Are Air Fryers a Waste of Money? A Comprehensive Test

Welcome to "How to Cook That"! I'm Ann Reardon, and in this episode, we're going to answer the question: Are air fryers a waste of money?

Disclosure

I was sent an air fryer for free by Tonics. For me, the test is more about whether I will actually use it, rather than deciding if I should buy one since I already have one. To evaluate its worth, I'll compare it with a deep fryer and a convection oven to see if it's worth getting and using.

The Test Setup

First, I'll use 500 grams of store-bought chips. The air fryer will be set to 400°F for 20 minutes. Midway through, I'll stir or shake them to ensure even cooking.

To measure power consumption, I'll use an energy meter with each appliance. It's not as simple as multiplying the wattage by the cooking time because these appliances cycle their heating elements on and off to maintain temperature.

Air Fryer Results

After 20 minutes, the air-fried chips look golden and delicious.

Deep Fryer Comparison

For the deep fryer, I used the same amount of chips straight from the freezer. It took 12 minutes to heat the oil, and the chips cooked in just 5 minutes. Deep-fried chips are fast but have more oil, adding four tablespoons more fat than the air-fried ones. Burning off this extra fat would require a 30-minute run or a 2-hour walk.

Convection Oven Comparison

I preheated the oven for 10 minutes, then cooked the chips at the same temperature for 25 minutes. They didn't look crispy, so I moved the tray closer to the heating element and cooked for another 10 minutes. Even then, they weren't as brown or crispy as the air-fried chips.

Power Consumption Analysis

• Air Fryer: 23 minutes, 0.45 kWh
• Deep Fryer: 15 minutes, 0.1 kWh, plus $20 for oil
• Oven: 40 minutes, 1.22 kWh

Using an air fryer daily for a year could save you between $77 and $115 in electricity, making it a cost-effective option.

Versatility Test

Brownies

I baked a brownie mix in the air fryer using a 7-inch tin and baking paper. After 30 minutes, the brownies were gooey and delicious.

Desserts

I made puff pastry and apple turnovers in the air fryer. They turned out great, especially when served with ice cream.

Macarons

Macarons are tricky. Despite some challenges, they came out reasonably well, though not as perfect as oven-baked ones.

Conclusion

Air fryers are efficient and versatile, saving time and electricity. They’re a great option for small households or when you want to avoid using a full-sized oven.