Air fryers have taken kitchens by storm in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. Their popularity comes down to four main benefits: healthier cooking, energy efficiency, convenience, and their compact size. Let’s break these down in simple terms.

Healthier Way to Enjoy Your Favourite Foods

One of the biggest reasons people love air fryers is that they make cooking healthier. Instead of using lots of oil like traditional deep-frying, air fryers cook food by circulating hot air around it. This means you can enjoy crispy chips, chicken wings, or other fried favourites with up to 70% less fat.

For example, studies show that food cooked in an air fryer has much less fat than deep-fried alternatives—without losing the crunch or flavour you love. Plus, air fryers help reduce harmful acrylamides (chemicals that form when frying starchy foods at high temperatures), making your meals not just lighter but safer too.

Save Time and Money

Air fryers are also a smart choice for saving energy. They use less electricity than traditional ovens—between 0.9 kWh and 1.5 kWh per hour, compared to the 1.2 kWh to 1.6 kWh that ovens typically consume.

But it’s not just about energy usage; air fryers also cook faster. On average, they cut cooking times by about 25%. For instance, a meal that takes 40 minutes in an oven might only take 30 minutes in an air fryer. This combination of speed and efficiency means you’re using less electricity overall—and many people report saving up to £15 a month on their energy bills. With rising energy costs, this is a huge bonus for households looking to cut down on expenses while still enjoying delicious home-cooked meals.

Perfect for Busy Lives

If you’re short on time (and who isn’t?), air fryers are a lifesaver in the kitchen. Unlike ovens, which can take ages to preheat, most air fryers are ready to go in just a few minutes. This makes them ideal for whipping up quick meals after a long day.

Air fryers are also incredibly versatile—they’re not just for frying! You can use them to bake cakes, roast vegetables, grill meat, or even reheat leftovers. Whether you’re making crispy chips, roasting chicken thighs, or baking muffins, an air fryer can handle it all with ease. And when it comes to cleaning up? Air fryers win again. Most models come with non-stick baskets or trays that are super easy to clean—some are even dishwasher-safe. Say goodbye to scrubbing greasy oven trays or dealing with messy deep-fryer oil.

Air fryers can fits anywhere! 

Another reason air fryers are so popular is their compact size. They take up far less space than traditional ovens or bulky deep fryers, making them perfect for smaller kitchens or homes with limited counter space.

Their lightweight design also makes them easy to move around or store when not in use—great for anyone who doesn’t want their kitchen cluttered with appliances. Whether you live in a small flat or just prefer a tidy kitchen, an air fryer is a practical solution. Even brands like Ninja are designing air fryers that can be stored away or are perfect for those in small spaces like flats and caravans!

Air fryer recipes can be adapted for a conventional oven, as both appliances rely on hot air to cook food. However, there are some key differences in how they work. Air fryers circulate hot air more efficiently within a smaller space, which speeds up cooking times and often requires lower temperatures. When using an oven to replicate an air fryer recipe, you’ll need to make a few adjustments to ensure your dish turns out perfectly.

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance for their ability to cook food quickly and efficiently, but not everyone owns one. If you’re looking to adapt air fryer recipes for your oven, understanding the key differences in cooking methods is essential. Below is a detailed guide to help you convert air fryer recipes to oven cooking, ensuring your dishes turn out perfectly.

Increase the Temperature

Ovens lack the rapid air circulation that air fryers use to create concentrated heat. To compensate, increase the cooking temperature by approximately 20°C. This adjustment helps mimic the intense heat of an air fryer, ensuring your food cooks evenly and achieves a similar texture.

Extend the Cooking Time

Air fryers cook food faster than ovens due to their efficient heat distribution. When using an oven, add 20–25% more cooking time than the recipe suggests for an air fryer. This ensures your dish is fully cooked and retains its intended flavour and texture.

Example Conversion: Chicken Wings

Let’s break down how to convert an air fryer recipe for chicken wings into oven instructions:

• Air Fryer Recipe: Cook chicken wings at 190°C for 12 minutes.

• Oven Conversion: Increase the temperature to 210°C and extend the cooking time to approximately 15 minutes.

By following these adjustments, you can recreate crispy, flavourful chicken wings in your oven without compromising quality.

Additional Tips for Oven Cooking

• Preheat Your Oven: Always preheat your oven to ensure consistent cooking temperatures.

• Use a Fan-Assisted Oven: If available, opt for a fan-assisted oven setting. This helps circulate heat more efficiently, mimicking some of the effects of an air fryer.

• Monitor Your Food: Ovens may vary in performance, so keep an eye on your dish during cooking. Use a meat thermometer or check for visual cues like browning or crispness.

Monitor Your Food: Check your dish halfway through cooking when using either appliance.

Adjust Seasoning: The compact space of an air fryer intensifies flavours; you may need less seasoning.

Use Smaller Portions: Air fryers work best with smaller batches; overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking.

Whether you’re adapting recipes from oven to air fryer or vice versa, understanding the differences in cooking times and temperatures ensures delicious results every time. With this guide and conversion charts, you can confidently explore new recipes while making the most of your kitchen appliances. 

Popular air fryer recipes:

Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

Air Fryer Pork Chops

Air Fryer Sundried Tomato & Feta Pasta

Air Fryer Honey Mustard Sausage Traybake

Air Fryer Sausage Roll Bites