However, culinary experts say some foods are best not cooked in an air fryer.
Broccoli doesn’t perform well in this appliance, largely because it lacks the depth of flavor achieved through traditional cooking. However, other foods raise bigger concerns.
Popcorn, for instance, is a clear no-go in an air fryer due to the risk of it catching fire, Mirror reports.
Kernels can become lodged in the heating elements, creating a serious hazard. Wet batter is another issue. While the crispy coating on fried chicken is a favorite, an air fryer doesn’t reach the temperature needed for it to set properly, often leaving the result soggy and uneven.
Money-saving expert Martin Lewis says relying on air fryers for every meal isn’t always practical, given the time and cost involved with some foods.
“Air fryers are best for small items that cook quickly,” he said on This Morning. “If you need to run it 15 times for different foods, in terms of energy use, you’re generally better off using an oven. It’s something worth considering.”
He added: “If you’re using your air fryer fifteen times for separate items, you’re usually better off energy-wise with an oven.
“If you’re cooking a jacket potato for 10 minutes, it’s far cheaper in the microwave than doing one in the oven and leaving it on for an hour and a half.”
Steven Kipling from Which? supports this view. “The savings quickly fall away if you have to cook in batches. And if you’ve got a lot to prepare, air fryers don’t offer the same space as a standard oven or hob. So for larger quantities, an oven or hob may still be the more economical option.”
Even so, regular air fryer users are reluctant to give it up, often using it daily, sometimes multiple times.
“I’m not listening to him on this. I’m air-frying everything. I’ll even air fry a cup of tea,” one person said.
What do you think? Do you rely heavily on your air fryer?
Broccoli doesn’t perform well in this appliance, largely because it lacks the depth of flavor achieved through traditional cooking. However, other foods raise bigger concerns.
Popcorn, for instance, is a clear no-go in an air fryer due to the risk of it catching fire, Mirror reports. Kernels can become lodged in the heating elements, creating a serious hazard. Wet batter is another issue. While the crispy coating on fried chicken is a favorite, an air fryer doesn’t reach the temperature needed for it to set properly, often leaving the result soggy and uneven.
