Martin Senders, Philips' in-house air fryer chef, is warning Brits that there are four foods which should “never” be cooked in an air fryer: bacon, popcorn, sliced cheese, and poppadoms.
Why some foods fail in air fryers
The expert said: “Air fryers are incredibly versatile, but they’re not suitable for everything. Foods that are very lightweight, produce a lot of grease, or melt quickly can cause problems inside the basket because they disrupt the hot air circulation, leading to uneven cooking, excess smoke or a messy clean-up.”
Bacon releases a significant amount of fat as it cooks, and this hot grease can splatter around an air fryer’s basket, causing it to smoke. While some people do cook bacon in the appliance successfully, it often creates far more smoke and mess than using a frying pan or oven. In fact, cooking bacon in a frying pan with water is often the best method for crispy results.
Popcorn and cheese risks
Martin said: “Air fryers don’t circulate heat in the same way as a popcorn machine. Many kernels won’t pop at all, while others can burn. Loose kernels can also be blown around the appliance and become lodged near the heating element, making it a food that’s best avoided.”
Placing slices of cheese directly into an air fryer basket always ends the same way, according to the expert. He said: “As soon as the cheese melts, it drips through the gaps, burns onto the base and creates smoke and stubborn residue that’s difficult to clean. Cheese works much better when it’s contained inside another recipe, such as a toastie or burger.”
Poppadoms and final advice
Poppadoms are delicious and the perfect accompaniment to a curry or similar dish, but they are also incredibly light. This means the powerful fan inside an air fryer can send them flying around the basket. The expert noted: “They often curl up, cook unevenly or burn in patches before they’ve had a chance to crisp up. For the best results, stick to the cooking method recommended on the packaging.”
