Is it okay to put wet food in air fryer?

Author: Tracey Botsford  |  Last update: Saturday, August 2, 2025

Though certain foods become crispy and juicy in an air fryer, others can get messy or dry. Pros recommended using an air fryer when preparing frozen food, cookies, and bacon. Avoid putting overseasoned food, wet batters, and cheese in your air fryer — they can make a mess.

Can you put wet food in an air fryer?

Any food with a wet batter should not be placed in the air fryer. You also want to avoid putting food that has a wet batter, like corndogs or tempura shrimp, in air fryers.

Can you put wet stuff in an air fryer?

Consider adding liquids like water or marinades when cooking greasy food or dry meats, like pork chops or burger patties. You can also add liquid when you want to steam food items like cauliflower, green beans, salmon, and carrots. In fact, some air fryers have a special setting just for steaming.

Can you cook saucy things in an air fryer?

Sauces and liquids

Air fryers are made for frying solid food, not liquid sauces. The pressure from the air can cause the liquids to spray around in your basket, leading to all sorts of damage to your appliance. If you want to cook with sauce, use your oven or stovetop.

Can I put canned food in an air fryer?

Can you cook canned soup in an air fryer? Yes, you can make a patty from canned soup and air fry it. Yes, the video shows how to cook canned soup in an air fryer.

Top 12 Air Fryer MISTAKES → How to Use an Air Fryer

What is not recommended in an air fryer?

Battered Foods – A very wet batter, like the cornmeal batter on a corndog, will not cook successfully in an air fryer. Any coating that is particularly heavy and wet will drip through the perforated basket before it has time to crisp. The hot oil bath in a traditional deep fryer is key to setting up a battered food.

What happens when air gets into canned food?

Additionally, too much air space and much of the canned product finds itself sticking out of the brine/syrup/canning liquid, which can lead to discoloration and the development of off-flavors (this is the worst-case scenario though, and typically only happens if you wait a long time to use that item).

What cannot be cooked in an airfryer?

Grace Forell - What You Shouldn't Put in an Air Fryer
  1. Broccoli. This vegetable in particular isn't great because it's so easy to get wrong. ...
  2. Pasta. ...
  3. Popcorn. ...
  4. Wet Batter. ...
  5. Rice.

Can I put liquid in my air fryer?

It's important to note that you should never fill the air fryer with water or any other liquid. Doing so could cause serious damage to your appliance and even be a fire hazard. Additionally, adding too much water could also lead to soggy food that won't crisp up properly in the air fryer.

Can you put sauce on chicken in an air fryer?

The chicken should sizzle on contact with the basket. Also make sure to leave space between each piece of chicken to encourage proper air flow and even cooking. Smother in a tangy sauce during the last few minutes of cooking: The sauce is arguably the best part of barbecue chicken.

Why are people getting rid of air fryers?

While air fryers are popular, the most expensive models can start to get a little pricey, which could undermine their status as a budget item. Taking to social media to share their opinions, many people have revealed that they reckon halogen ovens are the best option for frugal cooking.

What material can you not put in an air fryer?

Plastic and certain types of glass should never be placed in an air fryer. The high temperatures can cause those materials to warp, melt, or shatter, resulting in a seriously annoying and potentially dangerous cleanup.

Can I make soup in an airfryer?

To make the soup, use the same bowl to combine the chopped peppers, onion, thyme, tomatoes and olive oil and season well with salt and pepper. Tip the vegetables into your air fryer basket, turning the tomatoes cut-side up. The vegetables can be tightly packed but need to be in a single layer to cook evenly.

Can you put a wet tray in an air fryer?

Yes, water can be used in an air fryer, but only in specific ways. Adding a small amount of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket or tray is safe and can serve several purposes. It's crucial to avoid pouring water directly into the heating element or electrical components, as this could damage the appliance.

What is the first thing I should cook in my air fryer?

Brussels sprouts are the best place to start your air-fried vegetable journey. They crisp up beautifully and take no time at all. If you're making these for a crowd, we suggest frying them up in batches as overcrowding the basket can lead to soggy results.

Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer?

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

Can you air fry wet food?

Wet Batters

Those beer-battered onion rings, fries, fish cutlets, and tempura veggies and more are not well suited for a crisp in the air fryer. The batter will drip down into the base of the machine, making a big mess to cleanup afterward. Not to mention, it could even set off the alarm on models with alert systems.

Can I cook saucy food in an air fryer?

Anything with a sauce

As the hot circulates inside the air fryer, this can cause hot liquids to splatter, which can be dangerous and messy.

Can you boil pasta in an air fryer?

"For dry pasta, simply add your favourite sauce and water, then cook at 200°C for 15–20 minutes, stirring halfway through." He also suggested using the air fryer for more than just noodles, recommending crispy, cheesy pasta bakes and even air fryer pasta chips.

What can ruin an air fryer?

  • Liquids. There have been plenty of hacks circulating on the internet for cleaning an air fryer, but not all of them are a good idea. ...
  • Wet batter. ...
  • Popcorn. ...
  • Commercial spray oils. ...
  • Bread for toasting. ...
  • Sauces. ...
  • Raw rice or grains. ...
  • Burnt food.

Can water go in an air fryer?

It's crucial to add only a small amount of water, usually no more than a couple of tablespoons. Adding too much water can interfere with the air fryer's cooking mechanism and potentially damage the appliance. Always add water to the bottom of the air fryer, not on the food or in the cooking basket.

Why is Airfryer not healthy?

The Bottom Line. Acrylamide is a chemical that can be created by cooking processes including baking, air frying, and toasting. Acrylamide is considered a probable human carcinogen based on the results of studies in laboratory animals.

How to tell if food has botulism?

When in doubt, throw it out!
  1. The container is leaking, bulging, or swollen.
  2. The container looks damaged, cracked, or abnormal.
  3. The container spurts liquid or foam when opened.
  4. The food is discolored, moldy, or smells bad.

Is canned food air tight?

Canning is a way to store food for long periods of time. It is a method of preserving where food is placed in airtight, vacuum-sealed containers and heat processed at 250 degrees F.

Can popped when I opened it?

The popping noise is the sound of pressure releasing from the can. This noise does not effect the product and it is completely safe to eat.

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