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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have not used an air fryer yet?

163 replies

user0512 · 04/05/2022 21:40

Thinking to buy one but not sure. Does food taste 'normal' in an air fryer? Anyone already got one? Would you recommend?

OP posts:
RibNSaucyArseCrack · 04/05/2022 21:43

It’s literally the best thing my husband has ever bought. We use it everyday.

Jumpjumpjumper · 04/05/2022 21:43

Much better than my oven. No preheating needed. Quicker.

Ragwort · 04/05/2022 21:46

What about cleaning it? Every gadget I have ever bought has been almost impossible to clean (& I don't have very high standards!).

reenon · 04/05/2022 21:47

I haven't used one yet either... What am I missing?

pumpkinpie01 · 04/05/2022 21:48

Super easy to clean , I got mine for a fiver off Facebook, best fiver ever spent . Use it loads

XenoBitch · 04/05/2022 21:48

Same, OP. I am not sure how something can be fried in air.
I don't have the room for one anyway.

Original poster
user0512 · 04/05/2022 21:48

What sort of things can you make in one? Does the food taste dry/crispy/soggy? X

OP posts:
JoeGoldberg · 04/05/2022 21:49

Absolutely one of the best kitchen appliances I've ever bought. I use it may more than the oven now.

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 04/05/2022 21:49

I told DH for ages we didn't need one, he decided to overrule me and get one at the weekend. Best bloody mozzarella sticks I've ever eaten, but I'm struggling to get over myself and admit to it because i told him for so long that it would be a waste of space 😄

He got the Ninja air fryer and dehydrated 5.2l by the way and is very very pleased with it.

MarJau26 · 04/05/2022 21:49

Ragwort · 04/05/2022 21:46

What about cleaning it? Every gadget I have ever bought has been almost impossible to clean (& I don't have very high standards!).

I line it with foil and just throw it away when done. I wash it only once a week if that because it's never dirty.

NannyR · 04/05/2022 21:49

I love mine, I live on my own so it's much quicker and more economical to use the air fryer than using the oven.
Food tastes "normal", I use it for stuff like fish fingers, halloumi, tofu, roasted veg, a quick Sunday roast with stuffing balls, roast carrots, sprouts and potatoes, bruschetta, reheating pasta bakes and pizza.

JoeGoldberg · 04/05/2022 21:50

*way more

Food tastes just like it would in the oven. I find things are more crisp and evenly cooked in the air fryer compared to the oven.

dementedpixie · 04/05/2022 21:50

We tend to use it for frozen potato products e.g. French fries, wedges, crispy potatoes, etc
Don't use it for much else

Supersee · 04/05/2022 21:51

I love mines, I hardly use the oven now.

I have little fat trapper things but it easily goes in the dishwasher. Wish I'd got it sooner.

dontgobaconmyheart · 04/05/2022 21:51

We were bought one as a gift or I'd probably not have ever bought one myself. I thought it was crap to be honest (and it was quite an expensive branded one).

It gave the food a weird aftertaste. Other than for making ok-ish chips I didn't think the results were great and it still required some oil to get a good chip going. It broke after about 10 uses and I don't miss it at all. It took up a lot of space.

MarJau26 · 04/05/2022 21:52

I barely switch the oven on unless I'm making a large casserole dish. I bake in it too! Grilled cheese / or any Toasted sandwiches, French toast, baked oats,.roasts, veg, anything goes !

AdaColeman · 04/05/2022 21:57

It doesn’t fry things in the traditional way, say as a deep fryer would, it’s actually a small fan oven.
Today I’ve cooked quiche and lasagna in it, and warmed up some pain au chocolat.

Magnoliafail · 04/05/2022 21:57

They are great. The DC use it too (taking the food out with tongs) as it’s less dangerous than using a hot oven. Plus it switches itself off when finished.

It is quick and easy. We use it for those little part-baked rolls a lot as they take minutes, pitta breads, bacon is really quick and all the fat drains off, same with sausages, chicken wings etc.. baked potatoes are great in it. Roasted cauliflower, roasted peppers.. it is just quick and you don’t have to faff around with trays. The baskets clean in dishwasher too so no oven cleaning.

Magnoliafail · 04/05/2022 21:59

@MarJau26 - How do you do your toasted sandwiches? I have tried and they are soggy. Is it because I am putting butter on the outside?!

the80sweregreat · 04/05/2022 21:59

My son loves his one , swears by it.
I'm not convinced. Plus it is something else to clean and find a space for , so it's a no.

springbreak22 · 04/05/2022 22:02

There are so many available, any recommendations?

userxx · 04/05/2022 22:02

Veg can be cooked in an air fryer? Really!

JoeGoldberg · 04/05/2022 22:04

Really handy for youngest DD (11) to use too, getting her interested in doing stuff in the kitchen and making small meals. Wouldn't be without it.

Mine is a basic Tower one, came from Lidl. Brilliant appliance.

Magnoliafail · 04/05/2022 22:06

We have this one the ninja dual one. It isn’t the cheapest but I like the fact that I can put different things in each side, both with different cooking times, but it co-ordinates so both are ready at the same time. The baskets also go into the dishwasher and it doesn’t require any other cleaning or messing around with.

heidihigh · 04/05/2022 22:06

We ummed and ahhed for ages as we have a cupboard full of never-used kitchen gadgets but honestly, we rarely use the oven now. We have a ninja air fryer (the one with 2 drawers) and absolutely love it. Can cook loads of different things in it and stuff comes out way better (crispier) than in the oven. Wouldn't be without it.