- 55% of millennials and 43% of Gen Z plan to use an air fryer for Christmas dinners this year.
- 53% of millennials will be using the air fryer to cook potatoes.
- 49% of millennials are worried about increased electricity usage.
As Christmas approaches, new research has revealed that millennials and Gen-Z are ditching Christmas cooking traditions this year, opting for air fryers over conventional ovens instead. Over half (55%) of Millennials and 43% of Gen Z plan to use air fryers for their Christmas dinners this year.
The rising popularity of air fryers has led to an increase in demand at online electricals retailer, AO.com for them in the run-up to Christmas and through Black Friday sales. More and more young people are turning to air fryers to achieve perfectly crispy dishes for their festive dishes.
One of the main reasons for the growing popularity of air fryers is their energy efficiency. During the festive season, 49% of Millennials even admitted that they were worried about increased electricity usage.
Air fryers offer a more sustainable option as they don’t require preheating, which reduces waiting times and minimises energy use. Instead of waiting for the oven to be ready for each side dish, you can use the air fryer to cook your dishes all at once.
The survey highlights that potatoes (53%) are the most popular Christmas item millennials favour cooking in an air fryer. Turkey (40%) came in second, with pigs in blankets (38%) and Yorkshire puddings (32%) followed closely behind.
Air fryers can also be used to heat leftovers for the days following Christmas, making it easier to enjoy your Christmas feast not only on Boxing Day but also for the next few days without any hassle.
According to AO’s air fryer expert, Thea Whyte, “One of the biggest advantages of using an air fryer to prepare your Christmas dinner is that it allows you to cook side dishes whilst simultaneously cooking the turkey. You can use your air fryer for roast potatoes, stuffing, pigs in blankets, and roasted vegetables.
“Many air fryers even come with multiple functions, allowing you to cook, roast, bake, and even reheat, which means you can have multiple dishes cooking at the same time. It’s also a healthier option compared to traditional frying methods, as it uses little to no oil to cook food.”
Top five items millennials are cooking in the air fryer this Christmas:
- Potatoes (53%)
- Pigs in blankets (38%)
- Turkey (37%)
- Yorkshire puddings (32%)
- Parsnips (26%)