11 Potential Air Fryer Disasters And How To Avoid Them

The air fryer revolution is here to stay. With sleek designs and TikTok hacks galore, it is easy to believe that this nifty gadget can do no wrong. And while air fryers are definitely a godsend for quick snacks and reheating leftovers, they are not built for every type of cooking.

Air fryers are not infallible. Disasters like burnt popcorn, exploding sandwiches, and even short circuits can and do happen. The truth is, many common air fryer calamities come down to misunderstanding how the appliance works. And while some mistakes might just ruin your dinner, others may irretrievably damage the machine and pose some serious fire risks. This guide dives into the most common air fryer catastrophes and how to steer clear of them. No matter if you are an air fryer pro or just getting started, these few smart tips can save your meal, your machine, and your sanity.

With millions of views on TikTok for "air fryer pancake hacks," it's easy to get carried away thinking that it's really that simple: Make your pancake batter, plop it in the air fryer, and a few minutes later, you're tucking into a fluffy, buttery stack. But more often than not, the reality is far from that easy. The batter is likely to leak out, not cook evenly, and just not resemble a pancake.

If you are insistent on trying this, a few tweaks can help. First, go for a thick batter. American pancake recipes are better here than the thinner crepe-style ones. Second, always line the fryer basket or tray with air fryer-friendly silicone or paper liners. A silicone spatula wouldn't hurt, either. While trends dictate stacking your pancake batter (interspersed with baking paper sheets), this rarely delivers the look and texture you want. Instead, only the top layer browns while the rest remain mushy and misshaped. To avoid this, keep pancakes small or cook them one at a time (which, honestly, defeats the point of a hack). Our verdict? Can pancakes be made in an air fryer? Technically, yes. But we say use it to heat frozen or leftover pancakes for the best results, instead.

Air fryer manufacturers often compare their products to small convection ovens. And while this may (sort of) be true, air fryers use a fan near the heating element to blow very hot air directly onto the food, which means extra care needs to be taken when choosing what materials to wrap or cook your food in. Lining the basket with foil may seem like a practical way to protect against spills and reduce cleaning. But if done incorrectly, it can lead to uncooked or partially cooked food, or worse, pose a fire risk.

The reduce such risks, a few safety rules should be followed. These include never, ever, using aluminum foil without any food in the basket. The preferred method is to line the basket only (never the drawer) and ensure the foil is secured so it doesn't fly around and get stuck in the heating elements. Make sure that the grates are kept uncovered so that air circulates evenly. Blocking them can lead to uneven cooking or soggy bottoms. Certain acidic foods may cause the foil to leach into the food being cooked and can be harmful to your health. For a safer alternative, consider using perforated parchment paper designed for air fryers or reusable silicone liners. These are less risky and help ensure even cooking with easier cleanups.

It's easy to believe air fryers are the healthiest solution to all your fast food cravings. Even WebMD claims that air frying foods like potatoes reduce the chemical acrylamide, which has been linked to cancer. However, don't go treating your new air fryer like a magic pan that guarantees a clean bill of health; there are a few precautions worth noting.

Some foods do very well when being "fried" in an air fryer, like nuggets, wings, sausages, and fries. Others, such as meat (especially large, bone-in cuts), batter-fried snacks, and scrambled eggs, are better left to a regular frying pan. Using your air fryer like a regular pan and dousing it with oil is a potential fire hazard. A light spritz of cooking oil is enough to help food brown without the health risks of deep frying.

Online forums are also all about air fryer hacks for steak. Some users recommend thinner cuts of steak for better results, while others insist that preheating the fryer and using a meat thermometer makes all the difference. But air fryers are not the best when you need to control the heating process. If you are looking for that lovely sear and char on your food, the air fryer is just not able to deliver, leaving you with some very expensive ingredients gone unnecessarily to waste.

