Air Fryer Experiment: Frying Everything

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance that circulates hot air to cook food with a crispy, fried texture and golden-brown colour. While air fryers can be used to cook a wide range of foods, from chicken wings and potato chips to chocolate chip cookies and cinnamon rolls, there are some things that are best left to other cooking methods. Wet batter, large whole chickens, bacon, leafy greens, raw rice and grains, and foods with a lot of cheese are not suitable for air frying as they can cause a mess, uneven cooking, or safety hazards.

What foods are best cooked by other methods?

While air fryers can cook a wide variety of foods, there are some dishes that are best cooked using other methods. Here are some foods that are not ideal for air frying:

Battered and Breaded Foods

The wet batter on foods like fried chicken or shrimp tempura will drip off in the air fryer, creating a mess and potentially damaging the machine. It is better to fry these foods in a traditional deep fryer, where the hot oil bath sets the batter.

Sauce-Based Dishes

Air fryers circulate hot air at high speed, which can cause sauces to splatter. This makes them unsuitable for cooking dishes like stew, chilli con carne, or bolognese. Slow cookers or traditional ovens are better options for these sauce-heavy recipes.

Popcorn

Most air fryer models cannot reach the required temperature to pop popcorn kernels, and the kernels can get lodged in the heating element, creating a fire hazard. Stovetops or microwaves are better options for making popcorn.

Leafy Green Vegetables

Leafy greens like spinach, bok choy, Swiss chard, and kale do not cook evenly in an air fryer due to the high-speed air circulation. They are better suited for steaming or sautéing.

Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts

Large cuts of meat with bones, like a whole chicken, may not cook evenly in an air fryer. The air may not circulate properly, resulting in uneven cooking and a dry, overcooked exterior with a soggy interior. Roasting in a traditional oven is a better option for these larger cuts.

Raw Rice and Other Grains

Raw rice and grains will not cook evenly in an air fryer, even with a special pan insert. They are designed to be boiled in water, so a stovetop or rice cooker is a better option. However, cooked rice or grains can be added to the air fryer to achieve a crispy texture.

Cheesy Dishes

Dishes with a lot of cheese, like grilled cheese sandwiches or mac and cheese, are not ideal for air frying. The cheese is likely to ooze out before the exterior becomes crisp, creating a messy cleanup.

What foods are unsafe to cook in an air fryer?

While air fryers are incredibly versatile, there are some foods that are not suitable for cooking in them. Here is a list of foods that are unsafe to cook in an air fryer:

Wet-Battered Foods

A wet batter, like the cornmeal batter on a corndog, will not cook well in an air fryer. The batter will drip through the perforated basket before crisping up, creating a mess and potentially damaging your machine. It can also burn the base of the air fryer basket. Instead, try using a dry coating or flour mixture for your chicken.

Leafy Green Vegetables

Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and bok choy are not ideal for air frying. The high-speed hot air will cause them to heat unevenly and may result in uneven cooking. However, these vegetables can be turned into veggie chips in an air fryer.

Sauce-Based Dishes

Dishes with a lot of sauce, such as stews, chilli con carne, or bolognese, are not recommended for air frying. The hot circulating air can cause the liquids to splatter, creating a dangerous and messy situation. Slow cookers are a better option for these types of dishes.

Popcorn

Popcorn kernels require a very high temperature to pop, and most air fryers won't reach this temperature. Additionally, the kernels can get lodged in the heating element, causing a fire hazard. It's best to make popcorn on a stovetop or in a microwave.

Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts

Large cuts of meat with bones, like a whole chicken, are not suitable for air frying. The air won't circulate properly around the meat, resulting in uneven cooking. It's better to roast these large cuts in the oven or opt for smaller chicken parts like wings and tenders for air frying.

Raw Rice and Other Grains

Raw rice and grains, such as quinoa and pasta, should not be cooked in an air fryer. These appliances are designed for dry foods, and rice and grains need to be boiled in water. Using an air fryer will result in unevenly cooked or mushy grains. Instead, use the air fryer to reheat leftover rice or grains.

What foods are messy to cook in an air fryer?

Air fryers are a great way to cook food without the mess and cleanup of deep-frying. However, there are some foods that can get messy in an air fryer. Here are some foods that are best avoided or approached with caution when using an air fryer:

Wet-battered foods

Foods with a wet batter, such as fried chicken, onion rings, or fish, can be messy in an air fryer. The batter may drip and cause a mess in the air fryer basket. It could even set off the alarm on some models. It is better to fry these foods in oil or skip them altogether.

