What Cannot Be Cooked in an Air Fryer?
While air fryers are incredibly versatile, they're not perfect for everything. Learn which foods to avoid and discover better alternatives for optimal cooking results.
Key Point: Air fryers work best with foods that benefit from dry heat and air circulation. Wet, delicate, or very large items often don't work well.
Foods That Don't Work Well
Wet Batters & Coatings
- • Tempura batter
- • Beer batter
- • Wet cake batters
- • Liquid marinades (will drip)
Why: Wet batters drip through the basket and create a mess.
Delicate Items
- • Fresh leafy greens
- • Lightweight items (paper-thin foods)
- • Very soft cheeses
- • Delicate fish fillets
Why: Strong air circulation can blow them around or overcook them.
Large Items
- • Whole chickens (in small air fryers)
- • Large roasts
- • Whole turkeys
- • Large casserole dishes
Why: Won't fit properly or cook evenly due to size constraints.
Grains & Pasta
- • Raw rice
- • Dried pasta
- • Quinoa
- • Other grains requiring water
Why: These need water to cook properly, which air fryers can't provide.
Certain Baked Goods
- • Large cakes
- • Soufflés
- • Bread loaves (full size)
- • Delicate pastries
Why: Need gentle, even heat that ovens provide better.
Messy Foods
- • Foods with loose toppings
- • Heavily sauced items
- • Crumbly coatings
- • Powdery seasonings
Why: Air circulation can blow off toppings and create mess.
Better Alternatives & Workarounds
Instead of Wet Batters:
- • Use dry breadcrumb coatings
- • Try flour + egg + panko method
- • Use cornstarch for crispy coating
- • Pre-cook battered items, then crisp in air fryer
For Delicate Items:
- • Use parchment paper or foil
- • Lower the temperature
- • Reduce cooking time
- • Use accessories like racks or trays
For Large Items:
- • Cut into smaller portions
- • Use conventional oven instead
- • Consider a larger air fryer model
- • Cook in batches
For Grains & Pasta:
- • Cook conventionally first
- • Use air fryer to crisp pre-cooked grains
- • Try air fryer for reheating only
- • Make grain-based dishes in oven-safe dishes
What Air Fryers Excel At
Perfect Foods:
- • Frozen foods
- • Chicken wings & drumsticks
- • Vegetables
- • Fish fillets
- • Potatoes (all forms)
- • Reheating leftovers
Great Results:
- • Breaded items
- • Small baked goods
- • Bacon
- • Sausages
- • Tofu
- • Nuts (toasting)
Surprising Winners:
- • Hard-boiled eggs
- • Dehydrating fruits
- • Roasting coffee beans
- • Crisping stale bread
- • Warming pastries
- • Cooking from frozen
Important Safety Notes
Never Put These in an Air Fryer:
- • Plastic containers or utensils
- • Paper towels or napkins
- • Aerosol cooking sprays (can damage coating)
- • Water or other liquids directly in basket
Safety Tips:
- • Always use oven-safe dishes
- • Don't overcrowd the basket
- • Use tongs to handle hot food
- • Clean regularly to prevent smoke
Ready to Cook What Works Best?
Use our conversion calculator to get perfect results with air fryer-friendly foods.
Try Our Calculator