Expert warns against the one food item you should never cook in an air fryer

An air fryer expert has warned against using the handy kitchen appliance to cook one food item in particular.

From whipping up some frozen fries and nuggets, to reheating last night's dinner, air fryers are super convenient and let's face it, most of us would be lost without one.

And while air fryers could carry some risks - both to our homes and our health - there are also some recipes which we should avoid cooking in it altogether.

Despite there being dozens of air fryer recipes for one particular food item on the internet, it's best not to give them a go.

Not only because cooking it in an air fryer won't work, but because it could also create a major fire risk.

The food in question is the movie night staple, popcorn.

Which? consumer journalist Grace Forell previously told BBC Morning Live: "No, don't try this one at home.

"Popcorn won’t cook well in an air fryer as most models won’t reach the required temperature to pop the kernels."

She added: "Popcorn kernels can also become lodged within the air fryer’s heating element, which may cause the appliance to short, creating a fire hazard."

However, where there's a will there's a way, and plenty of people have already tried - and failed - to use their air fryer as a kernel popper.

Don't even think about it... (Ika Rahma/Getty Images)

One inquisitive air fryer owner took to Reddit to ask for the best methods of cooking popcorn in their trusty air fryer.

"I see everyone saying not to do it because of risk of fire," they began.

"Why can't you put aluminum over the entirety of the hot plate like you should do with anything anyways to keep it clean?

"Or even more so, do that and wrap it around the top for the popcorn kernels to pop into?"

They received a ton of discouraging responses, with one person warning: "When a kernel flies into the fan and bangs around and you swear for a hour while trying to get it out, you will wish you hadn't. Please don't."

It's best to stick to the microwave or hob when making popcorn (Robypangy/Getty Images)

A second weighed in: "Or when the air fryer scorches the popped kernels, the smell will also make you wish you hadn't."

A third person shared their own experience, adding: "So I'm telling you, not from theory, but actual experience, that the air fryer does not work.

"If you are trying to just pop a bag in without doing anything else fancy. 400 degrees [Farenheit] will get me right there on the edge, but not over the popping threshold."

One social media user simply asked: "Why would you want to when there are so many easier better ways to make popcorn?"

As Which?'s Forell advises: "Stick with the microwave or the hob for popcorn if you're settling down for a good movie night!"

How's that for some food for thought?