OPINION With the rise of the air fryer, Kate Hall investigates if this popular kitchen appliance is costing the earth. Am I the only one in Aotearoa New Zealand without an air fryer? These popular kitchen creatures boast abilities in cooking juicy, succulent chicken breast , french fries, steak, and even perfect Brussel sprouts - crispy outside, tender inside. But as they bask in the limelight, much like the crock-pot phase of the 90s, I find myself questioning if I’m missing out and if the sustainable claims touted in most air fryer marketing are true.
Do air fryers use less energy (and lower the power bill)? Many air fryer fans hero the air fryer’s ability to make cooking for one to two people a dream. These people are referring to the practicalities of cooking in a smaller space that requires less oil and effort, but a Consumer NZ report also found that small quantities of food cooked for less than 30 minutes uses less energy and is therefore cheaper than an oven..
