Ways To Warm Sauce Using Your Air Fryer

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people turning to them to cook quick, easy, and healthy meals. While air fryers are typically used to cook crispy foods with little to no added fat, they are also versatile enough to cook foods with sauces. However, it is important to note that air fryers are not designed to hold large amounts of loose liquids, and doing so could potentially cause a fire. Therefore, when cooking saucy foods in an air fryer, it is recommended to place the food in a bake-safe container or to coat the food in sauce and then cook it in the air fryer.

Air fryer sauce safety

Air fryers are a versatile appliance that can cook a wide range of foods, including sauces. However, there are some important safety considerations to keep in mind when using an air fryer to cook sauces or saucy foods.

Firstly, it is essential to use a bake-safe or oven-safe container when preparing sauces in an air fryer. This is because air fryers circulate hot air in all directions, and placing sauce directly in the food basket can result in a messy and potentially dangerous situation as the liquid blows around. Using a suitable container, such as a metal, glass, or silicone baking dish, will help contain the sauce and prevent spills.

When using a metal baking dish, it is important to stir the sauce occasionally to prevent scorching, especially if using aluminum or stainless steel, which heat up quickly and retain heat. Cast iron takes longer to heat up but retains heat incredibly well, so it may require more frequent stirring to avoid scorching. Glass bakeware can also be used, but it heats up unevenly, so frequent stirring is necessary to avoid overcooked corners and undercooked centres.

Another option is to create a makeshift bowl out of aluminum foil, doubling or tripling the layers for added strength. However, it is important to be cautious as tiny rips or tears in the foil can lead to spills and difficult-to-clean messes.

When cooking saucy foods in an air fryer, it is recommended to brush or submerge the food in the sauce, shake off the excess, and spread the food in a single layer in the food basket. It may be necessary to cook in batches or use a rack to stack food. Flipping the food over halfway through will ensure maximum caramelization and crisping.

While air fryers are versatile, there are some foods that should be avoided. Tempura or battered foods are not suitable as they will not turn out crispy and can create a mess. Similarly, using an air fryer to dehydrate slices of bread or cook leafy greens is not recommended due to the powerful gusts of air produced by the fan, which can blow breadcrumbs and leaves everywhere, including into the heating element.

In conclusion, while it is possible to cook sauces and saucy foods in an air fryer, it is important to follow these safety guidelines to ensure a positive and mess-free experience.

Oven-safe vessels

When it comes to heating sauce in an air fryer, you'll need to use an oven-safe vessel. Here are some options for oven-safe vessels that you can use:

Metal

Oven pans made from non-reactive metals such as stainless steel or reactive metals with a protective layer (e.g. seasoned cast iron) are suitable. Avoid metal vessels with non-metal parts like wooden or plastic handles, as these can't go in the oven. PTFE (non-stick) coated vessels should not be heated above 250°C.

Ceramics

Ceramics are generally safe for the oven, but if glazed, ensure the glaze can withstand high temperatures without leaching harmful chemicals into your food. Many glazed ceramic pans are designed for the oven, such as lasagna pans, quiche pans, tagines, and gyveches. Unglazed ceramics should be intended for oven use, like a "Römertopf".

Glass

Borosilicate glass or "Jena glass" is oven-safe. Avoid subjecting it to temperature shocks, and don't place it in an oven that's too hot (keep it under 200°C). Always check if the manufacturer markets the vessel as oven-safe.

Silicone

Food-grade silicone is excellent for baking and is very durable. If the manufacturer provides a temperature range, adhere to it, as it may not hold up above 250°C.

Plastics

Plastics generally should not be used in an oven. They may not withstand high temperatures, and some release toxic chemicals when heated, such as melamine.

Wood

Wood should not be used in an oven, as the heat will damage it. While it won't catch fire at normal oven temperatures, it will lose its smooth surface and likely warp.

Cooking saucy foods

While air fryers are typically used for crisping up foods without adding fats, they are much more versatile than that. You can cook saucy foods in an air fryer, but there are some important things to keep in mind.

