Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a healthy alternative to traditional deep frying. By using rapid air circulation and high heat, air fryers can produce crispy, delicious food using little to no oil. While air fryers offer many benefits, there are also some foods and ingredients that are not well-suited for air frying.
Meats with skin or breading
Air fryers work best with foods that have a relatively dry, flat surface for the air to circulate around. Meats with a skin or breading can be more difficult in an air fryer because the outside layer can prevent heat and air from getting to the inside correctly. This can result in the exterior burning or overcooking while the middle remains underdone. Chicken wings, chicken drumsticks, and heavily breaded foods like chicken nuggets tend to not air fry evenly compared to meats without coating.
Fatty meats
Excessively fatty meats like bacon, sausages, and ribs can be problematic in an air fryer because the fat that renders out during cooking can become overheated and smoke or burn. Leaner cuts of meat like pork chops, fish fillets, or chicken breasts tend to air fry more successfully. If cooking fattier meats, it helps to trim excess fat and cook in smaller batches to allow the air fryer to recover temperature between batches.
Liquids and batters
Foods with a high liquid content don’t work well because the liquids can drip to the bottom of the air fryer and burn. Wet batters like those for fried chicken tend to drip off and make a mess rather than crisping up evenly. It’s best to avoid cooking soupy foods or raw batter in an air fryer. Marinated meats and breaded items that are wet should be shaken or patted dry with a paper towel before air frying.
Cheese
Cheese melts and can drip, splatter, or stick when air fried directly. Grilled cheese sandwiches won’t crisp up nicely. For dishes like nachos or cheesy potatoes, the cheese should be added toward the end of cooking time to melt and not overcook. Grated cheese can be more successful than slices since it melts more evenly over the top of foods.
Dense baked goods
Thick baked goods with a dense, doughy texture like bread don’t always cook evenly in an air fryer. The inside can remain underdone while the outside dries out. Air fryers work better for dryer and thinner items like cookies versus cakes, breads, or muffins.
Vegetables with high water content
Vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce have high water content. When air fried, the water within can cause steaming instead of crispiness. For best results, drier vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and potatoes work better. If using water-rich veggies, coat them in oil, breadcrumbs, or spices to help remove moisture.
Foods that are already fried or greasy
Putting already fried foods like french fries, fried chicken, or fried shrimp into an air fryer can make them over-crisp or dried out. Air frying is best for foods that start out relatively fresh and dry. The air fryer can then add a perfectly crisped exterior.
Excessively large portions
Air fryers work most effectively when the basket is not overfilled. Too much food restricts air circulation, preventing crispiness and even cooking. Stick to recommended portion sizes for your model and avoid overloading.
Loose chopped vegetables
Chopped veggies like onions and peppers can be difficult in an air fryer because smaller pieces can blow around and not stay contained. Larger chopped pieces or sliced vegetables can help. Another option is using a vessel like a bowl or pan fitted into the air fryer basket to keep loose items from blowing around.
Foods that require battering and frying
Foods like fried chicken, tempura vegetables, or fish that are traditionally battered and submerged in oil will not turn out the same in an air fryer. The air frying process works differently than deep frying so heavily battered foods won’t have the same texture. It’s best to stick to dry rubs, light breading, or small amounts of oil.
Large whole pieces of meat
Larger cuts of meat like a whole chicken, roast, or pork tenderloin don’t fit or cook evenly in a typical air fryer. The outer sections overcook while the center remains raw. For best results, stick to smaller cuts like chicken breasts, pork chops, or steak sliced into strips. Cook larger roasts and meat in the oven.
Conclusion
Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance when used properly. Avoid excessive fat, liquids, overcrowding, and heavy batters. The most success comes from foods that start with a relatively dry, uniform surface. With a little trial and error, you can discover which ingredients and recipes work best. Focus on lean meats, seasoned vegetables, and lighter breadings to unlock all the healthy benefits air frying offers.
Foods Not Recommended for Air Frying
| Food Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Meats with skin or heavy breading | Chicken wings, fried chicken, chicken nuggets |
| Fatty meats | Bacon, sausages, ribs |
| Wet batters | Fried chicken batter, tempura batter |
| Liquid-based dishes | Soups, sauces, stews |
| Cheese | Grilled cheese, cheese slices, mozzarella sticks |
| Dense baked goods | Bread, cakes, muffins |
| Water-rich vegetables | Tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers |
| Already fried foods | French fries, fried shrimp, fried fish |
| Overcrowded basket | Too much food limits air circulation |
| Loose chopped vegetables | Onions, peppers, loose pieces |
| Large whole meat cuts | Whole chicken, roasts, pork tenderloin |
Tips for Successful Air Frying
While some foods are not well-suited for air frying, many ingredients and dishes turn out perfectly crisp and delicious with proper technique:
Cut ingredients to uniform size
Cutting ingredients to consistent sized pieces allows them to cook evenly. Cut vegetables into similar sized wedges or 1-inch pieces.
Use a light coating of oil
Brush or spray foods with a small amount of oil to promote browning and crisping without adding a lot of fat.
Flip and rotate foods midway
Tossing and flipping ingredients helps expose all sides to circulating air for even crisping.
Pat excess moisture from foods
Patting meat, fish, and marinated ingredients helps remove excess surface moisture that can prevent browning.
Spray basket with oil
Adding a light coat of oil to the air fryer basket can help prevent delicate foods like fish from sticking.
Cook in batches for crispest results
Avoid overcrowding the basket which restricts air flow. Cook foods in smaller batches for optimal texture.
Adjust cook times as needed
Cooking times can vary based on the amount of food and model of air fryer. Check foods early and adjust time.
Use a baking rack or vessel for small items
A baking rack or oven-safe dish inside the air fryer basket provides better air circulation for smaller ingredients.
Conclusion
Air frying makes it easy to cook delicious fried foods at home without all the oil and mess of deep frying. For the best results, avoid overly fatty meats, wet batters, and overcrowding the fryer basket. Cut foods to uniform size, brush with oil, and adjust cook times as needed. In no time you’ll be serving crunchy, flavorful air fried meals to please any crowd.