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Original poster

I don't understand why so many people are raving about air fryers!

176 replies

BorisJohnsonsHair · 26/10/2022 16:50

So many people I know have them, and keep trying to tell me how marvellous they are.

Maybe I'm missing something, but I can't actually see what I would cook in one. We eat a lot of curries, stir-fries and then things like sausage and mash, lasagne etc.

I have a combination microwave/grill/oven, plus a normal oven and gas hob. Also use a slow cooker. Why would I need to add another gadget? I honestly can't see when I'd use it.

And please don't say chips are as good as proper chips! We only have chips maybe once every couple of months, so like them deep-fried.

OP posts:
PriamFarrl · 26/10/2022 21:32

Whataplanker · 26/10/2022 21:29

I feel the same OP. I keep asking people what they cook in theirs and they say 'everything' bit it's normally chips and beige stuff and we don't eat a lot of chips or beige food really.

I did a Thai red curry in mine last week. This week I have made a sausage casserole and Shakshouka eggs. Not much beige there.

BertieBotts · 26/10/2022 21:32

Ours broke, I am really considering the Ninja dual drawer one to replace it with. But I need to know how you're meant to clean them. DH reckons we wrecked our one because we would let it get all gunked up with oil and then throw the whole drawer thing in the dishwasher. I don't actually think that's how you're supposed to clean it but we are very lazy and if it's too much effort then we won't bother Blush

I don't want to spend €250 and then just break it again.

BertieBotts · 26/10/2022 21:32

How do you do curries, casseroles etc in them? Are you using an additional pan?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General food
mafsfan · 26/10/2022 21:34

BertieBotts · 26/10/2022 21:32

Ours broke, I am really considering the Ninja dual drawer one to replace it with. But I need to know how you're meant to clean them. DH reckons we wrecked our one because we would let it get all gunked up with oil and then throw the whole drawer thing in the dishwasher. I don't actually think that's how you're supposed to clean it but we are very lazy and if it's too much effort then we won't bother Blush

I don't want to spend €250 and then just break it again.

You just take the drawers out and wash them up after each time you cook as normal. Then I wipe over the element with a damp cloth.

I'm pretty sure you can put the drawers in the dishwasher but I haven't done that yet. Too precious!!

Hibye23289 · 26/10/2022 21:37

I think even if something is good when people are banging on about it on every group on the internet etc then it's like an annoyance and resistance

PriamFarrl · 26/10/2022 21:40

BertieBotts · 26/10/2022 21:32

How do you do curries, casseroles etc in them? Are you using an additional pan?

Some times I put a casserole dish in there but sometimes I’ll make it straight in the dish.

For the curry I cook the veg, 10 mins (I don’t eat meat but I guess you’d do it then too), take that out and remove the crisper plate. Then stir in the spices and coconut milk etc straight in the pan. Put it back in on a lower heat for about 10 minutes again. Give it a stir and add any other veg or whatever I need, a couple more minutes and done.

Christmaslover2022 · 26/10/2022 21:57

I just had this debate with my m.i.l who insists I need one! We just invested in bosch ovens, 1 single oven and 1 oven/microwave combi. I already have a slow cooker. I feel like:
1 ) I don't want bulky appliances on my worktops.
2 ) It's the latest fad and most people will be gathering dust in a couple of months.
3 ) I wouldn't use it.
4 ) It's better to invest in a couple of decent appliances rather than lots of cheap items.
5 ) I just can't be bothered 🤣

User17956743 · 26/10/2022 22:06

We have had one of the basic Ninja ones for a couple or so years now, there are only two of us though and sometimes one of us is out so they are very handy for things like a few sausages or fishfingers for a sandwich and stuff like that, I couldn't envisage putting a whole family meal in one though. ideal for single people and couples or if you have DC that want to cook up stuff for themselves

Goldmember · 26/10/2022 22:09

From your list: I've done rice/ curry/ sausages/ mash/ stirfry.
I have the ninja foodi. It's a pan to saute in (or airfry) to sear meat before adding stock/ liquid and then pressure cook. I can airfry crispy bacon in 7mins with no splatter. Frozen sausages take 15 mins. No need to pre heat.

I'd have never thought I'd use it as much as I do. I steamed Hollands steak puddings in it tonight. I only use the hob for eggs and oven for pizza, everything else goes in the ninja.

