Written by Angela Reviewed by Daniel

5 Things You Should NEVER Put In An Air Fryer!

Learn what to avoid placing in your air fryer to prevent damage and ensure that every dish you cook turns out perfectly. This guide covers common mistakes and offers better alternatives for these items.

Items You Must NEVER Put In An Air Fryer

Here are the items that you must never put in the air fryer:

Bowls

Not all bowls are suitable for air fryers, in fact most of them are not. While oven safe options and certain glass types, such as borosilicate, can work, others may pose risks.

Large bowls can disrupt airflow, leading to uneven cooking. For safety, only use bowls clearly labeled as oven safe, and avoid plastic, painted, or plain glass bowls to prevent hazards like toxic fumes or breakage.

Coffee Filters

Using coffee filters in an air fryer is unsafe because they aren’t designed for this purpose. They may block airflow or touch the heating element potentially causing a fire.

Instead, always opt for safer alternatives like parchment paper, silicone liners or liners specifically designed for air fryers to keep cooking safe and mess free.

Kitchen Roll

Kitchen roll should never be used in an air fryer. The fan could cause the paper to come into contact with the heating element, creating a fire hazard. It also disrupts airflow, which is crucial for even cooking.

Safer options include parchment paper, air fryer specific liners, silicone liners, or aluminium foil trays. Avoid using foil with acidic foods.

Plastic

Plastic should never be used in air fryers as it can melt and release harmful toxins at high temperatures. Stick to materials like Pyrex or stainless steel that can safely withstand the heat.

Microwave Meals

Microwave meals in non oven safe containers aren’t suitable for air fryers. Transfer meals to ovenproof dishes before cooking. For frozen meals, remove original packaging, place in an ovenproof dish, and cover with foil.

Stir midway through cooking to ensure even heating. Ready meals in non oven proof containers also need transferring and may require adjusted cooking temperatures and timings.

What Foods Should I Avoid Cooking In My Air Fryer?

Air fryers are incredibly versatile, but not all foods are suitable for this method of cooking. Some foods require specific cooking methods to retain their texture, flavour, or integrity, making them unsuitable for air frying.

Here’s what you should keep out to maximise both food quality and appliance longevity.

Burgers

If you prefer your burgers not well done, it’s best not to use an air fryer. A better option is to grill or pan fry them, which allows for more even cooking and desired doneness.

Steak

The air fryer isn’t ideal for the initial cooking of steak because it cannot provide the high heat needed for a good sear.

Opt for higher heat methods like a hot plancha, cast iron skillet, or grill for the best sear and taste.

Unbreaded Chicken Breasts

Boneless chicken breasts often end up dry in the air fryer unless coated in egg and breadcrumbs. Avoid air frying them bare; instead, consider baking or poaching for optimal tenderness.

Lean Pork Chops Or Tenderloin

Pork chops, especially lean, boneless ones, and tenderloin, should generally not be cooked in an air fryer as they tend to dry out.

If you must use an air fryer for these cuts, it’s crucial to cook them at a lower temperature and add some fat to help retain moisture.

However, for better results, consider alternative cooking methods such as pan frying or oven roasting, which allow for more control over temperature and moisture, ensuring the pork remains tender and juicy.

Large Cuts Of Meat

Avoid using an air fryer for large cuts of beef, pork, and lamb. These cuts do better with low, slow cooking methods available with Dutch ovens, slow cookers, or pellet smokers.

If air frying, choose smaller pieces that the appliance can cook thoroughly.

Whole Roasts

A whole chicken cannot go in the air fryer, as it would cook unevenly, posing safety risks. This appliance is better suited for smaller, uniformly sized pieces of meat to ensure even cooking.

Instead, you can cut the chicken into smaller sections to achieve a flavourful, juicy result without the risk of uneven cooking.

Always avoid attempting large roasts in an air fryer to prevent uncooked sections.

Cheese

Cheese shouldn’t go directly into an air fryer because it melts too quickly, causing a mess. Instead of risking a puddle in your air fryer basket, baking or grilling the cheese is better. This approach allows you to achieve the desired gooeyness without the cleanup.

For dishes like mozzarella sticks, coat the cheese in double layers of breadcrumbs and freeze it beforehand if you do use the air fryer, to prevent melting issues.

Cake Donuts

Cake donuts can be cooked in an air fryer, but it’s not the best method because they usually come out dry and dense instead of light and fluffy.

They contain baking powder and baking soda, which help them rise and get airy when cooked correctly; however, in an air fryer, they don’t puff up as expected.

For the best texture and flavour, frying them in hot oil is better.

Chocolate

Placing chocolate directly in the air fryer can lead to uneven melting and potential burning. Wrap the chocolate in a suitable pastry or dough first to achieve a gentle and even melting process.

Most Baked Goods

Baking shouldn’t go in an air fryer without careful consideration, as its intense convection can cause desserts to become dry, overcooked, or burnt.

