Foods You Should Never Put In An Air Fryer

Air fryers have become a kitchen favourite since they’re easy and fun making your food crispy with little oil. But they aren’t a one-size-fits-all appliance. There are still certain foods it just can't handle. Yes, shockingly, some foods can come out wrecked instead of delectable and divine. 

Cooking the wrong items can lead to soggy textures, messy cleanups, or even safety hazards. Some things cook unevenly, some are too messy or just plain unsafe, and some things are just easier or more efficient to do with another traditional appliance.

Let’s explore the foods you should avoid putting in your air fryer and why.  

1. Leafy Greens

Delicate greens such as spinach, kale, or arugula are too light for the powerful fan inside an air fryer. They blow around, cook unevenly, and often burn before they can crisp. While sturdier vegetables like Brussels sprouts or broccoli florets can work, leafy greens are better suited to sautéing or oven roasting.

2. Wet-Battered Foods

Foods coated in wet batter don’t fare well in an air fryer. Unlike deep fryers, which instantly set the batter in hot oil, air fryers rely on circulating dry heat. This causes the batter to drip off before crisping, leaving you with a sticky mess in the basket and unevenly cooked food. If you want a crunchy coating, opt for dry breading instead.

3. Popcorn

It may sound fun to pop corn in an air fryer, but the appliance doesn’t reach the high temperatures required to make kernels burst. Most air fryers max out around 400°F, while popcorn needs closer to 450°F. Attempting it will leave you with scorched kernels and disappointment. A stovetop pan or microwave is the safer choice.

4. Uncooked Grains

Air fryers are not designed for boiling or steaming, which is essential for cooking rice, pasta, or other grains. Without water, these foods remain hard and inedible. If you want crispy rice or pasta snacks, cook them traditionally first, then crisp them in the air fryer afterward.

5. Large, Bone-In Meat

While small cuts of meat cook beautifully in an air fryer, large roasts or whole chickens are too thick for proper air circulation. The outside may brown, but the inside often remains undercooked. For safety and flavor, stick to smaller portions or use your oven for larger cuts.

6. Cheesy Food Items

Cheese on its own melts quickly and can ooze through the basket holes, creating a gooey disaster. Unless the cheese is breaded or encased (like mozzarella sticks), it will not crisp properly. For cheesy snacks, stick to recipes designed for the oven or stovetop.

Air fryers are fantastic for many foods, but they aren’t magic. Avoiding wet batters, delicate greens, fatty meats, and foods requiring boiling or steaming will save you frustration and keep your appliance in good condition.