How Energy-Efficient Are Air Fryers? A Comprehensive Analysis

Air fryers have become increasingly popular due to their efficiency in cooking food quickly and with less oil.

The number of kitchen appliances emerging in our cooking spaces is rising. There's hardly a dish we can't trust in the hands of some specific gadget—an egg boiler, breadmaker, slow cooker, milk frother, you name it. The good old hob or a whisk sounds like some culinary enthusiast's choice.

However, cooking meals from scratch is no longer considered the healthiest and cheapest way to prepare food. With energy bills, grocery prices, and environmental concerns rising, one might wonder which method is best for getting dinner on one's plate.

Air fryers are a popular choice among all innovative appliances as they deliver crispy fried food without oil dripping. But how efficient are they, and what makes them a valuable addition to your kitchen?

In this article, we'll examine the air fryer's energy efficiency, which will help you decide whether you need it on your kitchen counter.

Air fryers are usually designed to be small and aesthetically pleasing to fit various kitchen designs and sizes. With the growing demand for healthy food, the air fryer market is projected to grow by 7% in 2024–2032. 

Therefore, if you decide to get an air fryer, what is there for you apart from those crunchy, mouthwatering nuggets? 

From an efficiency perspective, air fryers are a revolutionary kitchen appliance. They offer a compelling blend of rapid cooking times, reduced energy consumption, and cost-effectiveness.

The kitchen has the most energy-consuming appliances. Yet air fryers aren't on that list and typically consume significantly less energy than traditional ovens. 

Air fryers typically use between 1,000 to 1,800 watts of power, with an average model consuming around 1,500 watts. This is comparable to small kitchen appliances like coffee makers and toaster ovens. The average air fryer operates at around 1.4–1.7 kW/h (kilowatts per hour) of electricity per hour.

If used daily for an hour, this translates to approximately £0.30-£0.50 added to your monthly electric bill. In comparison, conventional ovens consume between 2 and 5 kWh.

Such a difference happens for the following reasons:

Air fryers usually use 800–2,000 watts of power depending on the manufacturer, model, and size. The wattage on the packaging represents the maximum electricity the air fryer can consume, but that doesn't mean it will (and usually doesn't) consume the rated wattage each time.

But in reality, more factors impact electricity usage: the cooking temperatures, how often you use the air fryer or how much food you cook.

When you set the temperature higher, the fryer's operating temperature also jumps. Logically, the higher the temperature, the higher the energy usage.

However, what also factors in is how long you cook your food, even at the same temperature. Naturally, cooking the whole chicken takes more time than cooking a single chicken breast; consequently, more electricity is consumed.

With all the above-mentioned air fryer theory, let's see how it performs compared to other common cooking gadgets. Knowing that an air fryer is more energy efficient is good, but seeing how it influences the eating experience and cooking costs won't hurt either.

So, are air fryers energy-efficient?

Energy efficiency is about achieving the same result using less energy. However, the results might vary since multiple appliances have different operational mechanisms and purposes.

Compared to ovens, air fryers are cheaper and cost-effective but have a lower capacity. They're more expensive to run than microwaves, pressure and slow cookers but deliver different results due to different cooking methods.

On average, an air fryer costs between £30 and £ 250 to run, and it costs £0,22–£0,56 to run a slow cooker.

Yet, the energy efficiency of cooking appliances doesn't revolve around cost-effectiveness; it also revolves around the desired cooking result. If you think about it, your personal food preferences play an important role in the energy efficiency of cooking appliances. 

While ovens and air fryers can roast meals, pressure cookers, slow cookers, or microwaves prepare the meal by heating it from the inside, which influences the overall taste and look of the meal. 

While one homeowner wants their chicken crispy and browned, another enjoys it simply cooked until ready. Therefore, the latter might find their air fryer inefficient: technically, more energy was used to provide an unsatisfactory result. 

So, when selecting an air fryer, it's crucial to consider energy efficiency, the desired cooking result, and personal preferences. This will help you make informed decisions that align with your culinary needs, environmental consciousness, and wallet.

Air fryers offer advantages, particularly regarding energy efficiency and cost savings. For instance, a typical 4-quart air fryer uses 1,500 watts, almost half the power consumption of a regular full-size oven. 

An air fryer requires half the electricity, making it 50% more efficient than a full-size electric oven.

Air fryers are generally more energy-efficient than traditional ovens, especially for cooking small quantities of food. For example, cooking chicken in an air fryer can use less than half the energy an oven requires.

