Air Fryer vs Oven: What It Costs to Run Each One This Winter
Is an air fryer cheaper to run than an oven? For small and medium portions it usually is, because a compact machine heats a few litres of air instead of a whole oven cavity. The exact saving depends on the wattage of each appliance, how long it runs and what you are cooking, so this guide shows the sums rather than a headline figure.
The prices below use the Ofgem price cap for October to December 2026, which sets an average electricity unit rate of 26.32p per kWh for Direct Debit customers in England, Scotland and Wales. Your own tariff may differ, so swap in the rate on your bill. Many households now use an air fryer for oven-style jobs such as chips, chicken pieces and small bakes, and the figures show when that makes sense.
The sum: power x hours x price
Running cost is simple to calculate:
power in kilowatts x hours of use x 26.32p = cost in pence
An appliance rated at 1.5 kW running for one hour uses 1.5 kWh, which costs about 39.5p. A 2.5 kW oven running for an hour uses 2.5 kWh and costs about 66p. Check the rating plate or manual for the real wattage, as air fryers range from about 1,200 W to over 2,000 W and ovens vary too.
Worked examples
Air fryers cycle their element on and off once they reach temperature, and so do ovens, so the figures below are upper estimates: real use is often lower.
| Appliance | Time | Maximum energy | Cost at 26.32p |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 kW air fryer | 10 minutes | 0.25 kWh | about 7p |
| 1.5 kW air fryer | 20 minutes | 0.5 kWh | about 13p |
| 1.5 kW air fryer | 45 minutes | 1.1 kWh | about 30p |
| 2.5 kW electric fan oven | 40 minutes plus 10–15 minutes preheat | about 2 kWh | about 53p |
A 1.5 kW air fryer running for 20 minutes uses at most 0.5 kWh, about 13p. A 2.5 kW fan oven with a preheat and 40 minutes of cooking uses at most about 2 kWh, about 53p. Those are examples, not guarantees, but the pattern is clear for a single tray of food.
Which foods favour the air fryer
The shorter the cooking time, the more the smaller space helps, because an oven pays for its preheat on every use.
- Frozen chips take 15–18 minutes at 200 °C in the air fryer, so the cost is a few pence.
- Chicken thighs need 24 minutes at 190 °C.
- Homemade chips cook in 22–25 minutes at 200 °C for chunky cuts.
- Roast potatoes take 25–30 minutes at 200 °C after par-boiling.
If you want the same dish converted, the oven to air fryer conversion guide shows how to adjust temperature and time.
When the oven is the better choice
The saving shrinks or reverses when the batch is large. A big family roast, several trays of food or a whole chicken at 55–60 minutes may be more economical in the oven, especially if the oven is already on for other dishes. A medium jacket potato at 40–45 minutes takes long enough that the gap to the oven is smaller, though four potatoes in a hot oven still use the whole cavity. Cooking one tray in the air fryer and a second batch afterwards can cost more than one oven load.
Halogen oven vs air fryer
A halogen oven is a glass bowl with a halogen lamp and a fan in the lid. It holds more than a standard basket, often 10 litres or more, and lets you see the food, but it is usually bulkier. Some products sold as a halogen air fryer combine the halogen heater with an air fryer basket. The running cost follows the same rule: check the wattage, then multiply by the time. A higher-wattage halogen oven cooking a large batch may use more energy than a smaller air fryer, yet less than a full oven.
Does an air fryer use a lot of electricity?
Not compared with other large kitchen appliances. At 1.5 kW it uses less per minute than an electric oven, or a kettle at 3 kW. The cost adds up through long cooking times, so a short session costs pence. Air fryer energy consumption is shown on the rating plate as watts; an energy monitor plug gives the real figure for your machine.
Saving more energy
- Preheat for only 3 minutes, and not at all for short jobs.
- Fill the basket sensibly, so each run feeds the household.
- Avoid opening the drawer unnecessarily.
- Use the air fryer or a microwave for single portions, and the oven when it is already hot.
Questions and answers
Is it cheaper to cook in an air fryer than an oven?
For small and medium portions, usually yes. Worked examples at 26.32p per kWh give about 13p for 20 minutes at 1.5 kW compared with about 53p for a 2.5 kW fan oven including preheat. Large batches change the sum.
How much does an air fryer cost to run per hour?
Multiply the wattage in kilowatts by 26.32p. A 1.5 kW model costs about 39.5p for a full hour, and a 2 kW model about 53p, as upper figures.
Can I use an air fryer basket in the oven?
A mesh crisping tray can help in the oven, but it lacks the close, strong fan of an air fryer, so results differ. Use the oven timings, not the air fryer ones.
Can you use an air fryer for oven recipes?
Yes, for most small bakes, roasts and frozen foods. Lower the temperature by about 20 °C and shorten the time by a fifth to a quarter, then check early.
Where does the 26.32p figure come from?
It is the average unit rate in the Ofgem price cap for October to December 2026. Your own rate may be higher or lower.
