Experts Warn Some Foods Should Not Be Cooked in an Air Fryer

The rapidly popular air fryer offers faster cooking with less oil, but experts say it does not deliver good results for every food. They caution that some items are better prepared elsewhere to avoid poor texture, uneven heating or unnecessary mess. Popcorn is one example, as most air fryer models do not reach the temperature needed for it to cook properly. Experts say a microwave is the more efficient choice for that purpose. Foods that require water, such as pasta and rice, are also considered unsuitable for starting from scratch in an air fryer. The appliance is not designed to replace the boiling or simmering process those dishes need. Reheating pasta sauce in an air fryer can also cause liquid to splash and soil the device. Bread can be toasted in it, but the results are said to be weaker than a toaster and the bread may dry out.