7 Things I’ll Never Cook in an Air Fryer Again [CNET]

And you shouldn’t either.

My air fryer is a handy appliance for toasting a quick slice of bread, making a speedy filet of salmon or even cooking a whole chicken. It’s a versatile countertop oven that cooks and reheats leftovers better than my microwave. But there some air fryer recipes that just don’t work.

So which foods should you never cook in the air fryer? My list is comprised largely of foods without much fat since they tend to dry out when confronted with hot convection air.

Before you chuck a fancy cut of steak or pork chop into the air fryer, peruse this list of foods that aren’t so good when cooked in the air fryer.

1. Boneless pork chops

A perfectly cooked pork chop is a thig of beauty but these lean cuts of meat can dry out in a hurry. Bacon, bone-in pork chops and fattier cuts of swine can handle the air fryer but lean, boneless pork chops tend to dry out when subected to the blast of high heat. If you’re going to use the air fryer to cook pork chops, do so on a lower temperature and use some fat to keep things moist.

2. Spinach and leafy greens

Leafy greens are a big no when it comes to air-fryer cooking. The hot convection air will crisp most leafy greens such as spinach, kale and chard far beyond anything you’d want to eat.

3. Steak

Steak reheats well in the air fryer, but it’s not a good place for it the first time. Air fryer baskets get hot but not hot enough to give the outside of your steak a proper sear. I’ve tried cooking steaks in the air fryer before. Even fatty, forgiving steaks don’t come out as well compared to when they’re cooking on a hot plancha, cast-iron skillet or grill.

4. Unbreaded chicken breasts

Chicken wings, thighs and any bone-in pieces are perfect candidates for the air fryer. Boneless chicken breasts don’t have much fat and will dry out easily. Protect them with a little egg batter and breadcrumbs and you’ll be okay, but bare chicken breasts cooked in the air fryer often emerge dry or rubbery.

5. Large cuts of meat

Large cuts of beef, pork and lamb typically do best when cooked with a low and slow method such as braising or smoking. Avoid the air fryer with its hot blast of convection air when cooking large cuts of meat and opt for the Dutch oven, slow cooker or pellet smoker.

6. Uncovered broccoli

If you wrap your broccoli in foil, you can use the air fryer to roast it — and quickly. If you leave it uncovered and exposed to the hot convection air and you’ll end up with sizzled broccoli ends that are anything but delicious.

7. Shellfish

Shellfish such as clams and mussels need liquid to cook without drying out. They are also easily overcooked, which can lead to a chewy rubbery morsel that you don’t want anywhere near your plate. Avoid the air fryer when cooking most shellfish.

If you’re looking for a great air fryer, here are CNET’s top-rated models for 2024. For more, these are the best air-frying toaster ovens for 2024.