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Is There Anything You Cannot Put in an Air Fryer?

Published in Air Fryer Limitations 4 mins read

Yes, while air fryers are incredibly versatile kitchen appliances, there are several foods and ingredients that are not suitable for them. These items either won't cook properly, create a significant mess, or could potentially damage the appliance. Understanding these limitations ensures both culinary success and the longevity of your air fryer.

Understanding Air Fryer Limitations

Air fryers operate by circulating hot air at high speeds, mimicking the results of deep-frying with little to no oil. This method is fantastic for achieving crispy textures, but it's not ideal for every type of food. The perforated basket allows air to circulate and moisture to drain, which is beneficial for many foods but detrimental for others.

Foods to Avoid in Your Air Fryer

To prevent disappointment or damage, here's a breakdown of common items that are best kept out of your air fryer:

  • Wet Batters: Foods coated in a very wet batter, such as the cornmeal batter used for corndogs or a thin tempura batter, will not cook successfully. The batter is too liquid and will drip straight through the air fryer's perforated basket before it has a chance to crisp up. Unlike a traditional deep fryer where the hot oil bath immediately sets the batter, an air fryer's circulating air simply isn't conducive to achieving that initial structure.
  • Fresh Cheese: While you can air fry foods with cheese already melted on them (like pizza rolls or mozzarella sticks that are already breaded), directly placing fresh, shredded, or soft cheeses in the air fryer is not recommended. They will melt rapidly and seep through the basket, creating a sticky, burnt mess at the bottom of your appliance that is incredibly difficult to clean.
  • Light, Loose Ingredients: Anything that is very light and can be easily blown around by the powerful circulating air should be avoided. This includes uncooked rice, loose seasonings (without an oil binder), or delicate, leafy fresh herbs. These items can get stuck in the air fryer's heating element, burn quickly, or cook unevenly.
  • Greens and Delicate Vegetables: Fresh spinach, kale (unless heavily coated in oil and weighed down), or lettuce will dry out and burn almost instantly in an air fryer's intense, dry heat. They become overly brittle and unappetizing rather than crisp or tender.
  • Liquids and Sauces: Air fryers are not designed for cooking soups, stews, gravies, or anything with a significant amount of liquid. These will simply spill, make a mess, and won't heat effectively or cook down as they would on a stovetop or in an oven.
  • Overly Large or Bulky Items: While some air fryers can accommodate a small whole chicken, very large roasts or oversized items may not fit properly or allow for adequate air circulation. This can lead to uneven cooking, leaving some parts raw while others are overcooked.

Why Certain Foods Don't Work in an Air Fryer

The table below summarizes the main reasons why specific food categories are not ideal for air frying:

Food Item Category Specific Examples Why It Doesn't Work in an Air Fryer
Wet Batters Corn dogs, heavily battered fish The batter is too wet and will drip through the perforated basket before crisping, failing to set properly. A traditional deep fryer's hot oil bath is crucial for these.
Fresh Cheese Shredded mozzarella, goat cheese, soft cheeses Melts quickly and can drip through the basket, creating a sticky mess and potentially burning onto the bottom of the air fryer.
Light, Loose Ingredients Loose seasonings (without oil/binder), uncooked rice, popcorn kernels, delicate herbs Can get blown around by the powerful circulating air, leading to uneven cooking, burning, or getting stuck in the heating element. Popcorn doesn't pop effectively and can burn.
Greens & Delicate Veggies Fresh spinach, kale (without oil/weight), lettuce Dry out very quickly, become overly brittle, or burn due to the intense dry heat and air circulation.
Liquids & Sauces Soups, stews, gravies, watery marinades Air fryers are designed for circulating hot air, not for cooking liquids. These will just create a mess in the basket and won't heat effectively.
Overly Large Items Large roasts, very large whole chickens (depending on air fryer size) May not fit or cook evenly, leading to raw spots due to insufficient airflow around the entire item. The limited internal space can hinder proper browning and cooking throughout.

For more detailed information on maximizing your air fryer's potential and avoiding common pitfalls, consider consulting reputable culinary resources that offer comprehensive guides on air fryer best practices and foods to avoid.