8 things you should never put in the air fryer

Even though I'm a trained cook, I love letting my air fryer do the hard work for me. The best air fryers can create perfectly crispy fries, tender chicken, and delicious roasted vegetables in minutes. However, there are some things you should never put in the air fryer.

Foods like popcorn, rice and even cooking oils can be a recipe for disaster – causing irreparable damage to your air fryer, ruining the taste and even bringing health risks. To keep your air fryer in top condition, it’s essential to know what to avoid.

Things you should never put in the air fryer

There are plenty of delicious things to cook in an air fryer. This list covers everything you shouldn't.

1. Liquids 

There have been plenty of hacks circulating on the internet for cleaning an air fryer, but not all of them are a good idea. Filling the drawer with water and soap before turning the air fryer on, for example, has been touted as the easiest way to clear out baked-on grease; however, it is an accident waiting to happen.

Liquid can seep into parts of the air fryer where it doesn't belong, potentially causing electrical malfunctions or short circuits. If you are dealing with stubborn marks, consider using vinegar to shift baked on grease on an air fryer for a safer and natural cleaning method that won’t break your machine.

2. Wet batter 

A thin, wet batter could get blown around an air fryer and get into the heating elements or blow behind the fan, both which can lead to a fire. You might think it will get fried (like the 'air fryer' name suggests) but wet batter doesn't crisp under direct heat like it does in hot oil, so you won't get any benefits at all.

Cakes and brownies are made with a thick, heavy batter so they should be ok, but check with your specific air fryer model first.

3. Popcorn 

Air fryers are healthy cooking alternatives, so I can see why some people would try frying a healthy snack such as popcorn in an air fryer but this is perhaps the worst idea I could think of.

Air fryers, despite being quick and convenient appliances, are not the same as microwaves. Once you know how air fryers work, it will begin to make more sense. There's a strong current created by the heating fans, which can blow kernels around the machine and cause irreversible damage if they get into the wrong place.

4. Commercial spray oils 

When we spoke to air fryer chef and expert, Sam Milner, she revealed that 'chemicals added to commercial spray oils cause damage to your air fryer, since they contain an emulsifier called lecithin, which slowly breaks down the coating on your air fryer.' This risks the release of toxic chemicals into your food.

Your first port of call might be investing in one of the best non toxic air fryers instead, or you can mitigate the damage by switching to vegetable oil. Personally, I use high-quality olive oil (which is great for air frying) and I put it into these spray bottles I found on Amazon.

5. Bread for toasting 

Although you can achieve crispy bread in an air fryer, there is very little point when you have a toaster fit for the job. Toasting bread in an air fryer can lead to stray crumbs on and around the fan and heating elements which are difficult to remove and can lead to a persistent burning smell with every use.

6. Sauces

You might have thought about reheating a bolognese sauce or gravy in the air fryer, but again, they don't work like microwaves. Anything with an overly loose sauce should be cooked on a stove top to avoid liquid damage and fire hazards. These foods don't need to be crisped up anyway.

7. Raw rice or grains

I'd never recommend cooking rice or other grains in an air fryer. They require water or broth for proper absorption and tender cooking, which an air fryer, with its hot air circulation, cannot provide. Your rice would be undercooked and the water could damage the machine. For perfectly cooked, quick rice and grains, stick to the best rice cookers.

8. Burnt food

When we asked Dr. Michelle Pearlman (a board-certified gastroenterologist) if air fryers are toxic, she spoke about the risks of frying foods at very high temperatures. Burnt foods tend to have higher levels of acrylamide, which Dr. Michelle says has been 'linked with heart disease and other chronic health conditions.' She advises using high smoke point oils, such as avocado or coconut to stay safe – and paying attention to avoid burning your food. It doesn't taste nice, anyway.

FAQS