Christmas without the hassle – 15 recipes you can freeze ahead before the big day
Enjoy all the flavours of a traditional Christmas feast with none of the last-minute hassle with these freezable recipes. Simply defrost, reheat and serve.
Christmas should be a time to be merry and enjoy the company of loved ones, not to be chained to the kitchen in a last-minute panic. We've got you covered. By preparing and freezing a few festive staples in advance, you can take (most of) the stress out of Christmas Day. Our easy, freezable recipes shared below span starters, mains, sides and desserts, meaning you’ll have all the Christmas favourites ready to go — leaving you with more time for presents, games and that all-important glass of fizz. Hosting for the first time? Our tried-and-tested recipes will ensure all your Christmas feasting needs are covered, from Christmas snacks, starters, centrepieces and desserts. We also have a selection of freezable Christmas baking recipes, perfect for last-minute Christmas guests needing a sweet treat. 1. Unbelievably easy mince pies No Christmas is complete without a batch of mince pies. Simply fill melt-in-the-mouth shortcrust pastry with our zesty homemade mincemeat and pop in the freezer up to a month ahead, then bake straight from frozen for a freshly baked treat whenever guests arrive. See our ultimate collection of freezable mince pie recipes for more ways to bake this festive favourite. 2. Golden roast potatoes Did you know you can par-boil and freeze your roasties ahead of time? Instead of spending time peeling potatoes on Christmas morning, simply roast from frozen for crisp, fluffy potatoes without the faff. We have plenty more crispy and fluffy Christmas roast potato recipes to try. 3. Super-simple cranberry sauce Cranberry sauce lovers, you're in luck: homemade sauce can be made well in advance and frozen in portions (plus, this recipe calls for just three ingredients). Simply defrost then serve with your turkey for a sharp, fruity contrast. Find more varieties for this festive trimming in our collection of cranberry sauce recipes. 4. Best ever Yorkshire puddings These Yorkshire puddings taste light and fluffy even after freezing. And using only four ingredients, this recipe couldn't be easier. Just bake a batch ahead and freeze for up to a month. Reheat from frozen at 200C/180C fan/gas 6 for 6-8 mins – just make sure they are hot through to serve. Discover more Yorkshire pudding recipes. 5. Vegan butternut & pecan spiral pies Use shop-bought filo pastry to make this festive meat-free centrepiece. The squash filling is packed with umami notes thanks to miso paste and soy sauce, plus a touch of maple sweetness. Assemble and freeze the pie ahead of time before baking, so all that’s left to do on the day is cook it straight from frozen for a stress-free vegetarian Christmas meal. Take a look at our vegetarian dinner recipes for more inspired veggie dishes. 6. Sausage & Bramley stuffing Combining classic sage and onion with Bramley apples, this stuffing loaf is packed with festive flavours. You can freeze this stuffing for up to two months – just make sure to defrost in the fridge overnight before cooking. See our collection of stuffing recipes and vegetarian stuffing recipes for more ideas. 7. Triple pigs in blankets Assemble your pigs in blankets, cover your tray tightly with kitchen foil or put in a freezable container and freeze for up to two weeks. When you're ready to defrost, bake from frozen in a hot oven for 20-30 minutes for a sizzling, festive favourite. See our pigs in blankets recipes for more twists on this Christmas favourite. 8. Make-ahead gravy Nothing beats a rich, homemade gravy, and the good news is you can make and freeze our recipe weeks in advance. On Christmas Day, simply reheat and add the roasting juices from your turkey for extra flavour. See our collection of gravy recipes for more inspiration, including our vegetarian alternative. 9. Red cabbage with balsamic vinegar & cranberries Red cabbage with balsamic vinegar makes a colourful, sweet side that also happens to freeze beautifully. Simply make ahead and reheat for a vibrant vegan addition to your table. This tastes really festive and includes fresh cranberries, so you won’t need to make a separate cranberry sauce. Find more ideas in our cranberry sauce collection, including this easy cranberry & orange relish. 10. Cheesy sprout gratin Convert even the most dedicated sprout sceptics with this deliciously creamy, cheesy gratin. Prepare, freeze and bake from frozen until golden and bubbling. For the best results, freeze before adding the nutty breadcrumbs and before baking (you can freeze the nutty breadcrumbs in a separate container or bag). Defrost both in the fridge overnight, sprinkle over the nutty breadcrumbs and baker as per the recipe. Try more revamped sprouts dishes, such as our brussels sprout slaw. 11. Nut roast A vegetarian classic, our nut roast can be made, sliced and frozen. Simply reheat slices in the oven for an easy vegetarian main or side. Boasting over 300 star ratings it's also one of our most popular Christmas recipes on the site. Try more of our nut roast recipes, including this easy vegan nut roast and nut roast rolls. 