The Best And Worst Types Of Meat To Cook In The Air Fryer

Best: Pork belly

If there’s a type of meat that’s perfect for the air fryer, it’s pork belly. Tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat topped with a wonderfully crispy crackling, perfectly cooked pork belly makes for an impressive main dish. The air fryer ensures even cooking while achieving that ideal crackling texture.

Before you begin cooking, it’s essential to score the skin with a sharp knife. While it may seem like a purely aesthetic choice, scoring helps the crackling become extra crunchy by allowing more heat to penetrate the skin. Just be careful not to cut too deeply and damage the meat, as this could lead to dryness. For an added touch, you can also pat the skin dry to enhance its crispiness.

The secret to air fryer pork belly is to start cooking at a higher temperature for the first half of the cooking time, then lower it for the remainder. This method will yield a beautifully golden crackling without overcooking the meat. About 30 minutes at each temperature should suffice. Plus, using the air fryer means that excess fat will drain away, allowing you to savor the meat even more.

Worst: Bacon

If you're considering using your air fryer to quickly prepare some bacon, you might want to reconsider. Cooking bacon in an air fryer can lead to a messy situation at best, and at worst, it can be quite hazardous. As you likely know, bacon is high in fat, which is where the issue arises; the excess fat can drip and potentially burn, creating smoke.

In addition to the smoke risk, the typical size of air fryers makes it challenging to cook large amounts of bacon simultaneously. Stacking the strips will hinder their ability to crisp up, meaning you'll have to cook them in several batches to achieve that perfect crunch. Given these factors, it's advisable to stick with a conventional oven or frying pan when you're in the mood for bacon and save the air fryer for another occasion.

Best: Pork chops

A delicious pork chop can make for a fantastic mid-week dinner. However, they can easily become dry, which diminishes their appeal. To ensure perfect results every time, utilize your air fryer, which helps maintain moisture on the inside while achieving a wonderfully crisp exterior. Additionally, air frying pork chops provides the even cooking of an oven in significantly less time.

Opting for bone-in chops can help prevent the meat from drying out and enhance the likelihood of a juicy meal. Season the chops in advance, then preheat your air fryer to approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit (if your model allows). Once it's heated, place the pork chops in the air fryer.

Cook them for 12 minutes, flipping the chops halfway through, until a golden crust develops. Allow the pork chops to rest for a few minutes to let the juices redistribute, then serve alongside a fresh salad or some oil-free roasted vegetables.

Worst: Whole chicken

While many recipes tout the brilliance of roasting a whole chicken in an air fryer, the reality often doesn't live up to the hype. You might envision a juicy bird with perfectly crisp skin, but more often than not, your air fryer will let you down. Most air fryers lack the capacity to fit a standard-sized chicken comfortably.

Even if you manage to cram the chicken into the appliance, extracting it when it's hot will likely result in some burnt fingers. Moreover, if you do find a smaller chicken or a sufficiently large air fryer, you'll still face challenges with cooking. An air fryer operates by circulating hot air, which can't function properly if a whole bird fills the entire basket.

As a result, cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer without any extra space will lead to uneven cooking, leaving you with dry meat or, even worse, undercooked poultry. While smaller cuts are ideal for air frying, a whole chicken simply isn't suitable. It's better to either cut the chicken into pieces and cook them separately or use the oven to roast the chicken whole.

Best: Sausages

Sausages are a timeless summer favorite, especially when grilled to perfection. While achieving that same grilled flavor on the stovetop can be challenging, your air fryer can help you enjoy sausages that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, even on rainy days.

Frying sausages can often result in uneven browning, but the air fryer eliminates that problem. Its hot air circulation ensures that sausages cook evenly, allowing the meat to be thoroughly cooked without over-browning the skin. Just remember to turn them a couple of times during cooking to achieve a beautiful golden color on all sides.

Cooking sausages in the air fryer takes about 10 minutes, and you can even cook them straight from frozen, though that will require a bit more time. Cleanup is a breeze, as any excess fat drains into the basket below, making it easy to dispose of afterward. Once you experience the convenience of air-fried sausages, you might never want to cook them in a pan again.

Worst: Chuck steak

Chuck steak is an affordable and hearty cut of beef that shines in comforting meals like beef stew, brimming with rich flavors and satisfying textures. While you might consider using an air fryer to expedite the cooking process, it's important to note that there are no shortcuts to achieving tender stew meat, making the air fryer an unsuitable choice.

The challenge of cooking chuck steak quickly stems from its origin on the animal. Known as braising steak in the U.K., chuck steak is sourced from the cow's shoulder. Although it is a budget-friendly cut packed with flavor, it is significantly tougher than premium cuts like sirloin and filet. The muscle fibers in chuck steak require time to break down, and undercooked stewed beef can be tough and unappetizing. However, after a few hours of slow cooking, it transforms into a tender and juicy dish.

The easiest way to prepare chuck steak, especially in a stew, is by using a slow cooker. Simply prepare the meat in the morning and let the slow cooker work its magic while you go about your day. This allows you to enjoy a warm and comforting meal in the evening, leaving the air fryer for other types of meat.

Best: Lamb chops

Lamb chops are an excellent choice for a special meal, boasting a rich flavor, juicy interior, and crispy exterior. While achieving the perfect cook in a pan can be challenging, using an air fryer can simplify the process, making it your preferred method for a satisfying meat dish. The circulating hot air in the fryer locks in the meat's juices while achieving a beautifully browned crust.

