5 foods to avoid putting in the air fryer

Date:
Sun, 15 Jan 2023 09:00:18 +0000

Description:
Soggy results, overcooked meats, fire hazards these foods do not belong in your air fryer.

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Air fryers are the new(-ish) wonder in the kitchen appliance world. Thats saying a lot, seeing as theyre kind of competing for that lofty spot with
slow cookers and multicookers, both of which have had their time in the limelight.

Its a well-deserved honor. Air fryers offer folks a healthier alternative to frying with oil. They tend to consume less energy than traditional ovens.
They cook food faster, saving users time and energy. Theyre very versatile as far as what they can cook. And, they offer a much more affordable alternative to getting food delivered if you dont have a lot of time to actually cook. Plus, theyre also affordable themselves, with even the best air fryers regularly getting price cuts during big sale events.

Simply put, theyre just the ticket for most households, especially during
this time of inflation. In fact, PRNewswire reports that the United States
air fryer market is anticipated to project robust growth from now through 2028.

But, of course, like with everything else, air fryers also have their limitations. As an occasionally overzealous air fryer user myself, Ive
learned that there are some things you shouldnt do when using an air fryer . Ive also learned that there are things you shouldnt even be cooking in one
no matter how many hacks those so-called TikTok influencers post to convince us otherwise.

Here are seven foods you shouldnt cook in an air fryer, lest you risk an uncleanable mess or worse. 1. Wet batter, dry seasoning (Image credit: Shutterstock / ARENA Creative)

Wet batter like beer batter or tempura batter needs a hot oil bath to set quickly. Thats what makes those corndogs and tempura veggies crispy on the outside. Since an air fryer works by circulating hot air, it doesnt have the capability to cook your favorite crispy foods the way theyre supposed to be cooked. Instead, youll end up with a chewy or soggy mess thats also uneven because chances are, some of that batter would have dripped off during the cooking process.

Dont air fry foods with a layer of dry seasoning, either. That circulating
air will blow that seasoning right off, especially if youre using large ones like cornflakes. If you must, be sure to rub that seasoning well or coat your food with a bit of oil to help them stick. 2. Raw rice (Image credit: Shutterstock / PENpics Studio)

Just like a wet batter needs hot oil to set, raw rice needs water to cook. And, unfortunately, air fryers are not designed for this type of cooking. Ive seen some people do tutorials doing so in an air fryer, and it sounds like a pain. One recipe has you finding an appropriate container like a cake pan, boiling water first, putting the rice and the boiling water in the pan, covering the pan tight with aluminum foil, then setting the timer for 30 minutes! 30 minutes!

Honestly, youre better off cooking raw rice the way youre supposed to, which is to put it in a saucepan with water, bring to boil, stir, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes until all that water is absorbed. Its so easy and so much less of a hassle. If youre not comfortable with that, invest in a rice cooker. 3. Whole roast chicken (Image credit: Shutterstock / Sergii Koval)

Again, an air fryer uses hot air to cook things, and putting a whole chicken to roast in there means that theres considerably less space for that air to properly circulate and cook things evenly. Thats even if youve got one of the bigger models.

More to that point, the part of the chicken thats closest to the heat source will also likely end up cooking faster than the bottom, which means youll end up with a burned top and a bottom that still needs a bit more time to cook.
Or worse, a soggy one! If you want the ability to cook roast chicken in an
air fryer, you might want to invest in an air fryer oven like the Cuisinart TOA-60 . 4. Burger (Image credit: Shutterstock / Sergio Mak)

Ok, its one thing if you like your burgers well-done although, also, why?! However, if you want perfectly cooked medium-rare burgers, which is how beef should be cooked and consumed so that its still beautifully juicy and flavorful, you might want to skip cooking burger patties in an air fryer.

Keeping a burger patty at medium-rare means that youll have to cook it for less time, which means that it might not be enough time for the outside to brown and have a bit of that charring. If you do cook it long enough for the outside to brown, that inside is going to be well-done and dry. 5. Popcorn (Image credit: Shutterstock / Chamille White)

Popcorn kernels need between 400 and 460 degrees to pop, and most air fryers dont get that high, unfortunately. But, if you happen to have one that does reach 400F, like mine does, you might also risk starting a fire.

Popcorn does what its supposed to do, which is to pop, which means some of them could accidentally get lodged within the heating element at the top, whether because a piece jumped high enough to get stuck there or there wasnt enough space to accommodate all the popped kernels in the basket. Thats a potential fire hazard, especially if that piece is still lodged in there
while youre cooking another dish.

Of course there are plenty of tasty meals you can cook beautifully in an air fryer, so why not check out our guides to making french fries in an air fryer , french toast in an air fryer and even fudgy brownies in an air fryer . We can also help teach you the 9 things you need to know about your new air
fryer and 6 common air fryer mistakes to avoid .



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/5-foods-to-avoid-putting-in-the-air-fryer-we-le arn-from-our-mistakes


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