Air fryer

The air fryer earned its place on the counter for a reason: golden, crackly textures with a fraction of the oil, and a clock that's almost always on your side. This collection gathers recipes built specifically for that hot, fast, circulating air, so you can skip the guesswork and get to dinner.

What you'll find here

A mix of weeknight staples and the snacks people actually search for, including:

• Chicken in every form, from breasts and wings to tikka and tandoori
• Vegetable sides and roasted starters that crisp without drying out
• Indian favourites like samosa, pakora, aloo tikki, and paneer tikka
• Frozen-to-crispy shortcuts for the nights you don't want to think
• Lighter takes on the fried foods you grew up loving

When to reach for the air fryer

This is the appliance for the post-work scramble, the surprise guest, and the lazy Sunday snack. It preheats in a couple of minutes, doesn't heat up the whole kitchen in summer, and turns out food that's crisp on the outside and tender inside without a pot of oil to manage. If you're cooking for one or two, it's often quicker than the oven; if you're feeding more, it's a brilliant second burner.

A few tips before you start

Don't overcrowd the basket — air needs room to move. A light spritz of oil on dredged or breaded foods helps them brown evenly. And shake or flip halfway through; it's the closest thing to a universal rule.

Browse crispy recipes for more golden-edged ideas, or pair this with under 30 minutes when the clock is the real constraint.