Instead, use a conventional oven for baking cakes and cookies. Follow standard oven recipes, which are designed for even heat distribution and proper moisture retention, ensuring soft and well cooked results.

Naked Broccoli

Avoid air frying broccoli directly as it can quickly lead to burnt ends. Instead, envelop it in foil to ensure even cooking. Set the air fryer to 200°C and let it roast for 7-8 minutes.

Loose Leafy Greens

Leafy greens like spinach and kale should not be placed in the air fryer. Their lightweight causes them to be blown around inside the basket, leading to uneven cooking and potential burning as they might stick to the heating elements.

Instead, opt for roasting or sautéing these greens, which provides better control and even cooking. For air frying, choose heavier vegetables such as cauliflower, which remains stable and cooks evenly.

Wet Batters

Battered and fried items with a wet batter should not be placed in an air fryer, as the batter will drip through the basket, creating a mess and preventing proper crust formation.

Unless you make a thicker batter than usual. Or instead, it’s advisable to use a dry coating method, such as mixing spices with flour.

Sauces

Sauces should not go in the air fryer due to the risk of liquid damage and fire hazards, as they do not function like microwaves.

To reheat bolognese sauce or gravy, it’s best to use a stovetop, which allows for even heating without the risk of damaging your appliance.

Popcorn

Popcorn shouldn’t go in the air fryer because the basket lacks a cover, causing kernels to blow around and potentially get stuck in the heating element. This can lead to burnt popcorn, short circuits, or even fires.

Instead, it’s quicker and safer to make popcorn on the stovetop or in the microwave, where it can be closely monitored and evenly cooked.

Shellfish

Shellfish shouldn’t go in an air fryer, as they require moisture to cook properly and can easily become dry and rubbery. Instead, steam them on the stove for the best results.

Rice and Grains

Dry rice and grains cannot go in an air fryer, as they require cooking in liquid, which is not suitable for air fryer use.

Additionally, dry grains can blow around inside the unit, leading to uneven cooking. To properly prepare rice and grains, cook them in a pot with an appropriate amount of liquid on the stove or use a rice cooker to ensure even absorption and optimal texture.

However, you can cook rice in the air fryer as long as you cook it in a container with enough water (not too much as it might overflow).

Pasta

Pasta cannot be cooked from raw in an air fryer, as it needs boiling water to cook properly. However, leftover pasta bake can be reheated effectively in an air fryer.

Toast

While bread can go in the air fryer, it’s not recommended for toasting as the hot air dries it out, turning it more cracker like than toasted.

Additionally, the circulating air can move the bread, leading to uneven browning. If you want crispy bread without the drawbacks, it’s better to use a toaster for even, effective browning.

Croutons

It’s advisable not to air fry croutons when adding cheese, as it might burn.

Opt for oven baking instead by coating the bread in oil, arrange on a tray, and bake until golden. Finish by topping with Parmesan once they’re out of the oven.

Soup

You can’t fully make soup in an air fryer, but you can use it for part of the process. Start by preheating the air fryer to 200°C.

Toss vegetables like onions, carrots, or peppers with olive oil and your favorite spices, then air fry them until soft and tender. Once done, blend the roasted vegetables with hot stock to create a flavourful soup.

Other Items to Keep Out

Certain items and practices do not suit air frying due to their physical properties or the potential damage they could cause to the appliance.

These additional items should also be avoided to ensure safety and efficiency when using your air fryer.

Water

Using water in the air fryer is not advisable due to its inability to boil or steam.

For cooking that requires boiling, such as preparing rice or pasta, the hob remains the safest and most efficient choice.

Dry Seasoning

Loose dry seasonings should not be added directly to foods in an air fryer due to the risk of them being blown off.

To avoid this and ensure your seasonings stick, either season your food after it comes out of the air fryer or mix the seasoning with oil before cooking.

Cooking Spray

Cooking spray should not be used directly in an air fryer as it can damage the nonstick coating of the basket and grate.

Instead, spray the food directly or brush it with vegetable or olive oil. This method helps maintain the nonstick surface and ensures your food gets a crispy finish without sticking.

If oil is needed, apply it directly to your food before air frying.

Liquids

Liquids can damage the heating unit due to steam formation and make clean up challenging due to splattering.

Instead, if you need to cook with liquids, use alternative methods such as boiling, braising, or poaching on a stovetop. This way, you can manage the liquids effectively without risking damage to your air fryer or creating a mess.

Too Much Oil

Putting too much oil in an air fryer isn’t recommended because it can cause a lot of smoke and cause waste. Just use a tablespoon (15ml) or several sprays directly on the food instead.

For cooking methods that require more oil, deep frying or sautéing are great alternatives.

Share This With Other Air Fryer Lovers!

By avoiding these 25 foods and cooking methods in your air fryer, you’ll ensure that your appliance remains in optimal condition and that your meals turn out delicious and well cooked every time.

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