Who doesn’t like crispy, golden french fries? To cook french fries, we are used to immersing them in a large amount of oil. Today, it is now possible to treat yourself (in moderation, however) with oil-free fryers that allow you to cook your fries with little or no oil. This means that it is now possible to obtain healthier french fries with less fat.
Air fryers have become very popular in recent years, and for good reason. Using little or no oil, these fryers blow very hot air around food to replicate the golden brown effect of frying. They can cook anything – including chicken wings, fries and other crispy vegetables – with just a few tablespoons of oil and no splattering.
But how do you find the best air fryer on the market? Our comparison guide will help you discover the best air fryers of UK in 2022 and will guide you in your search for the best air fryer so that you can make an informed purchase.
| Product | Capacity (Litre) | Our Rating | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
COSORI Air Fryer 5.5L | 5.5 L |  | Check Price |
Philips Essential Air Fryer | 4.1 L | | Check Price |
Uten 6.5L Power Air Fryer | 6.5 L |  | Check Price |
Tefal EY401840 Air Fryer | 4.2 L | | Check Price |
Tower T17021 Air Fryer | 4.3 L |  | Check Price |
Generic 4.5L Air Fryer | 4.5 L | | Check Price |
What is Air Fryer
Anyone who has ever tried to make fries at home knows: to make fries you need oil. A lot of oil. This is a very bad thing for your health. This is why manufacturers have decided to innovate by offering a fry cooker that requires no or very little oil.
An air fryer is a hot-air cooking appliance that fries potatoes, chicken, fish, nuggets, frozen vegetables and many other foods, with a very small amount of oil. This cooking appliance is the best alternative for those who like to eat healthy, but delicious food.
The air fryer has infrared heaters that heat the air inside the pan. This air is then circulated by fans and ensures even cooking. All you have to do is manually modulate the temperature and cooking time, always limiting the amount of oil (cooking is done using hot air).
By using an oil-free fryer, you can obtain crispy fries that are as tasty as those prepared in a traditional fryer and much better from a dietary point of view.
Best Air Fryers in UK 2023 – Reviews
The Cosori Air Fryer is a large air fryer with a capacity of 5.5 litres which is enough to make four portions of chips or enough to feed six people. The air fryer offers 14 settings for cooking anything from frozen food to steaks, that makes this air fryer great choice for those who want easy cooking with no guesswork involved.
Cosori Air Fryer’s exterior is made of a stylish, textured plastic. It’s available in red, white, and black. It is simple to set up and easy to use. You just need to take out the packaging and plug it in. After that, you can wash and dry your baskets and then go. A quick start up guide will help you connect the air fryer with its companion VeSync app as well as your voice assistant.
The Cosori 5.5L air fryer uses 360-degree air circulation technology. It heats up faster than an oven and crisps fresh and frozen food with minimal oil. This air fryer’s sleek design has won the Red Dot design prize. The build quality was also excellent. The Cosori Air Fryer makes it easy to prepare, use, and clean.
The Cosori 5.5-litre Air Fryer is a good investment. It has dishwasher-safe fryer trays and can hold large chickens. It is a great choice if you like fried foods or want to cook quickly without using the stove or oven.
Pros
- Large capacity (5.5 L)
- Shake and Keep Warm Function
- Uses 85% less fat
- Lightweight and with ergonomic handles
- Removable nonstick coated air fryer basket
- Preheat function
- Keep warm settings
- Dishwasher-safe parts
Cons
- Bulky
- Some users complain non stick coating of the basket starts to wear out soon
Philips stands out from the crowd when it comes to air fryers simply because of their patented starfish fan design. The fryer’s unique fan cooks foods faster and ensures even results every time. Foods come out tender on the inside and crispy on the outside – just as they would with a deep fryer.
One thing we really love about this fryer is that it’s extremely versatile. While it certainly excels at frying foods, it’s also great at grilling, roasting, baking and even steaming.
With its all-black design, glossy finish and sleek appearance, the appliance is smart and sophisticated. The appliance is also compact and won’t take up much counter space. This is always a plus for those who have smaller kitchen. The 0.8KG/4.1L capacity is ideal for a household with 2-3 people. However, Philips also offers a larger version at 1.2Kg and 6.2L that’s more suitable for larger families.
The Rapid Air technology allows you to fry chicken or fish in less than 30 minutes with very little preparation effort. You can make enough french fries in 18 minutes. Philips claims that the unique starfish design on the base of the air fryer makes it more efficient at swirling hot air around, which results in better tasting food.
A 7-programme LED touchscreen display is available for specific foods, including chicken drumsticks, fish, cakes, and meat. You can also use the Keep Warm mode to keep your food at the right temperature for up 30 minutes.
Using the fryer is easy thanks to the digital touchscreen interface. With the touch of a button, you can adjust the temperature up to 390-degrees. Philips provide great safety features, including an auto-off function and cool-to-the-touch exterior. The versatility of this multi-purpose cooking appliance makes it worth a spot in the kitchen. Just add your food, set the temperature and timer, and wait for your food to cook. It doesn’t get much easier than that.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Clean-up is a breeze thanks to the dishwasher safe parts
- Fries food with a tablespoon of oil
- Touch screen with 7 preset programs
- Keep warm function
- Precision temperature control and timer gives you complete control of the cooking process
- Recipes included
Cons
- Small bucket size
- Short power cable
The Uten air fryer is pretty stylish in look. It is covered in glossy all-black high-impact plastic.
