IF you like delicious hearty meals that can be served quickly and easily to the whole family, then chances are you'll love Salter's Air Fryer, the Aero Grill Pro.
With its five different settings that enable you to grill, bake, roast, air fry and dehydrate, it's an air fryer with a difference. We reviewed each one to see how the fryer fared…
- Salter Aero Grill Pro, £106.99 from Amazon – buy here
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Pros
- Large selection of ways to cook
- Easy to use
- Can make a whole meal
- Compatible size for sideboard
- Easily stored in a kitchen cupboard
Cons
- Quite heavy
- Needs a good clean in between uses
Salter air fryer review: first impressions
Air fryers have become a popular kitchen gadget thanks to their ability to make easy, quick dishes for all the family.
The Salter is a multi-functional marvel that has the ability to grill, roast, air fry, bake and dehydrate all-in-one – perfect for those who want to cook easily with minimum fuss.
We found the settings very easy to use – although a thorough read of the booklet is recommended. You simply select the type of cooking, temperature and time. The booklet is a lifesaver, as it has full instructions for every type of food possible.
We also loved that the cooking time is significantly reduced (sometimes to even less than half of that in a traditional oven) and whilst you do need to clean each bowl between uses, it's worth it for air fried food that is delicious, flavourful and much healthier than traditional frying.
Salter air fryer review: full review
Air Frying
We found the unboxing and setting up of the Aero Grill a simple and easy process and although the machine doesn’t take up a lot of space (much less than a small microwave) it is quite heavy and is best kept in one place rather than moving around.
You'll also want to ensure there is some room at the back as some circulated air can be released from the fans, so for safety leave a little room.
Measuring 30.5 x 39 x 28 cm, the grill fryer has a sleek stainless steel body that will look stylish on any worktop.
The instructions recommended washing before use – after that our hardest decision was deciding what to eat first.
Luckily, the Salter Aero Grill comes with a handy booklet that gives specific cooking times for each type of food as well as a nifty recipe book to give inspiration for unique meals. You can cook everything from chips, steaks, grilled fish and chicken to dehydrated fruits — it even bakes bread and cupcakes.
With a generous six-litre capacity, it comes with a selection of trays and bowls to cook in, all of which are dishwasher friendly.
Air fryers have become very popular in recent years – with many hailing them as kitchen essentials.
If you love fried food but hate the calorie intake that comes with it, then the Salter Aero Grill Pro may be a great new addition for you, particularly when you need to whip up a quick dish for yourself or the kids.
This relatively small appliance mimics the results of deep fat frying but with nothing more than hot air and a dash of oil.
As it only uses one to two tablespoons of oil, air frying using the Salter is a much healthier option than deep frying.
We decided to try air frying roast potato wedges; we simply sliced up our spuds before popping them in the fryer and pressing the correct setting. Using the included booklet for the times made it super easy.
The air fryer pre-heats and alerts you when to put food in.
A tip: Don’t make the same mistake we did and think you have to press any buttons after food is inserted – it will just reset the whole air fryer.
So simply insert food and it will automatically cook without having to lift a finger. It even alerts you on completion.
The result? Perfectly cooked roasted wedges that tasted absolutely scrumptious.
Dehydrating
There are many great benefits to dehydrating food.
Not only does it reduce food waste, but it's also great for hungry kids who want healthy on-the-go snacks. You can also use dehydrated fruit and veg for topping salads or cereals, mixing with yoghurt and even making meaty snacks for your pet.
It can also save you money in the long run by using leftovers that may normally have been binned.
We decided to use a bunch of bananas that were about to turn, cutting them into thin slices and layering them into the supplied tray. Tip. Add a dash of lemon juice to stop them turning brown.
It does take about six to eight hours for them to fully dehydrate – but you can check back an hour or two before if you want them super soft or chewy. It was worth the wait as they tasted absolutely divine!
You can also dehydrate a number of other fruits including strawberries, apples, mango, tomatoes and even meats and herbs which can be stored for a longer amount of time.
Grilling
Grilling foods has always been a healthier alternative to frying as it uses less oil and melts the fat from meat. In the long run grilling meats, fish and veggies is a lighter option that helps prevent heart diseases and is better for the body.
And since cooking time is reduced, the nutrients, minerals, vitamins, and all-important flavours are retained when grilled.
We grilled a piece of cod with lemon and herbs which took just ten minutes and we only had to turn it once on the grill.
It turned out flavourful and golden, and kept its moisture and taste.
Roasting
Gone are the days of slaving over the stove for the perfect roast. Now all you need is the air fryer and a dash of oil (approx. one tablespoon).
