9 Dangerous Food You Should Never Cook In Your Air Fryer!

Air fryers have taken the kitchen world by storm, offering a quick and healthier way to enjoy fried foods. They use hot air circulation to crisp up your favorite meals without the need for much oil. However, despite their versatility and ease of use, not everything belongs in an air fryer.

In fact, some foods can become dangerous, messy, or simply inedible when cooked this way. Whether you’re a seasoned air fryer user or a newbie, it’s crucial to know which foods should never be tossed into this convenient kitchen gadget.

Here’s a list of 9 foods that are better left out of your air fryer.

1. Battered Foods

Fried chicken, tempura, and onion rings sound like great candidates for an air fryer, right? Not quite. The issue with battered foods is that the wet batter won’t set immediately like it does in hot oil. Instead, it’ll drip through the air fryer’s basket or blow around, making a mess inside the chamber. Worse, the batter won’t crisp up as you’d expect, leading to soggy, unevenly cooked food.

What to Do Instead:

If you’re craving crispy fried food, opt for pre-cooked frozen items with a pre-set batter or bread crumb coating. These are designed to withstand the air fryer’s heat and will come out perfectly crispy.

2. Cheese

Melted cheese can turn any dish into a gooey masterpiece—unless it’s in your air fryer. Soft cheeses, such as mozzarella sticks or fresh cheese slices, can melt into a sticky mess inside your machine. Cheese has the tendency to melt and run, potentially clogging your fryer and making clean-up a nightmare.

What to Do Instead:

If you want cheesy goodness, stick to dishes where the cheese is already integrated into the food, like stuffed jalapenos or homemade quesadillas. You can also use firmer cheeses that are less likely to melt quickly.

3. Whole Roasts or Large Cuts of Meat

The air fryer may be capable of cooking meat, but whole roasts or large cuts like pork loin or beef brisket shouldn’t be on your menu. The problem is that air fryers are relatively small, and cooking large pieces of meat can lead to uneven cooking. You might end up with a raw center and an overdone exterior.

What to Do Instead:

Stick to smaller, uniform cuts of meat. Chicken wings, drumsticks, or evenly cut steak pieces are perfect for the air fryer. If you’re cooking for a crowd, it’s better to use your oven or grill.

4. Leafy Greens

Leafy greens like spinach, kale, or lettuce might seem like a healthy snack idea for the air fryer, but these light and delicate foods don’t fare well under the intense heat. The high-speed air will cause the greens to blow around and become overly crispy or even burnt.

What to Do Instead:

If you’re craving crispy greens, try using a traditional oven for kale chips, as it allows for more controlled cooking. Or, toss heartier vegetables like Brussels sprouts or broccoli into the air fryer.

5. Raw Grains

Air fryers aren’t designed for cooking raw grains like rice, quinoa, or barley. These foods require water to cook properly, something an air fryer simply can’t provide. Trying to cook them will only lead to dry, uncooked grains that could burn inside your air fryer.

What to Do Instead:

Cook your grains the traditional way—either on the stovetop, in a rice cooker, or in the microwave. You can reheat cooked grains in the air fryer, but make sure they’re already soft and fully cooked beforehand.

6. Popcorn

Although air fryers can replicate the crunchy texture of fried foods, popcorn is not one of them. Popcorn requires very high temperatures to pop properly, and most air fryers can’t reach that level of heat. Instead of popping, the kernels will likely burn or remain unpopped, leaving you frustrated and without your favorite snack.

What to Do Instead:

Stick to the tried-and-true method of making popcorn on the stove or using a microwave popcorn maker. If you’re craving a healthy, crunchy snack from your air fryer, roasted chickpeas or almonds are excellent alternatives.

7. Breaded or Saucy Items

Cooking breaded items or anything with a heavy sauce is tricky in an air fryer. If you’re attempting homemade breaded chicken, the breading could fall off because it doesn’t adhere as well without frying in oil. As for saucy dishes, the air fryer will burn or dry out the sauce, leaving you with an unappetizing meal.

What to Do Instead:

If you want crispy breading, pre-coat the items with an egg wash and panko breadcrumbs for a sturdier crust. For saucy items, like wings, it’s better to air fry the chicken first and then toss it in the sauce afterward.

8. Fish with Delicate Skin

Fish can be tricky in an air fryer, especially when it comes to varieties like tilapia or trout with delicate skin. The high-speed fan can cause the skin to stick to the fryer’s basket or tray, leaving you with a flaky mess. Furthermore, fish tends to cook quickly and could dry out or become overcooked in the air fryer.

What to Do Instead:

If you want to cook fish, stick to firmer varieties like salmon or tuna, and be sure to coat the fryer basket with oil. For more delicate fish, stick to pan-frying or baking in the oven for better results.

9. Overly Oily Foods

While air fryers are designed to reduce oil usage, putting overly greasy or fatty foods in them can backfire. Foods with a high-fat content, like bacon or sausages, can cause excess grease to accumulate at the bottom of the fryer. This could lead to smoke, and in the worst cases, even a grease fire.

What to Do Instead:

If you’re cooking foods like bacon, use a grill or stovetop where the fat can drain away easily. If you must use the air fryer, be sure to drain the grease periodically during cooking and avoid using foods with too much oil.

Cook Safely and Smartly

Air fryers are wonderful kitchen tools, but knowing what not to cook in them is just as important as knowing what works. While they offer convenience and healthier options, the wrong foods can lead to messy, dangerous, or disappointing results.

Always follow safety guidelines, experiment with the right foods, and remember that some items—like batter-dipped foods or grains—are best left to traditional cooking methods.

Now that you’re equipped with this knowledge, you can confidently cook up crispy, delicious meals while avoiding these air fryer pitfalls! Happy frying!

Mental Scoop

9 Dangerous Food You Should Never Cook In Your Air Fryer!