Air fryer 'sudden burning' mistake could ruin Boxing Day meal
Households are being urged to avoid putting one particular food item in the air fryer this Boxing Day as it could spell disaster. Whilst it might appear an appealing choice, an expert has cautioned that it may burn, set off smoke alarms and potentially cause your appliance to overheat.Martin Senders, an in-house air fryer chef for Philips, explained: "Air fryers are amazing for Boxing Day leftovers, but poppadoms simply cannot handle the intense airflow. They burn, buckle and in some cases trigger smoke alarms within seconds."He continued: "The reason for this is that poppadoms are designed to cook in a quick burst of open heat, either in hot oil, under a grill, or in the microwave. However, in an air fryer, the rapid airflow hits the poppadom surface too aggressively, causing uneven cooking and sudden burning."Surprisingly, poppadoms are amongst several foods you should steer clear of putting in the air fryer to avoid mess, smoke and other complications. Popcorn, broccoli, pasta and even rice typically fall into this category and are better cooked using different techniques, reports Cornwall Live.Isabella Forgoine, AO's small appliance expert, has also issued a warning against cooking bacon in an air fryer owing to potential hazards. She told the Mirror: "Bacon is one of the few foods that isn't easier to cook in an air fryer because without added oil and its high fat content, cooking bacon can be more trouble than it's worth.""As the fat cooks, it drips into the bottom of the air fryer, which can create a greasy residue that is difficult to clean and may affect the appliance's performance over time."Despite these downsides, the air fryer remains a versatile tool for preparing various Boxing Day meals. Mr Senders suggests using it to whip up a straightforward curry with leftover turkey.For those keen to give it a go, detailed instructions are provided below.Boxing Day air fryer recipe1. Begin by preparing the aromatics for the flavourful turkey curry basePlace onion, garlic, and ginger in your air fryer and spread them out to allow them space to soften and caramelise, cooking at 160°C until they're golden and aromatic.2. Cook the remaining turkey in your air fryerChop the turkey into bite-sized chunks to ensure uniform heating. Combine the pieces with curry paste, a drizzle of oil, and a small splash of water to loosen the mix.If your air fryer features a steamer setting, consider using it to cook the turkey, helping to retain moisture. Allow each piece to marinate in the aromatic blend for 5-10 minutes to develop a slightly crispy exterior.3. Mix everything togetherCombine all the ingredients and stir in coconut milk or yoghurt to form a creamy curry sauce. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve alongside poppadoms, rice, or naan bread.
