Once upon a time, every house in the UK had a chip pan, despite the fact that letting a huge pan of oil bubble away at a superhigh temperature was incredibly dangerous. Not only were chip pans a fire hazard, but the food cooked in them [1] also wasn't exactly healthy. Deep-fat fryers aren't much better: they use just as much fat, and it can take days for the smell to leave the house after you've cooked in one.
Step forward air fryers, the new kid on the block. These health-conscious gadgets cook chips and other fried foods in a safer and healthier way. There's no pot of boiling oil; instead, they use hot air and movement, and they require only a teaspoon of oil, so your dinner isn't totally submerged in fat as it cooks. The chips that come out might not be identical to your favourite triple-cooked treats, but they're a pretty awesome alternative for a fraction of the calories. Some of these fryers are even dinky enough to fit in the tiniest of kitchens [2]. So which one is right for you? Take a look at our roundup of the best air fryers, and start making your own McDonald's French fries [3] at home.
Tefal AH960840 ActiFry Genius
The Tefal AH960840 ActiFry Genius [4] (£220) is the king of air fryers. This one is extra large, so you can fry enough for the whole family yourself on a Friday night.
Philips Health Airfryer
The Philips Health Airfryer [5] (£129) has an app that comes with 200 recipes, so you can be more adventurous than "more chips." It's dishwasher friendly, and there's a little built-in cool zone which means your oil stays fresher for longer.
Philips HD9621 Viva Collection
The Philips HD9621 Viva Collection [6] (£129) takes up very little space, but you'll still find that at 800 grams capacity, you can cook enough chips for a family of four. All of the components are dishwasher friendly, too.
Power Air Fryer
If you can't quite stretch for a deluxe model but want something that is robust enough to handle a lot of use, the Power Air Fryer [7] (£100) is the happy medium. Plus, it has a huge capacity, making it perfect for big families.
Daewoo Halogen Air Fryer
Look, we're just going to come out and say it. We want the Daewoo Halogen Air Fryer [8] (£25) because it looks like a Stormtrooper. It's got two racks, so you can cook two different dishes at the same time. Let's be honest, it's going to be chips and chicken nuggets, isn't it?
Vonshef 5L Air Fryer
We do really like the copper touches on the Vonshef 5L Air Fryer [9] (£65). Better yet, it roasts and bakes, too, which means the nifty gadget will cook our favourite food groups: chips and cake.
Tower Digital Air Fryer
Want a large fryer without the hefty price tag? Then the Tower Digital Air Fryer [10] (£70) is the one for you.
Klarstein VitAir
Look, we're not opposed to getting a brand new kitchen gadget just because it's a great colour. Luckily the Klarstein VitAir [11] (£110) does a bang-up job as well as looking great.
Lakeland Touchscreen Air Fryer
Of course incredible kitchen gadget emporium Lakeland has its own machine. The Touchscreen Air Fryer [12] (£80) is a good value product, and the reviewers are particularly positive about how well it cooks chips.
Salter EK2205 Healthy Digital Hot Air Fryer
If you need something that can handle large amounts of food, the Salter EK2205 Healthy Digital Hot Air Fryer [13] (£66) has a 4.5 litre capacity, so it's ideal for a large family. As you'd expect, it's heavy, so this is something to bear in mind if you don't have much counter-top space.
Breville VDF122 Halo+ DuraCeramic Low Fat Fryer
The Breville VDF122 Halo+ DuraCeramic Low Fat Fryer [14] (£119) has a rotating bowl and is nonstick, so your food doesn't end up stuck together in a massive gloop, or to the bottom of your fryer.
Morphy Richards Health Fryer
The Morphy Richards Health Fryer [15] (£70) doesn't need oil, and it has a preheater and timer so you can go about your evening while your chips are frying. There's a delay start function, too, so you can get cooking after your friend has texted to say they'll be late.