Air fryers – do they live up to the TikTok hype?!

Air fryers are designed to cook healthier meals in a flash. They’re far cheaper to run and a brilliant piece of kitchen kit. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been putting the Innoteck air fryer oven through its paces to see if the TikTok hype is real… 

Firstly, it goes without saying that an air fryer is a bulky piece of kit, taking over a chunk of your kitchen space. But the trade-off is worth it.  

The need-to-know 

There are lots of different recipes you can make using an air fryer and they’re a lot cheaper to run than your oven. Cooking times are generally faster than using a conventional oven and you want to reduce the temperature by around 20c.  

As a general rule of thumb, you don’t use as much oil when using an air fryer. Just a spritz of low-calorie spray when needed, making it a far healthier way to cook. 

The Innoteck air fryer has two baskets and a drip-tray. I found this to be brilliant, as I can cook more in the air fryer, spreading meat and vegetables across the trays and the bottom tray is on hand to catch any spills. All three trays are dishwasher-safe and super easy to clean. The air fryer has lots of pre-loaded settings on the front screen, making it easier to set the temperature and timer according to what you’re cooking.  

Let’s get into the good stuff – here’s five easy air fryer recipes to try!

Homemade chips – for two people 

Serve with burgers, on the side or even in a butty! 

Ingredients 

• Two large potatoes, white or sweet 
• Sauce – mayonnaise and chipotle paste mixed together 

Method 

• Dice two large potatoes into wedges or strips and then pop onto one of the baskets and select the ‘chips’ option from the menu

• This automatically sets the timer to the correct temperature
• It’s super simple and the chips were honestly 10/10

Breakfast muffins – for two people 

We love breakfast muffins at the weekend and using the air fryer is a game-changer!  

Ingredients 

• English muffins 
• 4 rashers of smoked bacon 
• 2 eggs  
• 2 cheese slices 
• 4 hash browns 
• Sauce – red or brown 

Method 

• Place the smoked bacon in the top basket and hash browns, straight from the freezer, into the bottom to cook for just 15 minutes at 180c  
• Slice and toast the muffins for 3 minutes and fry your eggs, till done 
• Make this the ultimate breakkie of champions, by adding a slice of cheese to each muffin and a dollop of sauce 
• Build your muffin with the bacon, egg and hash browns once cooked. Tuck in! 

Sausages and mash – for two people 

The perfect rainy-day dinner in less than 30 minutes!  

Ingredients  

• Sausages – pork or veggie 

• 2 large potatoes 
• Carrots 
• Tenderstem broccoli 
• Honey 
• Low-calorie spray 

• Gravy – meat or veggie  
• Yorkshire puddings 

Method  

• Peel the potatoes and chop them into chunks to boil on the hob 
• Peel and slice the carrots into batons. Place in a small bowl and then coat with honey and a spray or two of low-calorie oil 

• Put the sausages and the carrots into the air fryer, in separate baskets and set for 15 minutes at 180c 
• Blanch the tenderstem broccoli in a pan on the hob for 5 minutes and then add to the same basket as the carrots to crisp and give it some crunch 
• Add the Yorkshire puddings to the air fryer for the last 5 minutes of cooking time 
• Once the potatoes have softened, mash with a knob of butter and a splash of milk 
• Make your gravy, dish up and serve 

Herby potatoes and sweet chilli salmon – for two people 

A healthy version of your favourite dinner, made in the air fryer! 

Ingredients 

• Charlotte potatoes  
• Salmon fillets – plain or marinated. I used chipotle marinated salmon 
• Mixed herbs 
• Garlic paste 
• Olive oil 
• Tenderstem broccoli  
• Mixed grains – microwavable 
• Feta cheese 

Method  

• Toss your potatoes in a large bowl with the olive oil, garlic paste and a tablespoon of mixed herbs 
• Stir evenly and then spread across one of the air fryer baskets 
• Wrap the salmon fillets in foil and place on the second fryer basket 
• Set the air fryer to 18 minutes, 180c 
• Pop the tenderstem broccoli on the hob to simmer gently  
• Microwave your chosen grains when your air fryer only has a couple of minutes remaining and then sprinkle a chunk or three of feta cheese over the top
• Plate up and enjoy! 

Cheese and pickle rolls  

A yummy picnic or lunchtime snack! 

Ingredients 

• Pre-made rolled puff pastry 

• A jar of pickle 
• Grated cheese – cheddar or red Leicester will work 
• 1 egg 
• Parmesan cheese  

Method  

• Roll the pastry out onto a lightly floured surface and evenly spread the pickle across the centre of the pastry 
• Sprinkle the grated cheese over the top 
• Roll each end of the pastry into the middle, creating a scroll 
• Take a knife and cut evenly into individual rolls, around 1cm thick 
• Egg wash the pastry of each roll and place onto the basket racks 
• Sprinkle finely grated parmesan cheese over each roll and bake in the oven for 10 minutes  

Find more recipe inspiration over on my Instagram at Ruth’s Life.