Member of The Guild of Food Writers
Member of The Guild of Food Writers

Are healthy fries possible? FooDiva tests Philips’ AirFryer

Dubai; When it comes to kitchen products, FooDiva’s a sucker for gadgets with gimmicks, and I guess that’s how I ended up testing the relatively new-kid-on-the-block, Philips AirFryer. Well that, and Philips’ PR machine.

Philips AirFryerI sliced my potatoes lengthwise into 1.5cm strips leaving the skin on (800g for four servings), and tossed them in my concoction of olive oil (just one teeny tablespoon), plus some ground pepper, chilli and curry spices – making sure to coat them. I then scooped them into the AirFryer basket which had been plugged in, pre-heating for three minutes at 180C. Turned the dial to 22 minutes, letting them cook, whilst turning occasionally. Now the gizmo’s technology is based on diffusing hot air with a grill component to fry the chips, as opposed to sinful amounts of oil. Dependent on quantities, you only need ever use up to one tablespoon of oil. Note, the zero-oil claim applies to pre-packed/ frozen chips, which as we all know are already smothered in oil and all sorts of trans-fats.

Spicy chips a la AirFryerLo and behold, 22 minutes later, I unlocked the basket and here’s what I got; golden-brown home-made chips that looked as if they’d just popped out of a deep fryer, but infact hardly a drop of oil in sight. Crispy on the outside, and all mushy inside. You think you’re scoffing deep fried chips, and you can certainly taste it, but infact Philips claims the fat content is 80% less than a conventional fryer. Calorie content, FooDiva reckons is a little less – at the end of the day it’s still chips. There’s also a separator so you can cook a couple of foods simultaneously – just beware of individual cooking times. The built-in air filter diffuses odours, so you won’t get that awful deep fried smell around the house – even though you’ll smell it on the chips. And best bit when you’re done, bung the removable drawer and basket into the dishwasher.

By the way, it’s not just built for chips, but an accompanying recipe book gives you heaps of ideas from fish cakes and quiche to chocolate brownies!

The Philips Air Fryer HD9220 costs AED 999, so your as-healthy-as- you-can-get fries do come at a price. For UAE stockists, T; 800 7445477. If you’re a fan of fries and chips, then it’s a worthwhile, healthy investment – and am sure you’d concoct other dishes too. The AirFryer will only cook a max of four portions at one time, so clearly if you’re dining with a larger group, you’ll need to plan otherwise as those chips should be served immediately. Whilst I sense a chip-addiction ahead, my only qualm is the basket was a tad too fiddly to remove – but perhaps that’s just FooDiva.

Ooh what should we airfry next? Suggestions welcome!

Note; if you’ve not come across my editorial policy, then please do have a read here.

A bientôt.

FooDiva. x

  • Posted under
    Chips, Food Features, Product review

Web Comments

15 Responses to “Are healthy fries possible? FooDiva tests Philips’ AirFryer”

  1. Admirer May 31, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    This seems very interesting and you get to keep the goodness as well, since there is no waste by cutting off the skine. Must try this…..

    • FooDiva May 31, 2011 at 3:39 pm

      You can peel the skin off if you like, but why throw away all that goodness?

  2. Yiahni May 31, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    How very interesting as the spider said to the fly… I have been subtly wafting past the display stand at one of the major white goods stores (actually I think it may have even been another brand) but She Who Must Be Obeyed has been resolutely putting her foot down.

    This is probably somethign to do with the chronic lack of cupboard space and the plethora of gadgets I come home with; my substitute for an inability to cook anything more complex than rice.

    However there may very well be a compelling case to answer here. I must admit to a smidgeon of cynicism at the claim of producing a deep fried taste on one spoonfull of oil… Well, there’s only one way to find out eh?

    PS: Love your new pink look
    PPS: Just WHAT is wrong with the delicious aroma of fried food all over the house?

    • FooDiva May 31, 2011 at 3:42 pm

      Pop round for chips and champagne, or perhaps souvlaki and you can taste for yourself! I guess am too much of a health freak to like the smell of fried food. Taa for the pink compliment!

  3. Nicole May 31, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    Perfect timing – I’ve been looking at these recently and am going to buy one based on this review. Chip and bubbly night coming up….!

    • FooDiva May 31, 2011 at 3:43 pm

      Funny I thought the same, great minds think alike!

  4. Sally - My Custard Pie May 31, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    I’d been tempted by the competitor version but there are some bad reviews so that made me change my mind. May have to pick your brains (or test drive your chips) about this one!

    • FooDiva June 1, 2011 at 9:30 am

      Ooh tell me more on the competitor’s negative reviews. You can borrow mine if you like, or pop round for chips and a glass or two.

  5. inafryingpan June 1, 2011 at 9:34 am

    I tried fries from this at Taste of Dubai. Very nice and light, but I actually didn’t find them to be as super crispy as what you can get with a deep-fryer (guess it’s a question of how you like your fries, super crispy all the way, or crispy on the outside and mushy within, like you’ve described above). That’s less of a problem if you’re making samosas or other stuffed-and-fried things I guess, where you just need that golden brown outer crust.
    Thanks for sharing the review!

  6. kelly June 1, 2011 at 11:28 am

    I prepare my chips the same way (little olive oil, herbs) and then in oven! Very healthy and tasty also!!!

  7. rose September 18, 2011 at 3:55 pm

    one feature: Rapid Air technology fries the tastiest food without the oil. love it!!!!

  8. Tara Rogers September 22, 2011 at 4:12 pm

    Philips Air Fryer only requires one tablespoon of oil! Brilliant.

  9. ehab October 22, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    iwant to know the price of philips airfryer model 020 and where i can buy from

    • FooDiva October 22, 2011 at 9:57 pm

      AED 999, and you can get it from all major stores Carrefour included.

  10. Andrea Garry December 16, 2015 at 4:48 am

    This fryer is always ideally simple to use too; it does not need pre-heating like an stove and it has a clock. It is also simple to fresh up after use as its sink, stirrer and lid can securely be jumped into the dish washer.

I’d love to receive your feedback, so feel free to comment any time.

Facebook Comments