Waterfallstop · 26/10/2022 22:14

The cleaning of it really puts me off. Also why did the table top mini ovens/broilers which are in every US kitchen not take off here more if little ovens are so handy?

queenofarles · 26/10/2022 22:18

How do people cook curries in air fryers ? How do you cook the base of the curries? browning the onions ginger and spices ? 😵‍💫

has anyone tried to cook authentic curry in one? and not the watered down pretend western version curry ?

Goldmember · 26/10/2022 22:19

I put the pan and racks in the dishwasher, v easy to clean. Wish I could say the same for the oven.

NannyR · 26/10/2022 22:28

I have a ninja and it's a doddle to clean - no harder than washing a saucepan.

PriamFarrl · 26/10/2022 22:38

queenofarles · 26/10/2022 22:18

How do people cook curries in air fryers ? How do you cook the base of the curries? browning the onions ginger and spices ? 😵‍💫

has anyone tried to cook authentic curry in one? and not the watered down pretend western version curry ?

No one is going to answer if you get all sniffy about their cooking.

Rupertgrintismyguiltypleasure · 26/10/2022 22:41

Hash browns in the air fryer is the best... they come out nice and crispy, better than in the oven and take less time.
airfryer is the best thing we ever brought for the kitchen... we’ve had ours about 3 years now, before everyone started jumping on the bandwagon.

SoupDragon · 26/10/2022 22:43

Whataplanker · 26/10/2022 21:29

I feel the same OP. I keep asking people what they cook in theirs and they say 'everything' bit it's normally chips and beige stuff and we don't eat a lot of chips or beige food really.

You only have to read this thread (and the many other similar ones) to see that's not all you can cook in them.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 26/10/2022 22:47

blippi123 · 26/10/2022 18:23

Jumping on the band wagon and sheep come to mind

Speaking of sheep, lamb is also really nice roasted in it. And I don't have to pay to heat 75l of airspace for something that takes up less than a pint in volume. Pork crackling is also spectacular in it - DP did that today with a chunk cut off a reduced pork joint, adding some plum sauce, tamari and chilli flakes, cut it up and put it in a stirfry. From gym to eating within 25 minutes.

It's all very well muttering about bandwagons, but sometimes it just means people haven't got the imagination to see that they can be used for things other than just whatever is on offer in Iceland.

Snugglemonkey · 26/10/2022 22:49

I have a ninja that does lots of things, so it has enabled me to get rid of some of my appliances. I don't have a separate pressure cooker any more. I do sometimes heat pizza etc for DC, but I cook with mine a lot. Tonight I made risotto on the hob, which I wanted to have with roasted veg, but didn't want to heat the oven, 8 minutes. I often make soup, which the ninja is great at as I pressure cook bones for stock, can brown onions or saute leeks etc, then stick everything else in. I roast chicken, make quiche, lasagne etc, I slow cook steak pieces and then can have a pie on one level and roasties on the other, or roast salmon super fast. I use it most days.

LizzieSiddal · 26/10/2022 22:51

As others have said- it’s NOT a fryer, it’s a mini oven which because it’s smaller heats the food quicker and uses less energy. You can set the temp between 140-200 degrees, just like any other oven.

I got mine about 6 weeks ago and have only used the oven twice in that time. (a Britannia stove, which is 17 years old so I’m sure it not as energy efficient as the AF).

You just use the same recipes as you would if you were putting it in a normal oven. My favourite things to cook in it are roasted fish, veg and crushed roast potatoes so it’s definitely not just for chips!

ILoveMyCat8 · 26/10/2022 22:51

I said on another thread, but I’ve had an air fryer for ten years, when Phillips made them popular. I wouldn’t be without.

this year I went to curry’s to by the dual ninja but my head was turned by the foodi grill air fryer and I honestly now wouldn’t look at another drawer air fryer again. The duals seems to be a fad, and there’s plenty alternatives.

pushpushthebutton · 26/10/2022 22:52

I have an instant pot duo crisp which works as both a pressure cooker and air fryer. So I would use the sauté function to brown the meat/onions then pressure cook.

ILoveMyCat8 · 26/10/2022 22:52

to add, I’ve cooked most popular measure, the usual beige stuff, and I’ve baked frequently with it too. We tried shortbread last week - great receipts in half the time

ILoveMyCat8 · 26/10/2022 22:52

*results

NCforthis864 · 26/10/2022 22:53

My husband makes paella in ours. My son cooks vanilla popcorn in it.

BigBagOfPasta · 26/10/2022 22:55

Seems like they are good for beige food.