Do I need an air fryer?

[Toddlerteaplease]

I've held off until now, because my kitchen is tiny and I don't want to clutter up limited surface space. But I think one would fit in with my lifestyle and there are some really compact ones. Are they worth the hype?

Yes, I wouldn't be without mine now it was 50 quid.

I've just got one as a Christmas present. I've always wanted one, but for the same reasons of limited space, I never got one before.
I've regret it so much.
Way better than oven, I'm using it every day now. No preheat time required, so it's just really handy.
I've baked a cake in the afternoon, now I'm roasting vegs for dinner.

We love our instant pot. Very versatile as it's not just an air fryer.

I only gave in a few months ago and OMG they are brilliant.

Mine was £90.

I've got the smallest Ninja one, it's great, we use it daily, saves loads on energy bills not having to use the main oven.

Which small ones have people got? I've seen a tefal one in John Lewis, that looked good. But as I'm currently on crutches I couldn't carry it home. Or a chewier Russell Hobbs one on Amazon!

How many do you cook for? While you obviously need one that will fit in your kitchen, I would not go for a tiny one if you're cooking for a family of six. On the other hand, if that family of six eat at different times, and an airfryer will save the oven being turned on and off all evening, an air fryer is ideal.

I've got 10.4L dual one from Ninja. I wouldn't have chosen it if I bought it myself since it's quite big, but now I'm glad it's this one. Big enough to fit in most of oven dishes, you can roast whole chicken too. And takes so much less time to cook compared to oven. It's brilliant.

How are you using the main overnight so much? I rarely use mine.

For small stuff such as defrosting half a baguette for lunch.

I’d never do that anyway. If it saves you money, great. I don’t think my cooking is that sort it would benefit. I’d use a microwave to defrost (and don’t really freeze baguettes anyway). I do one pot dishes which sometimes take ages on a very low heat but often cook pretty fast anyway. Don’t use the oven much at all.

We also use it regularly for things like garlic bread, croutons, roast veg, falafels, bagels, chips etc. Oooh and to make cheesy tortilla crisps with left over wraps. There's only three of us though, would definitely need a bigger one for 4+. It's just really useful having it there and being able to use it straight away. So much quicker too.

The only time we use the main oven now is for Sunday lunch, batch cooking (lasagna, cauliflower cheese, shepherd's pie etc.) and pizza.

I find it very over rated. Our circular actifry is better than the drawer air fryer. It’s more versatile.

Only cooking for myself.

I usually have baking sheet oven food. Or chicken, chops, steak etc.

Don’t go for a very small model OP. I made that mistake even though I live alone and barely used it. My family treated me to a ninja for Christmas and I’ve hardly used my oven since. It’s brilliant.

@Toddlerteaplease

I didn't want one, I hate 'jumping on the bandwagon' & like you, I have a small kitchen
i got the 'sur la table' from Costco. It was £80+VAT. It's a great (small)footprint & I've not used the big oven since I got it!

I cook a lot of different things since I got it because it doesn't feel like a waste like putting on the big oven.

I love mine. I had a small basic salter one which was ok but I upgraded to the single Ninja and it's amazing.

We love it and cook pretty much everything in it

I barely use my oven now!

I got 1 as my gas was condemned. I regret buying a 1 draw one. I use it a lot so will probably upgrade it soon

I just bought a ninja one, a two drawer job. I am pretty impressed with it to be honest, it is very handy. Given you say you normally cook oven stuff and it’s just for you, I think an air fryer would be a good choice!

We got one just before Christmas. It's brilliant, and is saving me money when compared with using the main oven. I use it daily. Today was potato wedges and sausages for five people. We have the Tower T17076.

Everyone who says it’s amazing, WHY is it amazing, compared to an oven?

Quicker, cheaper, crispy food