Air Fryer Fails: 10 Foods You Should Never Cook in Your Air Fryer

By boom Last updated May 7, 2025

Air fryers have revolutionized home cooking, offering a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. Their ability to produce crispy, delicious meals with minimal oil has made them a staple in many kitchens. However, despite their versatility, there are certain foods that are best left out of the air fryer. Cooking these items can lead to disappointing results, messes, or even potential hazards.New York Post

1. Wet Batters

Foods coated in wet batter, such as homemade onion rings or tempura, are not suitable for air frying. The batter tends to drip through the basket before it can set, creating a mess and failing to achieve the desired crispy texture. As noted by culinary experts, “Air fryers are not ideal for grilling red meat. You’d be able to get the inside of a burger to medium rare, but the outside wouldn’t get that ‘char’ that you want on a burger. Plus, it’s really messy.” The Daily Meal LADbible+1Real Simple+1

2. Leafy Greens

Lightweight leafy greens like spinach or kale can fly around inside the air fryer due to the high-speed air circulation, leading to uneven cooking or burnt edges. It’s better to roast these greens in a conventional oven where they can cook evenly without the risk of being blown around. Simply Recipes

3. Popcorn

While it might seem convenient, popping popcorn in an air fryer is not recommended. Most air fryers don’t reach the necessary temperature to pop the kernels effectively, and the kernels can get lodged in the heating element, posing a fire hazard. Experts warn, “Popcorn won’t cook well in an air fryer as most models won’t reach the required temperature to pop the kernels.” Taste+2New York Post+2Good Food+2

4. Cheese

Placing cheese directly into the air fryer can result in a gooey mess. Without a protective coating, cheese melts quickly and can seep through the basket, making cleanup difficult and potentially damaging the appliance. As culinary director Yankel Polak advises, “An air fryer is actually NOT a deep fryer. When you make something like a mozzarella stick in a deep fryer, an instant outer crust is formed.” The Daily Meal LADbible

5. Saucy Dishes

Foods with a lot of sauce or marinade can cause issues in an air fryer. The liquid can drip through the basket, leading to smoke and a messy cleanup. It’s advisable to cook saucy dishes using methods that can handle liquids better, like stovetop or oven cooking.

6. Whole Roasts

Cooking large cuts of meat, such as whole chickens or roasts, in an air fryer can result in uneven cooking. The exterior may cook too quickly while the interior remains undercooked. For such dishes, traditional ovens provide more consistent results.

7. Uncooked Grains

Raw grains like rice or pasta require boiling water to cook properly, which air fryers are not designed to provide. Attempting to cook these in an air fryer can lead to undercooked or unevenly cooked grains. Better Homes & Gardens+1Good Food+1

8. Toast

While air fryers can crisp up many foods, making toast is not their forte. Bread can move around due to the air circulation, leading to uneven toasting. A traditional toaster is better suited for making evenly browned toast.

9. Eggs

Cooking eggs in an air fryer can be tricky. Without the right container, eggs can cook unevenly or even explode due to the rapid air circulation and high heat. It’s safer to cook eggs using conventional methods like boiling or frying on the stovetop. The Daily Meal+1Good Food+1 Real Simple

10. Burgers

Cooking burgers in an air fryer can result in a lack of the desired char and potentially uneven cooking. As noted by culinary experts, “Air fryers are not ideal for grilling red meat. You’d be able to get the inside of a burger to medium rare, but the outside wouldn’t get that ‘char’ that you want on a burger. Plus, it’s really messy.” LADbible

Final Thoughts

While air fryers are incredibly versatile and convenient, understanding their limitations is key to achieving the best cooking results. By avoiding these ten foods, you can ensure your air fryer remains in good condition and continues to produce delicious meals. Always consider the nature of the food and whether it’s suitable for air frying to make the most of this handy kitchen appliance.