Air fryers are a versatile addition to your kitchen, often replacing the jobs you’d normally do in a fan oven — just faster. Many of the top rated air fryers excel at everyday staples because they cook quickly and crisp reliably.
They’re brilliant for potato wedges, french fries and frozen favourites like chicken nuggets and fish fingers, but they also work well for marinated chicken wings, crispy roast potatoes and vegetables, salmon, steaks and even bacon.
If you’re keen to get started, the Mumsnet food and recipes forum is packed full of inspiration, and many models come with recipe guidance to kick-start your air-frying journey.
What shouldn’t I cook in an air fryer?
Unless you’re using a multi-cooker with a suitable pot, foods with significant liquid content like soups and stews aren’t recommended in an air fryer.
Rice-based dishes that need water to absorb during cooking are also unlikely to work well and can dry out too quickly or burn.
Finally, watch very light foods: leafy greens and delicate pastry can get blown around by the fast air circulation, which can lead to uneven cooking (or an unfortunate mess).
How do I recycle an air fryer in the UK?
If you’re upgrading to a shinier model (or yours has finally given up mid-chip), it’s worth doing the boring-but-important bit properly so it doesn’t end up as avoidable e-waste.
1) Check the warranty first
If it’s broken, look at your paperwork and the manufacturer’s warranty. Many faults can be repaired or replaced if you’re still covered - and it’s always worth asking before you write it off.
2) Can it be repaired (or can you swap a part)?
Out of warranty doesn’t automatically mean “dead”. Some brands sell replacement parts (baskets, trays, crisper plates), and a surprising number of issues are basically “one part has had it”. If it’s an electrical fault, see if a local appliance repair service can look at it - especially for pricier models.
3) If it still works: donate it
If you’re upgrading rather than replacing a broken air fryer, please don’t chuck it. Offer it to a friend, put it on Freecycle / Facebook Marketplace, or donate via a reuse charity. The Reuse Network supports charities across the UK that redistribute good-quality electrical appliances to people who need them.
4) Recycle it properly (air fryers count as WEEE)
Air fryers are electrical items, so they shouldn’t go in your normal household recycling. The easiest routes are:
Use a recycling locator: Recycle Your Electricals has specific guidance for recycling air fryers and a postcode tool to find drop-off points.
Check your council options: Recycle Now notes that some local authorities collect small electricals at the kerbside (often with special instructions), while others direct you to recycling centres.
Retailer take-back: If you buy a new electrical, many retailers will take the old one back for recycling (there are rules around this, and sometimes time limits). GOV.UK explains retailer take-back responsibilities.
In-store collection points: Some stores have in-store bins for small electricals. B&Q, for example, has WEEE recycling information and in-store collection routes.
Small but important note: give it a quick clean, remove loose accessories, and don’t send it off with leftover crumbs from 2023 lurking in the bottom (no judgement here).