The Crumble Air Fryer Review: Modern Convenience Meets Retro Charm

If you are a parent, and don’t own an air fryer, you are missing out on one of the most valuable kitchen shortcuts there is! When preparing a midweek meal for your family you probably want to tick three main boxes—quick, easy and healthy—and an air fryer can help you achieve all three! You can whip up crispy chicken, roasted veggies, or even reheat leftovers in a fraction of the time it takes to preheat an oven. Plus, it’s way safer for kids to use than traditional stovetops, and the clean-up is ridiculously easy (no more scrubbing greasy pans). Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters, short on time, or just over the dinner chaos—air fryer cooking is a total game-changer.

As an early adopter of the humble air fryer, over the last 8-9 years I’ve owned 4 different makes and models, so I know my way around an air fryer! One was rehomed because it was just too bulky to store when we moved home, one was replaced after it was mysteriously damaged after ‘apparently’ leaping to its death from the kitchen counter one day, and of course nobody had any idea how, one isn’t the best but my husband keeps in the outdoor BBQ area to make chips when he’s cooking steaks, and the one I now have in the kitchen is great takes up a lot of space on my little kitchen bench. So, when I was offered the opportunity to review the new Crumble Air Fryer, (a Melbourne brand known for their stylish and functional cookware) I was as keen as mustard!

An Air Fryer That Looks as Good as it Cooks!

The first and most obvious thing to note about the Crumble Air Fryer is how aesthetically pleasing it is. Most kitchen appliances would be classified as more of an eyesore than eye-candy, but the Crumble Air Fryer has really got it going on with its distinct retro design. Plus, it’s available in a selection of vintage colour palettes, so you can choose a shade to suit your kitchen. Unlike most air fryers, this one is definitely pretty enough to warrant its own permanent space on the kitchen bench.

My only gripe is that I find the white numbering against the beige background a little difficult to read in certain lighting and would have preferred them to be black. However, that said, my teens have all said it’s perfectly clear for them, so it may be more indicative of the fact that I’m overdue for a visit to the optometrist!

Steel Over Plastics – For Healthier Cooking

Another thing that stood out to me immediately is how light the Crumble Air Fryer is, thanks to its steel body and interior. Not only does this make it easy to move if you decide to store it away when not in use, it also means there are no toxic plastic parts heating up and giving off weird chemical smells when you are cooking. For parents who care not just about what you’re feeding your family, but how you cook it, this is important because unlike many budget air fryers that contain plastic components that can degrade over time or release fumes, Crumble has opted for safer, more durable materials.

What’s in the Box?

Included in the box when your Crumble Air Fryer arrives, is the unit itself with its non-stick, easy to clean 6-litre fryer basket, a removable crisper tray, an instruction manual and 50 air fryer parchment papers that can be used to make clean up even easier!

Although it doesn’t come with a recipe booklet, it does have this helpful chart on the top of the unit, so you can see at a glance the recommended temperature and timing for things that are commonly cooked in an air fryer. You can also find recipes here on their website.

Putting the Crumble Air Fryer to the Test

There is a running joke in my house that I can’t cook chips to save my life. It comes from the days when I used to put them in the oven and turn them into something resembling rectangular rocks. So, my first attempt at using the Crumble Air Fryer was naturally with some frozen chips.

And they came out lovely and crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. Absolute potatoey perfection!

Chicken tenders came out equally delicious!

Steam Cooking: A Hidden Gem in the Crumble Air Fryer

One of the surprise benefits of this air fryer is that it can also be used to steam food. All you need to do is add a layer of water into the base of the basket before placing the crisper tray back in, ensuring that the water isn’t touching the food.

One night when the kids were all out and it was just hubby and I for dinner and he was putting some lamb kebabs on the BBQ I tried out the steam function with a selection of vegetables.

Whilst the broccoli was a little crispy on the ends (I think cauliflower would have been a better choice) the carrots and potatoes were perfect.

Levelled-Up Heating for Stress-Free Eating!

One of the biggest strengths of the Crumble Air Fryer is in its dual heating elements paired with a sensitive temperature sensor which work together to deliver more consistent cooking results than many other models. Unlike other air fryers that fluctuate in temperature (sometimes by as much as 50-60%) the Crumble maintains a much steadier heat —within just a 10% variance. This means that your food cooks evenly without the guesswork – although I do still recommend giving your food a good shake at intervals.

The Verdict

With its compact, retro vibe in a range of vintage colours, the Crumble Air Fryer is a stand out in the aesthetics department, but it also delivers on functionality. The steel interior makes it safe from toxic fumes and easy to clean. It also allows you to achieve crisp delicious results with 90% less oil than regular frying.

Overall, the Crumble Air Fryer is perfect for people who value the convenience of being able to prepare quick, easy and healthy meals for their family along with peace of mind that the non-plastic design affords.

Crumble also offers a risk-free trial. Their 30-day return policy lets you try it with no pressure!

Visit Crumble to view their full range of functional, aesthetically chic cookware.