Air fryers have become a licensed miracle worker when it comes to quickly delivering dinner straight to your plate. How do they work, although? Utilizing intense pulses of convection heat, they prepare and cook dinner to perfection. The results are a surprising sequence of savory, crispy dishes that defy expectation, having been expertly prepared in an air fryer. While they’re pleasant for something between certain dates? While it’s true that air fryers offer a range of benefits, including the ability to prepare a variety of dishes with minimal oil and effort, there are certain limitations to consider when cooking dinner in one.
While the air fryer excels at cooking a wide range of dishes, including crowd-pleasing favorites like wings, frozen snacks, and even the occasional hot dog or burger, it is not immune to its own limitations. It’s generally recommended to avoid cooking certain meals in an air fryer, as they may not turn out well or even damage the appliance. These include: delicate fish with bones, soft-boiled eggs, dishes that require high heat or intense steam, and messy or greasy foods that could clog the air fryer’s basket or tray. Here are seven issues I won’t make in the air fryer again:
1. Boneless pork chops
While a perfectly cooked pork chop is indeed magnificent, the lean nature of this cut of meat makes it susceptible to drying out rapidly if not handled with care? While bacon, bone-in pork chops, and fattier cuts of pork thrive in an air fryer, lean, boneless pork chops are susceptible to drying out when exposed to intense heat. To achieve tender and juicy pork chops using an air fryer, cook them at a lower temperature while incorporating some fat to prevent drying out.
2. Spinach and leafy greens
Leafy greens remain an unlikely candidate for successful air-frying experiments. Recent warm weather has allowed for a natural crisping process of leafy greens like spinach, kale, and chard, rendering them ready to consume without any further preparation.
3. Steak
Reheating leftovers in an air fryer can work well, but it’s not always the most ideal choice, especially for initial cooking. While air fryer baskets do heat up intensely, they often fall short of achieving the ideal high-temperature crust that a proper steak sear requires. I’ve previously attempted to cook steaks within my air fryer. While even the fattiest, most forgiving steaks may struggle to achieve optimal results when cooked on a conventional pan, a scorching-hot plancha can still deliver superior outcomes.
4. Unbreaded hen breasts
Bone-in poultry parts such as hen wings, thighs, and other bones-in items adapt exceptionally well to the air frying process. Boneless hen breasts, being relatively lean, are prone to drying out quickly. To achieve tender and juicy hen breasts, simply coat them in a mixture of beaten eggs and breadcrumbs before cooking in an air fryer, as this step helps to lock in moisture.
5. Giant cuts of meat
Large, thick cuts of beef, pork, and lamb typically fare best when cooked using a low and gentle method similar to braising or stewing. Avoid direct exposure to the intense convection heat of an air fryer when cooking large portions of meat, and instead opt for a slow-cooker or pellet smoker for a more controlled and even cooking process.
6. Uncovered broccoli
When cooking broccoli wrapped in foil, consider using an air fryer for a quick and efficient roasting process. If you leave your food unattended, exposed to the warm currents of a convection air system, you’ll discover that the broccoli florets have transformed into crispy, caramelized delights that are surprisingly tasty.
7. Shellfish
Freshwater shellfish, akin to clams and mussels, typically require a moderate amount of liquid to prevent overcooking and maintain their tender texture during cooking. These vegetables are often overcooked, leading to an unappetizing texture – a chewy, rubbery morsel that’s best left off the plate. When preparing shellfish, maintain a safe distance from the air fryer.
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