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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:
userxx · 05/05/2022 22:00

torquewench · 05/05/2022 15:51

If I hadn't bought a Ninja Foodi a couple of weeks ago I'd swear this thread was sponsored by them 😂

I got the smaller 2 drawer Foodi and I love it! Roast veggies, chicken fillets, bacon, sausage, kebabs (took the sticks out first) oven chips, bread rolls, vegan beetroot burgers, literally anything goes in it. I did some tinned spuds last week (had no proper ones in to make chips) and they were nice, drained, with a bit of olive oil and rosemary came out like mini roasties but a couple did explode when I gave em a shake half way through. I've not used the proper oven since i got it

Can you link it please ?

AlternativelyWired · 06/05/2022 07:48

I'm still debating as it's a lot of money for me. Plus my kitchen is tiny but I could shift things around. My mum was fascinated to hear the salmon and potatoes story. I might get her a smaller version if I like mine. If I get it.

NightmareSlashDelightful · 06/05/2022 08:49

HardRockOwl · 05/05/2022 18:51

@AlternativelyWired I bought this one today Ninja Foodi Health Grill and Air Fryer [AG301UK] 5.7 Litres, Brushed Steel and Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07YF98R2X/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_B04ZQ5S3P5ZK8HP1MAAF

I loved the look of it over the more traditional looking ones. Tried it for the first time this evening and it was brilliant

I'm going to try dehydrating apple slices in it this evening . Mango sounds nice!

That’s the one I’ve got, I’ve had mine about 18 months (ish) now. I like it, it’s had a lot of use.

What you will probably find is the inner baskets will start chipping quite noticeably after cleaning (I put them in the dishwasher). Ninja don’t seem to care and apparently it’s nothing to worry about as the materials are all food-safe. But it doesn’t look very nice. You can buy replacement baskets though.

torquewench · 06/05/2022 10:37

I cant do links but if you have a look at the Ninja website or google Ninja Foodi Dual Zone, mines the smaller variant.

Seeingadistance · 06/05/2022 10:43

Thanks to this thread I’ve now bought an air fryer! I’m single so have bought the Instant Pot Vortex Mini - in a lovely shade of blue!

On sale at Robert Dyas just now, and gets good reviews.

www.robertdyas.co.uk/instant-pot-vortex-2l-mini-4-in-1-air-fryer-aqua?gclid=CjwKCAjwjtOTBhAvEiwASG4bCGxZcUE30G-31J4LpYGhxa8QGJetIzJp6YYIRtpb4G394t_aaceYpBoCLYYQAvD_BwE

AlternativelyWired · 06/05/2022 10:56

I've bought the ninja goodie 14 in 1 🙈

MyCommentWasDeleted · 06/05/2022 11:39

AlternativelyWired · 05/05/2022 18:34

Does anyone have this one? Dd has me putting on the oven for one croissant or rather ate did before the fuel price increase. I bake my own bread and cakes and whatnot and chips, burgers, Yorkshire puddings, roast veg and potatoes. How would this do for that type of cooking?

NINJA Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker 6L [OL550UK] Pressure Cooker, Air Fryer, Combi-Steam, Slow Cooker, Grill, Bake https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09C874YNC/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_TWF6G2WVXAB07ERKB14J

This is the newer version of the one we have - our 7 in 1 is amazing.

Carrotten · 06/05/2022 14:22

I can't believe all the positives here! I hated my airfryer and it went to the charity shop

It's essentially just a small oven. But because it's all on a basket not a tray I didn't find things got as crispy or tasty, just kind of toasted?
It was a faff to get out, faff to put away and a faff to clean! A faff at all points of use, an oven is easier. Maybe if you have the kitchen space to keep it on the side but otherwise it just ends up languishing in the cupboards

AlternativelyWired · 06/05/2022 16:10

Surely the idea is that it's kept out rather than put in a cupboard? Mine will be kept out and use daily if it does my bread well

JoeGoldberg · 06/05/2022 16:16

AlternativelyWired · 06/05/2022 16:10

Surely the idea is that it's kept out rather than put in a cupboard? Mine will be kept out and use daily if it does my bread well

Mine is out on the counter top all the time too, just like the toaster!

