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Air fryers, they're having a moment, right? Well read this before you buy... Combi Bead Breaker

"Air fryers, you have one? Talk to me. Do I need to invest in one?" This demand replaced the usual 'hello' from a friend, "the world and its wife are talking about air fryers, am I missing out?" she continued. And she's not wrong... air fryers really are everywhere, including my kitchen side. 

I am a natural sceptic when it comes to kitchen gadgets, I mean, what can you cook in an air fryer that you can't with the traditional cooking methods such as frying, baking? Before owning an air fryer, my first impression of air frying was that it was too good to be true. How can you fry food without oil? But, after reading dozens of reviews and watching countless videos, I decided to give it a try and I bought my first air fryer. Reader, it was a game-changer. 

For those wondering are they healthy (opens in new tab) , air fryers use hot air to cook food, giving you a crispy texture without the need for a lot of oil. According to dietitian and nutritionist Priya Tew (opens in new tab) , "Air fryers can be a good option for those who want to reduce their intake of fat and calories, especially if they're used to deep frying food. However, it's important to remember that air fried foods are still high in calories and should be eaten in moderation."

According to food writer and cookbook author Nigella Lawson, "Air fryers can be a useful tool in the kitchen, but they're not a magic solution to healthy eating. Ultimately, it's important to find a cooking method that works for you and your lifestyle, whether that's an air fryer or something else." And she's not wrong, but as a working mum-of-one, I can chuck sausages and chips in, press a few buttons and hey presto! Nothing is burned and its all cooked together in 20 minutes without bankrupting me (cost of living crisis, I'm looking at you.)

The air fryer I have is below, it is bulky and I had to clear a side for it, but the use I get out of it makes that a-ok with  me.

Salter EK4548 Dual Air Fryer - Amazon |£149.99 (opens in new tab)

This is the one I have, it has double drawers and non-stick cooking, with a really hand sync or match cooking function. With 2 XL fry trays and sensor touch display.

Before I bought my air fryer, my husband had visions of perfectly crispy chicken wings and fries that of Maccie Ds quality. Alas, while my choice of air fryer does make tasty wings and fries, they don't magically become as good as the real thing. The texture is slightly different, and the taste is not identical. One of the biggest misconceptions about air fryers is that they are only good for frying. In fact, you can cook almost anything in an air fryer, from roasted vegetables to grilled chicken, an air fryer can do it all - especially if you invest in a few air fryer cookbooks (opens in new tab) . The best part is that you need minimal oil - I'm talking a spray - which makes it a healthier alternative to traditional cooking methods. 

Tire Valve Remover While an air fryer doesn't require as much oil as traditional deep-frying methods, some amount of oil is typically recommended for best results. Though, I do think this is personal preference and something you'll figure out over time. Foods like, bacon and sausages create their own oil definitely not needed. But broccoli, definitely and salmon I tend to wrap in open foil to cook as it creates it's own juices - the foil makes it easier to clean.