Forget chestnuts roasting on an open fire. The modern British Christmas might just feature Brussels sprouts crisping in an air fryer. With time and money tighter than ever, one lifestyle writer decided to see if this kitchen gadget could truly deliver a full festive spread without the traditional hours of oven-slaving.
The Festive Air Fryer Challenge
Facing her first Christmas as host, Niamh Kirk set herself a bold mission: to cook an entire roast dinner for two in just 45 minutes, for under £15. The goal was to maximise time for Bucks Fizz and board games, not monitoring the oven. Armed with her Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer, she embarked on a culinary experiment, though she had to reluctantly omit stuffing balls, cauliflower cheese, and braised red cabbage due to space constraints.
A quick trip to Lidl and Asda secured all the essentials. Her haul included a medium whole chicken for £4.19, potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots, frozen Yorkshire puddings, gravy granules, fresh rosemary, and the crucial pigs in blankets. The total bill came in at under £15, proving the budget-friendly potential.
The 45-Minute Cooking Method
Using the two compartments of her air fryer, Niamh adopted a strategic approach. She started with the chicken, coating it in oil, butter, and herbs and stuffing it with onion and rosemary. Placed in a silicone tray at 160°C on the Air Fry setting, it cooked for 40 minutes.
In the second tray, seasoned potatoes went in at a hotter 200°C for 20 minutes, receiving the essential shake every five minutes. While these cooked, she prepped honey-glazed carrots and Brussels sprouts. Later, the vegetables replaced the potatoes for 15 minutes at 180°C, with the pigs in blankets added on top of the chicken for efficient multi-tasking.
A final flourish involved crisping the Yorkshires for two minutes and giving the chicken and bacon a five-minute blast on Max Crisp at 220°C. Gravy was made with kettle-boiled water, and the feast was ready to serve.
The Verdict: Success With One Caveat
At first glance, the spread was impressive, and everything tasted fantastic. The reduced washing-up and lack of kitchen fluster were major wins. The dual-zone function, allowing different temperatures and timers, was hailed as a game-changer.
However, a few minor issues emerged. The potatoes became slightly wrinkled, the sprouts were charred while the carrots lacked crispness, and the meat underneath the chicken was worryingly pink. Niamh suspects the silicone tray may have hindered air circulation and vows to cook without it next time.
The biggest limitation? Capacity. "There's no way I could fit anything else in," she notes, confirming that a Christmas dinner for 11 would still require the oven. But for a cosy, cost-effective meal for two, the air fryer proved its worth. "Would I repeat this for just the two of us? Absolutely," she concludes, heralding a new, simpler festive tradition.
