Air fryers are popular partly because they're cheap to run — they heat a small space fast, so they draw power for less time than a big oven. Here's roughly what that costs in the UK and how to work it out for your own model.
Key takeaways
Q: How much does it cost to run an air fryer?
A: Most air fryers cost around 10–20p for a typical 15–25 minute cook in the UK, depending on wattage and your electricity rate.
Q: Is an air fryer cheaper than an oven?
A: Usually yes for small portions — it heats less space and cooks faster, so it draws power for less time.
What it costs to run
The sum is simple: power (kW) × time (hours) × your unit rate (p/kWh). Most air fryers are 1.4–2.1 kW. Using a representative UK rate of about 27p per kWh (check your own — rates change), here's the rough cost of common cooks:
| Cook | Power × time | Approx cost |
|---|---|---|
| Reheat (8 min) | 1.5kW × 0.13h | ~5p |
| Chips (18 min) | 1.5kW × 0.30h | ~12p |
| Chicken (25 min) | 1.8kW × 0.42h | ~20p |
| Roast veg (20 min) | 1.5kW × 0.33h | ~13p |
Work it out for your model
- Find the wattage on the base or in the manual (e.g. 1500W = 1.5kW).
- Convert minutes to hours (20 min = 0.33h).
- Multiply kW × hours × your unit rate in pence.
Air fryer vs oven cost
A typical electric oven draws more power (2–2.5kW) and takes longer, including preheating a much larger cavity — so for one or two portions the air fryer usually wins on cost. For a big batch that fills the oven anyway, the gap narrows. We break this down further in air fryer vs oven, and you can shorten cook times further by avoiding the common mistakes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an air fryer cost to run per hour?
At about 27p per kWh, a 1.5kW air fryer costs roughly 40p an hour — but most cooks take 15–25 minutes, so a typical use is nearer 10–20p.
Does an air fryer use a lot of electricity?
No — it's rated similarly to a kettle but runs for short bursts. Because it heats a small space quickly, it usually uses less energy than an oven for the same food.
How do I find my air fryer's wattage?
It's printed on the base of the unit or in the manual, shown in watts (W). Divide by 1,000 to get kilowatts for the cost sum.