Airfrying rather than oven

I have a Ninja Foodi 9-in-1, which I love. If I just wanted the air fry function, I'd have probably opted for a cheap model, but I wanted the Ninja for its other functions too, including the pressure cooker. So far this morning, I've produced bacon, cheese and tomato wraps, cheese and chive scones and an orange cake, and after lunch, I'm going to do a chicken and chorizo paella.

Condolences Cnash I was widowed last year and have also been thinking about an alternative to having the main oven on just for one. Plus they are so much easier to keep clean than a big oven.

My youngest DD has just purchased a Ninja and she is raving about it, I was waiting to see how she got on before deciding but with the cost of electricity and gas it would make sense for me to invest in something like that, maybe a smaller model. I’m not really one for microwave meals so I think it would be a good option. Lots of positive comments on hear about them too.

I have the ninja foodi 14-1 and love it. I love the pressure cooker element and have been shocked at how quickly good food can be created. You can sauté, prove bread, make yoghurt and do a mulittude of other things I'm just learning about. It's renewed my interest in cooking. I love the dehydrated apples and bananas especially. Both my girls have got one recently and are waxing lirical about them and the speed at which food cooks. I have saved so much money on my electric costs since I got mine thankfully. There is a learning curve but lots of info available on line. I am on my own but cook for the family too, I couldn't go for a smaller one for that reason.

We have one, there are two of us so we have a slightly larger model.
My daughter has one with automatic programmes, but this isn't really necessary.
As others have said, it's basically a small, fast, fan oven. I use mine in preference to the oven, it's more economical and heats up quickly.
We have a Ninja, many people recommend the brand and their website shows all the models.
It's very good for roasting though if you're doing baked potatoes it's a good idea to microwave first to save time.
The ones with more cooking methods seem more useful I think, ours specifies "air fry", roast" "grill", "bake" and "reheat".

I should have added that mine has a temperature probe which is great for roasts.

We've been using it outside in the hot weather - important to have a properly wired outside socket though!

I have a small one and use it every day. Only thing I have used oven for since last Autumn is Christmas dinner. I do use hob (gas). I even make toasted sandwiches in airfryer and cook pizza. I would definitely recommend that you get one.

I’ve been considering a Ninja as my son raves about his but I’m not sure because I have a dual flatbed sharp microwave and I’m thinking maybe it’s as good as I often use the convection oven part, also not sure about the electric saving it might have by comparison? I live on my own so will be interested in advice from others who already have this type of microwave.

www.tamingtwins.com have some easy recipes

We have a Tefal airfryer. It's used most days instead of oven

I asked my son yesterday about the airfryer but he has discarded his (it was a cheap ne I believe) he said chips come out soggy and better to get a deep fat fryer. it sounds although the ninja is well recommended by most of those commenting

Sorry to hear of your loss.

Well, we bought an air-fryer and gave it away after three weeks.

Food simply did not taste good when cooked in it.

I plan my oven use, so I have a loaf of bread, a meat loaf or other oven cooked main dish and any fruit to be stewed in it at the same time for 35 minutes once a week or every ten days.

I would suggest a microwave, if you don't already have one, rather than an air-fryer. You can probably find a microwave cookery book in a charity shop if you need help using it, or simply google cooking times.

I am also contemplating re-instating a hay-box for cooking potatoes and root vegetables, milk puddings etc. in and looking out all the old recipes for any and every dish that can be made in one pot on a low heat for under twenty minutes.

is he adding too much oil perhaps ?
i've not heard that problem before.
and as for a deep fat fryer ! well does anybody have or want one now, apart from in a commercial kitchen.
so unhealthy and potentially hazardous.
the fire brigade are pleased they've gone out of fashion in domestic settings.

My daughter bought me an airfryer 3 years ago - it’s invaluable and I use it every day. It’s amazingly versatile. For example today’s lunch was tomatoes and cheese on toast. I have just ordered a new Tefal air fryer/grill and steamer which means I will rarely use my oven and hob.

Ok I’m convinced. I want one, but which one? I live alone but often have DS and family or DD over for dinner. I’ve looked online but the choice is baffling. Any advice?

It's not easy to advise as much depends on what you want. If you don't have a pressure cooker or slow cooker then a Ninja Foodi might be the way forward, but my favourite is the Tower Press. It seems to be out of stock on Amazon but is available elsewhere. See my post on Page 1 of this thread for why I prefer it to the Ninja.

Sorry, that should be Tower Xpress.

Condolences on your loss. To you and your family. I now don’t own a cooker I have a ninja oven which doesn’t so many things steam roast bake air fry etc I do a Sunday dinner for myself with vegetables and a chicken leg etc and roast potatoes I steam fry 10 mins then for 15 mins I roast off my roasties and cook home made yorkies and roast my chicken and it costs me 8p according to my smart meter lol at the min. I tell everyone to buy them. I’ve also got a ninja soup maker and I can do that in about 20mins but with that I eat a bowl and rest I put into freezer tubs for different day. Should I need to boil something I’ve a hot plate but 99 per cent of stuff I do in my ninjas and I also live alone too. Saves me on electricity or and I’ve also got a electric throw which also cost pennies to use and I keep warm without heating whole house so everyone should get one of them before winter hits

Baked potatoes are best steamed for ten minutes then baked come out lovely and soft in a ninja I’ve got 15-1 yes it’s bigger but if family visit you can cater for them I’ve done mince and dumplings you name it I’ve tested it. Try butter a slice of bread crack an egg on top 2 mins egg on toast make sure you butter I didn’t first time egg slide off lol

Get one! It'll change your life ( nearly anyway) they're great you can do all sorts in them from fries to cakes and everything in between ,no fried eggs sadly! It'll also save loads on the lecci bill! I got a cheap TOWER first to try had it 3 years and replaced with a better one on Amazon , read reviews and get one to suit your needs.good luck!

So casseroles and stews etc in slow cooker?

I eat very little fried food except a bit of bacon and egg for breakfast.

So it is down to roasts, and what else?

Anything you can cook in an oven will be fine in an air fryer.

lizzypopbottle

V3ra we always microwave our jacket potatoes then crisp them up in the air fryer. They are ready before the main oven would be up to temperature.

Yes that's what I'm hoping!
Mine has arrived today so I'm looking forward to trying it out later, although I think we'll be fighting over who gets first go ?

Whitewavemark unfortunately air fryer is the wrong name for it because it does not fry. It cooks food using hot air. I use a max of half a teaspoonful of oil but most of the time none.

Some need to be heated, mine takes 5 minutes, compare that with heating an oven- most of the time my food is cooked before I would be thinking of popping the food in the oven.

Try not to buy one made in China, mine was made in London, about 3 miles from where I live.

I’ve ordered a Ninja 9 in 1, it’ll keep me quiet for a while working it all out.