When it comes to air fryers, they’re fantastic for many dishes, but there are certain foods you should avoid cooking in them. Let’s dive into what you should steer clear of:
- Wet Batter:
- Wet batter is a definite no-go for the air fryer. If it drips down into the basket, it can burn and create a mess.
- Avoid wet-battered foods like tempura or heavily coated fried chicken.
- Opt for cooked, frozen, or set batter instead, as there’s no risk of it dripping through and causing trouble [1] [3].
- Lots of Cheese:
- While some cheeses are fine to air fry (like halloumi), others can melt and drip down, creating a gooey mess that’s hard to clean.
- Be sensible with your cheesy recipes and keep an eye on them [1].
- Loose Herbs and Seasoning:
- Air fryers have a small fan that evenly distributes hot air. However, loose herbs or seasoning can get blown away during cooking.
- To prevent mess and waste, keep the seasoning to a minimum or brush on a thin layer of oil to “glue” it to your food [1].
- Rice and Pasta:
- Air fryers are designed for dry cooking, so foods that need to be submerged in boiling water (like rice and pasta) can’t be cooked inside them [4].
Remember, air fryers are excellent for many dishes, but it’s essential to choose the right ingredients to ensure great results!