Many consumers are unaware of the fire risks associated with using an air fryer. More importantly, many did not know what could worsen these risks or how to handle an electrical fire. Knowledge is power, so here's how to protect yourself against a fire or short circuit.

The rule of thumb is to choose the placement of your appliance carefully. It is recommended that you avoid placing the air fryer against a wall, under low cabinets, or in a cupboard when in use, as it prevents proper airflow. Keep it away from flammable materials like curtains, kitchen paper, and even wooden boards. Kitchen worktops are fine as long as the air fryer is in a well-ventilated area. Ensure there's at least a hand span of space between the machine and other appliances.

You should take caution with placing the machine in front of a plug point, as the heat could warp wires over time and lead to a short circuit. Similarly, it should be placed far from the sink, as well as other heat-producing elements like an induction stove top or microwave. Read the manual. And never leave your air fryer unattended. Always keep a fire extinguisher handy and in case of a short circuit or fire, never throw water on it.

Cooking different items in an air fryer takes a bit of getting used to — especially when it comes to timing. Luckily, there are plenty of reliable websites and videos online offering cheat sheets and cooking guides for all kinds of dishes. With a little practice (and a fair bit of trial and error), you should be well on your way to air fryer mastery.

The tricky part comes when you leave things to chance (or the timer). A lot of air fryers have built-in timers and thermostats, which in theory let you pop the food in, turn the knob, and leave it to do its magic. But in practice, pre-heating the air fryer (just like you would an oven) and keeping a close eye on things makes a huge difference. Without that attention, you're likely to end up with something undercooked or burnt to a crisp.

While checking on your food is important, it's also essential to flip the items mid-way through the cooking process to make sure they are cooked evenly. If you are cooking meat, using a meat thermometer is handy to ensure it's safely cooked all the way through. And while timers are helpful, so is placing the food in a single layer for the best results. This promises evenly crispy meals, so if you are planning a large portion, remember to cook in batches instead of overcrowding the basket.

Most of us are well-versed in the art of popping a bag in the microwave or going old-school with a pan. But now, air fryer makers would have us believe it's even easier to whip up your favorite treat, no guesswork required. It sounds great, but is it worth making the switch?

You can make popcorn with almost the same effort and time it would take to make it in your regular way. The only real upside is that you can use less oil and customize your seasonings once it's done. But, there are dos and don'ts. For starters, most air fryers rarely reach the high temperatures needed to pop corn effectively. Overfilling the fryer basket or using too much oil can lead to uneven popping or scorched results. Depending on the fryer basket design, uncooked kernels can slip through the grates and get lodged into the heating element, causing overheating, a potential short circuit, or a fire. This could even destroy the appliance altogether.

As one Redditor put it, "When a kernel flies into the fab and bangs around... you will wish you hadn't." Another complained, "When the air fryer scorches, the popped kernels' smell will also make you wish you hadn't." If you do want to try popcorn in the air fryer, we would suggest making a smaller portion than usual and staying close to keep an ear out for unusual sounds from the appliance.

With countless "recipe hacks" online promising the best cheese sandwich of your life, the lure of gooey melted cheese is hard to resist. But, things are not as golden as they seem. After all, cheese isn't exactly heavy, so the chances of it flying around, getting lodged into the heating element, or sneaking into every nook and cranny are high. And guess who's stuck with the cleanup?

If you want to try an air fryer cheese sandwich, online air fryer aficionados are here to the rescue. You can microwave the cheesy dish briefly to melt it before introducing it to the air fryer. Others add butter to the grated cheese to make a more cohesive paste that holds better. Many suggest pinning your cheese slices down with toothpicks to ensure less movement. A safer bet? Stick to dishes where cheese is contained, like quesadillas or egg rolls.

The temperatures in air fryers melt cheese too fast and result in a sticky, congealed mess that's almost impossible to clean. Pre-grated cheese also melts differently than compared to chunks or cubes of cheese from a block. That said, certain types of cheese work like a charm when melted in an air fryer. Try your luck with feta, wheels of brie, and halloumi, and of course, frozen snacks like mozzarella sticks or cheese fingers.

