Please talk to me about Air Fryers.

[PriamFarrl]

Hello. Please talk to me about air fryers, I know I’m late to the game here.

We are vegi so no need to cook meat or fish. However I’m aware that I heat the oven to just cook a small amount as there is only two of us.

Are they worth it? How do they work? Is it better than the oven or just cheaper? Can I cook things that I might have in the freezer, like a pie, for example?

Thank you all.

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This thread is a little old now so some of the suggestions may be out of date, but if you’ve landed here looking for recommendations, we’ve recently updated our best air fryer guide with loads of info on choosing the right one for your family. We hope you find it useful.
MNHQ

[WoolyMammoth55]

Just jumping in to ask - I want one but want one that is (a) relatively dishwasher safe and (b) not too much with the toxic non-stick coatings everywhere.

Anyone got one like this that they would recommend, please?

[PriamFarrl]

I’m about the hit the button in a Ninja max. I’ve got a discount code and everything.

Should I do it?

[7eleven]

Look at the ninja range.

[TheSleeperandTheSpindle]

@Waitwait

OK I am sold in buying one, but which one?
We are a family of five (young children not teens) and I would like to be able to do a roast dinner, cake, bread, pizza and also casseroles etc (would like a slow and pressure cooker function too if possible). Draws or shelves? Which make and model should we get?

following to hear replies to this question too. Just me and 2 small children but would like to be able to cook things like casseroles etc.

[Waitwait]

OK I am sold in buying one, but which one?
We are a family of five (young children not teens) and I would like to be able to do a roast dinner, cake, bread, pizza and also casseroles etc (would like a slow and pressure cooker function too if possible). Draws or shelves? Which make and model should we get?

[MenaiMna]

@Photosymphysis

We've got a combo-wave. A combi oven, microwave and air fryer in one (replacing the microwave).

We hardly use the big oven at all now.

The combiwave is cheaper to run (though I purposely haven't looked at how much DH spent on it). Good air fried fried food. We cooked pie in it last night. Cooks things quicker than normal since it'll, for example, microwave your jacket potatoes and then crisp them up.

It gets used multiple times a day.

What? That sounds really good. What make and model is it please if you don't mind me asking?

[Eeksteek]

@Cynderella excellent, thank you. Just checking. I imagine they won't be the latest model, so they might not be so fancy, but so long as I can just use one side for beige/kid stuff/just one part of a meal that'll be fine. (I really miss my halogen oven, so I want to make sure it will do the same stuff. Cursed thing broke just before the shtf here)

[Helga55]

I bought a tower 10 in 1 this morning, we've cooked lunch (pasties from frozen) and dinner (fish & chips) in it this evening, and I can say I am impressed so far. Approx 10 mins less easily cooking time than the oven. My oven is 9kwh, the AF is 2Kwh, so is cheaper to run, both turned out tasty, well cooked, and easier clean up, quick wipe inside and the door, and the trays in the dishwasher 😁 We only chose the Tower one because it has trays rather than draws, so feel I can cook more in one sitting than using the drawers as per the Ninja, so looking forward to trying a cake & lasagne tomorrow. If it does live up to expectation, I doubt I'll be using the oven very often now

[Cynderella]

@Eeksteek

There a few of the double drawer ones on marketplace near me. You can just use one half, right? I don’t suppose I’ll use both very often, but I prefer the square shape to the round, and I have space.

Yes, you can. The one I have has separate controls for each side, but you can program one side and then press MATCH so both sides cook the same. Or you can cook different things at different temps for different times and press SYNC which will delay the quickest item, so it's all ready at the same time.

[ChardonnaysBeastlyCat]

@Plastichanger

I know we are all about trying to save money with air fryers but I get a virtuous glow from cooking food and seeing the little puddles of oil below the basket. For example, when we get a takeaway, I pop any deep fried starters in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes and they come out extra crispy and just a bit healthier as s9me of the fat is left in the air fryer instead of the food itself.

