Do air fryers really save money on cooking?
Households across the UK are asking whether swapping their oven for an air fryer actually cuts electricity bills. With energy costs still high in 2026, the promise of cheaper cooking is tempting. But the answer depends heavily on what you cook and how you currently cook it.
The direct answer is yes: air fryers can cut cooking electricity costs by roughly half compared to a standard electric oven, saving a typical household £50 to £60 per year (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). However, the savings only apply if you are replacing oven use, not hob or microwave use.
Air fryers use less energy than ovens because they heat a smaller space faster
A typical electric oven uses 2.0 to 2.5 kW per hour of running time, while an air fryer uses 1.2 to 1.5 kW (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). The difference in power draw is only part of the story. Air fryers preheat in 3 to 5 minutes versus 10 to 15 minutes for an oven, so total electricity consumed per cooking session is lower.
The smaller cooking chamber also means less heat escapes when the door opens, reducing waste. Energy savings vary by meal size. A full oven tray of roast potatoes uses more energy in an air fryer than a single portion because you may need to cook multiple batches.
The average cost to run an air fryer versus an oven per cooking session
At the current 2026 price cap of 24.5p per kWh (Ofgem, 2026), running a 1.5 kW air fryer for 30 minutes costs approximately 18.4p. Running a 2.2 kW oven for 45 minutes including preheat costs approximately 40.4p under the same tariff.
For a household cooking five times per week, switching from oven to air fryer could save roughly £57 per year (DESNZ, 2026). Savings are smaller for microwaves or hobs. Air fryers compete most directly with electric ovens, not with other countertop appliances.
Quick numbers
| Appliance | Typical power (kW) | Typical cost per 30-min cook (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Air fryer (1.5 kW) | 1.5 kW | 18.4p |
| Electric oven (2.2 kW) | 2.2 kW | 40.4p |
| Microwave (0.8 kW) | 0.8 kW | 9.8p |
| Induction hob (2.0 kW) | 2.0 kW | 24.5p |
Air fryers save money on cooking, but only if you are replacing oven use, not hob or microwave use
The direct answer to the question “do air fryers save money on cooking” is that they can cut cooking electricity costs by roughly half compared to a standard electric oven, saving a typical household £50 to £60 per year (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). The saving comes from shorter preheat times and a smaller heated volume, not from any special technology.
If you already use a microwave for most reheating or a hob for most meals, an air fryer adds little or no savings. The payback period on a £60 to £100 air fryer is roughly 1 to 2 years for oven-heavy households.
How to verify an air fryer’s energy efficiency and your installer if needed
Air fryers are not covered by the MCS certification scheme. No installer certification is required because they are plug-in appliances. For energy performance claims, look for the EU Energy Label now UKCA-marked, which shows kWh per 60 cycles for standard cooking tests (GOV.UK, 2026).
If you are replacing a built-in oven, the electrician fitting the new appliance should be registered with NICEIC or NAPIT (NICEIC, 2026). TrustMark registration confirms the tradesperson meets government-endorsed standards for workmanship (TrustMark, 2026).
The payback period depends on your current cooking habits and electricity tariff
A household that uses the oven four times per week could save about £48 per year, paying off a £70 air fryer in 18 months (DESNZ, 2026). Households on Economy 7 or time-of-use tariffs may see smaller savings if they cook during off-peak hours.
The payback extends to 3 to 4 years if you already use a microwave or hob for most cooking. Replacing an older, less efficient oven pre-2010 models increases the potential saving to £70 to £80 per year.
Air fryers do not save money on every type of food or household size
Cooking for one or two people maximizes air fryer efficiency. Families of four or more may need multiple batches, reducing or eliminating savings (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). Foods that require long cooking times, such as whole chickens or large roasts, use more energy in an air fryer than in an oven due to the smaller capacity.
Frozen foods often require longer cook times in an air fryer, offsetting some energy savings. The energy used by the appliance itself is only part of the cost. Ingredient waste and portion control affect total household food spending.
