Help me understand the appeal of air fryers

[labracockapoodle]

I've never had one. I've never felt like I needed one as everything that can be cooked in an air fryer, I can already cook in the oven or in a pan. Are they really healthier or cheaper? What makes them so popular?

I've been using one that belongs to a relative who is staying with us.

I can't see the point. Chips are no better than oven chips (bleurgh). Roast potatoes come out too dry. Jacket potatoes are just as quick and tasty in the normal oven.

If I'm doing a roast then I need a big oven for roast potatoes, meat, roast parsnips and Yorkshire puddings.

So I really don't see the point.

@BobbyBrewstersMagicTorch
Which brand is the one you are using?
The Ninja one I have is multi functional so it has a roast function which is different to the air fry function. Nothing comes out dry.

Another ugly big kitchen gadget that will end up in landfill in ten years’ time.

My sister has one and imho it overcooks everything, is super-noisy and takes up space.

It's handy enough for a quick meal if there's just two of you. Or teenagers cooking something quick. It's not a game changer - it's just a small quick hot oven. If mine broke I wouldn't be running to replace it - but probably would replace it eventually.

It does cook oven chips well....if you like oven chips.

We e got a Ninja Foodie 15 in 1, so it does a lot more than air fry. We use it a lot!

It’s amazing I love my air fryer - instantly hot; great for grilled sandwiches, crispy roast pork, roast peppers, any “beige food” including pakoras and samosas and breaded fish; stuffing balls; crisping up naan bread and bread that’s past its prime.

How on earth do you bake jacket potatoes in the same amount o ftime in the oven? If I cook from scratch in the oven, mine take well over an hour. 45 minutes in air fryer. or 10 minutes in microwave and 20 minutes in air fryer.

I am currently enjoy lunch cooked in the airfyer in 20 minutes - I roasted some tomatoes, onion, aubergine with some olive oil, garlic, chilli and vinegar. Then added some cannelini beans for another 4 mintues and topped with burrata. Delicious.

I have a range oven.

I also have:
2 Ninja Multi cookers
1 Ninja Max Grill
1 Ninja Duel
1 Ninja Soup Maker

I can tell you the last time I turned my Range oven on was 25th December 2024!

air fry/grill/pressure cook/slow cook/sautee/bake - all things I can do in the first two ninjas alone without the cost of putting on a full oven! I love them!

If there are only two of you it makes sense not to use a big oven which uses a massive amount of electricity . I use mine frequently, jacket potatoes, oven chips, macaroni cheese, scones etc.

It’s excellent for them. You won’t regret getting one!

They can be quicker, and use less energy - but only around 20% at best. And they are a much higher fire risk than a built in oven, as well as being unsightly. Having said that, some people do find them very convenient so I think they have their place. But like some other posters, I don’t have a use for one.

I've also seen them in action at my sisters and all of that steam (and grease?) they spew is very unappealing, on top of the noise. Her dog would get totally freaked out by the air fryer.

Are you sure it was an air fryer? No steam, and much less oil is needed, if any!

Yeah, it was a Ninja whatever. She's pretty knowledgable about culinary things and she called it an air fryer. Something was coming out of the machine. By grease I meant the nature grease from the meat.

I found the steaks cooked OK inside but with a tough leathery exterior. It could have been that we had it on the wrong setting but even so - it's so easy to grill a steak, why complicate it with some heavy machine that takes up more space?

I have a tower air fryer with shelves , and line the baking tins with baking parchment. Cooking times and lower temperatures are reduced

I have a big kitchen with lots of worktop space. They are big enough and it’s very understandable that they may not suit every kitchen if space is limited.

We bought this one for our campervan.

https://www.robertdyas.co.uk/daewoo-25l-air-fryer-blk?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=22796790170&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22790938713&gbraid=0AAAAACf0mw2o9wKVsU3j01GdxM5RSlyPH&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInNL70YKxkQMV3ZhQBh0gyiygEAQYDCABEgLfDfD_BwE

Thought we’d try it out in the kitchen to see what the fuss was about air fryers and has been used pretty much every day since. Brilliant for heating up a croissant or a roll for lunch and the kids stick chicken nuggets etc in.

now I’m swithering whether I need a bigger one or not. 🤔

I was the same as you. Didn’t understand the love for them. Now I have 2 🙈 Love them - but I have a cheap shitty oven so maybe that makes a difference? The airfryers cook more evenly, more quickly and easier to clean. Can’t remember the last time I used my oven

This.

I don’t think that’s an air fryer. The whole point of an air fryer is to use a lot less oil.

Ah, I’d imagine she’s using the steamer or pressure cooker function. I call mine an air fryer too but it’s 15 in 1.

She doesn’t add oil. I’m talking about grease from the meat. I’ve cleaned the Ninja’s filter & seen it myself.

My husband works away so I bought one for when I’m on my own as it’s quick and easy.