Some argue that air fryers are nothing but small convection ovens, and by that logic, can be used to bake cakes and cookies, too. And while that's technically true, not every type of baked goodie should be made in your shiny new appliance.

Ideally, the best cakes are smaller ones baked in tins that fit neatly into the fryer basket, allowing for the proper circulation of hot air. This ensures the cake is cooked right through and not only on the top. Muffins or cupcakes would also work very well. Alternatively, bake in smaller batches, perfect for small treats or if you don't want to fire up your oven on a hot, muggy day.

To prevent a burned cake, consider placing a heat-proof lid or heat diffuser that will sit on top of your baking tin. Check on your cake often during the baking process in case you need to adjust temperatures or placement. But, beware, air fryers have hot spots, and you will need to learn them by feel. While the circulating air cooks the food, it also makes parts of the machine hot to the touch. Opening the tray can release a blast of heat, so wear oven gloves, just as you would with a traditional oven. These temperatures can cause burns in no time.

Variety is the spice of life, and spices are what your air fryer meals need to avoid being bland and tasteless. Using spices in air fryer food, however, does require certain rules. For example, coarsely ground spices can fly around the basket, getting lodged in the heating element, or clogging the air filter, which leads to smoke, a burnt smell, or even a fire. Or they can blow off, leaving you with patches of un-spiced and unflavored food.

Luckily, there are hacks to prevent this from happening. As one Redditor explains, "Any dry seasonings on the outside of the meat will cook much faster than the meat itself. A lightly wet marinade before cooking is better or add the dry rub near the end of the cooking." Ideally, you need to use a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle to finely grind the spice and mix it with a little oil before applying it to your protein or veggies. This prevents the spices from flying off and ensures a more even coating of flavor. Some other tips to keep in mind are to lower temperatures if using a lot of spices, fresh ones especially, burn easily at higher temperatures. Choose the oil you use carefully and ensure that it's one with a high smoke point. Finally, regular seasoning like salt and pepper would be better added after cooking rather than before.

Batter-fried nuggets or fish sticks cooked with zero oil? And with an air fryer, this is possible, especially if you buy the ready-to-make, frozen varieties. But, what if you want to make these treats from scratch? Can you still get that crispy crunch without making a mess? The short answer is: not really. The long answer? It's a matter of trial and error and using the correct type of batter (ie: not a wet one).

Wet batters can drip, stick, burn, and damage your machine. To avoid these disasters, line the basket with a silicone or parchment paper liner. Stay away from runny batter and make sure your mix is thick with equal amounts of flour and cornstarch to provide structure and crispiness. Even so, you will never achieve the deep-fried consistency of actual frying.

A batter that uses eggs and flour can quickly become soggy, not cook through entirely, and leave behind a huge mess to clean up. This type of runny batter could also slide off the food during the cooking process and leave behind half-covered/cooked pieces. Another alternative is to use a breadcrumb crust to best mimic your favorite pre-made, frozen snacks.

One of the most common air fryer mistakes? Overfilling the basket. While it's tempting to cram everything in and get the cooking in one go, these appliances are not equipped for bulk preparations. Filling the basket to the brim will just lead to items sticking together. As the hot air can't circulate between, you will end up with patches of raw or uncooked food or a soggy mess. This is very true when it comes to using the air fryer for a batch of french fries, where overcrowding can lead to limp, pale potatoes with no crunch.

Ideally, the fryer basket should be filled mid-way or even a little less to ensure the best results and evenly cooked food. Wet or batter-fried food should be cooked in a single layer only. Shake the basket often to move pieces around, redistribute heat, and unstick any clumps. Yes, batch cooking takes time, but skipping it could cost you flavor and texture. In the air fryer world, patience rules.