How do air fryers save money?
You may be wondering if an air fryer is really cheaper to run than an oven, for example. In a nutshell, yes it is. Air fryers cook food fast at a high temperature with a fan. A typical air fryer (1,000W) costs just 34p per hour to run, which is roughly the same wattage and energy consumption as a conventional oven. But since it heats up quickly, you can cook meals in a fraction of the time, making it a great-value cooking method.
Use your air fryer to cook food that you would typically bake in an oven, such as chips, sausages and breaded fish. You can even cook a whole chicken in an air fryer! The food will cook much more quickly, saving you both time and money.
If you love oven-baked potatoes, achieve the same crispy skin with an air fryer. Did you know you can even cook toasties, sausage rolls and muffins in this smart appliance?
What is an air fryer and how does an air fryer work?
An air fryer is basically a mini fan oven that roasts and bakes, but it also gives food a nice crispy result in little time using minimal oil, so it can be a healthier cooking method in comparison to say deep-fat frying. If you're air-frying shop-bought chips, sausages and breaded fish, it's unlikely to be healthier than baking them.
Air-frying vs deep-fat frying
Cooking food in the air fryer instead of a deep-fat frier means you’ll be using much less oil, trimming your food bill and your fat intake. It’s a win-win! You’ll still achieve that lovely crisp texture with your air-fryer – try it for cooking bacon, fries and fried chicken.
What should I look for when purchasing an air fryer?
Capacity is one of the biggest factors when choosing a model. Are you cooking for two or feeding a family? The bigger the capacity, the more worktop space needed. Next up is budget. Prices vary enormously, but a simple, compact model will still cook food well. However, it will likely have less or no pre-set programmes and manual dials rather than digital. But remember, there's no need to spend a lot to enjoy the money-saving benefits of air-frying!
Is an air fryer easy to clean?
You may be wondering how to clean an air fryer and be put off by the thought of cleaning various parts, but good news: it's a quick and easy job that doesn’t require expensive cleaning products. The best way to clean an air fryer is simply to hand wash with hot soapy water and leave to dry. Check the manual to see if some parts are dishwasher-safe.
What to cook in an air fryer and meal ideas
The good news is air fryers are incredibly versatile, meaning you can cook pretty much anything in them and usually much more speedily.
Cook air-fryer roasties to crunchy perfection or give veg the edge with air-fryer roasted vegetables.
From party food to family meals, snacks to treats, we have plenty of delicious air-fryer recipes to help you make the most of your budget-friendly appliance.