6 reasons why you need an air fryer in your kitchen
By Ellie Reeves | 15th November 2022 | 7 min read
What are the benefits of cooking with an air fryer? Find out now
Is an air fryer actually worth it? The short answer is yes, absolutely. When it comes to dinnertime, we want quick, delicious meals that are easy to prepare. An air fryer will give you just that and more. They’re safe and easy to use, don’t take up much worktop space, and can even help you save energy (and money). It’s one of the hottest kitchen gadgets out there at the moment, and we can totally see why.
If you’re still unsure whether to take the plunge and buy a fryer for your kitchen – stick around and we’ll take you through our list of air fryer benefits.
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What is an air fryer?
An air fryer is a small countertop appliance that can cook quick and tasty meals. It’s basically a mini oven with a powerful fan. Despite its name, an air fryer doesn’t fry your food. It works in a similar way to a convection oven, with a heating mechanism and a fan which spreads hot air over the food. The rapid circulation of the fan makes your food crispy – much like deep frying, minus the oil.
Reason #1 – An air fryer is cheaper to run than an electric oven
The average air fryer uses less energy than a typical electric oven. An electric oven uses around 3,000 watts of energy per hour, whilst an air fryer uses anywhere between 1,200-1,800 watts of energy per hour – this is nearly half the amount of energy! Bear in mind the exact number will depend on the make, model, and size of your appliance. To find out exactly how much energy your air fryer or oven consumes, check the product manual. So, will an air fryer save you money? Yes. If you switch from an electric oven to an air fryer to cook your meals, your energy bill will go down and you’ll save yourself a considerable amount of money.
Reason #2 – They're perfect for a busy lifestyle
Since the world opened back up again after the pandemic, it seems we’ve all been running on steam. Making up for lost time, we’ve been cramming in social events, work commitments, and rescheduled holidays. An air fryer is the perfect cooking appliance for a busy and hectic lifestyle. You can whip up delicious meals in a matter of minutes. Plus, cooking with an air fryer is a more affordable alternative to daily Deliveroo meals!
Reason #3 – They can encourage healthy cooking
If you tend to deep fry your food, then an air fryer will help you to be more mindful about how much oil you’re using and limit your calorie intake. An air fryer requires little to no oil, making it a much healthier alternative to deep frying. Studies also suggest that convection heat can preserve certain nutrients during the cooking process, including vitamin C as well as protective plant compounds, called polyphenols. So, if you’re looking for a way to get crispy food without loads of oil, an air fryer is a great choice.
Reason #4 – They'll help make mealtime stress free
An air fryer does all the hard work for you. All you really need to do is chop your veggies, put them in the air fryer and choose your setting. Each air fryer will have a slightly different set up with a range of settings. Cook whatever your heart desires with one of these wondrous kitchen gadgets. There is so much variety, you can toast paninis, grill meat, or roast potatoes to utter perfection.
Reason #5 – You can easily reheat food
With an air fryer your leftovers will be as good as new. You can reheat your Friday night takeaway in moments. Because, let’s face it, when it comes to reheating your dinner, a microwave doesn’t quite cut it. With an air fryer your food will turn out perfectly crisp and as incredible as it was the night before (no sogginess in sight!) Simply place your food in the basket and let your air fryer do the work.
Reason #6 – Cleaning is a breeze
Most come equipped with dishwasher safe accessories so you can clean up everything in an instant. Hosting a big dinner party for family or friends? You don’t need to worry about all the washing up afterwards. With a large capacity air fryer, you can cook a delicious meal without dirtying loads of pans and oven trays. We suggest giving your air fryer a clean after every use so that it’s ready to use next time.
Sounds almost too good to be true, doesn’t it? Now that you’re in the market for an air fryer, have a scroll through some of our favourites. Whether you’re looking for a family sized air fryer, or one that will whip up a meal just for two – find the best air fryer for your needs.
