10 Foods You Should Never Cook in an Air Fryer

Right now, there’s no kitchen gadget more popular than the air fryer. These handy appliances simplify cooking, allowing you to skip using the oven and even enabling you to set it and walk away for certain meals. The best part? Air fryers can be much easier to clean compared to traditional ovens or stovetops.

Since air fryers are great for preparing so many different dishes—ranging from chicken and steak to doughnuts—it's easy to think there’s nothing they can't handle. While that’s mostly true, it doesn't mean that everything you put in an air fryer will come out perfectly, nor does it guarantee you won’t damage your air fryer by trying to cook certain foods in it.

Here are some foods you should steer clear of when using an air fryer, as advised by Laurie Klein, a chef and consumer test kitchen expert at Hamilton Beach Brands.

Breaded or Battered Foods

“Air fryers are incredible devices that can cook nearly anything. However, it’s recommended to reserve wet-breaded foods for other appliances that are better suited to handle the specific needs of breading,” says Klein. The challenge when air frying items like shrimp tempura or beer-battered fish is the potential for drips, which can make cleanup more difficult or even harm the appliance.

Leafy Veggies

While it's essential to include vegetables in your diet, certain cooking methods—such as using the air fryer—aren’t ideal for leafy greens like spinach, bok choy, Swiss chard, and kale. The rapid airflow causes uneven cooking. However, air fryers excel at turning these vegetables into crispy veggie chips.

On the other hand, vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and zucchini become wonderfully flavorful when cooked in an air fryer.

Shellfish

Shellfish, such as oysters, mussels, and clams, tend to turn chewy and rubbery when exposed to the dry heat of an air fryer. It's better to cook them in a liquid. For these, skip the air fryer and go for stovetop cooking instead.

Saucy Foods

If you're considering tossing heavily-coated chicken wings or a steak drowning in marinade into the air fryer, Klein advises you to reconsider. "The worst foods for air frying are those with sauces or batters," says the chef. The issue isn't the cooking process, but rather the cleanup. Air fryer baskets typically have holes or mesh to allow air to circulate. Sauces tend to drip through these openings, creating a mess that's hard to clean up,” Klein explains.

Cheesy Foods

Cheesy dishes like grilled cheese, mac and cheese, or potatoes au gratin should also be avoided. However, there are a few exceptions: Frozen items that have already been fried, such as mozzarella sticks, can be reheated in the air fryer.

Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts

While it's possible to fit larger, bone-in foods like a whole chicken into your air fryer, it's not the ideal cooking method. Due to the size of the chicken, the air won't circulate evenly, which can lead to undercooking in some areas and a lack of crispy skin. For better results, roast your chicken in the oven instead. If you prefer using the air fryer, choose smaller cuts such as wings or tenders.

Uncooked Grains

Cooking already prepared grains in the air fryer is fine, but it's best to avoid using the appliance for uncooked grains like rice, quinoa, and pasta. Air fryers are meant for dry cooking, while grains require water to cook. Even with an insert that holds water, the air fryer likely won't reach a high enough temperature to boil the water and properly cook the grains, leading to a soggy result. For grains, use the air fryer to reheat them and cook them on the stove or in a rice cooker for best results.

Popcorn

There are two key reasons why you should avoid making popcorn in an air fryer. First, the kernels can move around and get lodged in the machine, which could pose a fire risk. Second, it’s difficult to get the kernels to the proper temperature and avoid burning them while they cook. (Preheating the air fryer can help prevent this.)

But honestly, it's probably better not to take the chance.

Hamburgers

Hamburgers are loved for their crispy outer layer and juicy inside. While an air fryer can cook a burger patty from raw to done, it won’t achieve that quick browning that you get on a grill, which means you won’t be able to make a medium-rare (or even medium) burger. Plus, you’ll miss that signature charred flavor. If you’re okay with a well-done burger, the air fryer will do the job, but there are certainly better methods to make a burger.

Baked Goods

While it’s not a strict rule, since an air fryer functions like a convection oven, most baked items tend to work well in a convection oven. However, the results can be unpredictable, so you’ll likely need to keep a close eye on your cookies, cakes, and other treats to prevent a mess. If you're using a traditional baking recipe rather than one tailored for the air fryer, don’t forget to lower both the temperature by 25 degrees and reduce the cooking time by about 25%.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is it safe to cook raw meat in an air fryer?

  Yes, cooking raw meat in an air fryer is completely safe, but it’s crucial that the meat is fully defrosted beforehand. Since air fryers typically don’t heat as intensely as conventional ovens, the meat will require a longer cooking time. It’s important to monitor it closely as it cooks, and it’s advisable to use a meat thermometer to ensure that it reaches the proper minimum internal temperature once it’s finished cooking.

• Can aluminum foil be used in an air fryer?

  Yes, aluminum foil can be safely used in an air fryer, but it’s important to follow some safety guidelines. Firstly, make sure that the foil doesn’t come into direct contact with the air fryer’s heating element, as this could cause a fire. Also, ensure the foil is weighed down with food to prevent it from blowing around and possibly catching fire. Finally, be cautious when using foil with acidic foods, as they can cause the foil to degrade and release aluminum into the food.

• Where should an air fryer not be placed in the kitchen?

  When using an air fryer, it’s essential to ensure there’s ample space around it, including on all sides and behind the appliance. Avoid placing it under low-hanging cabinets, too close to walls, other appliances, or any surfaces that aren’t heat-resistant. Additionally, don’t place it near flammable objects. Using the air fryer in these conditions increases the risk of fire. It’s best to place the appliance on a clean, spacious kitchen counter with plenty of room on every side to ensure proper ventilation and safety.

• How should food be arranged in an air fryer for optimal cooking?

  Avoid overcrowding the basket of your air fryer to ensure even cooking. When there’s too much food in the basket, it can result in uneven heating, with some parts of the food being crispy while others remain undercooked. As Klein advises, always arrange the food in a single, even layer for the best outcome. Stacking items like fish or hand-breaded foods can increase cooking time and prevent them from crisping up properly.