Is an air fryer and non UPF good idea?

[Hercules12]

Hi. Need to lose just over a stone and really like slimming world having lost a lot of weight on it in the past. I’m now intending to do it slightly differently to previously as try to avoid UPFs and no fry light.
Would an air fryer be worth it for me and if so what sort of non UPFs can I make in one?

Im on SW, I have never ever in my life used Frylite, I don't eat UPF and I use an air fryer daily - two or three times a day some days. Cook my whole roast dinner in one at the weekends

It's a small oven. Whatever you cook in the oven or under the grill you can cook in an air fryer.

As for oil, never use frylite on non stick. I use oil of choice in a spray bottle. Don't be conned into paying £5 for a bottle of air fryer oil

Yes. It’s basically a small oven but I’ve found it so much better for roasting veg, salmon etc.

we use baking paper tray inserts (helps with mess). I did get done if those roasting racks but I now just chop up a load of peppers, leeks, garlic, courgettes etc, a tiny bit of oil and salt, toss around and cook at between 160-180 for 15-20 mins, tossing them around every now and then. That can do two meals, saved in fridge for next day. (I like to add slices of mozzarella to the hot veg and pour an olive, vinegar, mustard and honey dressing over. Can have with pasta or ciabatta)

I also found chopped tofu or tempeh with salt and pepper, garlic cloves and baby tomatoes roasts beautifully too. Can do without oil

salmon steaks take 10 mins. Really crispy skin

we got one with a meat probe and they’ve been the best roasts we’ve ever had

(I don’t know what fry lyte is)

Its water and oil essentially, you can achieve the same effect by 'frying' in a pan with a splash of water, however I like quite a high fat diet so although I am calorie counting /losing weight (not always the same thing) I do drench my veggies in olive oil and put them in the air fryer and they're like the sort of thing you can only get in restaurants. Today I need to use up some brussell sprouts and some peppers so they'll be air fried and kept in the fridge over the week to put in salads.

We’ve got one that has other functions (Ninja 15-in-1) and it’s been great for SW meals, even just basic things like jacket potatoes are so much nicer. There’s a SW book for air fryers if you can get hold of one.

Is that the combi, how on earth are you cleaning yours, Im getting sick of this thing?

They are a bugger eventually as the high temps bake oils on.
Soak in boiling water and fairy filled to the top the minute you dish up. When washing I find the best way is those not scratchy nylon pad scourers - cost about 70p for three in home bargains, and scrub - I lie mine on the side and rub away

I use non stick inserts for the grid - buy them on amazon - its just holely paper so you still get the air flow but you don't get any sticky mess on the grid

Im not sure we have the same oven, mines the combi, you cant 'soak it'. Its the size and shape of a large microwave.

I have that one as well, been making gallons of yoghurt with mine, as well as soups. Ive just been converted to cottage cheese - I had dreadful memories of the awful stuff sold in the 70's - so Im going to see if I can make that in it as well

ah sorry, Ive the dual drawer and the 15 in 1

Is it the baked on stuff around the fan? I have to admit I just turn a blind eye. Its not in the cooking vessel and the high temps are killing any nasties

Huge thanks to everyone for replies! Air fryer is just for me. Kids are adults and will use when home from university but cook their own food now so was thinking would save oven being on several times in the day. Getting this one delivered today

https://amzn.eu/d/58IO9SI

I couldnt really care less if its not clean but it smokes sometimes due to the fats stuck on the walls. Its a real pain to clean

I’ve also bought a set of accessories to hopefully make easier for cleaning.