Cost-saving versions of classic meals
We’re all feeling the pinch at the moment, so the more cost savings we can make - especially when it comes to our electricity bill - the better. So what if we told you that you can cook the same delicious meals you usually cook in a traditional oven in a way that’s not only cheaper but also healthier? Now that’s what we call a win-win situation, and it's all thanks to the energy efficiency you get by air frying.
What does an air fryer do?
Air fryers cook everything a conventional oven does, but they do it quicker. That means you pay for less heat and also get to eat a bit earlier too! For example, chicken breasts that take around 20 minutes in the oven only take 15 minutes in an air fryer. A baked potato will only take around 40 minutes in an air fryer, and a cake - yes, you can bake a cake in an air fryer oven - will take around 20-25 minutes.
But when it comes to energy use, probably the biggest benefit is that an air fryer is a lot smaller than a traditional oven - they're countertop size - and this means that it will probably only use half the wattage.
What is air frying?
Air fryers are small convection ovens that have fans to circulate the hot air at speed. Food is placed in air fryer baskets or on racks which enable the hot air to circulate around the food and cook it evenly - on the bottom at the same time as the top. Air-fried food is crispy, but the crisp is produced by the heat rather than the oil, which is what makes chips cooked in an air fryer a healthier alternative to those cooked in a hot oil fryer. However, what hot air cannot do is turn your food golden brown (which the deep fat fryer does so well). That’s why many recipes suggest spraying your chips with oil before placing them in the fryer, which will ensure your food has an even golden crisp as well as all the flavour of deep-fried foods.
Sensio air fryers
The Sensio Home Mega 21L Capacity Air Fryer Oven is large enough to cater for all the family. It is multi-functional, so you can bake, fry, broil, toast, and even cook on the rotisserie. You can use it to cook almost anything, including pizza.
The Sensio Home Super Chef White Digital Air Fryer is a drawer air fryer that’s easy to clean and has a dishwasher-safe basket. It has seven presets (for fries, steak, drumsticks, chops, fish, shrimp, and cake) as well as a timer function, so you can cook food exactly the way you want it.
Both are perfect for anyone wanting to cook healthier and more efficiently. To help get you started, here’s the recipe for our favourite meal of salmon fillet with roasted asparagus, which we cooked using the Sensio Home Mega 21L Capacity Air Fryer Oven.
Salmon fillet
serves 2
Ingredients
2 (170g) salmon fillets, skin removed
1 tbsp melted butter
Zest and juice of half a lemon
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ tsp crushed chilli flakes
Salt & pepper
Preparation
Mix together the butter, lemon zest and juice, rosemary, parsley, garlic, chilli flakes, salt and pepper. Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel and cover with the mixture. Spray air frying basket with non-stick cooking spray before placing the salmon in the basket. Cook on the top rack at 175°C for 8-12 minutes (depending on thickness) until opaque.
Roasted asparagus
serves 2
Ingredients
250g asparagus
½ tbsp olive oil
½ tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 small garlic clove, minced
Splash of balsamic vinegar
Salt & pepper
Preparation
Break off the end of the asparagus (the tough woody part). Top tip: feel your way down the asparagus, bending it until it naturally snaps - click here for a handy YouTube video that demonstrates the method. Coat the asparagus with the rest of the ingredients. Place in the air frying basket in a single layer. Cook on top level at 180°C for 8 minutes, until slightly tender in the centre.