An air fryer chef has revealed four foods that should never be placed in the appliance, as these popular kitchen gadgets continue to gain traction in UK households. Martin Senders, Philips' in-house Airfryer Chef, says certain items can disrupt hot-air circulation, leading to uneven cooking, excess smoke, or a messy clean-up.
Foods that cause problems
Senders explained that "foods that are very lightweight, produce a lot of grease, or melt quickly can cause problems inside the basket because they can disrupt the hot-air circulation, leading to uneven cooking, excess smoke or a messy clean-up." The four items he advises against are bacon, popcorn, sliced cheese, and poppadoms.
Bacon and popcorn
Bacon releases a significant amount of fat as it cooks, which can splatter inside the air fryer, creating more mess than frying or grilling. "While some people do cook bacon successfully, it often creates far more smoke and mess than using a frying pan or oven," Senders said.
Popcorn is also unsuitable because air fryers do not circulate heat like 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," he revealed.
Cheese and poppadoms
Sliced cheese placed directly in the basket "almost always ends the same way," according to Senders. He explained: "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 are too small and flimsy for air fryers. Senders warned: "They often curl up, cook unevenly or burn in patches before they've had a chance to crisp properly. For the best results, stick to the cooking method recommended on the packaging."
