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Air fryers explained

A woman cooking using a Ninja 3.8L Air Fryer and Dehydrator.

How does an air fryer work?

An air fryer works by circulating hot air around food at high speed. It uses a heating element and a fan to achieve this, imitating the results of deep frying but with much less oil. Because of this technique, your food gets evenly cooked.

A man using a Ninja MAX PRO 6.2L Air Fryer to cook healthy dishes for his son.

Are air fryers healthy?

It depends! They use less oil than other cooking styles, so there's less fat. But it's important to remember that the health benefits eventually boil down to what you're cooking and how you do it.

And what can you cook in an air fryer?

What can you cook in an air fryer?

This clever appliance can be a multitasker when it comes to cooking. You can air fry, bake, roast, toast, reheat, and grill. Some models can also dehydrate. It's pretty versatile, so get creative and try out your favourites.

Which is the best air fryer for you?

Choosing the perfect air fryer comes down to your usage and purpose. Got a big family? Think big fryer. Need versatility? Go for the multitasker. Let's break down the options to help you pick the right one.

Tower compact air fryer.

Small

Suggested portions : 1-2
Great for making a few portions of chips.

Tower 4L digital air fryer.

Medium

Suggested portions : 3-4
Make a meal that could feed a family of four.

Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone air fryer.

Large

Suggested portions : 5-6+
Ideal if you have a lot of people to cook for.

Ninja Speedi Rapid Cooker and Air Fryer.

Multifunctional air fryers

These are air fryers that also perform another method of cooking. From grill/air fryer to pressure cooker/air fryer and more, pick the pot that best suits your cooking needs whilst saving space in your kitchen.

A man cooking outdoors using Ninja OG701UK Woodfire Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker.

Outdoor air fryers

Take your flavourful meals minus the guilt outdoors. From juicy wings to perfectly roasted veggies, add scrummy fun to your day in the sun with an outdoor air fryer.

A woman cooking multiple meals in a stackable Ninja air fryer.

Stackable air fryers

Stack up flavour, stack down kitchen clutter. Whether you're cooking for a crowd or just craving variety, a stackable design lets you whip up multiple dishes simultaneously, saving both time and space.

Tower Vortx L Air Fryer.

Air fryer recipes

There are many things you can cook in an air fryer: meat, chicken, fish, vegetables, frozen food and more - you can even bake brownies!

Features to look out for

Multiple cooking zones

Simply put, these air fryers have different compartments, so you can cook two delicious dishes at once - ideal for a complete meal. Some have two layers, while others have both a pot and a removable basket (ideal for chips).

Automatic stirring paddle

Many air fryers have a paddle which gently stirs the food when in use to ensure it's cooked evenly, so there's no need to shake or stir, saving you time.

Dishwasher-safe parts

Don't fancy washing up afterwards? Many air fryers have parts which can go in the dishwasher to make cleaning easy - just check the product description before you buy.

How to use an air fryer?

A man using a Ninja Foodi MAX Health Grill Air Fryer & Dehydrator.

Here's the step-by-step process:

  1. Follow the instructions in the manual.  
  2. After pre-heating (if needed), place food in the basket. Space it out well so there's proper air circulation. 
  3. Set the temperature and time as per the recipe.
  4. Select a pre-set cooking function, if applicable. 
  5. Start the air fryer and let it cook. 
  6. Shake or flip the food halfway through for even cooking. 
  7. Remove the food when it's cooked to your liking. Enjoy!

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