All Experiments
Can You Air Fry Watermelon?
Verdict: Avoid It
We tried to turn watermelon into a jerky-like snack or caramelized dessert. The result was a gummy, shrunken, slimy mess that made a mess of the basket. Skip it.
Temp Tested
350°F
Time Tested
25– min
The Method
- 1Slice a fresh seedless watermelon into 1-inch thick triangles.
- 2Pat them dry with paper towels to remove surface moisture.
- 3Place in the air fryer basket at 350°F.
- 4Air fry for 15 minutes, flip, then another 10–15 minutes.
- 5Watch for caramelization without burning.
What Actually Happened
Watermelon is over 90% water. In the air fryer, that water evaporates and leaves behind a gummy, shrunken, intensely sweet mass with no pleasant texture. It caramelizes slightly from the natural sugars, but the texture lands slimy rather than crisp or chewy like jerky. The leaking juice burns onto the basket and makes a significant mess.
Try This Instead
If you want air-fried dried fruit, stick to apples or mangoes — they have far less water and actually crisp up.