The air fryer has become a must-have kitchen gadget, loved by celebrities like Sir Mo Farah, Drew Barrymore, and Oprah Winfrey. This innovative appliance uses hot air instead of hot oil to cook foods, providing a quick and healthy alternative to deep-fat fryers. While it can be used to cook a variety of foods like chips, pizza, and falafels, there are certain products that are not suitable for air frying. Which? has compiled a list of seven popular foods that should never be cooked in an air fryer.
1. Popcorn: Although it might be tempting to cook popcorn kernels in the air fryer for a movie night, it is not advised. Most air fryers don’t reach the necessary temperature to pop the kernels, making it a better choice to use a microwave.
2. Pasta and pasta sauce: Raw pasta cannot be cooked in an air fryer since it requires boiling water. While cooking pasta sauces in an air fryer is technically possible, it can get messy. It’s more efficient to reheat pasta and sauce in a microwave.
3. Toast: Although it is possible to cook toast in an air fryer, the results may not be as satisfactory as using a toaster or grill. Toast in an air fryer can dry out the bread and cause crumbs to accumulate at the bottom of the basket, making it more trouble than it’s worth.
4. Rice: Cooking rice requires water, which makes it unsuitable for an air fryer. It is recommended to use a slow cooker or a pot on the hob instead.
5. Fresh greens: While it might be tempting to cook fresh greens like kale in an air fryer for crisps, it won’t result in crunchy crisps. Lightweight leaves like lettuce, kale, and spinach can get blown around in the air fryer, making a mess instead of a delicious snack.
6. Cheese (except halloumi): Fresh cheese with a low melting temperature can quickly burn in an air fryer. It’s best to avoid using any fresh cheese except for halloumi, which has a higher melting point and is safe to cook in an air fryer.
7. Whole chicken: Unless you have a large air fryer, it is not recommended to cook a whole chicken in it. The hot air needs space to circulate properly, and cooking a whole chicken would prevent this. It can result in the outside burning while the inside remains raw. It is best to joint the chicken before frying.
Apart from these seven items, an air fryer can be used to cook almost anything. Chicken, chips, potatoes, roasted vegetables, falafel, fish, pizza, and even baked goods like cookies and cakes are popular choices. Additionally, air fryers are useful for crisping up frozen foods and snacks like fish fingers, chicken nuggets, spring rolls, and pies.
In recent years, the air fryer has gained popularity and become a staple in many kitchens since Oprah Winfrey named it as one of her favorite kitchen appliances in 2013. However, mastering the use of an air fryer can have a learning curve. That’s why Which? has provided useful information on the most common air fryer fails and how to fix them. Overfilling the machine or not properly cleaning it can result in undercooked food or a smoke-filled kitchen. Emily Seymour, Which? Energy Editor, advises being cautious to avoid such mishaps.
By following these guidelines and tips, anyone can make the most of their air fryer and enjoy delicious, healthy meals.
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