Shall I get an air fryer?

[seasidelove]

i keep hearing about them but am very clueless about how they work etc. We’re a family of 4, please tell me about them, what you recommend and so on.

Don’t bother. Even chips are disappointing and not nearly as good as our old fashioned chip pan.
The proper oven is far more convenient with better results.
We only bought one to use while our kitchen is replaced. Had it for a month and barely used it, we’re not impressed with it

I got a 2 drawer but not a ninja. I was prepared to pay the price if one of them. Mine is a Lakeland and cost £99.

I love it. Chicken breasts are so juicy when done in them. Steaks are spectacular and so are baked potatoes.

to be fair no chips are as good as those from an old fashioned chip pan. The litres of bubbling oil are kind of key.

Yes. We have the ninja. Rarely use the oven or hob now

Waxham nothing will ever beat chips in a deep fat fryer, for those who have been eating oven chips at home for decades for safety and convenience they are better in the airfryer! It does depend on portions and capacity though

I think the point is they are about half the calories! Nothing will ever beat the taste of chip pan chips.

Well I would be lost without mine. I made a lunch of roast chicken thighs, crispy potatoes and toast carrots in mine today. Delicious, quick and easy

I use mine every single day and have done for the last few years. Don't use my oven.
I'm seriously considering investing in a bigger one / one with a split drawer.
I find them a Godsend for having with small children as if I'm busy I don't need to worry about stuff burning as it just finishes and goes off with a ping like a microwave when it's done. I used to put something in when I was out walking the dog and it was nice to know I'd come back to something hot with no risk of burning the house down.

If you have a combi convection/ microwave you will be a bit ‘so what’ about it. We bought one thinking it would be a great extension, but it is slower ( and dries out more) than the combi for most things. It makes onion rings and string chips with less mess than the deep fat fried, but that’s about it.

Smiles I don't think it's so much about calories, more about the cost of heating an oven for something that would fit into an appliance that cost less to run..it's the cost of living crisis that has made them so popular. A microwave is still cheaper as maybe a gas hob but for the small stuff you needed an oven for an airfryer is a cost saver with similar or sometimes better results..not always..but worth considering

Chips in my crappy old oven would take nearly an hour to cook, and they take 15-20 mins in the air fryer. I also really like sweet potato fries but I found the oven presented me with a selection of either slightly underdone and burnt ones, but the fryer does them beautifully!

Weve even cooked those part baked rolls in them and they were lovely.

How long do you do a jacket potato in there for, and is the skin crispy?

I love my Ninja air fryer. It's much quicker than using the oven. I probably use it most days, I mainly use it for a whole chicken, chips, roast potatoes, chicken thighs, chicken skewers, fish cakes, Salmon, bacon, sausage, sweet potatoes roasted veg, jacket potatoes, heating up frozen garlic bread, pastries, etc

Ozgirl you microwave your spud between 6-10 mins depending the size. Then rub some oil and seasoning (salt pepper garlic aromat.anything you like) and air fry around 200c plus for 10 to 15 mins to crisp the skin to your liking...the potato is cooked, so no hard and fast rule

Talking about cleaning, it’s not a bugger but... Even dry frying can lead to drops of vaporized oil sticking to the basket with its slits and holes. I use Oven Pride spray when I see that. Otherwise just a swish around with a scrubby sponge.

I'm just vile, mine just gets a wipe with kitchen roll most of the time. Then now and then fill with hot soapy water for a bit more thorough clean. I don't cook meat in mine though.

@ShutTheDoorBabe how long do you do soft boiled egg for?

I have the Ninja Dual Max Air Fryer and I absolutely love it!

I find that in general I do about 10 degrees cooler and two thirds of the time suggested on the oven timings but considering it doesn't need pre-heating it's just so quick.

For soft boiled eggs I do 170c for 7 mins if large eggs.... probably 6 mins if using smaller eggs.

Jacket potatoes I normally just do for 50 mins at 180c and they're lovely and crispy but I know you can microwave them first and just air fry to crisp up.

I often roast trays of Mediterranean vegetables (whole cherry tomatoes, courgettes, sliced peppers and onions) and that cooks in 15 minutes.

Chicken breasts cook really nicely. I'm yet to roast a whole chicken in it but definitely will give it a go.

The main things I like about it are it's quicker and cheaper than the oven, it's safer as it switches off once finished and I really like the sync function on the Ninja dual so I can programme both drawers on different functions (e.g. one air frying for 20 mins and one baking mode for 35 minutes) and it makes sure everything is ready at the same time so works out juggling the timings itself.

If it broke I'd immediately buy another one.

I.dont use my oven at all now. Everything is done in the airfryer & it takes about half the time. I wouldn't be without one now

Life changing for us. I've 2 autistic teens who eat very differently and the air fryer now even comes on holiday with us.
I've a ninja foodi so it's a steamer, pressure cooker, slow cooker and air fryer/ Baker as well as other options.
This weekend I have used it for:
Reheated pizza
Potato waffles, sausages
Chips and goujons
Boiled eggs
Roasted broccoli
Roast chicken
Pressure cooked potatoes to make mash
Used slow cooker to make cottage pie base
Baked frozen croissants

I adore it!

I got my first one a few weeks ago, and I haven't used my oven since. It's great for low fat options, because you don't need any oil to fry anything. Cheese on toast is unbelievable in it, as is homemade pizza. Home made chips are fantastic. I'm obsessed with it.

I did tenderstem broccoli in it the other day, and it tasted like crispy seaweed from the Chinese!

Do asparagus next! Delicious 😍

Oh good lord. I am totally getting some asparagus tomorrow!

Throw some mushrooms and garlic in there while you are at it and thank me later haha.

Crispy kale is also done amazing in the air fryer but you have to check it religiously before it goes past yummy crispy stage and into burnt paper stage 🤣

I use mine all the time, love it.

A few things I use it for

• warming croissants, takes literally 3 minutes
• salmon with crispy skin
• roast potatoes
• chicken thighs
• sausages / burgers / bacon / freezer tapas
• warming naan
• corn on the cob
• toasting wraps