They’re hailed as the future of cooking. Compact, speedy and energy-saving, air fryers are popping up on worktops around the world, with home cooks singing their praises. But for the more aesthetically minded among us, the sight of yet another bulky black-and-chrome gadget can prompt an immediate and emphatic ‘no’ (we’ve only just hidden our white goods with counter curtains, for goodness’ sake). Thankfully, sleeker, more design-led models are now entering the market – including retro styles for vintage lovers – so there’s no need to panic or start plotting a pantry extension just to conceal the thing…
Shop the options
Our Place Wonder 6-in-1 air fryer and toaster stainless-steel oven in Spice, £195, Selfridges
Style points: 5/5
Reviews: 4.5/5
50s-style 10 in 1 multifunction countertop oven with steam & air fry in Pastel Blue, £849.95, Smeg
Style points: 4.5/5
Reviews: 4/5
Retro 8L dual basket air fryer in Blue, £129.99, Swan
Style points: 3/5
Reviews: 4.5/5
Sage Smart Oven™ air fryer stainless steel countertop, £280, John Lewis
Style points: 2/5
Reviews: 4.5/5
Cello Overture dual zone air fryer in Sage Green, £104.99, The Range
Style points: 3.5/5
Reviews: 4.5/5
Ninja MAX dual zone 6-in-1 digital air fryer 9.5L in Stone Gold, £215.46, Amazon
Style points: 3/5
Reviews: 4.5/5
Easy Fry Pop air fryer 5L in Yellow, £79.99, Tefal
Style points: 2/5
Reviews: 4.5/5
VQ Laura Ashley digital air fryer in China Rose, £99.99, Currys
Style points: 4.5/5
Reviews: 5/5
Toronto VertiCook Ultra air fryer in White, £99.99, Salter
Style points: 3/5
Reviews: 4/5
Choosing the right model
When buying an air fryer, consider what will best suit your household size, budget and cooking habits. You may not need a model boasting ten different cooking modes, and while a design might catch your eye, it’s important to check that its size won’t overwhelm your available worktop space.
Styling is just as important as functionality. Start with colour: selecting an air fryer that works with your existing colour scheme will help it coordinate and complement, rather than stand out. In neutral kitchens, calming shades such as white, beige or soft grey will recede into the background and feel cohesive. In bolder, more decorative spaces, a colour-matched air fryer can become part of the scheme – for instance, a yellow model in a kitchen with vibrant yellow accents.
As a general rule, avoid black finishes. Much like televisions or computer screens, black appliances tend to draw the eye, making them harder to integrate seamlessly into a considered scheme.
Styling your countertops
Once you’ve found an air fryer that suits your needs, tastes and style, consider where it will live in your kitchen. Placement matters: how and where you position the appliance will have a significant impact on how it looks in your home.
An air fryer doesn’t need to sit front and centre on the worktop. Instead, look for ways to integrate it subtly. Tuck it into a corner and soften its presence by styling around it with vintage books, a plant, or a pot of utensils, alongside wooden chopping boards. It could also live on a more discreet shelf or within an alcove – and, if you want to go a step further, be concealed by a small curtain.
Pay attention to the details. Choosing an air fryer with features that echo your existing hardware – such as gold-toned or wooden handles that mirror cupboard fittings – will help it feel intentional rather than intrusive.
If worktop space is limited, or you’d rather avoid visual clutter altogether, store the air fryer in a larder or cupboard. Increasingly, kitchens are being designed with dedicated ‘appliance garages’ – small cupboards created specifically to hide gadgets while keeping them easily accessible.
Air fryer recipe books
From breakfast to dinner, find fast, satisfying recipes that fit seamlessly into your busy life.
The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook by Clare Andrews, £10.99, Waitrose
Fool Proof Air Fryer by Louise Kenney, £14, Oliver Bonas
Delicious Air Fryer Meals by Mob, £26, Oliver Bonas
Easy Air Fryer by Jamie Oliver, £26, Jamie Oliver
Air Fryer: 50 Simple Curry Favourites by The Curry Guy, £16.99, Waterstones
The Actually Delicious Air Fryer Cookbook by Poppy Cooks, £20, Waterstones
Bored of Lunch: The Healthy Air Fryer Book by Nathan Anthony, £20, Waterstones