Seasoning is essential for flavorful lamb chops, so be sure to rub them with salt and some dried herbs before cooking. For added tenderness, consider marinating them for at least 30 minutes. Place the lamb in the fryer in a single layer, ensuring the chops do not overlap, and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes for a medium-rare finish. Pair your delicious lamb chops with classic sides like grilled asparagus or creamy mashed potatoes.

Worst: Chicken tempura

Chicken tempura is a delightfully light dish inspired by Japanese cuisine, featuring succulent chicken enveloped in a delicate batter and deep-fried to achieve a satisfying crunch. If you're curious about making this in your air fryer, unfortunately, it won't yield the desired results. Battered foods struggle in an air fryer because it lacks the hot oil necessary for proper cooking.

One of the standout qualities of an air fryer is its ability to prepare food with minimal oil, offering a healthier cooking method. However, for battered items, the hot oil from a deep fryer is essential to quickly cook the batter and form a light, crispy layer. In contrast, the air fryer may not deliver the same results with wet batter, likely causing the fragile coating to detach from the chicken and create a soggy mess at the bottom, which can be a hassle to clean.

If you're seeking a similar outcome that works well in the air fryer, consider using breaded chicken instead. While some of the coating may still come off, the air fryer will provide a pleasing texture on the outside while keeping the inside juicy and flavorful.

Best: Meatballs

Meatballs are a beloved family favorite for many, providing a protein boost to pasta dishes or shining on their own smothered in a rich tomato sauce. They are particularly well-suited for the air fryer, as they cook quickly and evenly, resulting in tender meat with a crispy exterior.

There's nothing quite like homemade meatballs, and they're surprisingly easy to prepare. Most recipes typically include pork or a mix of meats, along with eggs, cheese, and breadcrumbs. However, you can substitute breadcrumbs with oats for a delicious twist. After combining the ingredients and shaping them into balls, simply place them in the air fryer for about 10 minutes. Be sure to arrange them in a single layer with some space in between to allow for proper heat circulation and to achieve a firm outer layer.

When compared to frying meatballs in oil, air fryer meatballs offer a healthier alternative and eliminate the need to hover over the stove while they cook, making them perfect for a quick midweek dinner. A family meal this easy to prepare is sure to become a regular part of your meal rotation.

Worst: Burgers

Burgers aren't necessarily the least ideal meat to prepare in your air fryer. However, depending on your preferred doneness, you might still find yourself dissatisfied. Achieving the right temperature for red meat in the air fryer can be challenging. If you like your burger medium or rarer—especially one made with Gordon Ramsay's favorite ground beef blend—you might want to stick with grilling.

The main challenge is that the air fryer struggles to develop a tasty brown crust on the outside, which is something you typically get from grilling. It takes longer for that outer crust to form than it does for the inside of the burger to reach the desired temperature. This means you'll have to choose between a well-cooked interior and a flavorful exterior.

On the other hand, if you prefer your burgers well done, the air fryer can easily produce a burger that rivals a grilled one (with a significantly lower risk of burning). Ultimately, the success of an air-fried burger depends on how rare you like it and how much you value that chargrilled taste.

Best: Ribs

Ribs make for a fantastic meal to savor on a summer evening in the garden with friends. However, they require a significant amount of time to prepare, as they typically take several hours to cook thoroughly. If you're craving ribs but short on time, using an air fryer can yield similar results in a fraction of the time.

For the best air fryer ribs, consider making your own barbecue sauce. It’s easy to prepare and can significantly enhance the flavor of the final dish. Place the ribs in a single layer in the fryer and cook them for about 30 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Afterward, take the ribs out, brush them with barbecue sauce, and return them to the air fryer for another 10 minutes. The end result will be mouthwatering ribs with a tasty, sticky glaze that will surely impress your guests on any occasion.

Worst: Ribeye steak

Air fryers have transformed home cooking, proving to be versatile for preparing a variety of foods, including meats. However, they struggle with cooking steak, particularly rib eye. This premium beef cut is celebrated for its rich marbling and robust flavor. The high fat content makes rib eye a challenging steak to cook perfectly, and the air fryer's cooking method isn't ideal for it.

A perfectly cooked rib eye should have a beautifully browned exterior while remaining juicy on the inside, ideally cooked to medium or medium rare (rare is not recommended for rib eye, as the fat may not render properly). The efficiency of the air fryer means that the steak will be cooked through before the exterior has a chance to caramelize, preventing the formation of that signature crust. Unless you're prepared to overcook your steak, you won't achieve the same exterior texture as you would on a grill. While lower-fat cuts of steak may yield better results in an air fryer, it's best to stick to traditional cooking methods for rib eye.

Best: Chicken breast

Chicken breasts are a common source of protein in many homes, and their adaptability means the variety of dishes you can create with them is nearly limitless. However, some home cooks may feel anxious about the possibility of undercooking chicken, leading them to overcook it instead. Since chicken breasts are quite lean, they can easily become dry and unappetizing. Fortunately, using an air fryer to cook chicken breasts offers a more reliable method than pan frying, allowing you to focus on preparing the rest of your meal while the appliance handles the chicken.

Make sure to season the chicken generously with herbs and spices before placing it in the fryer to ensure that the flavor matches the excellent texture. Whether you're slicing the chicken for a nutritious salad or pairing it with a rich creamy sauce, cooking the breasts in an air fryer guarantees you'll have tender and juicy chicken in no time.