The 6.5L capacity makes this air fryer ideal for families with up to six people. This means that you can cook 1 kg of chips or a whole roast chicken. It is also a versatile model with a very simple handling. However, it is still an appliance with a similar format to the others. The temperature and time can be manually adjusted for up to 30 minutes or you can use one of the eight preset programs. The air fryer comes with 8 preset modes, timer and removable basket.
It has a pause/restart function that allows you to stop and adjust the time, or switch to another program to cook faster. It eliminates the need for you to remove the basket from other models. It is easy to clean, as you can just put it in the dishwasher.
Pros
- Auto-pause feature when pulling out the basket
- Makes less noise
- Over-heat protection
- Auto-off sensors
- 8 In 1 Digital Display
- Easy to clean
Cons
- No preheat function
- Short power cable
Benefits of Air Fryers
Traditional deep fryers are easy to find and affordably-priced. And fried foods are bad for you anyway, right? Should you even bother buying an air fryer? Yes – and here’s why:
1. Air Fryers Use Less Oil
Compared to a deep fryer, air fryers use far less oil. Not only does this save you money, but it also saves your health.
On top of all this, it saves you a mess. Deep fryers can be messy. The oil pops, spits and splatters everywhere. With an air fryer, you never have to worry about spending hours cleaning up after cooking.
2. A Healthier Option
Fatty fried foods have been linked to diabetes, heart attacks, obesity and a host of other health problems. With an air fryer, you can cook French fries, fried chicken and all of your other favorite fried foods in a healthier way.
What makes fried foods so unhealthy? The high fat content of the food makes it high in calories. Some oils also contain trans-fat, which raises the level of unhealthy cholesterol in your body.
And some oils react differently at higher heat, making them rancid or toxic. Because you’re using mostly air (and only a little bit of oil) to fry foods, there’s less concern of health issues.
3. Easy to Use
Adding oil to a big pot, waiting for the oil to get hot enough, and then having to use a screen and slotted tools to fry can be a pain. With an air fryer, the appliance takes care of all the hard work for you. Just pop your food into the basket, wait for the fryer to heat up, and let it fry your food.
There’s no pot to babysit, and you don’t have to worry about checking the temperature of the oil. Most air fryers also have temperature control options that allow you to set a precise temperature for the foods you’re cooking. These appliances make it so easy to cook your favorite fried foods.
4. Versatile
One of the great things about owning an air fryer is that you can cook nearly all the same foods you would cook with a deep fryer. From French fries to fried chicken, kale chips, fish and onion rings, you can enjoy a variety of fried foods with your air fryer. These fryers are versatile tools that every cook should have in their kitchen.
How to choose Air Fryer
Buying a quality air fryer will require a certain investment. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to certain criteria before making your purchase to be sure you have chosen the most appropriate model for your needs.
Capacity
It is important to take into account the number of people you wish to serve your fries to determine the right capacity of your air fryer. In general, the built-in bowl can cook from 700 grams to 1.5 kg. It is estimated that 250 grams is one serving of fries for one person.
Size and design
Some air fryers can be too large to fit in your kitchen, so this is a criterion that should not be overlooked. It is also worth choosing a machine with a design that will perfectly fit in with your kitchen decor.
Presets
Do you want to make lots of french fries in your air fryer Perhaps you’d like to make huge batches of wings for birthday party?
You may find it easier to cook certain dishes using your air fryer if you have pre-programmed settings. Some top models comes with presets for 11 different items, including chicken, steak, vegetables, and dessert.
Features and programs
The more features the oil-free fryer offers, the better it is. An appliance with an LED display, a timer and an automatic shut-off is probably worth considering. It’s also best to go for a multi-purpose appliance that can be used to prepare dishes other than Chips.
Cooking time
Once again, brands are competing by putting oil-free fryers on the market that can cook larger quantities while still reducing the cooking time. In concrete terms, the models offer a cooking time of between 10 and 45 minutes. The capacity of the tank and the power of the appliance will be decisive in this respect. It is obvious that consumers prefer fast cooking to enjoy their food more quickly.
Price
The price of oil-free fryers can range from £40 to over £300 depending on the model and brands. Make sure you find an appliance that meets your needs and especially your budget with excellent value for money.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does air fryers make noise?
As it is made up of fans that distribute the heat, it may produce some noise. However, the noise level is not higher than that of a microwave oven.
Can I use aluminium foil in an air fryer?
Yes, you can use aluminium foil in an air fryer. Just make sure you leave enough space around the food to allow air to circulate around it for efficient cooking.
Are the fries in an air fryer better than in a conventional fryer?
No. Depending on the type of fryer, the fries cooked without oil may not be as crispy. However, you will really taste the potato and less the oil.
How to wash air fryer?
The fact that there is virtually no oil makes it easy to clean the fryer. Most models have removable bowls that can be easily washed by hand, but can also be put in the dishwasher.
Can I cook frozen food such as chicken or vegetables in air fryer?
Yes, you can absolutely cook frozen food in your deep fryer. You even have the advantage of not using oil for frozen fries.
Do I have to stir the fries during cooking?
Some models do not have a stirring system. It is therefore recommended to stir them halfway through cooking by shaking the basket in which they are placed.
Conclusion
Air fryers are a great appliance for any health-conscious cook, as they allow you to fry foods with little-to-no oil. While there are many fryers to choose from, the COSORI Air Fryer and Philips Essential Air Fryer are our top two picks because of their quality, durability and ease of use.