EdgeOfSeventeenAndThreeQuarter · 06/05/2022 16:17

Mine is being “stored” on the hob. Between the slow cooker and the air fryer, the oven/hob has become pretty much redundant. I too have loathed putting the oven on for croissants/taco shells.

darlingdodo · 06/05/2022 16:29

Ours sits on the kitchen bench and I would much rather shove the basket in the dishwasher than have to clean the bastard oven!

REignbow · 06/05/2022 16:52

I have the instant pot air fryer. It’s great and I’ve cooked many things in there.

Someone asked upthread about cleaning it.

This is how l do it.

I fill the basket with some water and dish soap and put it into the air fryer. I switch the air fryer mode on 400c for 2-3 mins. This means that all the oil is steamed, making it easier to wipe down. The basket is quickly hand washed and dried. Very easy!

HandShoe · 06/05/2022 20:20

And...I've bought the NINJA Foodi 11-in-1..
I should have known better than to open the thread. It took all my strength to resist the rice cookers on a previous one.

liveforsummer · 06/05/2022 21:16

Alonglongway · 05/05/2022 20:17

I've got the Ninja Foodi multi cooker and the grill. Use both all the time. One pot cooking in the pressure cooker function is just fantastic - spag bol, cauliflower cheese. The multi cooker is a big beast and you need space for it.

I was drawn to the Ninja brand a few years ago when Jack Monroe mentioned using their little food chopper. That's still going strong too. Quality of the kit is very high

Big and also heavy. I'd not be lifting it out of a cupboard every time I wanted to use it. I have a tiny kitchen and have just rearranged and accepted the loss of counter space. (Tbf it's no bigger in diameter than my fruit bowl so have just rehomed that.). If I had a flat hob I'd just house it on there as I don't know when I'll next use it 😆

FourTeaFallOut · 06/05/2022 21:58

HandShoe · 06/05/2022 20:20

And...I've bought the NINJA Foodi 11-in-1..
I should have known better than to open the thread. It took all my strength to resist the rice cookers on a previous one.

Rice is super easy with the pressure cooker on the ninja.

AlternativelyWired · 07/05/2022 10:27

Mine is arriving today. I'd better clear some space for it.

HRTQueen · 07/05/2022 10:30

I bought the digital Tower one (pay in 3 which is great)

collect it later today can’t wait 😊

shall report back later how well it works

dragonatetheparsnips · 07/05/2022 10:45

So do the ones which are also pressure cookers (I'm looking at an 11-in-1 Ninja Foodie) work as well as the ones which are just air fryers?

Also, has anyone baked bread in theirs? This is probably the single most expensive way we use the oven and so if I can put a loaf in this then it's game on.

Also, how vast and heavy are they? I hate having things on the worktop.

AlternativelyWired · 07/05/2022 12:34

@dragonatetheparsnips the 14 in 1 proves and bakes bread and I've ordered the one that comes with a bread tin. I'm going to try it today or tomorrow depending on what time it arrives. It's what swayed me to buy one most. No more waiting ages for bread to prove. Must get a new dough hook for my kitchen aid now.

dragonatetheparsnips · 07/05/2022 18:41

@AlternativelyWired Can you let me know what you think when you've had a go? I mostly bake sourdough and have to heat the oven up to warp factor 5 and then cook it in a big iron pot, so this seems like a saner alternative.

AlternativelyWired · 08/05/2022 10:23

I'll go and get it out of the box and find a home for it in the kitchen and will let you know.

AlternativelyWired · 08/05/2022 11:48

It's a bit of a beast!

FrenchBoule · 08/05/2022 12:00

Same interest here @dragonatetheparsnips 🙂

HRTQueen · 08/05/2022 12:19

I picked mine up yesterday and cooked baked aubergines they were lovely (I’m low caring)

then made ds fishfingers (the chunky ones and chips which according to ds were really good

I’m going to make roast potatoes in it later

so far very happy 😃