Air fryer owners have been cautioned about cooking bone-in meat cuts in the popular kitchen appliance, as experts say it could lead to unevenly cooked food.
The warning comes from specialists who explain that air fryers rely on a heating element and a fan to circulate hot air around the cooking chamber. While this works well for smaller items, it is not suitable for bone-in portions such as whole chickens or large joints, which are better suited to a conventional oven.
Southern Living advises that large bone-in joints perform better when roasted traditionally, allowing for more even cooking. Similarly, Better Homes & Gardens warns that "the air fryer won't evenly cook the meat, and you may be left with overcooked or raw portions when it looks like it's done."
The advice does not apply to all meat. Smaller cuts like chicken wings, fried chicken and bacon are considered suitable for air fryer cooking. However, when it comes to steak, bone-in cuts may not fit in the basket, and most air fryers only reach around 230 degrees Celsius, which is regarded as a relatively low temperature for preparing steak.
