They are simple to use and don't require much work, apart from pressing a few buttons to adjust the time and temperature. That depends on the model. The air fryers we’ve tested have a claimed capacity between 0.3kg and 2.2kg of food. If we assume an average person will eat approximately 250g of chips in one sitting, this is enough for anywhere between one and nine portions.

Right now, countertop cooking appliances are becoming bigger, bulkier and more feature-laden as they take on a multitude of cooking tasks. If your air fryer is beyond repair, take it to your local council recycling/reuse centre. Use Recycle Now’s recycling locator to find your nearest one. Dual air fryers are also an option if you're cooking for more people. They can fit between 0.6kg and 2.3kg of food. Potatoes: Any time you’d put a potato (or cut-up potatoes) in a regular oven, your air fryer will easily outperform the oven. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ A word of caution though: if you're looking to recreate that chip shop taste at home, then you are likely to be disappointed. We find that foods made in an air fryer, and chips in particular, do have a fried quality but if you're used to deep-fried food, you'll easily be able to taste the difference. If that fried food taste is your sole reason for buying, an air fryer may not be worth it. Get set up for cooking. Insert the basket or tray inside the air fryer and set the desired temperature, cooking program and time of cooking. Curious to know how the air fryer and an oven compare to a slow cooker? Find out more in our story comparing the cheapest ways to cook . What can you cook in an air fryer?

Whether you want to upgrade to a newer model, or your air-fryer has reached the end of its life, knowing how and where to dispose of your appliance is important to avoid creating more e-waste. If you're cooking for one or two people a 2- or 3-quart air fryer should be large enough. From there, I would suggest adding a quart of capacity for every person that you're regularly cooking for. So, if you plan to air fry for five people on a regular basis, spring for a 5-quart model. To see how three of the most popular air fryer brands compare, read our Ninja Foodi vs Tower Air fryer vs Tefal Actifry guide. 5. Are air fryers a healthy way to cook food? We've calculated energy costs based on an electricity unit price of 28.62p per kWh, the average capped rate for direct debit customers from 1 January 2024. Most standard air fryers come with auto-programs such as air fry, bake, roast and grill, but some premium models or multicookers will come with programs such as dehydrate, reheat, pressure cook, slow cook, steam and sauté – so you can get as creative as you like.Don't pay over the odds for features that you'll rarely use. Consider this list before before you decide on a model. Digital timer Carefully remove the tray or basket from the air fryer after the beeping sound indicates the end of cooking. Be mindful of hot steam. Not sure which shop to buy from? Take a look at our member survey on the best home and appliance shops. Are air fryers cheap to run? We've collected and answered some of the most commonly asked questions around what air fryers are, how they work and the best way to use them.