Energy and running costs
Air Fryer Energy Cost per Serving
Published by the RecipeAirFryer editorial team · How we source times · Updated
The median air fryer recipe costs 2.5p per serving in electricity at the UK price cap, or 1.7¢ at the US average rate. The cheapest per portion is cookies at 0.5p, and the most expensive is beef jerky at 23.4p.
Key findings
- Recipes that serve many from one short cook are the cheapest per portion: cookies (serves 12), sugar cookies (serves 12), peanut butter cookies (serves 12).
- Recipes for two with a long cook are the most expensive per portion: beef jerky (serves 6), duck legs (serves 2), turkey legs (serves 2).
- 91% of recipes cost under 5p per serving in electricity.
- Per-serving energy is small next to the cost of the ingredients in every case.
- Cookies0.5p
- Sugar Cookies0.6p
- Peanut Butter Cookies0.6p
- Oatmeal Cookies0.7p
- Pretzel Bites1.1p
- S’mores1.2p
- Biscuits1.2p
- Nachos1.3p
The 12 cheapest recipes per serving
| Recipe | Serves | Cook | Per serving (UK) | Per serving (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cookies | 12 | 7 min | 0.5p | 0.4¢ |
| Sugar Cookies | 12 | 8 min | 0.6p | 0.4¢ |
| Peanut Butter Cookies | 12 | 8 min | 0.6p | 0.4¢ |
| Oatmeal Cookies | 10 | 7 min | 0.7p | 0.5¢ |
| Pretzel Bites | 6 | 7 min | 1.1p | 0.8¢ |
| S’mores | 4 | 4 min | 1.2p | 0.8¢ |
| Biscuits | 6 | 8 min | 1.2p | 0.8¢ |
| Nachos | 4 | 5 min | 1.3p | 0.9¢ |
| Oreos | 4 | 5 min | 1.3p | 0.9¢ |
| Bruschetta | 4 | 5 min | 1.3p | 0.9¢ |
| Caprese Skewers | 4 | 5 min | 1.3p | 0.9¢ |
| Scones | 6 | 9 min | 1.3p | 0.9¢ |
The 12 most expensive recipes per serving
| Recipe | Serves | Cook | Per serving (UK) | Per serving (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beef Jerky | 6 | 210 min | 23.4p | 16.3¢ |
| Duck Legs | 2 | 40 min | 14.1p | 9.8¢ |
| Turkey Legs | 2 | 35 min | 12.5p | 8.7¢ |
| Cornish Hen | 2 | 34 min | 12.2p | 8.5¢ |
| Whole Chicken | 4 | 55 min | 9.5p | 6.6¢ |
| Chicken Breast | 2 | 20 min | 7.6p | 5.3¢ |
| Toad in the Hole | 2 | 20 min | 7.6p | 5.3¢ |
| Baked Potato | 4 | 40 min | 7.1p | 4.9¢ |
| Pork Shoulder | 6 | 60 min | 6.9p | 4.8¢ |
| Apple Chips | 2 | 18 min | 6.9p | 4.8¢ |
| Pear Chips | 2 | 18 min | 6.9p | 4.8¢ |
| Chocolate Chip Cookie for One | 1 | 7 min | 6.6p | 4.6¢ |
A recipe written for two is not wasteful if there are two of you. The figure only shows that the same electricity is being shared between fewer plates.
How these figures were worked out
Energy is calculated, not metered: rated wattage multiplied by minutes of use. The air fryer is taken as 1,500 W with a 3-minute preheat. The oven is taken as 2,400 W with a 12-minute preheat. These are the default figures in our running cost calculator.
Air fryer minutes come from the recipe page. Oven minutes are the air fryer minutes divided by 0.8, which is the site's standard conversion (an air fryer takes about 80% of the oven time).
Prices are 26.32p per kWh (Ofgem price cap, October to December 2026) and 18.31¢ per kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, July 2026). Standing charges and taxes other than those already in the unit rate are left out, because they do not change with how you cook.
Both appliances switch their element off and on once they reach temperature, so every figure here is an upper limit. The gap between the two is a fair guide; the absolute numbers on your bill will be lower. Check the rating plate on your own appliances and your own tariff, then use the calculator for a figure that fits your kitchen.
Cost per serving is the cost of one cook divided by the serving count on the recipe page.
Sources
- Ofgem energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026 (26.32p per kWh, GB average, Direct Debit)
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A (18.31 cents per kWh, U.S. residential average, July 2026)
You may quote these figures with a link to this page. If you spot an error, tell us through the contact page and we will correct it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an air fryer meal cost per person in electricity?
The median is 2.5p per serving at the UK price cap and 1.7¢ at the US average rate, as an upper limit.
Is it cheaper to cook a bigger batch in an air fryer?
Per serving, yes, as long as it still fits in one layer. The energy for one cook is shared between more portions. Once you need a second batch, the saving goes.
Which air fryer recipes are cheapest per portion?
Cookies, sugar cookies and peanut butter cookies. Each serves several people from a cook of 8 minutes or less.