The air fryer can be your best friend in the kitchen, but only if you’re confident in how to use it. Knowing what foods work –and what foods don’t – is the key to experimenting with your air fryer model and getting a delicious meal on the table in no time.
Many air fryer guides tend to err on the side of caution with plenty of “do’s and don’ts.” However, after nearly a decade of air frying, I’ve found that most foods can be cooked successfully in an air fryer with the right approach (though I haven’t tried it ALL). My goal in explaining what not to cook in your air fryer comes from learned experience – including the challenging, messy, or disappointing results.
Over the years, I have tested and published over 100 air fryer recipes, and my biggest takeaway is this:
| There are very few foods that absolutely cannot be cooked in an air fryer. The better question to ask is “Is the air fryer the best tool for the job?” |
Learn how your air fryer works, what you shouldn’t cook in an air fryer, and have fun exploring what this appliance can do to get wholesome home cooking into your regular meal routine!
How An Air Fryer Works
To know what foods work and don’t work in an air fryer, it’s important to understand how an air fryer works so you can make accurate decisions and choose the best foods.
Air fryers are essentially compact convection ovens that use circulating hot air to cook food quickly and evenly. With the constantly moving heat, foods often cook faster than in the oven and at lower temperatures.
Because they’re designed for dry heat cooking, foods brown and crisp much faster than in many other cooking methods. It’s a great method for those foods that require an extra-crispy, golden texture!
Safety note: Every air fryer model is a little different, so always follow your manufacturer’s instructions and only use accessories approved for your specific model. The best way to gain confidence with your air fryer is to understand how it all works together!
Why Some Foods Don’t Work in an Air Fryer
The air fryer is a versatile tool for a wide range of foods, but there are certain types that just don’t turn out that well. Since the air fryer uses a dry-heat cooking method, you’ll want to avoid foods with these characteristics:
- Too much liquid, which can cause food to turn out soggy, create a mess, and drip into the air fryer fan
- Loose ingredients that can blow around, resulting in burned debris
- Delicate coatings that cook faster than the inside of the food
- Foods that need water to cook properly or rely on steam
- Foods that work better with slow cooking methods, such as tough or larger cuts of meat
Save yourself the waste – and cleanup! – by avoiding foods that would turn out better with an alternative method.
Foods You Shouldn’t Cook in an Air Fryer
Wet Batter
If you have a basket-style fryer, this might be obvious, but some oven-style air fryers might mislead you into thinking they can do it all!
The problem with wet, battered foods is that thin batter won’t stick properly and can drip through the basket or rack before it sets and adheres to the food. However, if you’re willing to experiment, this doesn’t mean you must avoid all breaded foods!
I’ve successfully made beer-battered pickle chips, onion rings, chicken fried steak, and chicken sandwiches in the air fryer. These typically work in the air fryer because the batter is thicker and contains some texture that coats the food. If you’re just getting started with the air fryer, I recommend saving the battered and breaded foods until you’ve mastered the basics!
Traditional Soup
An air fryer’s design is not well-suited for large amounts or containers of liquid (especially basket-style). Liquid can splatter or bubble over, which can ultimately damage your air fryer. Most soups will simmer with better results on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or in an Instant Pot.
However, air fryers are a fantastic choice for roasting vegetables, croutons, and toppings for soups. Use this as a shortcut when you want to save a step with the stove or oven!
Popcorn
Popcorn is not a great air-fryer food because the kernels can blow around inside the air fryer and fall through cracks and perforations. Some kernels, and popped corn, may get stuck near the heating element and start to smoke or ultimately catch fire.
Since the results are often inconsistent, the stovetop or microwave are much better options for a tasty bowl of popcorn.
Loose Leafy Greens
Like any other lightweight or loose food, small leaves can also blow around in the air fryer. These can stick to the heating element or catch in the different parts of the appliance, plus they may cook unevenly.
One exception that I’ve tried with success is properly prepared kale chips. This works with larger, more dense leaves that are also weighed down a bit with some spray oil and seasonings.
Note: The same goes for lightweight basket liners. Never place loose parchment paper into a preheated air fryer without food weighing it down. From my own experience, I once had parchment paper blow into the heating element and catch fire – learn from my mishap!
Large Roasts
Depending on your air fryer capacity, large roasts can be cooked successfully with the right setup. However, this is often not the best use of an air fryer since the time and temperatures can vary greatly and the meat could turn out pretty tough.
Slow cookers and ovens usually produce better results for large cuts of meat, and will provide a more hands-off experience.
Foods That Need Constant Moisture
If you have a food that requires moisture to cook with the best results, these will do better in an environment with steam. The air fryer cooks with a dry, circulating heat and can toughen and brown foods as it draws out moisture.