Preparing Saucy Foods in an Air Fryer

First, it is important to note that air fryers are not meant to hold large amounts of loose liquids. Filling the fryer basket with sauces or other liquids could cause a mess and even be potentially dangerous. The fan in the air fryer circulates hot air around the food, which can cause liquids to blow around the basket.

To cook saucy foods in an air fryer, it is best to place the food in a bake-safe container first. This could be a metal, glass, or silicone baking dish that fits inside the air fryer. Alternatively, you can create a container out of aluminum foil to use as a baking dish.

• Preheat the air fryer to the desired temperature.
• Brush or submerge your food in the sauce of your choice, shaking off any excess.
• Remove the food basket from the air fryer.
• Place the saucy food in the basket in a single layer. You may need to cook in batches or use a rack to stack food.
• Cook the food for your desired amount of time, flipping it over halfway through for even cooking and crisping.

Cooking Sauces in an Air Fryer

You can also cook sauces directly in an air fryer, but it is important to use a bake-safe container to avoid a mess. Here are the steps:

• Preheat the air fryer to the desired temperature.
• Pour your sauce into an oven-safe container.
• Remove the food basket and place the sauce container inside.
• Place the basket back into the air fryer and cook for your desired amount of time, stirring the sauce occasionally to prevent scorching.

Foods to Avoid in an Air Fryer

While air fryers are versatile, there are some foods that are not suitable for cooking in an air fryer. These include:

• Tempura or battered foods: These are better suited for deep-frying, as they will not turn out crispy in an air fryer.
• Toast: The powerful gusts of air from the fan will send breadcrumbs flying everywhere, including into the heating element.
• Leafy greens: The fan will blow the leaves around, but you can weigh them down by adding a bit of sauce.

Foods to avoid

While air fryers are a great addition to your kitchen, there are certain foods that are best avoided when using one. Here are some foods that you should not cook in an air fryer:

Wet-battered foods

Foods with a wet batter, such as corn dogs or fried chicken, are not suitable for air frying. The batter may drip onto the air fryer's heating element, causing smoke or triggering the alarm on models with alert systems. It can also burn onto the base of the air fryer basket. If you want to cook foods with a wet batter, it is better to use a traditional deep fryer or cook them in batches in oil.

Foods with a sauce

While you can cook saucy foods in an air fryer, it is not recommended. As the air circulates inside the fryer, hot liquids can splatter, causing a mess and potentially being dangerous. Sauce-based dishes are better suited for slow cookers or stovetops.

Popcorn

Popcorn kernels can become lodged in the air fryer's heating element, causing the appliance to short and creating a fire hazard. Additionally, most air fryers do not reach the required temperature to pop the kernels. It is best to make popcorn on a hob, in a microwave, or in a pan on the stove.

Leafy greens

Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and other lightweight veggies are not ideal for air frying. The circulating air can blow them around, resulting in uneven cooking. If you want to cook leafy greens, it is better to use an oven or a stovetop.

Large, bone-in meat cuts

Large cuts of meat with bones, such as a whole chicken, are not suitable for air frying. They are better off roasting in an oven, as you are unlikely to get even cooking in an air fryer. Smaller cuts, such as chicken wings, are more suitable for air frying.

Raw rice and other grains

Raw rice and grains should not be cooked in an air fryer. They need to be boiled in water to cook properly, and air fryers are not designed for boiling or steaming foods. Instead, cook rice and grains on a stovetop or in a pressure cooker or rice cooker.

Reheating sauce

To reheat your sauce, preheat the air fryer to the desired temperature. Then, pour your sauce into the oven-safe container and place it in the air fryer basket. Make sure to stir the sauce periodically to prevent scorching.

It's worth noting that some sources advise against putting saucy foods in the air fryer, as the sauce tends to fall off the food, taking the flavor with it. Additionally, a thick sauce can become runny, and a thin sauce can seep into the basket, causing the same issues as loose sauce.

If you're looking to cook with sauce in an air fryer, it's generally recommended to brush or coat your food with the sauce before placing it in the air fryer, rather than adding the sauce directly to the basket.

Frequently asked questions