7 things you should never put in your air fryer

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In order to avoid any potential damage, we urge you to steer clear of putting these 7 items in your air fryer, as doing so could lead to hazardous conditions.

Wet batter

Batter that's too wet is a big no-no for the air fryer. If the damp batter drips into the basket, it can easily burn to the bottom. This makes the cleaning job a right nuisance afterwards, and the smoke from it might even ruin the flavour of your other food. On top of that, the outcome just won't be as crispy and set as you expect.

We coat the cod fillets with a flour, garlic granules, and seasoning mixture, then dip them into an egg wash and finish with a coating of breadcrumbs.

Lots of cheese

Only a few cheeses, which melt freely and aren't encased in any sort of covering, can cause trouble when cooked. This is because they can drip down into the basket and create a gloopy mess that's extremely difficult to clean.

You're better off choosing options 'as you are'; otherwise, be smart and keep an eye on your cheesy recipes.

Loose herbs

As we discussed initially, air fryers operate as compact convection ovens. This involves a small fan that circulates hot air throughout. Although this approach proves excellent for evenly cooked food, it is not entirely suitable when loose herbs or seasonings are a factor.

If you're cooking something that contains a lot of seasonings, it's possible for them to get blown about during the cooking process, ending up inside the air fryer. To avoid making a mess and wasting seasonings, keep their amount to a minimum. Alternatively, you can ensure they stick to what you're cooking by giving it a light coat of oil beforehand.

Too much oil

Just ensure you're using the right amount of oil - while air fryers do work better with some oil, using too much is a waste and can make a smoke show.

For most recipe batches, 15ml or a single tablespoon of oil should suffice; however, please consult the recipe for specific guidance. Alternatively, applying a few sprays of oil is also acceptable. Ensure the oil is applied directly to the food as opposed to allowing it to spray into the air fryer.

Too much sauce

Anything with an abundance of sauce, such as pasta bake, is likely to create a mess when cooked straight in your air fryer. Similarly, wet batter or melted cheese can drip down and burn onto the bottom of the fryer due to the high temperatures.

We recommend cooking your pasta bake in an oven-safe dish that fits neatly into the air fryer. This way, the sauce is kept sealed, preventing any potential spills.

Water

It might seem obvious, but don't try to add a large amount of water to your air fryer, even if it's covered. Your air fryer can't reach the temperature needed to boil water or make steam, so it's pointless to cook things like rice and pasta in it - it's best to cook them before putting them in the air fryer.

for boiling or steaming.

Popcorn

Corn kernels can also leave combustible oil residue on the element and fan. If these kernels fall from the fan circulation, they could conceivably hit the heating element or the fan itself, potentially causing damage to the appliance or creating a fire risk.

for more ideas.

Leafy vegetables

Some vegetables are suitable for cooking in an air fryer, particularly those with a dense texture that retain their moisture, such as butternut squash. Leafy vegetables, however, may not fare as well. This is because, similar to seasoning, the leaves can get blown about by the fan circulation and dry out rapidly.

The moisture is cleverly locked in to guarantee you get tasty outcomes.

Visit the GHI's top-rated air fryers

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