Five 'dangerous' foods you should never cook in an air fryer
Air fryers, a brilliant modern invention, have become a cultural phenomenon in recent years. Renowned for being a healthier alternative to deep frying and using less energy than an oven, these versatile gadgets have been utilised for everything from baking to cooking chips.
However, there are certain items that should never be placed in an air fryer, regardless of how tempting it may be. Doing so could pose a fire risk or cause irreversible damage to the appliance.
Unlike traditional deep fat fryers, air fryers employ convection heat that circulates hot air to cook the food, similar to a fan oven, and crisps the exterior of the food due to a chemical process known as the Maillard reaction.
But if you're keen to experiment with what you can whip up in this ingenious gadget, there are some things that must be avoided, reports the Express.
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1. Foods with hearty sauce.
Firstly, anything with a hearty sauce such as Spaghetti Bolognese or chilli con carne is a no-go. This is because the liquid could be blasted by the hot air, splattering the interior of the fryer which can be both dangerous and messy.
Instead, these types of foods are better suited to being cooked low and slow in a slow cooker, or on the stovetop.
2. Wet battered items.
Similarly, wet battered items are not suitable for an air fryer. As there isn't any hot oil in the basket, the batter will drip everywhere and this pool of batter could cause damage to the fryer.
If you're aiming for a similar crunch on air-fried items, consider using a dry batter of flour and seasoning. This should crisp up nicely in the fryer.
3. Popcorn.
You might assume that an air fryer would be ideal for making popcorn during a home movie night - but you'd be mistaken.
Most fryers don't reach the necessary heat to pop the kernels, and the kernels can get stuck in the element, potentially causing it to short circuit and become a fire risk.
4. Broccoli.
Broccoli doesn't fare well in an air fryer either, as the appliance tends to dry it out, resulting in a tough and bitter taste. For a tasty side dish, try roasting your broccoli in the oven instead to achieve a crispy and delicious result.
5. Pasta and rice.
Pasta and rice also fail to cook properly in an air fryer as they both require boiling first.
However, if you've prepared a pasta bake, you can place this in an oven-safe container inside the fryer to brown the top or reheat it without resorting to a microwave.