Tesco is adding air fryer cooking instructions to some of its product packaging for the first time as it encourages shoppers to use healthier and cheaper cooking methods.
From Monday, labels featuring the air fry symbol will appear on the back-of-pack cooking instructions for four lines of new own-brand chilled potato products, including Maris Piper chips, skinny fries, BBQ sweet potato wedges and Hasselback potatoes with garlic and parsley butter.
The same packaging update will roll out across three of the leading retailer’s new own-brand frozen breaded chicken products, followed by a major roll-out over the coming months on items such as burgers, BBQ products, frozen bakery products, chilled bacon, sausages, chicken and salmon, as well as frozen and chilled party food.
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This comes as research from Utilita in 2022 found that air fryers are one of the cheapest cooking appliances and use far less oil than traditional deep fat fryers or frying pans – also making them a healthier option.
Tesco director of product innovation, Breige Donaghy, said: “We know our customers are enjoying experimenting with their air fryers for family favourites and new recipes.
“Putting specific air fryer cooking instructions on packaging will help them to get the best results, which is why we’re rolling this out across more than 100 Own Brand products. There’s also fun and exciting recipes to try on our Real Food page.”
This follows a similar move by Iceland last September, which saw the frozen food retailer adding air fryer cooking instructions to its product packaging to help shoppers save money on their energy bills.
