Five foods you should never cook in an air fryer - including popcorn and pasta
Air fryers, a brilliant modern invention, have gained significant popularity 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 a variety of tasks, 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, as they pose a fire risk or could cause irreversible damage to the appliance. Unlike traditional deep fat fryers, air fryers employ convection heat, circulating hot air to cook food in a manner similar to a fan oven, and crisp the exterior of the food through a chemical process known as the Maillard reaction.
Nonetheless, if you're keen to experiment with this ingenious gadget, there are some things you must steer clear of, reports the Express.
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Foods with hearty sauce
Firstly, any food with a hearty sauce, such as spaghetti bolognese or chilli con carne, is not suitable. The reason being, the liquid could be blasted by the hot air, causing a mess inside the fryer which can be both dangerous and messy.
These types of foods are better suited to slow cooking, either in a slow cooker or on the stovetop.
Wet battered items
Similarly, wet battered items are not recommended for an air fryer. Without hot oil in the basket, the batter will drip everywhere, potentially causing 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, which should crisp up nicely in the fryer.
Popcorn
You might assume that an air fryer would be ideal for making popcorn during a home movie night - but this is not the case. Most fryers don't reach the necessary temperature to pop the kernels, and the kernels can also get stuck in the element, potentially causing it to short circuit and become a fire risk.
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.
Pasta and rice
Pasta and rice won't 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.