OK, OK, we finally succumbed. After family and friends regaling us with tales about how an air fryer will change our life, we finally bit the bullet this week. 

Unless you’ve been hidden under a rock, you’ll know air fryers have become increasingly popular in the UK over the last few years, gaining a reputation for being a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. Taking home kitchens across the world by storm, the air fryer makes cooking healthy meals easier, quicker, and cheaper. My dad bloody loves a hack so he was the first to jump on board. My sister’s home is full of every conceivable gadget and so we’ve been watching with interest on every trip home. Well, last week sealed the deal

So what’s all the fuss about?...I hear you ask. 

They use rapid air circulation technology to cook food with hardly any oil, providing a crispy texture similar to deep frying but with significantly less fat. Well and truly banished are those greasy chip pans we grew up with in our family kitchen.

But air fryers are not limited to just frying; they can also bake, roast, and grill. Mine even has very jazzy “max crisp” and “dehydrate” functions. Many models come with multiple cooking settings, allowing you to prepare a wide range of dishes from your Sunday roast to desserts. And now, what to cook? I joined a Facebook group and quickly left after seeing some of the monstrosities people were sharing on there. We are foodies in our house and we aim to use this to be creative, to save time, to be a little more healthy. Much as the kids might want to, we will not be cooking beige food extravaganza with chips every night of the week!

So, wherever you are on your air fryer journey, whether you’re still to join the party or you’ve had yours a while but want to up the ante a little, here is some bookish inspiration.

If you’re a vegetarian check out the new DK book: The Complete Veggie Air Fryer Cookbook which brings together 75 vegetarian and vegan recipes, bursting with inspiration to help you make the most of your air fryer.

Master baker? Elevate your bakes, while saving time, money and hassle with Air Fryer Baking Magic. Expert baker Juliet Sear unveils a treasure trove of meticulously tested and beautiful recipes your whole family will love, all tailor-made for your air fryer, with nifty hacks and secret tips to get the best out of your machine sprinkled throughout.

If you’re just looking for overall inspiration, dive into the Sunday Times Bestseller How To Make Anything in an Air Fryer by Hayley Dean. From breakfasts and brunches to speedy lunches, healthy dinners to sweets and snacks, this cookbook shows you how to cook all your favourite dishes in your air fryer. With recipes including everyday favourites as well as exciting new dishes - you'll never go back to your oven.

5-million copy bestselling authors Kay and Kate Allinson of Pinch of Nom fame, are back with the brand-new book everyone has been asking for: super-easy, calorie-counted and utterly delicious air fryer recipes. Yet again, they’ve nailed it and this is one of my faves: Pinch of Nom Air Fryer.

Jamie Oliver is even getting in on the action in January 2025. Easy Air Fryer is the result of months of experimentation, this is Jamie's offering with chapters which include Quick Fixes, New Classics, Big Up the Veg, Super Salads, A Little Bit Fancy, Cute Canapes, Get Your Bake on and Proper Puds.

Books which feature the words “air fryer” in their titles were worth £1.5 million this year. Proving that this craze isn’t going anywhere fast so if you haven’t bit the bullet yet, what are you waiting for? Do it, and when you’re ready, here’s a collection of air fryer cookbooks for your every need.