While air fryers may have hit the shelves a decade ago, it’s only in recent years that the benchtop appliance has started to pick up steam. For those looking to cut down on their visits to the drive-thru, the air fryer gives you the crunch and convenience of fried food, minus the fat or greasiness.

How does an air fryer work?
Food is placed in a fryer basket. Inside, a radiating element and powerful fan work together to circulate hot air around it, cooking food on all sides to create a golden, crispy exterior. Minimal steam is produced so your food stays moist and succulent on the inside.

What can you cook in an air fryer?
Almost anything can be cooked in an air fryer and experimenting with what works (and what doesn’t) is half the fun. However, the best results come from making chips, adding crunch to vegetables of all shapes and sizes, from sweet potato through to beetroot, zucchini, carrot and kale, or fruit like apple, pear, banana and strawberry. But it’s not just a fry machine. You can also use them to cook pizzas, pies, fried chicken, schnitzels and crumbed fish. They also work well on a number of frozen and convenience foods.

It is healthier?
An air fryer uses significantly less oil than other cooking techniques, giving you a crispy result sans the fat. It is healthier than deep and shallow frying and baking, but not as healthy as steaming, boiling or grilling.

What should I look for when buying an air fyrer?
Prices vary from $50 through to $500, depending on capacity and features. More expensive models will often come with a digital display, offering smart controls, such as customisable temperatures (as opposed to pre-sets) and timers – some even link to an app on your phone so you can stop and start without leaving the sofa. Higher-end models will often have added functionality built-in, so you can also bake, grill and roast as well as air fry. You might get a bigger cooking basket and added shelf space too, as well as detachable parts that make the cleaning a lot easier. The price will also affect how lightweight and compact the design will be.

Where can I buy one?
Air fryers can be purchased from all major retailers, including Harvey Norman, David Jones, Bing Lee, Kogan, Kmart, Target and Aldi.