In today’s world where every penny counts, your kitchen gadgets can be real money-savers. And the air fryer? It’s like having a superhero in your kitchen, helping you save while cooking up delicious meals. 

When I started my Instagram page during lockdown, I made sure my recipes were healthy, quick, tasty, and budget-friendly and today, I’ll show you how the air fryer can help you save on time and energy costs.

What is an air fryer?

Unlike traditional frying methods that submerge food in hot oil, air fryers use hot air circulation to cook food evenly and achieve that delicious crispy texture. This means you can enjoy all the taste and texture of fried food with a fraction of the oil – or sometimes, no oil at all!

Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

Unlike conventional ovens, air fryers require only a brief preheating period, usually just a few minutes. Look for the indicator light on most models to signal when the appliance reaches the desired temperature.

How can I ensure even cooking?

To ensure uniform cooking, avoid overcrowding the basket and evenly spread out the food. For items like chips, consider cooking in multiple batches. Midway through cooking, give the basket a shake or flip to promote even heating.

How do I clean my air fryer?

Cleaning an air fryer is a breeze. Simply hand wash and allow to air dry. Refer to your user manual to confirm if your model is dishwasher safe.

How can I prevent food from sticking to the basket?

To prevent sticking, line the basket with tin foil or baking parchment before adding food. Alternatively, apply a light coating of oil, which not only prevents sticking but also enhances crispiness. Investing in an air fryer spray oil can be beneficial. Personally, I love how handy FryLight is for cooking bits in the air fryer.

Is air frying healthier than deep frying?

Air frying utilises minimal oil, making it a healthier alternative to deep frying while still achieving the desired crispy texture. Many people begin by cooking simple items like bacon and sausages in the air fryer and discover that they taste even better. Plus, since no additional oil is used, it’s a healthier cooking method overall.

One of the biggest perks of using an air fryer is its energy efficiency. Unlike ovens or stove tops that take time to preheat and consume a significant amount of electricity, air fryers heat up almost instantly and require much less energy to operate.

‘The amount of electricity an air fryer uses depends on the type, size, temperature, and amount of time the air fryer is being used’, explains Jennifer Warren, energy expert at Energy Guide.

A typical air fryer uses around 1,000 to 1,400 watts of power, whereas a conventional oven can gobble up anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 watts. That’s a substantial difference in energy consumption. By opting for your trusty air fryer instead of firing up the oven, you’re already taking a step towards reducing your household energy bills. 

According to Energy Saving Trust, the typical cost to cook a 600g chicken breast: £0.14 (£0.21 in NI). An air fryer works like a small conventional fan oven. Because they’re small, air fryers are often cheaper to run than an oven for the same meal.

Top tip: Try not to open the compartment any more than necessary to avoid letting out heat and wasting energy!

To work out how much it costs to run an air fryer you will need to know what you pay per kWh, which you can find on your energy bill.

Following the new energy price cap in January 2024, the highest price you could pay per pence/kWh is 29p, so with that in mind, Ideal Home used 29p to calculate how much some air fryers could cost to run following the price cap increase.

An example 1500W basket air fryer used on average for 30 minutes a day will cost roughly £1.52 per week, £6.53 per month, and £79.39 per year.

An example 1700W basket air fryer used on average for 30 minutes a day will cost roughly £1.73 per week, £7.40 per month, and £89.97 per year.

An example 2400W air fryer oven used on average for 30 minutes a day will cost roughly £2.44 per week, £10.44 per month, and £127.02 per year.

These calculations are based on 30 minutes of usage per day, given that air fryers typically take half as much time as an electric oven to heat up. But if you’re using an air fryer for an average of one hour per day, these figures will double. Once you know how much you pay for electricity per kWh, you can work out the cost of your air fryer by multiplying this number by your air fryer’s kWh.

Every penny counts when it comes to grocery shopping and meal preparation. Here’s how air fryers can help you trim down your food expenses:

• Air Fryers Use Less Oil: With traditional frying methods, you often find yourself pouring generous amounts of oil into the pan. Air fryers require minimal or no oil at all, which means you’ll spend less on cooking oil in the long run.

• Reduced Cooking Time: Time is money, they say! Air fryers cook food faster than conventional methods, thanks to their rapid heating and circulating air. This means you’ll spend less time hovering over the stove or waiting for the oven to preheat, allowing you to whip up meals in a fraction of the time.

If you are new to air frying, here are some practical tips and tricks to make the most out of your air fryer:

Meal Prep using the air fryer: Take advantage of your air fryer’s versatility by planning meals that can be cooked using this handy appliance. Whether it’s crispy air-fried fish for dinner or airfryer crunchy pita chips for snacking, there’s no shortage of delicious recipes to explore.

Keep your air fryer clean: To ensure optimal performance and energy efficiency, remember to clean your air fryer regularly. Built-up grease and food particles can hinder airflow and cause your appliance to work harder than necessary, leading to increased energy consumption.

Batch Cooking: Maximise your air fryer’s capacity by batch cooking and freezing meals ahead of time. Not only will this save you time and energy during busy weekdays, but it also prevents food waste by ensuring that leftovers are promptly frozen and reheated when needed.

The great thing about air fryers is their incredible versatility – you can cook a wide variety of dishes with ease. From frozen foods to delicious meals that are made from scratch, you can whip up delicious family meals in a fraction of the time. Here are some of my favourite air fryer recipes – ready to enjoy in under 30 minutes.

I hope you love your air fryer as much as I do. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, or just starting out, get ready to cook smarter and keep your energy costs down thanks to your trusty airfryer.  And if you need tips or inspiration, feel free to check out more of my air fryer recipes or you can order my brand new book air fryer 30 minute meals on Amazon today.