At home with Mrs Thing

Five air fryer recipes to make with the family

Any regular readers of our newsletter will know we’re big fans of low-energy air fryers at British Gas. And it turns out Mrs Thing loves them too!

When we caught up with her recently, she told us her trusty countertop companion has become a secret weapon for safe, easy – not to mention low-energy – cooking, particularly when looking after the twins.

“Our air fryer lives on the work surface so it’s easy for Charlie and Riley to help me,” says Mel Thing. “And as the heat is contained, the outside doesn’t get hot.”

Here are some of Mel’s favourite recipes to make with the kids, ready for you try at home with your own little balls of fluff.

Healthy cookies to snack on the go

“One of my trusty favourites for healthy school snacks,” says Mel, talking about this gooey raspberry and banana cookies recipe from BBC Good Food. They only use five ingredients. So they’re ideal to make with children who’ll find quick, simple recipes easier. And for parents who might not want their entire kitchen covered in ingredients.

Fridge raid pizza toasties

The blogger My Fussy Eater has built up a big following with her simple recipes that are winners with even the pickiest kids. Her delicious pizza toastie is a brilliant example. It can be adapted with whatever you’ve got in the fridge. And you can turn it into a fun activity by asking the children to make smiley faces using ingredients like olives, tomatoes and strips of pepper. “Mr Thing does it, too,” adds Mel.

Easy cheesy Mozzarella balls

Get the children involved in snack time with this recipe for Mozzarella balls from Tesco. “There’s no need for knives or chopping,” says Mel. “You can let them get on with it. I can even make myself a cup of tea.” Tear or roll bite-sized pieces of mozzarella then dip them in beaten egg and coat them in breadcrumbs. Pop them in the air fryer for a few minutes until they’re golden and gooey, and you’ve got a tasty, cheesy treat that’s miles healthier than shop-bought alternatives!

A crowd-pleasing puttanesca

Delicious Magazine’s Orzo puttanesca is surprisingly easy to make in the air fryer. And with no hob to worry about, it’s a great way to get older children involved in cooking bigger meals for the whole family. “Even Ash”, adds Mel. Most of the ingredients are store-cupboard staples. So you can stock up in advance and have everything ready for those days when you need to keep the kids entertained while also getting a tasty dinner on the table.

Mrs Thing’s favourite Brownie recipe

We’ve saved Mel’s best for last with these air fryer brownies from the team at Olive magazine. Rich, gooey, and irresistibly chocolatey, they make the perfect teatime treat. Little ones will love helping measure, stir, and pour the batter. Pop the mixture into the air fryer, and in no time you’ll have warm brownies with that perfect fudgy centre.

Looking for more air fryer recipes to help you cook quick, easy meals and save on your energy bills? Take a look at our cooking up energy savings blog for delicious inspiration.