Slices of part baked bread spread with butter and a bit of garlic and then cooked in the air fryer makes the best garlic bread I have ever tasted.

if you have Asian shops nearby then you can buy things like frozen samosas, kachories, spring rolls etc and they cook quickly and taste great from the air fryer.

I also like batch cooking marinated tofu in the air fryer and then freezing it to use as and when in stir fries, Thai curries etc.

This is a very helpful post. Thank you.

[Plastichanger]

I know we are all about trying to save money with air fryers but I get a virtuous glow from cooking food and seeing the little puddles of oil below the basket. For example, when we get a takeaway, I pop any deep fried starters in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes and they come out extra crispy and just a bit healthier as s9me of the fat is left in the air fryer instead of the food itself.

Slices of part baked bread spread with butter and a bit of garlic and then cooked in the air fryer makes the best garlic bread I have ever tasted.

if you have Asian shops nearby then you can buy things like frozen samosas, kachories, spring rolls etc and they cook quickly and taste great from the air fryer.

I also like batch cooking marinated tofu in the air fryer and then freezing it to use as and when in stir fries, Thai curries etc.

[krazipan]

@PriamFarrl I put the whole drawer in the dishwasher. It's not fallen apart on me...yet! 😬

[krazipan]

@Madhairday I made the sauce on the hob and boiled the pasta on the hob. I then baked it in the air fryer for 15 mins.

[Eeksteek]

There a few of the double drawer ones on marketplace near me. You can just use one half, right? I don’t suppose I’ll use both very often, but I prefer the square shape to the round, and I have space.

[SoupDragon]

Personally I prefer to handwash the drawers. I find a dishwasher is harsh on non stick surfaces. They clean up really easily though.

[PriamFarrl]

@krazipan

@PriamFarrl @Madhairday we had macaroni cheese that I cooked directly in the air fryer drawer tonight.

Thanks for sharing that. How about washing up. Can you put the whole tray in the dishwasher?

[abovedecknotbelow]

@Photosymphysis

We've got a combo-wave. A combi oven, microwave and air fryer in one (replacing the microwave).

We hardly use the big oven at all now.

The combiwave is cheaper to run (though I purposely haven't looked at how much DH spent on it). Good air fried fried food. We cooked pie in it last night. Cooks things quicker than normal since it'll, for example, microwave your jacket potatoes and then crisp them up.

It gets used multiple times a day.

This is interesting, if I could get rid of the never used microwave I'd have space for this it a ninja. Can you share the brand you have if you'd recommend please?

[blackheartsgirl]

I’ve got the ninja foodie and it’s the best thing I’ve ever bought.

ive cooked macaroni cheese, lasagne, fish pie, roast chicken, roast potatoes and done things like frozen pies, fish, chips and so on.

im not keen on the slow cooker function, think it’s a bit rubbish, so I use my normal slow cooker but I use most other things with it.

I still use my hob but I’ve not had the oven on for months, it cooks quicker and better than my oven but my oven is crap however

[PriamFarrl]

@EspressoPatronum

I saw this. Obviously there’s the initial outlay as well though.

The thing with that chart is it doesn’t say what power the cooker is or how long it’s on for.

[MrsLargeEmbodied]

thank you @EspressoPatronum

[MrsLargeEmbodied]

otoh using an oven can help keep your kitchen warm

[EspressoPatronum]

@MrsLargeEmbodied

so how much cheaper are they?

I saw this. Obviously there’s the initial outlay as well though.

[MrsLargeEmbodied]

so how much cheaper are they?

[annabell22]

Cathy at Fabulessly Frugal on YouTube has a fantastic Air fryer series. Some ingredients a bit American but still tons of ideas.

[LemonTeacake]

We use ours to death!!!
make roasties and chips no par boiling needed
throw everything else in including pork which crisps up great and easier to clean up after

best bit, no preheating!