It’s the hottest kid on the kitchen appliance block: the air fryer is the country’s most-wanted item right now.
Hype is reaching a crescendo over these small, unassuming machines that legitimise guilty pleasures like fries, chicken wings, jalapeno poppers, bacon and more for every day meals.
They work by using convection cooking, with a fan propelling scorching hot air inside the unit to crisp food perfectly from all angles. The result? Food with the delicious taste of fried, yet made with just a fraction of the oil.
It’s not just a win on the health front either; getting an air fryer can affect the health of your bank balance for the better. Smaller than an oven and with practically zero pre-heating time, they’re incrediby energy-efficient and use far less energy to get meals for the whole family ready on the table - all of which equals lower bills for you.
With such high demand, retailers are fighting to give customers the best deals, with plenty of sales and offers ramping up the competition between brands. While many air fryers run into triple figures, right now you can bag one at home and garden retailer Robert Dyas for less than £30.
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Salter Compact 2L Air Fryer
Ideal for small and single-person households, Salter’s air fryer gives you two litres of cooking space and comes with a 30 minute timer and adjustable temperature dials so you can cook your grub exactly as you like it. Running on 1000W, the device can reach heats of up to 200 degrees, getting your meal on the table fast - exactly what you need on busy weeknights.
Leave it to get on with cooking your meal while you’re doing other things, safe in the knowledge that the auto shut-off will kick in once your food is done: in other words, no need for constant supervision.
Cleaning is easy: both the cooking pot and the frying rack are removeable and dishwasher safe, so no labouring over the sink to get them back to their clean best.
It’s a fairly basic model, but if you’re curious or just want a small kitchen appliance that won’t take up too much counter space, it’s a worthy buy. Don’t think about it for too long though - at this price, it’ll sell like hot cakes.
Buy now £28.99, Robert Dyas
We’re not sure how long stocks will last over at Robert Dyas, and we’d hate for you to leave empty handed - everyone should know the joy of owning an air fryer! So, here are a few more small air fryers under £100.
You can find even more info in our air fryer buying guide and check out reviews on further models here.
COSORI Air Fryer Lite 3.8L
Best for: App lovers
Capacity: 3.8L
Wattage: 1500W
Temperature range: 75C to 230C
When it comes to cooking dinner, we love it to be as stress-free as possible - especially on a weeknight. Which is why the Corsori Air Fryer Lite’s no-hands approach is ideal for those who want to cook a meal without the faff.
Along with its one-touch cooking functions, you can monitor the cooking process on your phone via an app, or use your smart home devices to instruct the 1500W air fryer.
It also claims that it saves 55 per cent on energy bills compared to a conventional oven. That’s a win in our book.
Buy now £99.99, Amazon
Instant 4-in-1 Vortex 4 3.8L Air Fryer
Best for: Time poor cooks
Capacity: 3.8L
Wattage: 1650W
Temperature range: 49C to 205C
What’s better than an air fryer? An air fryer with multiple other functions, of course.
This is what you get with the Instant 4-in-1 Vortex 4 3.8L Air Fryer, as it can air fry, roast, bake and reheat food all at the touch of a button. The digital touch screen makes this one of the easiest air fryers to use and the 1650W oven sees your food cooked in less time that it takes to wash up. Genius.
Buy now £75.00, Argos
Magic Bullet 2.5L Air Fryer
Best for: Small kitchens
Capacity: 2.5L
Wattage: 1300W
Temperature range: 80C to 200C
The Magic Bullet 2.5L Air Fryer is, quite simply, a steal. With a 2.5L capacity and an under £70 price tag, you truly do get bang for your buck with this model
It also helps that it is simple to use and compact enough to not take up too much bench space if that’s something your kitchen is lacking.
Food cooked in this air fryer was crisp thanks to the 1300W motor and the included crisping tray which lets the hot air circulate freely around your ingredients.
It’s also a great option for those new to air frying, as it comes with a timings guide printed on the top.
Buy now £69.00, Amazon
Xiaomi Mi Smart Air Fryer
Best for: Smart home fanatics.
Capacity: 3.5L
Wattage: 1500W
Temperature range: 40C to 200C
If you’re after a stylish addition to your smart home, Xiaomi’s Mi Smart Air Fryer should do the trick.
The aesthetically pleasing all-white cubed design will fit neatly on any kitchen bench or island, and the OLED touch screen - from where you can control the temperature and the timing - is a nice substitute to multiple knobs and dials found on other models.
Along with being able to schedule your food to cook up to 24 hours in advance, Xiaomi’s design is also a yogurt maker, fruit dryer, and a microwave oven.
We particularly liked the small grill plate that comes with the air fryer as it allows you to stack your ingredients on two levels for a more evenly distributed bake.
Buy now £89.99, Mi
