Experts warn there is a 'safety risk' if you cook certain things in air fryer
Ah, the trusty air fryer, it has become a kitchen staple in so many households up and down the UK - but did you know that some tasty treats shouldn't be put in it?
You likely save quick and easy recipes from social media that you can just bung into the air fryer, but experts at Which? have shared things that should never go into it.
Which? said: "You can get away with cooking almost anything in an air fryer, but some foods will cause a lot more mess than necessary or might even pose a safety risk", which is less than ideal.
Cheese
While frozen cheese products such as breaded cheese bites or mozzarella sticks are fine to cook in the air fryer, it's best to avoid using any fresh cheese. Most fresh cheese has a low melting temperature, which means it can quickly burn. The only exception to this rule is halloumi, which is safe to cook in the air fryer thanks to its higher melting point.
A whole chicken
Unless you have an enormous air fryer, avoid putting a whole chicken in there. Air fryers need enough room to let the hot air circulate, and a whole chicken would take up too much space to allow this to happen. This means a whole chicken is likely to burn on the outside and remain raw on the inside.
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"Cooking whole roasts such as roast chicken can be problematic, so joint your bird first before frying", Which? said.
Toast
Technically, toast can be made in the air fryer, but the likelihood is that you'll be disappointed with the results, compared to popping it in the toaster, or under the grill.
Which? explained: "The air fryer can dry out the bread and crumbs can get stuck at the bottom of the basket as the toast is blown around during cooking. You'll also need to flip it halfway - it's just not worth the effort.''
Pasta and pasta sauce
Pasta needs water to be cooked properly - so the air fryer isn't suitable here. Which? said: "You can use an air fryer to reheat pasta and sauce that's already been cooked, but the microwave is a more efficient way to do this."
Rice
When it comes to rice, much like pasta, you need water to make it work. Which? said: "An air fryer isn't a go-to appliance for boiling and steaming - you're better off sticking to a slow cooker or a pot on the hob."
Popcorn
If you're looking to make popcorn in your air fryer, Which? has warned that it won't speed up the process, in fact, quite the opposite. "Cooking popcorn in your air fryer might not even work because most air fryers don't reach a high enough temperature to pop the kernels. The good old microwave will do a much better job", they warned.
Fresh greens
For kale crisp enthusiasts, you might want to put some leafy greens in the air fryer. However, this won't give you the crunch you want. Lettuce, kale and spinach leaves are so lightweight that they'll likely be blown around the air fryer, creating more of a mess than a delicious snack.
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