Back-to-school mornings and after-school hunger call for fast, easy food. A few small appliances turn out quick wins with minimal fuss and washing-up. Here are the lunchbox and teatime heroes.
The air fryer: speed champion
An air fryer crisps chips, nuggets, wedges and reheats leftovers in minutes — cheaper to run than the oven and perfect for after-school portions. Dual-zone models cook two things at once.
The sandwich toaster & health grill
A sandwich toaster turns out hot toasties in minutes, while a George Foreman-style health grill does paninis, chicken and burgers fast with less fat.
Quick kitchen wins
- Batch-prep at the weekend and reheat in the air fryer during the week.
- Toasties with leftover fillings for a fast hot lunch.
- A blender for grab-and-go breakfast smoothies.
Our picks
- Family air fryer: the Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone.
- Grill: the George Foreman health grill — see grills & sandwich toasters.
Final thoughts
An air fryer plus a toastie maker or health grill will get you through the school week with fast, cheap, tasty food. Browse air fryers and grills online, or ask in any of our 60+ stores.
