Using an air fryer for one typical session costs 15p in electricity, according to energy supplier Utilita. Over a year of average use, that adds up to £28.07 – and the electricity consumed is the equivalent of driving 110 miles in a car.
That means the annual environmental impact of running an air fryer is roughly the same as driving from London to Birmingham. The figure comes from Utilita's Power Price List, which translates Ofgem's energy price cap into the real-world running costs of everyday household appliances.
What is the Power Price List?
Utilita said: “Utilita has updated its Power Price List – the UK’s only live database that translates Ofgem’s price cap into the real‑world cost of powering everyday household electrical items. The update reflects Ofgem’s latest direct debit price cap, effective from July 1. The Power Price List breaks down the cost of running more than 100 common appliances and activities, from heating and cooking to laundry, lighting, entertainment and more.”
It adds: “The less energy we use, the better it is for the planet. That’s why the Power Price List also shows how the usage of common electrical items compares to the miles driven by a car – households may be shocked!”
Air fryer vs traditional oven
The same analysis shows that a traditional electric oven costs significantly more to run. According to Utilita, an electric cooker costs 53p per use, or £98.14 per year. In driving terms, that is more than two miles per use and 385 miles a year – only 18 miles short of driving from London to Glasgow.
Air fryers have become a permanent fixture in millions of homes, valued for their ease of use, healthier cooking and lower running costs than a traditional oven – but the figures show they still consume energy that carries a cost, both on bills and for the environment.
