10 Foods that can damage your Air Fryer: Find out what to avoid!

1. Food with liquid dough (breaded dough without pre-cooking)

The Air Fryer is not suitable for frying foods covered in a raw liquid batter, such as tempuras, pancakes or breaded foods without pre-cooking. This is because the air fryer's powerful fan tends to spread the liquid batter, creating a mess in the basket and resulting in uneven frying.

Alternative: For breaded foods, such as chicken or fish, it is ideal to use a dry breading, made with breadcrumbs, wheat flour or panko. Make sure that the breading adheres well to the food.

2. Foods with a lot of liquid

Dishes containing large quantities of liquid, such as soups, broths or sauces, should not be placed in the air fryer. This equipment is not designed to work like a conventional oven or slow cooker, and liquids can drip into the lower compartment, causing cleaning difficulties and, in some cases, damaging the appliance.

Alternative: Reserve the air fryer for solid foods or foods containing only a thin layer of liquid seasoning. For soups or sauces, use a saucepan or other suitable appliance.

3. Soft cheeses that melt quickly

Although it's tempting to put soft cheeses such as camembert, brie or loose pieces of cheddar in the Air Fryer, the intense heat causes them to melt quickly and run through the openings in the basket. This can cause mess, smoke and an unpleasant smell.

Alternative: Use cheeses in preparations that contain a solid base, such as bread or stuffed pasta, to prevent the cheese from melting directly in the basket.

4. Very light vegetables (such as leafy greens)

Leaves such as spinach, rocket and lettuce are not ideal for the air fryer. Because they are light, they can be carried away by the air flow generated by the fan, which can result in burns or even blockages in the air fryer's internal system.

Alternative: Denser vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots and zucchini, work very well in the air fryer. Just remember to cut them evenly and add a little olive oil for best results.

5. Extremely fatty foods

Very fatty meats, such as too much bacon or cuts with a high fat content, may not be ideal for the air fryer. This is because the melted fat can drip into the bottom of the appliance, creating smoke and making it difficult to clean. In addition, excess fat can create a risk of overheating.

Alternative: Choose lean cuts or remove excess fat before preparing. Bacon can be prepared in the air fryer, but in moderate quantities and with constant monitoring to avoid excessive smoke production.

6. Breads with creamy fillings

Breads filled with creams or very liquid fillings may not work well in the air fryer. The intense heat can cause the fillings to leak out and dirty the appliance, as well as causing the ingredients to burn.

Alternative: Prefer filled breads that have a firmer consistency or use a dough base that seals the fillings better.

7. Raw grains

Grains such as rice, beans or raw lentils should not be cooked in the Air Fryer. These foods need to be cooked in water to soften them, which the air fryer cannot offer. Trying to cook them in the appliance will only result in dry, hard beans.

Alternative: Cook the grains in a saucepan or pressure cooker and only use the air fryer to finish off recipes, such as crispy grains for salads.

8. Fish with very delicate flesh

Fish such as tilapia or sole, which have very delicate flesh, can easily fall apart in the air fryer due to the air flow. In addition, the process can dry out the fish, compromising the texture and flavor.

Alternative: Fish with firmer flesh, such as salmon or tuna, are better suited to the air fryer. Use aluminum foil or parchment paper to make it easier to remove the fish.

9. Eggs without a suitable container

Although it is possible to cook eggs in the air fryer, placing them directly in the basket without any support can be dangerous, as they may explode due to the internal pressure. In addition, the result may not be uniform.

Alternative: To cook eggs in the air fryer, use suitable containers, such as ramekins or silicone molds, and monitor the cooking time.

10. Sweets with liquid icing

Foods such as cakes or pies with liquid toppings (such as syrups or glazes) should not be placed in the air fryer, as the intense heat can melt or burn the topping before the food is ready.

Alternative: Prepare the treat in the air fryer without the topping and add it later, when the food is ready.

Use common sense:

The Air Fryer is a powerful and versatile tool, but its use requires some care to avoid problems and achieve the best results. Avoiding food that could drip, melt or be compromised by the air flow is essential to prolong the life of the appliance and maintain the quality of the recipes. With the tips in this article, you'll be able to exploit the potential of your air fryer safely and practically!

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