An air fryer expert has warned against cooking poppadoms in the popular kitchen appliance, saying the fragile side dish cannot withstand the intense airflow.
Martin Senders, an air fryer chef at Philips, issued the caution as UK households mark National Curry Week, which draws to a close on October 11. He warned that attempting this shortcut could spoil the meal and potentially fill kitchens with smoke.
Why poppadoms fail in air fryers
According to Senders, the primary problem stems from the appliance's powerful hot air circulation. "Air fryers are amazing cooking appliances, and are brilliant for cooking food, but poppadoms simply cannot handle the intense airflow," he explained.
The forceful air currents strike the poppadom surface too aggressively, resulting in uneven cooking, scorched edges, curled discs, and rapid burning. In certain instances, attempting this shortcut can even cause the appliance to overheat and set off smoke alarms almost instantaneously, reports the Mirror.
"They burn, buckle, and in some cases trigger smoke alarms within seconds," he warned.
Recommended cooking methods
To achieve light, crispy poppadoms without any kitchen mishaps, Senders recommends sticking to cooking methods suited to quick bursts of direct heat. Poppadoms are best prepared in hot oil, under a grill, or briefly in a microwave.
"The reason for this is that poppadoms are designed to cook in a quick burst of open heat, either in hot oil, under a grill, or in the microwave. However, in the air fryer, the rapid airflow hits the poppadom surface too aggressively, causing uneven cooking and sudden burning," he said.
Curry sides that work in air fryers
Curry enthusiasts need not leave their air fryers completely unused during National Curry Week. Senders notes that other popular Indian side dishes fare exceptionally well when cooked in an air fryer.
Favourites such as onion bhajis and samosas come out wonderfully crisp on the outside and succulent on the inside, making them perfect candidates for air fryer cooking. "Let the air fryer handle other tasty sides, such as onion bhajis or samosas, that turn out deliciously crisp and juicy and are perfect to cook in the air fryer," he said.
Poppadoms are traditional Indian flatbreads originating from the Indian subcontinent. They are typically made from lentil, chickpea, or rice flour and served as a crunchy accompaniment or snack. However, the widespread practice of presenting them as a standalone pre-meal starter alongside an assortment of chutneys and pickles is a distinctly British Indian Restaurant (BIR) tradition, rather than an authentic South Asian custom.
According to national popularity data, the most favoured curry choices across the UK include Tikka Masala, regarded as the number one favourite, followed by Korma, Butter Chicken, Biryani, Rogan Josh, Jalfrezi, Balti (originating famously in Birmingham), Madras, Bhuna, and Saag.
