Did Air Fryers Start in the 1940s?
You might’ve heard air fryers began in the 1940s—perhaps tied to wartime cooking or vintage ovens—but that’s a mix-up. The 1940s saw convection ovens emerge, using fans to circulate hot air for faster baking (think Maxson’s 1945 Whirlwind Oven for airplane meals). These were bulky, commercial beasts, far from today’s sleek air fryers. No home “air frying” happened then—deep fryers ruled, drowning chips in oil. The true air fryer story starts later, blending old tech with a health-focused twist. Let’s follow the timeline of this crispy revolution.
1970s-1980s: Convection Meets Convenience
Fast forward to the 1970s, when home convection ovens hit US and European markets. Brands like Cuisinart offered countertop models, cooking 20% faster than standard ovens by swirling hot air. They weren’t fryers—more for roasting or baking—but their tech laid groundwork. In 1988, Fred van der Weij, a Dutch inventor, began tinkering with a compact fryer alternative, frustrated by greasy foods. His early sketches, blending convection with a basket design, planted the air fryer’s seed, though no product emerged yet. Meanwhile, UK cooks stuck to chip pans, unaware of the change brewing.
2000s: The Air Fryer Takes Shape
Van der Weij’s idea simmered until the mid-2000s, when he partnered with Philips. Health trends were spiking—obesity rates hit 25% in the UK by 2005, per NHS data—and consumers craved low-fat cooking. Van der Weij’s prototype used Rapid Air Technology, a patented system to swirl super-heated air (up to 200°C) around food, mimicking deep frying with 80% less oil. After years of tweaks, Philips unveiled the first air fryer, the HD9220, at a 2010 Berlin tech show (IFA). At 2.2L and £180, it was small and pricey, promising crispy chips or chicken in minutes. The UK took notice, but sales stayed modest—only 100,000 units globally by 2011.
2010-2020: Air Fryers Go Mainstream
Post-2010, air fryers evolved fast. Philips dropped prices to £100 by 2013, and rivals like Tefal (ActiFry, 2012) added stirring paddles for even cooking. Baskets grew to 4L, fitting family meals, and presets (fish, cake, veg) simplified use. Ninja’s 2018 dual-zone model (£169 by 2020) let UK cooks fry two dishes at once, sparking a boom. The 2020 pandemic sealed the deal—lockdowns pushed home cooking, and air fryers’ low energy use (1500W vs. ovens’ 3000W) saved £50-£100 yearly, per Energy Saving Trust. By 2020, 30% of UK homes had one, says Statista, with sales hitting £800 million. TikTok’s #AirFryer recipes (billion-plus views) fueled hacks like air-fried doughnuts, pulling in younger cooks.
2025 and Future: Air Fryers Evolve
Today’s air fryers are smarter and bigger. Ninja’s Foodi Max (£169) fries 6kg of food across two zones; Cosori’s 5.5L (£99) packs app controls. Energy efficiency (30-40% less than ovens) suits 2025’s eco-push, and 10L models feed crowds. The UK market’s worth £1.5 billion, growing 12% yearly, per Euromonitor. What’s next? Wi-Fi air fryers by 2027, syncing recipes, and eco-liners for zero waste, says Philips. Health stats—UK heart disease down 10% since 2010, per BHF—tie to lower-fat frying. Air fryers aren’t just gadgets; they’re a lifestyle shift.
What It Means for UK Cooks
From van der Weij’s 1988 brainstorm to 2025’s kitchen kings, air fryers blend old convection tricks with modern health smarts. They save time, cash, and calories—perfect for Britain’s chip lovers. Want to max yours? Grab UK Air Fryer Hacks (£1.99, 25 quick recipes) [Insert KDP link] for bangers to brownies. Curious about top models? Check our post for Ninja, Cosori, and more.
Fry Into the Future
Air fryers’ journey—from 1940s oven cousins to 2010’s debut—shows tech meeting need. Explore more trends in our other posts or BBQ tips also . Got an air fryer story? Share below!
