Air fryer users are being warned over what they choose to cook in their devices this winter. One dish common in the Christmas period could make a yummy treat - but spell chaos for your air fryer.
With around 100 days until Christmas, Brits are gearing up for the most awaited meal of the year - Christmas dinner. And this year, with air fryers being a beloved kitchen staple, people can prepare for the ultimate festive feasts even faster than ever.
However, Philips, the creator of the Airfryer, cautions against its use for a specific dish. Despite pigs in blankets being a holiday delight, cooking them in an air fryer could spell trouble. Philips’ in-house Airfryer chef, Martin Senders, advises that the risk is not worth taking.
Whilst an air fryer may seem like the best place to cook them, Martin explains that even if you want that perfect crisp and to cook them faster, the bacon can create significant problems. The expert explains: “Bacon is high in fat, and as it cooks, it releases grease. In an Airfryer, as the air circulates, this grease can splatter and potentially ignite if it comes into contact with the heating element. This could not only create a lot of smoke but also pose a fire risk.
“Over time, grease buildup can clog your Airfryer’s components, reducing its efficiency and potentially leading to mould. This makes cleaning more difficult and can result in lingering odours - not ideal for your festive meal.
“As well, when it comes to pigs and blankets, the bacon on the outside can cook much faster than the sausage inside. This could leave you with cremated bacon and an undercooked sausage, something you definitely don’t want to be serving up to your guests.
“Cooking pigs in blankets in your Airfryer would also require multiple batches, making it less energy efficient than using a conventional oven. Instead, let the Airfryer handle tasty honey-roasted vegetable sides, and if you have a dual basket model, you can even prepare them while cooking your turkey in the other compartment.”
