4 Issues You Shouldn’t Put in Your Air Fryer—Plus 7 Shocking Issues You Can

The air fryer is a kitchen equipment that works for all the pieces from crisping up veggies to baking muffins, all with much less oil and mess than conventional cooking strategies, like pan-frying. 

However whereas it’s versatile and user-friendly, not each meals is an efficient match for the air fryer. In reality, some meals can result in disappointing outcomes and make a multitude in your equipment. 

That will help you benefit from your air fryer, we spoke with registered dietitians and cooks to uncover the highest meals you shouldn’t put in it and air-fryer-friendly meals you possibly can prepare dinner to perfection. 

1. Moist-Battered Meals 

Recipes that use moist batters, akin to beer-battered fish or tempura, aren’t an excellent match for the air fryer. 

“With out oil to set them shortly, like in deep frying, the coating tends to drip off earlier than it crisps and may stay moist even after the protein is cooked,” Sarah Hill, the recipe developer and meals blogger behind Actual Meals with Sarah, instructed Well being.

“With out oil immersion, the batter drips off of wet-battered meals, which makes a multitude,” added Lynne Simply, the Shopper Take a look at Kitchen Supervisor at Hamilton Seaside Manufacturers.

 For those who’d like a crispy, air fryer-friendly recipe, attempt breaded or crusted fish and hen. 

2. Uncoated Cheese

Although meals like mozzarella sticks work nicely within the air fryer, you shouldn’t add plain cheese by itself to this equipment.

“Cheese melts too quick and spreads out earlier than it browns,” defined Hill. This could make a multitude in your air fryer and result in disappointing outcomes.

For a scrumptious, air fryer-friendly cheese recipe, attempt coating your cheese in breading. 

“For those who’re air frying cheese, it must be coated or wrapped, like in breaded mozzarella sticks or stuffed peppers,” shared Hill. 

3. Light-weight Leafy Greens

Although veggies like potatoes, broccoli, zucchini, and mushrooms will be cooked within the air fryer, not all veggies are air fryer-friendly. 

“Gentle greens like spinach or arugula can fly round within the air fryer and prepare dinner inconsistently,” defined Hill.

Hill recommends utilizing heavier greens, like kale, as an alternative. “Heavier greens like kale work higher if coated with slightly oil to weigh them down on the rack,” she mentioned. 

4. Popcorn

Popcorn is a scrumptious, fiber-rich snack that’s each filling and satisfying. Although popcorn will be cooked on the stovetop or within the microwave, it’s not an excellent match for the air fryer.

“Most air fryers don’t attain the persistently excessive warmth wanted to pop popcorn correctly,” mentioned Hill. 

Cooking your popcorn within the air fryer might result in disappointing outcomes, like uneven popping and scorched kernels. 

1. Hen Thighs

“As a dietitian I’m all the time searching for wholesome, straightforward and scrumptious methods to gas with high-quality proteins—with out spending hours within the kitchen,” Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, CDN, lead nutritionist at ButcherBox, instructed Well being. 

“Bone-in, skin-on, natural hen thighs crisp up fantastically within the air fryer whereas staying juicy inside,” she mentioned.

Shapiro recommends seasoning your hen thighs with salt, pepper and garlic powder, then cooking them within the air fryer at 375 levels Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, flipping midway by way of. 

Shapiro recommends pairing hen thighs with non-starchy veggies and complicated carbs, like candy potatoes, to spherical out your plate.

2. Salmon Filets

Salmon is a superb supply of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fat, protein, and a number of other important nutritional vitamins and minerals. Nevertheless, many individuals don’t like cooking salmon on the stovetop because of the scent.

For those who’d prefer to prepare dinner up crispy salmon filets shortly with out the scent, attempt an air fryer. “Brush your wild-caught salmon fillet with Dijon mustard and honey, then air fry at 400 levels Fahrenheit for 7 to 9 minutes,” prompt Shapiro. 

“The omega-3s in wild-caught salmon assist coronary heart and mind well being, and this straightforward methodology makes cooking fish at house mess- and smell-free,” she shared. 

3. Eggs

For those who’re searching for a simple, mess-free breakfast that can preserve you full for hours, think about making hard-boiled eggs within the air fryer. 

When making eggs within the air fryer, there’s no boiling water wanted. “Simply pop them within the air fryer at 270 levels Fahrenheit for about quarter-hour,” mentioned Hill. 

Utilizing this methodology, you’ll get completely set yolks with easy-to-peel shells.

4. Chickpeas

Chickpeas are filled with fiber, plant-based protein, and magnesium, a mineral that performs essential roles in blood sugar and blood strain regulation.

Roasted chickpeas are a nutrient-dense snack and salad topping. Thankfully, they are often whipped up shortly utilizing the air fryer.

“Crispy roasted chickpeas are certainly one of my favourite high-protein snacks. Simply ensure you rinse after which dry them nicely earlier than including them to the air fryer,” shared Hill. Prepare dinner your chickpeas at round 390 levels Fahrenheit for 12 to fifteen minutes for the right crispy texture.