Air fryers have become a staple kitchen gadget in UK homes, offering a faster, cleaner, and often more economical way to cook everything from frozen snacks to roasted meats and even cakes. However, Philips' in-house air fryer chef Martin Senders has warned that not all foods are suitable for the appliance's forceful circulating heat.
Senders explained: "Air fryers are incredibly versatile, but they're not suitable for absolutely everything. 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."
Bacon and Popcorn
Bacon is one food best kept out of the basket. "Bacon releases a significant amount of fat as it cooks," Senders said. "That hot grease can splatter around the basket and begin smoking as it hits the hot surfaces inside the air fryer. While some people do cook bacon successfully, it often creates far more smoke and mess than using a frying pan or oven."
Popcorn also fails in the appliance. "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," Senders explained. "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
Sliced cheese is another no-go. "Placing slices of cheese directly into an air fryer basket almost always ends the same way," Senders 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, being incredibly light, are also problematic. "The powerful fan inside an air fryer can send them flying around the basket," Senders noted. "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."
