The airfryer is one of the most successful additions to kitchen equipment in recent years. You can prepare almost anything in it in a healthy way. With the emphasis on almost. In fact, you would be tempted to just put anything in it because it works so simply. Heat it up, set the time and wait for your food to be ready. It seems that simple. And it is that straightforward for a lot of dishes, but unfortunately not for everything.
Here are ten things you shouldn’t put in the airfryer.
#1 Bacon and other fatty meats
I see it a lot anyway, people using baking paper in the airfryer. Usually on the premise of keeping the airfryer clean. Still, we highly advise against using baking paper in the airfryer. This is because it hinders the airflow, and that hampers performance, so don’t do it!
#2 Soft batter
Soft batter (for fish and chips or tempura, for example) is not for the airfryer. The heat causes it to melt and drip down. You’re better off using the deep fryer for that. In the hot frying fat or oil, the batter instantly sears together to form a crust, so it doesn’t drip.
#3 Vegetables you normally cook or steam
Broccoli, spinach, carrots, they come out of the airfryer dry and wrinkly. Possibly you would achieve a slightly better result with a drizzle of oil, but for these types of vegetables I personally prefer to stick to the traditional preparation method.
#4 A whole chicken
Unless you have a very large airfryer, you wouldn’t put a whole chicken in. The volume of the chicken prevents good air circulation. The result: your chicken is burnt on the bottom and not yet cooked on top.
#5 Marinades with sugar
Many marinades for meat, fish or chicken contain sugar. The heat in the airfryer causes that sugar to caramelize and eventually even burn. That would be a waste of your dish.
#6 Popcorn
That big metal container of the airfryer does look very tempting to make popcorn in it. But I wouldn’t do that. The air circulation causes the corn kernels to fly in all directions, which can clog up the grates.
#7 Cheese that needs to melt
If the cheese, for example on your pizza slice, comes into contact with the hot air of the airfryer, it will harden rather than melt. In itself, this is not a problem, but you probably won’t get the result you expected.
#8 Roasting nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds are light. If you were to roast them in the airfryer, they would fly in all directions. Compare it to the corn for your popcorn. So don’t.
#9 Cooking rice and pasta
Cooking rice and pasta with hot air doesn’t work – you do that in boiling water. What you could do is put the rice or pasta in an airfryer baking dish and add the right amount of boiling water to it, then cook the rice or pasta. But then a regular pan or rice cooker works more conveniently.
#10 Fat and oil
Here I can be very clear: fat and oil are for deep-frying and in an airfryer you do not deep-fry. However, to make crispy fries you can mix a drop of sunflower oil through the fries before frying.
This is how your airfryer works best
Now that you know what not to put in it, it’s probably also useful to know how to make sure your airfryer works and stays working optimally. Read the tips below:
- Give your airfryer space. The device should be able to draw in and blow out air.
- Let it warm up before use. Only when the right temperature has been reached can you set the right cooking time.
- Use only oven-proof trays, plates and dishes.
- Be careful with baking paper. This can block the circulation of air in the airfryer.
- Do not use sharp objects. The pan of the airfryer has a non-stick coating. It can be damaged by steel cookware or scouring pads.
- Don’t overfill it. Again, the air in the airfryer must be allowed to circulate properly.
- Clean your airfryer thoroughly. That way you’ll start your next dish without any nasty smells.
If you keep all this in mind, you can enjoy your airfryer to the fullest. The airfryer that suits you best can be found here. Have fun frying!
FAQ
Very simple, it is not designed for it. Regular fries are designed for frying. Airfryer fries are designed for the Airfryer. If you want those nice golden brown, crispy fries, you need special Airfryer fries.
A fair amount can go in the Airfryer at once, but when the bottom is covered, it’s full. Don’t go stacking, or your food will become less crispy and often not cooked,
No, you can’t. When you put aluminum foil in the Airfryer it reduces the airflow in the Airfryer, which causes reduced performance.
A baking dish can go in the Airfryer. This is because it is oven-proof. Therefore, non-oven resistant dishes should not be put in the Airfryer. These dishes will melt at high temperatures.