The process for roasting in an air fryer is much the same process as air fried foods. While the setting may require a little longer time, it is worth it for that classic taste.
We roasted some sweet potatoes which required minimum set-up. You simply insert them onto the roasting rack and make sure your food has adequate spacing in between. No need to cover with foil, or check the timing — you can even keep them warm for a while before serving.
We also think this would be a game-changer when it comes to making a full meat roast complete with veggies.
Baking
Like baking but hate the mess? Then the Aero Grill is great for effortlessly cooking full-size cakes, bread, rolls or cupcakes.
While the Salter comes with a recipe booklet, there will obviously be some of your favourite recipes that aren’t included.
Luckily, the tips for converting a normal oven recipe to an air fryer bake are simple.
Start by reducing the suggested temperature by 25°F/14°C and also reduce the baking time by 20%. Whilst you normally never have to check the air fryer to see if your food is done, if it's your first time doing a particular baking recipe using the device, it's worth checking periodically.
We opted to make a batch of chocolate cupcakes and they cooked to perfection in twelve short minutes.
The fryer also comes with a temperature probe so you can check how hot your bakes are and if they are fully cooked (we also think this is a great tool to use with meat and fish).
We loved that this is a fun, quick and easy activity to do with a little one, too, without waiting long to see the final result (just make sure only an adult touches the Aero Grill).
- Salter Aero Grill Pro, £106.99 from Amazon – buy here
Salter air fryer review: the verdict
We think the Salter air fryer is perfect if you are a solo household, family or have little one's that just can't wait.
Although you have to clean the bowls and racks thoroughly in between each use, the good news is that they are dishwasher friendly which saves a lot of time in the long run.
The price tag puts the Salter into the upper end of the market but as it does multiple ways of cooking this can be more beneficial than buying multiple cooking devices.
We really rate the dehydrator function too which allows you to use up kitchen leftovers to create dried fruit snacks to be eaten later. This is particularly handy if you buy packs of fresh fruit, beg or meat that would otherwise be wasted.
How to use a Salter air fryer
The Salter Aero Grill Pro is a great machine if you want easy food with loads of flavour. As it has a built-in timer and food selection buttons, you simply use the booklet to check times and temperatures for the type of food you are cooking.
For example, potato wedges take 20 minutes at 190 degrees, so you would simply select the air frying button at 190 degrees, preheat and then insert the food.
If you were cooking meats, you would do exactly the same but insert the temperature probe once done – which will tell you how cooked it is in the middle.
The booklet also explains all the different timings and how to use the settings for air frying, baking, roasting, grilling and dehydrating.
How to clean the Salter air fryer
The Salter Aero Grill Pro has a splashback tray over the heating compartment that can easily be clipped out and cleaned.
Luckily for those that hate hand washing, the air fryer's removable components are dishwasher safe, so they can be placed in a dishwasher if you would prefer.
Alternatively, warm soapy water and a bit of elbow grease will clean just as well.
Make sure the pan, tray, and basket are completely dry before putting them back into the air fryer and that there is no excess food or oil left on the cooking tray.
Can sausages be cooked in a Salter air fryer?
Yes, sausages can be cooked in the air fryer.
The Salter can hold at least six to eight sausages which, depending on the type of sausage and the amount, may need slightly extra cooking time.
The best part? They only take eight to 10 minutes to cook — great timing for a quick fry up breakfast.
Can you put foil in an air fryer?
Aluminium foil can go in the air fryer basket as a base for certain foods but only use a small amount and only in the basket of the air fryer. Never wrap or cover the food or use an excessive amount of foil as the less foil you use, the more airflow you’ll have.
While foil is a great idea to help with the excess mess, the air fryer can adequately cook without and was designed to not be used with lots of aluminium foil.
How to cook chips in an air fryer
We get it. You’ve had a long day and the last thing you want is excessive chopping, cooking and clearing up. Sometimes a delicious portion of chips just hits the spot and ones that are crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle are the ultimate dream.
Thankfully, air frying chips is such a simple process: simply rinse, peel and cut your potato into small slices, and arrange them at the bottom of your air fryer basket in a single layer.
If you need something even quicker you can use frozen chips, which take approximately 10 minutes.
If you want to make them even tastier you can add a tablespoon of oil, salt and pepper or even some Cajun seasoning to spice things up.
Some say you can bring a whole new life to oven chips in the air fryer and make them even tastier — ideal if you want a quick and easy meal or as a simple solution for house guests.
If you like the Salter Aero Grill Pro review then why not see our top air fryers you can buy right now?
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