Create Healthier Meals with an Air Fryer

In the past year, air fryers have become incredibly popular in the UK. They offer many benefits to anyone who enjoys cooking but doesn’t necessarily have the time to spend hours slaving over a meal in the kitchen. If you are looking to purchase a new air fryer, there are plenty of considerations you’ll want to take into account. With so many brands and models to choose from, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about selecting an air fryer for your kitchen.

What is an Air Fryer?

Before we go any further, let us share with you what an air fryer is if you aren’t familiar with this cooking tool. An air fryer is a kitchen appliance which bakes, cooks, grills, and fries food by circulating hot air around the items inside the cooker. As it uses hot air instead of oil which is typically used for frying, it’s much healthier than frying your chips or other favourite fried foods. Inside the device, you’ll find a mechanical fan, which quickly circulates hot air. This cooks the food perfectly and adds a crispy layer to the outside of the dish. You’ll still be able to enjoy your favourite dishes without the unhealthy and greasy flavours they are often associated with.

The Capacity of the Air Fryer

The smaller air fryers on the market are usually between one and two litres, whereas a medium-sized device will be between 1.8 and 2.5 litres. Upgrading to a larger device will offer you a capacity of up to 5 litres or more. The capacity of your air fryer will be dependent on the number of people you are cooking for. Small families will be fine with a capacity of about two litres. Upgrading from this is recommended for anyone with a large family, and you’ll find that an air fryer that’s between three and six litres is best for a family of seven or eight people. Another thing to look out for is an air fryer with a twin basket, which allows you to fry two items at one time. This can help to speed up cooking dinner and is great when you are in a rush.

Wattage

When choosing an air fryer, ensure that it’s suitable for your kitchen outlets. Most standard air fryers are between 800 and 1500 watts, and the more watts your new device will have, the higher the temperature it will reach. Consider how much power your new air fryer will consume, especially if you are conscious about how much electricity you use each day.

Temperature

All air fryers usually come with a temperature controller, which can help you to cook your food perfectly. The air fryer will cook your food when it reaches over 400 degrees, but the higher your device can go, the quicker your food will cook. You’ll want to find a machine that makes it easy to control the temperature, especially if it’s your first time using this device. We also recommend buying an air fryer cookbook at the same time, as this will give you a little more guidance about how to cook your favourite dishes with ease. 

Safety First

When purchasing any type of kitchen device, we highly recommend that you consider the safety of yourself and anyone else who may use this device. We encourage you to look for an air fryer that offers hand grips with a cool touch so that when you pull the basket out from the machine, you won’t burn your hands. On top of that, look for an air fryer that has non-slip feet. This will ensure your machine doesn’t slip off the edge of your kitchen counter and that it’s secure at all times. Other safety features may include a locking lid and exterior basket control. Finally, ensure that there is an automatic shut-off mode to prevent your food from getting ruined or your machine from overheating.

Working With Your Budget

Air fryers are available to fit most budgets, but you’ll find that it’s generally considered to be quite an investment. Don’t try to just find the cheapest air fryer on the market, as you’ll likely end up feeling really disappointed. Top brands such as Philips are good to consider, as they are reputable manufacturers. Look for an air fryer that comes with a generous guarantee, as you’ll want to ensure your purchase is protected for many years to come. This can also help to guarantee the quality of the purchase and make sure you’ll have years of fun cooking with your new air fryer.

If you are looking for a way to enjoy healthier meals than frying your food, you’ll want to consider purchasing an air fryer this year. All of these devices will make cooking even more enjoyable and will help to speed up cooking your favourite dishes. We highly recommend considering all of the areas we discussed above, as this will help to guarantee that your air fryer is of high quality and does the job it’s designed for. Regardless of your budget, you’ll find a good range of air fryers to choose from, and you’ll enjoy cooking delicious meals for your family every day of the week with the help of the air fryer.