Air fryers are becoming more and more popular recently, as they are a more cost-friendly way to cook food than using an oven.
And while there are plenty of recipes that work great, there are certain foods that should never be cooked in an air fryer as they can be messy and even dangerous in some cases.
Air fryers work similarly to ovens because they circulate hot air to cook the food, while they crisp the exterior thanks to a chemical process known as the Maillard reaction, writes the Express.
With that in mind, here are five foods that you should avoid cooking in an air fryer.
Anything with a sauce
BBC Good Food says "hearty dishes" like chilli or bolognese shouldn’t be prepared in an air fryer because as the hot circulates inside, the hot liquids can splash everywhere, which "can be dangerous and messy".
For sauce-based recipes, slow cookers work well. And, like an air fryer, they are low maintenance and energy efficient.
Anything with a wet batter
Things like homemade fried chicken can end up causing a huge mess in your air fryer. This is because the batter won't cook well due to a lack of hot oil.
Instead of creating a crispy coating, it will drip everywhere and the batter may even burn the bottom of the basket.
However, dry batter mixtures work well - for example, coating chicken in flour and a seasoning of your choice.
Fried foods that have been frozen can be air fried, too, as the wet batter sets during the freezing process.
Popcorn
Although it may seem like this would work, most air fryers don't get hot enough for the kernels to pop.
They can also get stuck in the air fryer's heating element, which may cause the appliance to short – creating a fire hazard.
Instead, you should cook your popcorn either in the microwave or on the hob. For an alternative air fryer movie snack, try making your own tortilla chips.
Ailsa Burt recommends "cutting a few tortillas into eight wedges, then toss with a little oil, salt and pepper, and air fry until crispy" and serve with a dipping sauce of your choice.
Broccoli
Some vegetables, such as carrots and Brussels sprouts, work great in an air fryer.
However, you should avoid using them to cook broccoli, as it can become dried out, chewy and bitter.
Instead, try roasting the florets for a deeper flavour and better texture.
Pasta and rice
It's possible to cook certain pasta dishes in an air fryer - for example, pasta bakes that just need baking are fine.
Those with lots of sauce should be placed in the oven to crisp up.
Similarly to pasta, raw grains need to be boiled in water to cook and while it's fine to add a few drops of water to your air fryer basket, this appliance isn’t built for boiling or steaming foods.
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