Air Fryers And Battered Food: What You Need To Know

Air fryers are a popular alternative to deep fat fryers, but can they cook battered food? The short answer is yes, but it's not as simple as that. While you can cook battered food in an air fryer, it's not recommended as the batter can stick to or leak through the basket, creating a mess and potentially setting off alarms. If you do want to cook battered food in an air fryer, it's best to use previously frozen battered foods as the freezing process sets the batter. You can also try using a breading instead of a wet batter, or lining the basket with parchment paper and letting any excess batter drip off.

Air fryers can cook battered food, but it's better to use a deep fryer

If you want to cook battered food in an air fryer, it's best to use previously frozen battered foods, as the freezing process sets the batter. You can also try skipping wet batters altogether and going with a breading instead, such as flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, or flour, egg, and panko. This will give you a similar deep-fried crunchy exterior without the mess.

Additionally, some foods, such as cake doughnuts, do not air fry well due to their dense batter. A traditional deep fryer will keep these treats moist and fluffy, while an air fryer will dry them out. So, while it is possible to cook battered food in an air fryer, it's generally better to stick to deep frying for the best results.

Wet batter can stick to or leak through the basket

If you want to cook battered food in an air fryer, it is recommended to use previously frozen battered foods, as the freezing process sets the batter. You can also try to line the air fryer basket with parchment and let as much excess batter drip off as possible. Alternatively, you can skip wet batters altogether and go with a breading instead, such as flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, or flour, egg, and panko.

Frozen battered food can be cooked in an air fryer

If you want to cook wet-battered foods in an air fryer, you should line the air fryer basket with parchment and let as much excess batter drip off as possible. This is because wet-battered foods can stick to or leak through the basket, which can make a mess and set off alarms on some models.

If you are cooking frozen battered fish, preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F). It will take roughly five minutes to heat. Add the battered fish to the air fryer basket and lightly spray with oil. Cook for 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Flip halfway through cooking. You can double-check the product box for temperatures to be safe. The oil is optional, but it will help the batter get crisp.

Use a breading instead of batter

It is not recommended to cook wet-battered food in an air fryer as the batter can stick to or leak through the basket, creating a mess and potentially setting off alarms. Instead, it is better to use a breading or coating. For example, you can dip the food in flour, egg and breadcrumbs or panko for a similar deep-fried crunchy exterior. This method can be used for fish, chicken, and even pickles. If you do want to air fry wet-battered foods, it is best to use previously frozen battered foods as the freezing process sets the batter. You can also line the air fryer basket with parchment and let any excess batter drip off.

Dense batter will not cook well in an air fryer

If you attempt to air fry fish or anything else dipped in batter, the batter can stick to or leak through the basket, which can make a bit of a mess and also set off alarms on some models.

If you do air fry wet-battered foods, be sure to line the air fryer basket with parchment and let as much excess batter drip off as possible. However, it is recommended that you stick to deep-frying wet-battered foods, or, if you must air fry, use previously frozen battered foods (such as store-bought battered shrimp and fish), as the freezing process sets the batter.

If you're craving something battered, try dipping the food in flour, egg and breadcrumbs for a similar deep-fried crunchy exterior.

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