Make the most of your AIR FRYER

With reported benefits for health and energy bills, sales of this gadget have soared. Discover our favourite ways to use it

- SAMUEL GOLDSMITH

Often touted as a way to cook healthier meals, they circulate hot air efficiently to achieve a ‘fried finish’ that’s similar to deep-frying, but without all the oil. They also heat up very quickly and can be more energy efficient than most ovens, although that depends on the model and your energy provider.

Try using an air fryer to cook potato-based classics, including chips and roasties, plus meats such as chicken thighs, bacon and sausages. You can even cook more complex desserts in an air fryer, such as doughnuts. The real win is the golden, crispy finish you can achieve by using it.

However, this nifty bit of kit cannot be used to cook everything. There are also some items that shouldn’t be air-fried for safety reasons, such as popcorn and sauce-based dishes.

Air-fried bacon The perfect bacon sandwich starts here, with all the texture and flavour you’d hope for.

MAKES 3-6 pieces PREP 2 mins COOK 4-10 mins EASY P

1 Lay the bacon in a single layer in the base of an air fryer – be sure the rashers aren’t overlapping. The size of the basket will determine how many you can cook at one time.