I love our air fryer! I haven’t actually needed to use our main oven since Christmas Day! After a bit of experimenting, I can honestly say it’s one of our most used kitchen gadgets. So I was delighted to find that a great new cookbook specifically for those of us using air fryers has just, this week, been published. In case you were wondering what all the fuss is about, this nifty, countertop appliance is similar to an oven, as it bakes and roasts, but the key difference is its heating elements are located at the top and are enhanced by a large, powerful fan. The result is food that’s crisp and delicious in no time and, most notably, it makes the perfect alternative to a deep-fat fryer for anyone adopting a healthier lifestyle. Add to that the considerable energy savings, and it’s a no-brainer!
Air Fryers
If you don’t have an air fryer I would urge you to consider it. They vary in price from about £60. A few people have said to me that they don’t have the space on their countertop for another appliance, but it generally only takes up about the same space as a bread-maker or slow cooker. They are also quite light and easy to put away in a cupboard or utility room if not needed. According to Google Trends, ‘Air Fryer’ has quickly become a top search term over the past year.
A rather nifty one has just been launched by Zwilling and judging by the workmanship of the graters I have from this company, it will be top-notch quality. It runs at an efficient 1.4kWh (kilowatts of energy per hour), one of the most efficient available. Air Fryers generally use between 1.4kWh – 1.7kWh and average around 17p per day, compared to the average energy output for an oven – between 2.0 and 2.2kWh. ZWILLING’s new Air Fryer in a sleek black colour-way features six pre-set programmes for frying, cooking and baking, with an adjustable and precise temperature between 80˚C and 200˚C. The LED touchscreen provides intuitive use, while the cooking process ends automatically once the selected time has been reached. Its basket holds 4 litres, ideal for a household of one or two, and is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
The Air Fryer Cookbook
For The Air Fryer Cookbook, (£16.99 hardback) nutritionist Jenny Tschiesche has developed 101 tried-and-tested recipes to help you get the very best out of your air-fryer. Her appealing ideas take their inspiration from all styles of world cuisine, and there is something to suit every dietary need and occasion, from snacks and sides to complete meals and sweet treats.
Jenny Tschiesche
Jenny Tschiesche is one of the UK’s leading nutrition experts. She has worked with leading brands and health campaigns, including BBC Sport, Sport England and Cancer Research UK. She contributes to TV programmes, radio shows, online blogs, newspapers and magazines and is the founder of lunchboxdoctor.com, delivering workshops to workplaces, sports teams and families. Jenny is the author of five books, including the bestselling Modern Instant Pot® Cookbook: 101 Recipes for Your Multi-cooker, Modern Vegetarian Instant Pot® Cookbook and Sheet Pan Cooking, all published by Ryland Peters & Small.
Here are some recipes from Jenny’s book to inspire you: to buy the book as well as an air fryer if you don’t already have one!
CRISPY CHICKPEAS (SERVES 4 AS A SALAD TOPPER OR SNACK)
Ideal as a snack on their own, as a salad topper or serve in a wrap with some hummus and salad. 
400-g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon unrefined sugar
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
Preheat the air-fryer to 200∞C/400∞F.
Toss the chickpeas in the oil, sugar, spices and seasoning, ensuring they are evenly coated. Add the chickpeas to the preheated air-fryer and air-fry for 8–10 minutes, shaking the drawer a couple of times during cooking.
MINI MOROCCAN LAMB BURGERS (SERVES 2)
These moist little lamb burgers make for a delicious Mediterranean-style light bite with pitta bread, tzatziki and salad.
400 g minced lamb
1 tablespoon freshly chopped coriander
1 teaspoon freshly chopped mint
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon harissa paste
tzatziki, to serve
pitta breads and salad leaves, to serve
Combine all the ingredients in a food processor, then divide into 6 equal portions and mould into burgers.
Preheat the air-fryer to 180∞C/350∞F.
Add the burgers to the preheated air-fryer and air-fry for 9 minutes, turning halfway through cooking.
Check the internal temperature of the burgers has reached at least 75∞C/170∞F using a meat thermometer – if not, cook for another few minutes. Serve tucked into warmed pitta breads, with salad leaves and tzatziki.
PEANUT BUTTER & CHOCOLATE BAKED OAT (MAKES 9 SQUARES)
Deliciously moist nutty and chocolatey baked oats are so quick and easy to make in the air-fryer.
150 g rolled oats
50 g dark chocolate chips or buttons
300 ml milk or plantbased milk
50 g Greek or plant-based yogurt
1 tablespoon runny honey or maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon or ground ginger
65 g smooth peanut butter
Stir all the ingredients together in a bowl, then transfer to a baking dish that fits your air-fryer drawer.
Preheat the air-fryer to 180ºC/350ºF.
Add the baking dish to the preheated air-fryer and air-fry for 10 minutes. Remove from the air-fryer and serve hot, cut into 9 squares.