Sauce-based dishes

Dishes with a lot of sauce, like stew, chilli con carne, or bolognese, are not suitable for air frying. The hot circulating air can cause the liquids to splatter, which can be messy and dangerous. Slow cookers are a better option for such recipes.

Popcorn

Popcorn is not recommended for air frying as most models cannot reach the required temperature to pop the kernels. Popcorn kernels can also get lodged in the heating element, creating a fire hazard.

Broccoli

While some vegetables, like Brussels sprouts, work well in an air fryer, broccoli can dry out and become chewy and bitter. Roasting or steaming are better methods for cooking broccoli.

Pasta and rice

While it is possible to cook pasta in an air fryer, it is best avoided for dishes with a lot of sauce. Air fryers are not ideal for boiling or steaming foods. Similarly, raw rice and other grains should not be cooked in an air fryer as they will not cook evenly.

Large, bone-in meat cuts

Cooking a whole chicken or other large, bone-in meats in an air fryer is not recommended as the air may not circulate properly, resulting in uneven cooking. It is better to roast these items in an oven. Smaller pieces like wings and tenders are more suitable for air frying.

Cheesy foods

While some cheese is fine, dishes with a lot of melty cheese, like grilled cheese or mac and cheese, can be messy in an air fryer. The cheese may drip into the base of the tray.

What foods are best cooked in an oven?

Ovens are incredibly versatile, and you can cook a wide variety of foods in them. Here are some of the best foods to cook in an oven:

Roasted Vegetables

Roasting vegetables in the oven is a great way to enhance their natural flavours and create a delicious side dish or main course. Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, asparagus, and carrots are particularly well-suited for roasting. Simply toss them in a little olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast at a high temperature until tender and lightly charred.

Casseroles

Casseroles are one-dish meals that are perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd. They typically consist of a combination of meat, vegetables, and starch, all baked together in a casserole dish. Some popular casserole recipes include chicken and broccoli casserole, tuna noodle casserole, and green bean casserole.

Baked Pasta

Baking pasta in the oven is a great way to create a hearty and comforting meal. Try a classic baked ziti or experiment with different cheeses, vegetables, and meats to create your own unique dish. Just remember to cook the pasta until it is slightly underdone before baking, as it will continue to cook in the oven.

Sheet Pan Meals

Sheet pan meals are a convenient way to cook an entire meal on a single tray in the oven. Simply choose a protein, such as chicken or fish, and pair it with your favourite vegetables. Drizzle with olive oil, season generously, and bake until everything is cooked through. Sheet pan meals are easy to customise and can be tailored to your personal preferences.

Baked Goods

Ovens are also perfect for baking a variety of sweet treats, such as cookies, cakes, pies, and brownies. Baking requires more precise temperature control than other cooking methods, so it's important to preheat your oven and use a thermometer to ensure that your baked goods turn out perfectly.

What foods are best cooked in a skillet?

Skillets are a great way to cook a variety of foods, especially one-pot meals that can feed a whole family. Here are some of the best foods to cook in a skillet:

Pasta

Pasta is a versatile dish that can be easily cooked in a skillet. Some great pasta recipes that work well in a skillet include BLT pasta, enchiladas suizas, skillet shrimp chilaquiles, skillet orzo with fish and herbs, and skillet mac and cheese with crispy breadcrumbs. Skillets are also perfect for preparing the pasta for a baked ziti or lasagna, which can then be transferred to the oven.

Rice

Rice-based dishes are also excellent in a skillet, such as chicken and shrimp skillet rice, beefy rice skillet, and zucchini, black bean, and rice skillet.

Meat and Poultry

Meats and poultry are commonly cooked in skillets, especially when breaded or fried. Some delicious recipes include fried chicken, chicken pot pie, chicken parmesan meatballs, crispy breaded pork cutlets, and pork chops with Dijon-buttermilk sauce.

Seafood

Seafood, like shrimp, is also a good choice for skillet cooking. Try out recipes such as skillet shrimp Destin with orzo, shrimp with honey-garlic sauce, and skillet corn with shrimp and sausage.

Vegetables

Vegetables can be stir-fried or sautéed in a skillet. For example, the skillet is perfect for cooking up some crispy roasted potatoes or blistered, crisp-tender green beans.

Breakfast Foods

Skillets are also great for breakfast foods like eggs, bacon, and French toast.

While air fryers are a popular alternative to skillets, they do have some limitations. Air fryers are not suitable for cooking wet-battered foods, sauce-based dishes, leafy green vegetables, large bone-in meat cuts, uncooked grains, or bread.

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