Martin Senders, Philip's in-house air fryer chef, is cautioning Brits that there are four foods which should "never" be cooked in an air fryer: bacon, popcorn, sliced cheese, and poppadoms.
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 and Popcorn Risks
As bacon cooks, it releases a considerable amount of fat, and the resulting hot grease can splatter throughout the air fryer basket, generating smoke. While some people do manage to cook bacon in the appliance without issue, it typically produces far more smoke and mess than simply using a frying pan or oven. Cooking bacon in a frying pan with water is often regarded as the best method for achieving a crispy finish.
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."
Sliced Cheese and Poppadoms
Placing slices of cheese directly into an air fryer basket will invariably end in disappointment, 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 are a much-loved accompaniment to a curry or similar dish, yet they are also remarkably lightweight. This presents a problem, as the powerful fan inside an air fryer can send them hurtling 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."