Some examples of these foods to avoid are:
- Braised dishes
- Certain casseroles
- Long-cooking shredded meat recipes
These dishes usually produce better results in the oven, slow cooker, or Instant Pot.
Fried Ice Cream
I’m sure somewhere out there, someone may have a solution for this, but my recommendation is that just because something is possible doesn’t mean it’s the best place to start!
While there are plenty of air-fried treats to enjoy, I would avoid a recipe with such complicated – and messy – features, until you get the hang of your simpler recipes first.
Foods That Work BETTER Than You Think In The Air Fryer
A key selling point for the air fryer is the ability to perfectly crisp up frozen packaged foods. To be fair, these foods are the ones we see most often in the grocery store with air fryer directions! But there are plenty of other foods – both whole foods and prepared foods – that cook beautifully in this appliance.
Here are some of my favorite foods to cook in the air fryer for the ease and delicious results:
- Salmon – Fresh, frozen, or salmon patties – they all cook to tender, flaky perfection!
- Fish – From tilapia to cod to mahi mahi, these lean fillets are simple to cook and garnish with simple seasonings or sauces.
- Sweet potatoes – Nothing beats that sweet, caramelized, roasted texture on sweet potato cubes or fries! The air fryer will produce crispy edges much faster than a regular oven.
- Homemade chicken nuggets – My Homemade Chicken Nuggets are one of my top recommended recipes to try in the air fryer. You won’t need a lot of oil or grease to get perfectly crispy, bite-sized results!
- Pizza – If you’re in the mood for a personal pan-sized pizza, the air fryer makes pizza night so simple. Whether heating up a frozen pizza or trying your own homemade version (such as Air Fryer Margherita Pizza), you’ll get a crispy crust and bubbly melted toppings in minimal time.
- Leftover pizza – Skip the microwave from now on and reheat your leftover slices in the air fryer! The circulating heat restores the texture and flavor almost as perfectly as the first time.
- Green beans – These aren’t your average soggy green beans! Air Fryer Green Beans add some caramelized, roasted crunch to this delicious veggie side.
- Breakfast potatoes – The last thing you probably want to do in the morning is make a greasy mess of your stovetop. Make a batch of crispy diced breakfast potatoes in the air fryer while you whip up some eggs and bacon!
- Beer-battered pickle chips – Not every batter is off-limits for the air fryer. This recipe works because of the thicker texture, including panko breadcrumbs.
- Onion rings – Air-fried onion rings are so simple and give the restaurant version a run for its money! This is another batter-based recipe that’s totally worth the effort.
Common Air Fryer Mistakes to Avoid
Coming to you with these mistakes because – ahem – I’ve been there and tested them for you! Take it from me and the 100+ air fryer recipes that I have tested, and make note of these common mistakes that can impact your air fryer success:
- Overcrowding
This is the number one mistake, and it’s easy to make since air fryers typically hold a smaller amount of food than you might expect to make in the oven. In a convection appliance, the food needs some space, so it’s important to avoid overcrowding the basket so the hot air can circulate around each food item.
- Too Much Oil
Air fryers require much less oil than most people expect, and only need enough to lightly coat the food for browning and crisping. This is why I often recommend using a spray oil, such as avocado oil spray, to mist the food with just the right amount of oil. Don’t forget to give the basket a light spray as well to prevent sticking!
- Too Much Liquid
Here’s where the food choice matters because if it’s a moisture-heavy food item, the excess liquid will prevent crisping. If you use a watery vegetable or raw meat, be sure to thoroughly pat it dry to remove any additional moisture.
- Ignoring Cleanup
It’s easy to think the air fryer basket or tray is the only piece that requires cleaning, but also pay attention to any food debris or grease that could end up elsewhere in the appliance. Regular cleaning improves the air fryer’s performance and reduces smoke.
- Trusting Exact Cook Times
Air fryers vary dramatically due to their size, model, basket or tray, etc. Use visual cues and internal thermometers whenever possible to ensure food safety and cooking accuracy.
Pro Tips for Using Your Air Fryer Successfully
After nearly a decade of air frying, I’ve found that experimentation is one of the best ways to learn. Keep these general tips in mind regardless of your air fryer model, and enjoy your results!
- Start with simple recipes and learn to heat frozen foods before testing more challenging dishes.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with cooking times, temperatures, or types of foods.
- Use a meat thermometer as your “safety net” to ensure doneness.
- Give the food space for the heat to circulate properly.
- Learn how your specific air fryer cooks (i.e., basket models and mini-oven-style models will vary).
- Treat recipe cooking times as guidelines, not guarantees. Don’t be afraid to check the food early and adjust as needed!
I’d love to know: What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever cooked in your air fryer? Leave a comment – yours might inspire someone else’s next air fryer discovery!
