Are you still part of the minority that hasn’t jumped on the air fryer bandwagon? Well, whether you’re living a ‘Spongebob Squarepants’ lifestyle or not, it’s hard to ignore the buzz around these popular kitchen gadgets. But hold on, it turns out there’s a catch when it comes to cooking certain items in these devices. Yes, there are a few foods you might want to think twice about before tossing them into your air fryer. Let’s dive into what the experts have to say. Ladies and gentlemen, the air fryer.
First off, what exactly is an air fryer? Well, they’re essentially convection ovens – a technology that’s been around since 1945. However, it wasn’t until 2006 that the French brand Actifry evolved the concept by creating an appliance that circulates hot air around the food while stirring it continuously. Fast forward to 2010, and Philips launched their own air fryer, which has since led to the term being widely used to describe this type of cooker. By 2017, the air fryer craze had hit the U.S., and thanks to a boost from pandemic-era TikTok cooking trends, by 2023 nearly 60 percent of U.S. households had one, with sales soaring to over $1 billion between 2021 and 2022, according to Adam Graves of Nestlé.
However, not everything is fair game for air frying, as pointed out by consumer advocate group Which?. For starters, attempting to cook a whole chicken in an air fryer is a big no-no. Why? Simply because there isn’t enough space for hot air to circulate effectively, leaving you with potentially undercooked meat. “Cooking whole roasts, such as roast chicken, can be problematic, so joint your bird first before frying,” advised the experts. A whole roast chicken cooked in the oven – something experts advised against.
Other foods to avoid include pasta, rice, and certain fresh greens. The air fryer isn’t ideal for boiling or steaming, which is better handled by a slow cooker or a traditional pot. Although reheating pre-cooked pasta and sauce is possible, a microwave is more efficient for this task. Light, leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuce, and kale can end up being blown all over due to the circulating air, making it best to skip the mess and cook them another way.
And what about snacks like popcorn? Turns out, an air fryer might not be your best bet here either. “Cooking popcorn in your air fryer might not even work because most air fryers don’t reach a high enough temperature to pop the kernels. The good old microwave will do a much better job,” the experts explained. Additionally, they recommend avoiding fresh cheese and toast in the air fryer, although these items don’t pose health risks, they just don’t fare well in this appliance.
So, while air fryers can be a fantastic addition to your kitchen for many types of cooking, it’s wise to stay informed about their limitations. Knowing what not to cook in an air fryer can save you from culinary disappointment, or worse, a kitchen disaster!