Energy and running costs
The 20 Cheapest Air Fryer Recipes to Cook, Ranked by Energy Cost
Published by the RecipeAirFryer editorial team · How we source times · Updated
The cheapest air fryer recipe to cook is s’mores, at 4.6p in the UK and 3.2¢ in the US for one cook including preheat. All 20 recipes on this list cost 6.6p (4.6¢) or less in electricity, because they cook in 7 minutes or under.
Key findings
- Energy cost follows cooking minutes, so the cheapest recipes are simply the quickest: s’mores, nachos, oreos.
- 3 of the 20 are breakfast or lunch recipes.
- The 3-minute preheat is a real share of the bill at this end: it accounts for 43% of the energy for s’mores.
- Ingredient cost is not included. This ranks electricity only.
- S’mores4.6p
- Nachos5.3p
- Oreos5.3p
- Bruschetta5.3p
- Caprese Skewers5.3p
- Donuts5.9p
- Garlic Bread5.9p
- Scallops5.9p
- Roasted Strawberries5.9p
- Smores Dip5.9p
The 20 cheapest recipes
| Food | Air fryer time | Air fryer (UK) | Oven (UK) | Air fryer (US) | Oven (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S’mores | 4 min | 4.6p | 17.9p | 3.2¢ | 12.5¢ |
| Nachos | 5 min | 5.3p | 19.2p | 3.7¢ | 13.4¢ |
| Oreos | 5 min | 5.3p | 19.2p | 3.7¢ | 13.4¢ |
| Bruschetta | 5 min | 5.3p | 19.2p | 3.7¢ | 13.4¢ |
| Caprese Skewers | 5 min | 5.3p | 19.2p | 3.7¢ | 13.4¢ |
| Donuts | 6 min | 5.9p | 20.5p | 4.1¢ | 14.3¢ |
| Garlic Bread | 6 min | 5.9p | 20.5p | 4.1¢ | 14.3¢ |
| Scallops | 6 min | 5.9p | 20.5p | 4.1¢ | 14.3¢ |
| Roasted Strawberries | 6 min | 5.9p | 20.5p | 4.1¢ | 14.3¢ |
| Smores Dip | 6 min | 5.9p | 20.5p | 4.1¢ | 14.3¢ |
| Kale Chips | 6 min | 5.9p | 20.5p | 4.1¢ | 14.3¢ |
| Shrimp | 7 min | 6.6p | 21.8p | 4.6¢ | 15.2¢ |
| Mozzarella Sticks | 7 min | 6.6p | 21.8p | 4.6¢ | 15.2¢ |
| Hot Dogs | 7 min | 6.6p | 21.8p | 4.6¢ | 15.2¢ |
| Grilled Cheese | 7 min | 6.6p | 21.8p | 4.6¢ | 15.2¢ |
| Cookies | 7 min | 6.6p | 21.8p | 4.6¢ | 15.2¢ |
| Tuna Steaks | 7 min | 6.6p | 21.8p | 4.6¢ | 15.2¢ |
| Quesadillas | 7 min | 6.6p | 21.8p | 4.6¢ | 15.2¢ |
| Tortilla Chips | 7 min | 6.6p | 21.8p | 4.6¢ | 15.2¢ |
| Shrimp Tacos | 7 min | 6.6p | 21.8p | 4.6¢ | 15.2¢ |
What this ranking does and does not tell you
It tells you which recipes put the least on the electricity bill. It does not tell you which meal is cheapest overall, because a steak that cooks in ten minutes still costs more than a potato that cooks in forty.
For short cooks the preheat is the easiest saving. Food that does not need a browned crust, such as reheated or frozen items, can go into a cold basket with a minute or two added to the time.
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.
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
What is the cheapest thing to cook in an air fryer?
By electricity, the quickest recipes: s’mores costs about 4.6p or 3.2¢ per cook including a 3-minute preheat.
How much electricity does a 10-minute air fryer cook use?
A 1,500 W air fryer running for 10 minutes plus a 3-minute preheat uses at most 0.33 kWh, which is 8.6p at the UK price cap and 6.0¢ at the US average rate.
Does skipping the preheat save money?
A little. Three minutes at 1,500 W is at most 2.0p or 1.4¢. It matters most on short cooks, where it can be a fifth of the energy used.