05/02/2026
Be careful what you cook in your air fryer
If you’re thinking of using your air fryer for just about anything, hold on a second—there are some things you really shouldn’t cook in it.
Wet batter? No thanks!
The air fryer isn’t a deep fryer, so wet batter is a big no-no. Katie Vine puts it simply: the batter just slides right off your food, leaving it bare and making a huge mess inside the fryer. Even if you try to keep the batter on with a liner, the texture ends up all wrong—rubbery and unappetizing. Chef George Rye even calls wet batter in the air fryer a “disaster.” So, just avoid it altogether.
Dry herbs need a little help
We all love seasoning our food, but sprinkling dry herbs straight into the air fryer basket can be risky. Andrew Wright, founder of Cookology, warns that the fan can blow the herbs into the heating element, which could cause burning—or worse, a fire. Joanne Gallagher suggests mixing your herbs into some oil first or adding them after cooking to keep things safe and tasty.
Slices of bread? Think twice
If you’re hoping to make toast in your air fryer, you might want to reconsider. Plain slices of bread can get blown around and end up stuck in the heating element, just like those dry herbs. Since the heating element gets super hot, this is a real fire hazard.
Rice and pasta don’t belong in there
It might seem obvious to some, but Ryan Allen from Slow Cooker Meals reminds us that dry rice and pasta shouldn’t be cooked in an air fryer. The reason? Air fryers can’t add moisture, so without any liquid, rice and pasta just dry out and never cook properly.