LONGER nights mean that many people will be using air fryers to cook quick meals.
However, there are some surprising reasons why you shouldn’t rely on the must-have kitchen gadgetand it goes beyond having chips multiple times a week.
If you’ve spent any time on social media recently, you’ll be aware about the internet’s obsession with the device.
Not only does it offer a safer way to cook your favourite food, air fryers are pretty versatile – especially given their small size.
A quick scroll on Tiktok will bring up thousands of air fryer recipes, with videos about lemon pepper skewers or sweet Nutella treats getting millions of views on the app.
However, the kitchen tool does have some major downsides which are definitely worth chewing over before you think about buying one.
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For starters, air fryers don’t actually ‘fry’ anything – in spite of what their name suggests.
Instead, they actually circulate oil and hot air around your food which helps to give chips that signature crispy texture.
Though it’s healthier than using a traditional fryer, you can get the same effect by using a convection or fan oven but without an additional cost.
With Black Friday approaching though, bargain hunters will be scouring online for the latest discounts on the device.
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Before you add to cart though, you might want to reconsider as even the cheapest air fryer will cost around £35 on Amazon.
Though similar options might be purse friendly, they often are from less known brands with no guarantee on quality or longevity.
It might even be better to prioritise other items in your kitchen, especially if you are just beginning to cook up a storm in the kitchen.
Cheaper models are often smaller as well, meaning you might spend more time preparing food in multiple portions than if you just used a regular oven.
As well as the initial cost of an air fryer, small portions might mean your energy bills go up due to the extra cooking time.
Even high-end air fryers (costing over £400) are still pretty compact so you might struggle to feed your entire family, especially if there are lots of you at the dinner table.
Finally, they are not as healthy as you might have hoped.
According to Victoria Taylor, a dietician for the British Heart Foundation, it depends entirely on what you cooking and how often you eat fried foods.
In an article on the BHF website, she wrote: “If you’re cooking a food that you wouldn’t normally add fat to when you cook it, whether that’s ready-made oven chips, bacon, sausages or breaded chicken, being cooked in an air fryer is unlikely to make it healthier.”
Like all things foody, your air fryer should be used in moderation and as part of a balanced diet – ideally once or twice a week.
Though this might be hard to swallow, it might be better for you to use the slow cooker and make some hearty soups instead.
At least, you’ll get a treat on Christmas Day!
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