The air fryer has become one of the most popular kitchen appliances due to its ability to cook with minimal oil. However, not all foods are suitable for this cooking method—some dishes can ruin both the taste and the appliance itself.
The air fryer works by intensively circulating hot air, making it best suited for foods that require dry and even heat treatment. However, dishes with a liquid texture can be problematic for it.
First and foremost, experts do not recommend cooking foods in liquid batter. Unlike traditional frying, where the batter quickly 'sets', in an air fryer it simply drips through the grate, creating a mess and failing to form the desired crust.
Dishes with a large amount of sauce—such as stews or pasta—are also unsuitable. Under the influence of the airflow, the liquid begins to splatter, which can lead to contamination of the device and even its breakdown.
Experts pay special attention to soft cheeses without breading. They melt quickly and spread across the basket, complicating cleanup and potentially damaging the equipment.
Problems also arise with foods that require boiling in water—such as rice, pasta, or grains. It is impossible to create boiling conditions in an air fryer, so such dishes remain undercooked or are cooked unevenly.
Light leafy vegetables or greens are also considered a poor choice. The strong airflow can literally blow them around inside the device, causing them to cook unevenly or burn.
Additionally, specialists advise caution with fatty foods like bacon. The rendered fat settles inside the appliance, can smoke, and even increases the risk of fire if regular cleaning is not performed.
Experts also remind us that at excessively high temperatures, undesirable compounds can form in any fried foods, including acrylamide, especially in starchy ingredients.
...The air fryer remains a convenient and relatively healthy way to prepare food; however, its capabilities are not universal. To avoid spoiled dishes and equipment problems, it is important to consider the device's features and choose foods that are suitable for dry hot air.
