4 things you should never put in your air fryer

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4 Things You Should Never Put in Your Air Fryer

The air fryer has become a kitchen favorite—crispy fries, juicy chicken, and roasted veggies without the mess of deep frying? Yes, please. But while the air fryer is versatile, it’s not a one-size-fits-all cooking device. In fact, there are certain foods and materials that should never go into your air fryer.

Whether you’re new to air frying or consider yourself a seasoned pro, here are 4 things you should never put in your air fryer—and why avoiding them matters.

1. Wet-Battered Foods

Think beer-battered fish or tempura? Not so fast.

Why it’s a problem:
Air fryers circulate hot air to cook food evenly and crisp it up. Wet batter doesn’t have a chance to set like it does in hot oil. Instead, it drips through the basket or splatters, creating a mess and leaving you with soggy, unevenly cooked food.

What to do instead:
Use dry coatings like seasoned breadcrumbs or panko for that crispy texture you’re after. If you’re craving battered food, you’re better off sticking to traditional deep frying.

2. Cheese (on its own)

We all love melty cheese—but putting it alone in your air fryer is asking for trouble.

Why it’s a problem:
Cheese melts quickly and can ooze through the basket or burn before anything else cooks. This leads to smoke, cleanup nightmares, and a ruined snack.

What to do instead:
Wrap cheese in something—like a wonton wrapper, pastry dough, or bread—before air frying. Think mozzarella sticks or cheesy stuffed bread. The outer layer keeps the cheese contained and lets it melt perfectly inside.

3. Leafy Greens (Raw)

Trying to make air-fried kale chips or crispy lettuce? It’s trickier than it sounds.

Why it’s a problem:
Lightweight greens like spinach or raw kale can fly around inside the air fryer due to the fan’s high speed. They often cook unevenly or burn quickly, turning into bitter, fragile flakes.

What to do instead:
If you’re set on making kale chips, toss the kale in a bit of oil, press it down in the basket, and watch it closely. Better yet, roast leafy greens in a conventional oven where you can control the heat and airflow more gently.