger perfection.
8. Whole Chickens
Whole chickens are a feast for the eyes, but not when they’ve been tortured by hot air.
An air fryer can’t cook the bird evenly, leading to dry breast meat and undercooked legs. Roast them in the oven for a uniformly delicious result.
9. Nuts
They are meant to be roasted gently. Throw them in an air fryer, and you’ll be left with a bitter, burnt snack.
Their high oil content makes them susceptible to scorching under intense heat. Opt for a slow oven roast to bring out their true flavor.
10. Pasta
For many of us pasta is the ultimate comfort food. But it doesn’t stand a chance against the air fryer.
Without moisture, it turns into an unappetizing, chewy mess. You should stick to boiling for that perfect al dente texture.
11. Bacon
Bacon is a breakfast favorite, but it won’t love you back if it’s cooked in an air fryer.
The strips won’t crisp consistently and may even create a greasy mess. Frying them up in a pan remains the best method.
12. Broccoli
Broccoli florets seem like they’d be air-fry gold, but they dry out faster than a raisin in the sun.
Instead of crispy, tender bites, you’ll get a charred, bitter disappointment. Roasting in the oven is the way to go for these cruciferous veggies.
13. Cakes
Baking cakes is a delicate art, and an air fryer is no artist. Your cake will emerge unevenly cooked, possibly raw in the center and burnt on the edges.
Stick to a traditional oven to ensure a masterpiece.
14. Sauteed Vegetables
Sauteed veggies crave the kiss of a hot pan, not a blast from an air fryer. Without proper caramelization, they’ll end up overcooked and soggy.
Saute them traditionally for that perfect balance of tenderness and flavor.
15. Eggs
Breakfast staple-so simple yet so versatile, don’t stand a chance against the air fryer’s wrath.
They’ll become rubbery and overcooked, a far cry from the creamy delight you wanted. Stick to boiling or frying for egg-cellence.
16. Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs are delicate and fragrant, but in an air fryer, they become crispy critters.
Before you know it, you’ll have a pile of singed, flavorless bits. Use them fresh or as a garnish to keep their essence alive.
17. Saucy Dishes
All of the saucy dishes are meant to be luscious, not leather-like. The air fryer will dry out the sauce, leaving you with charred remnants rather than a saucy delight.
Simmer them on the stovetop for a saucy masterpiece.