The air fryer is a kitchen appliance that works for everything from crisping up veggies to baking muffins, all with less oil and mess than traditional cooking methods, like pan-frying.
But while it’s versatile and user-friendly, not every food is a good match for the air fryer. In fact, some foods can lead to disappointing results and make a mess in your appliance.
To help you make the most of your air fryer, we spoke with registered dietitians and chefs to uncover the top foods you shouldn’t put in it and air-fryer-friendly foods you can cook to perfection.
1. Wet-Battered Foods
Recipes that use wet batters, such as beer-battered fish or tempura, are not a good match for the air fryer.
“Without oil to set them quickly, like in deep frying, the coating tends to drip off before it crisps and can remain wet even after the protein is cooked,” Sarah Hill, the recipe developer and food blogger behind Real Food with Sarah, told Health.
“Without oil immersion, the batter drips off of wet-battered foods, which makes a mess,” added Lynne Just, the Consumer Test Kitchen Manager at Hamilton Beach Brands.
If you’d like a crispy, air fryer-friendly recipe, try breaded or crusted fish and chicken.
2. Uncoated Cheese
Though foods like mozzarella sticks work well in the air fryer, you shouldn’t add plain cheese on its own to this appliance.
“Cheese melts too fast and spreads out before it browns,” explained Hill. This can make a mess in your air fryer and lead to disappointing results.
For a delicious, air fryer-friendly cheese recipe, try coating your cheese in breading.
“If you’re air frying cheese, it needs to be coated or wrapped, like in breaded mozzarella sticks or stuffed peppers,” shared Hill.
3. Lightweight Leafy Greens
Though veggies like potatoes, broccoli, zucchini, and mushrooms can be cooked in the air fryer, not all veggies are air fryer-friendly.
“Light greens like spinach or arugula can fly around in the air fryer and cook unevenly,” explained Hill.
Hill recommends using heavier greens, like kale, instead. “Heavier greens like kale work better if coated with a little oil to weigh them down on the rack,” she said.
4. Popcorn
Popcorn is a delicious, fiber-rich snack that’s both filling and satisfying. Though popcorn can be cooked on the stovetop or in the microwave, it’s not a good match for the air fryer.
“Most air fryers don’t reach the consistently high heat needed to pop popcorn properly,” said Hill.
Cooking your popcorn in the air fryer could lead to disappointing results, like uneven popping and scorched kernels.
1. Chicken Thighs
“As a dietitian I’m always looking for healthy, easy and delicious ways to fuel with high-quality proteins—without spending hours in the kitchen,” Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, CDN, lead nutritionist at ButcherBox, told Health.
“Bone-in, skin-on, organic chicken thighs crisp up beautifully in the air fryer while staying juicy inside,” she said.
Shapiro recommends seasoning your chicken thighs with salt, pepper and garlic powder, then cooking them in the air fryer at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Shapiro recommends pairing chicken thighs with non-starchy veggies and complex carbs, like sweet potatoes, to round out your plate.
2. Salmon Filets
Salmon is an excellent source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats, protein, and several essential vitamins and minerals. However, many people don’t like cooking salmon on the stovetop due to the smell.
If you’d like to cook up crispy salmon filets quickly without the smell, try an air fryer. “Brush your wild-caught salmon fillet with Dijon mustard and honey, then air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 to 9 minutes,” suggested Shapiro.
“The omega-3s in wild-caught salmon support heart and brain health, and this easy method makes cooking fish at home mess- and smell-free,” she shared.
3. Eggs
If you’re looking for an easy, mess-free breakfast that will keep you full for hours, consider making hard-boiled eggs in the air fryer.
When making eggs in the air fryer, there’s no boiling water needed. “Just pop them in the air fryer at 270 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes,” said Hill.
Using this method, you’ll get perfectly set yolks with easy-to-peel shells.
4. Chickpeas
Chickpeas are packed with fiber, plant-based protein, and magnesium, a mineral that plays important roles in blood sugar and blood pressure regulation.
Roasted chickpeas are a nutrient-dense snack and salad topping. Fortunately, they can be whipped up quickly using the air fryer.
“Crispy roasted chickpeas are one of my favorite high-protein snacks. Just make sure you rinse and then dry them well before adding them to the air fryer,” shared Hill. Cook your chickpeas at around 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes for the perfect crispy texture.
Hill recommends shaking the air fryer basket halfway through cooking for an even crunch.
5. Baked Goods
It might be a surprise to learn that air fryers can be used to bake small cakes, muffins, and even cookies. Air fryers, which function like compact convection ovens, are a convenient way to bake for people with limited kitchen space.
Hill likes using silicone mold ramekins for cookies and muffins. Bake your muffins at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for about 12–15 minutes for beautifully golden-brown tops and pillowy centers.
6. Nuts and Seeds
Roasted nuts and seeds can be enjoyed as a quick snack or mixed into granola, yogurt, and oatmeal for a boost of fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Nuts and seeds are air-fryer-friendly and can be crisped up in minutes. “Toss them in a little oil and salt, then air fry at a lower temperature (around 300 degrees Fahrenheit) to prevent burning,” Hill recommended.
Cook the nuts and seeds for 5 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for an even roast.
7. Frozen Dumplings
Frozen dumplings are delicious, but they can take some effort to make. Hill recommends brushing or spraying lightly with oil before adding crispy dumplings to your air fryer without thawing them.
Air fry your dumplings between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, to get the same crispy bottom texture you’d get from pan-frying.
The air fryer is a go-to appliance in many kitchens, thanks to its convenience and minimal cleanup. This versatile tool can easily cook foods like chicken thighs, chickpeas, and even muffins, but not all foods are air fryer-friendly.
Items like uncoated cheese, wet-battered foods, popcorn, and delicate leafy greens can cook unevenly, splatter, and make a mess in your appliance, making them better suited for other cooking methods.
