Philip's in-house air fryer chef Martin Senders is cautioning people across Britain that there are four specific foods which should "never" be prepared in an air fryer: bacon, popcorn, sliced cheese, and poppadoms.
The specialist explained: "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."
Foods that cause smoke and mess
Bacon produces a substantial amount of fat during cooking, and this hot grease can spray throughout an air fryer's basket, causing smoke. While some individuals do successfully prepare bacon in the device, it typically generates considerably more smoke and mess than using a traditional frying pan or oven. Indeed, cooking bacon in a frying pan with water is often the best way to achieve crispy results.
Martin explained: "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."
Cheese and poppadoms best avoided
Putting cheese slices straight into an air fryer basket invariably produces the same disappointing outcome, the expert warned. 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."
In reality, cheese toasties can prove remarkably delicious when prepared in the air fryer, delivering satisfyingly crispy outcomes. Poppadoms make a delightful side dish, perfectly complementing curry or similar meals, yet their extremely lightweight nature poses problems. Their minimal weight means the powerful internal fan of an air fryer can blow them about the basket uncontrollably.
The expert observed: "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."