This is because air fryers have a smaller cooking compartment and a more powerful fan, which allows them to cook food faster and more efficiently. A typical air fryer uses 1,200 and 1,500 watts, while a conventional oven can use up to 5,000 watts. In practical terms, cooking a chicken in an air fryer might cost around 12p, compared to 26p in an oven. Using the air fryer frequently for small meals can result in significant yearly savings.

This means that, over time, an air fryer can save a significant amount on energy bills. Some studies show air fryers are generally more energy-efficient due to shorter cooking times.

While microwaves are also energy-efficient, they cannot achieve the same crispy texture as air fryers. This makes air fryers a better choice for cooking items like fries, chicken wings, and other foods that benefit from a crispy exterior.

Recent advancements in air fryer technology have made these appliances even more efficient and user-friendly. Modern air fryers have smart features like app connectivity, precise temperature controls, and enhanced safety mechanisms.

These improvements not only make cooking more convenient but also further reduce energy consumption.

Air fryers are marketed as a healthier alternative to deep frying because they require significantly less oil. This results in lower fat content in cooked food, which can help with weight management and reduce the risk of heart disease and other health issues associated with high-fat diets. Additionally, air frying reduces the formation of harmful compounds like acrylamide, which is linked to certain cancers.

This means it can lower the amount of acrylamide in fried potatoes by up to 90% compared to deep frying. Additionally, it can cut calories by 70% to 80% and has much less fat than traditional frying methods.

However, it is important to note that while air-fried foods are healthier than deep-fried ones, they are still considered fried and should be consumed in moderation. Some studies have shown that air frying fatty fish can decrease healthy fats and slightly increase cholesterol oxidation products, which may negatively affect cholesterol levels.

Using an air fryer can lead to significant long-term savings. For instance, cooking with an air fryer for 150 hours a year costs approximately £29.40, compared to £91.20 for an electric oven and £116.40 for a gas oven. These savings can increase over time, making air fryers a cost-effective choice for many households.

A study by Instant Pot found that cooking with an air fryer can save up to 84% of energy compared to an electric oven. This shows that cooking with an air fryer can significantly save energy compared to an electric oven.

For instance, using a 1,500W air fryer for 30 minutes daily costs around £3.78 per month, compared to higher costs for running a full-size oven. This makes air fryers a cost-effective option for small meals. However, for larger meals or longer cooking times, ovens may still be more cost-effective due to their better insulation and ability to cook multiple dishes simultaneously.

Let's break down the energy costs based on current electricity prices as of June 2024. We'll use the average unit price rate of 22.36p per kWh for our calculations to provide a conservative estimate.

To get the most out of your air fryer, consider the following tips:

Air fryers consistently cook food faster than conventional ovens. This time-saving aspect is one of the key factors contributing to their energy efficiency and popularity.

Here's a detailed comparison of cooking times for various popular foods:

Most modern air fryers come with a standard set of programs: air fry, roast, bake, reheat, grill, steam, and dehydrate. The program selection depends on the model and brand.

So, when choosing an energy-efficient air fryer, consider the size of your household, menu preferences, and available countertop space.

Generally, homeowners love their air fryers to be compact, easy to use and maintain, multifunctional, dishwasher-safe, and most of all – affordable.

Here's the overview of the most popular air fryer models in the UK

While searching for a dream air fryer, first decide which operations you'd want it to perform, how often, and for how many people.

To keep your fryer's efficiency at max, there are well-tried tips you could follow. 

Many users report that air fryers are efficient, versatile, and easy to use. Common praises include the ability to cook a variety of foods quickly and with minimal oil, resulting in healthier meals. However, some users note that air fryers are best suited for smaller quantities of food and may not replace traditional ovens for larger meals.

Common praises include:

While air fryers are highly efficient for small meals, they have limitations. Their smaller capacity may not be suitable for cooking large meals or for households with many members. Additionally, certain foods may not achieve the same texture or flavour as when cooked in a conventional oven.

However, air fryers can be a cost-effective and healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. They use less electricity than ovens for small meals and reduce the fat content in foods. Additionally, they lower the risk of harmful compound formation. However, you should use them for small quantities and not completely replace other cooking methods in a balanced diet.

Air fryers are more expensive but energy-efficient than traditional ovens. Any homeowner would appreciate saving some money on cooking. 

While there are even cheaper cooking options, is it worth it if your precious dinner tastes like cardboard? You decide. Happy air frying!