Airfryer FAQ - what to know before choosing
When you compare airfryers, it helps to start with the basics: what they do, how they work and which features matter most for your cooking. On this page, you can move from a general overview of the category to more specific choices such as capacity, functions and basket type. If you want to browse more broadly first, you can also explore kitchenware or see the wider range of kitchen appliances.
What is an airfryer?
An airfryer is a modern kitchen appliance that lets you prepare food with minimal use of fat. It is a practical option when you want quick cooking and evenly cooked results.
How does an airfryer work?
An airfryer is designed to recreate the result of deep-frying and oven cooking by using hot air together with a high-speed fan. The hot air heats the food quickly and evenly and gives it a crisp, golden surface with a juicy inside. This makes an airfryer an alternative to deep-frying, as the amount of fat used can be reduced.
How do you use an airfryer?
Using an airfryer is usually simple. Place it on a stable, flat surface near a power socket and make sure there is enough space around it for air circulation. Prepare the food, and if your model requires preheating, follow the instructions in the manual. Then set the time and temperature, place the food in the basket and start cooking. During cooking, it can help to shake the basket from time to time or turn the food if needed. When the cooking time is up, check whether the food is done and continue if necessary. Always follow the instructions for your specific model, as operation can vary.
Which oil should I use in an airfryer?
In general, it is recommended to use an oil with a neutral flavour in an airfryer. The purpose is to help the food develop a crisp, golden surface without adding too much fat. Suitable options include rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil and corn oil.
What can you cook in an airfryer?
An airfryer can be used for a wide range of foods and dishes, including pork roast, chicken, chips, spring rolls, roast pork slices, baked potatoes, bacon and salmon. It can also be used to reheat leftovers. For many shoppers, this is where comparing functions becomes useful. Some models are chosen mainly for everyday reheating and quick meals, while others are better suited if you also want options such as baking.
Can an airfryer replace an oven?
An airfryer is a good complement to a traditional oven. It uses less energy and cooks food faster than an oven, but there are still tasks that an oven is better suited to. An airfryer is ideal when cooking for fewer people, while an oven has greater capacity if you need to prepare food for more people. An oven is also more suitable for ingredients or dishes that require slow cooking. For most situations, an airfryer works best alongside an oven rather than replacing it completely. If you want to compare with compact oven alternatives, you can also look at microwave and mini ovens or pizza ovens.
Can you cook frozen food in an airfryer?
Yes, an airfryer is well suited to frozen food. This is one of the most common reasons people choose this type of kitchen appliance. You can cook frozen foods such as chips and fish fillets in a quick and simple way.
How to choose the right airfryer
A practical way to choose is to narrow down the category by the details that affect everyday use most. When shoppers browse airfryers online, they often begin with size and layout, then compare controls, cooking options and cleaning.
Capacity
Think about how much food you usually prepare at one time. Airfryers come in different sizes, usually listed in litres. If you often cook larger portions, a larger model can be the better fit.
Power
Check the wattage of the airfryer. A higher wattage will usually mean faster heating and faster cooking.
Functions
Some airfryers include extra cooking functions, such as baking. Other features can include adjustable temperature control, a timer, automatic shut-off or a digital display. If you typically compare several models before deciding, these details help you work out which options are useful to you and which are not essential.
Single or dual drawer
You can find airfryers with one drawer and models with two drawers. A single-drawer airfryer is suitable for one ingredient or one dish. In a dual-drawer model, you can either cook a double portion or prepare two different dishes at the same time, at the same temperature or at different temperatures.
Rack or basket
An airfryer will have either a basket or a rack for cooking. The basket supports especially good air circulation, while the rack gives you more cooking space. This can be a useful point of comparison when you are deciding between models that otherwise look similar.
Benefits of airfryers
Healthier cooking
Because an airfryer needs little or no oil for cooking, the amount of fat and calories in meals is reduced compared with traditional deep-frying.
Even results
An airfryer makes it possible to achieve a crisp, golden surface and a juicy inside without compromising taste and texture.
Fast cooking
Airfryers heat up and cook food quickly, which saves time in the kitchen.
Easy cleaning
Most airfryers have removable baskets with a practical non-stick coating that is easy to clean. Washing by hand helps extend the life of the coating.
Versatility
Besides frying, an airfryer can also be used for baking, grilling, reheating and even dehydrating food. If you want to expand what your appliance can do, you can browse airfryer accessories. You can also see the Claus Holm airfryer range if you prefer to continue within a more specific selection.
Lower electricity use
In general, an airfryer uses less electricity than a standard oven because the cooking time is shorter and the heated space is smaller. Electricity use can still vary depending on brand, size and model.
How to clean your airfryer
Cleaning your airfryer helps maintain hygiene and supports proper performance. Let the appliance cool down after use. Remove food residue and grease with a soft brush or a cloth, wash removable parts by hand, wipe the inside carefully with a damp cloth or sponge, clean the drip tray thoroughly and wipe the outside with a damp cloth. Always follow the instructions for your specific model, as cleaning methods can vary. Some models also include self-cleaning functions.
Explore related kitchen appliances
If you are comparing appliances across the kitchen, it can also be useful to look at categories with different purposes and cooking methods. Kitchen Living Dining also offers blenders and food processors, coffee machines, electric kettles, hand blenders, hand mixers, hot plates, ice cream machines, mini food processors, mixers, other electrical products, raclette appliances, rice cookers, sous vide, toasters and panini grills, toasters and waffle irons. Looking across these categories can make it easier to decide whether you need a dedicated airfryer or another type of kitchen appliance for the way you cook.
Frequently asked questions
What is an airfryer and how does it work?
An airfryer is a kitchen appliance that cooks food by circulating hot air with a high-speed fan. In everyday use, this means that food heats quickly and evenly and can develop a crisp outside with less oil than traditional deep-frying.
What can you cook in an airfryer?
An airfryer can be used for foods such as chicken, chips, spring rolls, baked potatoes, bacon, salmon and even leftovers for reheating. In practice, this helps you use one appliance for both quick everyday meals and a wider range of simple cooking tasks.
Can an airfryer replace a conventional oven?
An airfryer is usually better seen as a complement to a conventional oven rather than a full replacement. In everyday use, this means it can be useful for faster cooking and smaller portions, while an oven is still more suitable for larger meals and dishes that need slower cooking.
Can you cook frozen food in an airfryer?
Yes, airfryers are well suited to frozen food such as chips and fish fillets. This makes it easier to prepare food straight from frozen in a quick and simple way without needing to use a full-sized oven.
How do I choose the right airfryer size and capacity?
A useful starting point is to think about how much food you usually cook at one time, as airfryers come in different litre sizes. In practice, this helps you narrow your options, because a larger model is often the better fit if you regularly prepare bigger portions.
Should I choose a single-drawer or dual-drawer airfryer?
A single-drawer airfryer is suitable if you mainly cook one ingredient or one dish at a time. A dual-drawer model makes it easier to cook a double portion or prepare two different dishes together, sometimes at different temperatures.
What features are worth comparing when choosing an airfryer?
It can help to compare capacity, power, cooking functions, controls and whether the model uses a basket or a rack. In everyday use, this means you can focus on the details that affect how quickly it cooks, how much it can hold and how flexible it is for different types of meals.
How do you clean an airfryer properly?
Let the airfryer cool down first, then remove food residue and grease with a soft brush or cloth and wash the removable parts by hand. In practice, this helps maintain hygiene and supports proper performance, while hand washing can also help extend the life of a non-stick coating.