Air Fryer Users Rejoice!
Iceland has recently introduced an innovative concept at one of its Food Warehouse stores in London, unveiling a dedicated supermarket aisle specifically designed for air fryer cooking. This move comes in response to the surging popularity of air fryers, especially in light of the increasing cost of living crisis. The aisle showcases approximately 287 items, primarily frozen foods, along with detailed instructions on how to prepare them using an air fryer.
According to consumer research company Which?, the demand for air fryers has been steadily rising, with 46% of households purchasing one in the last five years. Notably, 44% of air fryer owners have started using their ovens less frequently, opting for the convenience and energy efficiency offered by air fryers. The appeal of air fryers extends beyond occasional use, with over half of respondents (57%) using them multiple times a week and 20% incorporating them into their daily cooking routines.
I know our family uses our air fryer almost everyday; the convenience of the increased speed of cooking in an air fryer, mixed in with the decrease in energy costs by not turning on the oven, has proven to be very beneficial; one of the key factors contributing to the growing preference for air fryers is their cost-effectiveness in terms of energy consumption, using an air fryer can be more economical than a conventional oven, resulting in reduced energy costs. This aspect has become particularly important during the current cost of living crisis, prompting many individuals and families to seek energy-efficient alternatives.
In response to consumer demands, Iceland is actively working to include air fryer cooking instructions on a wide range of food packaging. Already, they have made progress by implementing these changes across 300 food items, with plans for further expansion.
Hopefully, this will take some of the trial and error out of having to 'guesstimate' how long something may take to cook in an air fryer rather than a conventional cooker; I know we've had a few, unexpectedly extra crispy meals since changing to using the air fryer more!
Iceland has said that the introduction of a dedicated air fryer aisle and its focus on energy-efficient cooking options reflect its commitment to meeting customer needs. By acknowledging the increased demand for air fryers and offering a diverse selection of compatible food products, Iceland aims to provide customers with convenient, cost-effective, and energy-efficient cooking solutions amidst the current challenges of rising living costs.
Which air fryer is best?
According to Which? who I tend to rely on for my information on what's good and what's not on a wide range of products; the best brand for air fryers is Ninja, and being I have a Ninja, I would have to agree that the quality and performance is great; I got mine during Lockdown 1, and so had plenty of time to experiment with it, and have found it to be excellent!
Ninja has one of the lowest fault rates in a Which? survey, with only 3% of owners reporting that their Ninja air fryer developed a fault over seven years; however, they are on the pricier side, with an average price of £200, (I got cashback on mine, of course, via Topcashback, and that helped with the cost!)
When you're looking at an air fryer, look at the size and how much food it will cook in one go. If you only need to cook a small amount, then a cheaper air fryer may well be perfect; but if there are several people you need to cook for, you may have to spend more and invest in a bigger machine that will comfortably handle the amount of food you need to cook for more people. In my experience, the models with more than one drawer for cooking are the best, as you can cook more than one thing at once; although it can be cheaper to just buy more than one air fryer, but that may be a space killer if you have a small kitchen!
As an example for those with a smaller cooking need, the Russell Hobbs 26500 air fryer scores well in tests and doesn't kill the budget at around £75, although check Amazon as it's often on promotion for around £50
For those with the requirement for a larger machine, this NINJA Foodi Dual Zone AF300UK Air Fryer has been voted as a top machine to buy and retails for around £170; Currys have it for £169