12. Mince pie brownies Combine whole mince pies with brownie batter and what do you get? This epic festive mash-up. These gooey morsels will keep in an airtight container for a week and in the freezer for up to a month, so you can whip out a chocolate treat at a moment's notice. Discover more squidgy bakes in our Christmas chocolate collection. 13. Bread sauce A roast dinner is not complete without the accompaniment of bread sauce. Our easy recipe is sure to be a Christmas favourite – prepare your sauce, cool and freeze in a plastic bag. You may need to add a splash of cream when you defrost. We have plenty more bread sauce recipes for you to try, such as this silky and thick brown butter bread & onion sauce. 14. Quick Christmas pudding Left it too late to make and feed a classic Christmas fruitcake? Opt for this speedy microwave Christmas pudding, which uses shop-bought mincemeat and takes just 35 minutes to make. Simply microwave the pudding, then cool and freeze. When you want to serve, defrost at room temperature then reheat in the microwave for a few minutes, until piping hot. Search our Christmas pudding and Christmas cake recipe collections for more tried-and-tested recipes. 15. Red velvet brownies Brownie lovers, rejoice! These rich, festive brownies can be baked and frozen in advance, perfect for any last-minute Christmas guests. They're beautifully swirled with a tangy cheesecake filling and festively red to brighten your Christmas gatherings – you could even crush candy canes and sprinkle over the brownie batter before baking for an extra festive twist. Discover more delicious festive bakes in our collection of Christmas baking recipes, including our next-level yule log.
Is Le Creuset's expensive cookware really worth the cost?
Got your eye on some colourful Le Creuset cookware? Even the smallest casserole dishes can set you back nearly £200, but perhaps for a good reason – here's why we think they're worth the investment.
Le Creuset is a big name in the world of cookware. Launched in 1925 in the French village of Fresnoy-le-Grand, it's best known for its ultra-durable colourful ceramics, casserole dishes, pans and more. It's also become a coveted status symbol among millennials and Gen Z, and last November there was such a rush on discounted Le Creuset items at the brand's warehouse sale in Hampshire that the police had to be called. But is all the hype justified? Here at Good Food, we know more than a thing or two about quality cookware. We've been testing everything from cast-iron pans and stainless steel frying pans to saucepan sets and casserole dishes for years, and Le Creuset consistently ranks as one of the best brands out there. Perhaps the only thing that might put you off buying a Le Creuset product is the hefty upfront cost. With quality cookware often comes expensive price tags and Le Creuset certainly doesn't come cheap. If you're still undecided, we've pulled together some guidance on how to take care of your Le Creuset and our tried-and-tested picks of the best products to buy. Jump to: Is Le Creuset worth it? How to clean Le Creuset Can you put Le Creuset in the dishwasher? Why is Le Creuset so expensive? Top-rated Le Creuset cookware we've tried and tested Is Le Creuset worth it? Le Creuset has a stellar reputation in the world of cookware and ceramics, but it is more expensive versus others out there – which begs the question, is it really worth the cost? In our opinion, the answer is yes. We're big fans of any brand that offers a lifetime warranty on its products and Le Creuset is one of them. In fact, its ceramics are so well made that they often outlive the people who originally bought them, with items being passed down to the next generation. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/11/Le-Creuset-casserole-dishes-in-thyme-9be57fd.jpg" width="1920" height="1080" alt="Three differently sized Le Creuset cast-iron casserole dishes in the shade 'thyme', a green bowl of salt with a small wooden spoon inside it, and a Le Creuset cast-iron griddle with a whole leek sitting in it – all on a white reflective marble table" title="Le Creuset casserole dishes in thyme" /> Our expert reviews team has also tested a wide range of Le Creuset products, measuring them against a list of strict criteria like ease of use, quality of build, sustainability and performance – and we've been impressed with the results time and again. They're usually among the most expensive we've tested in each category, but if you use your Le Creuset product regularly enough and take care of it properly, you'll get plenty of value from it in the long run. How to clean Le Creuset If you're daunted by the prospect of looking after your Le Creuset, you can rest assured that whenever we've tested the brand's cookware we've always found it very easy to clean. Le Creuset casserole dishes are made from ultra-durable enamelled cast iron, which means they don't need the same level of treatment that you would give traditional cast-iron pans. Can you put Le Creuset in the dishwasher? Le Creuset say its cookware can go in the dishwasher, but hot temperatures and powerful dishwasher detergents won't do it any favours in the long run. Instead, always try to wash by hand with warm, soapy water whenever possible. For burned-on ingredients that are more difficult to remove, a soak in warm water and washing-up liquid overnight should help soften and lift away any stubborn residue. How to look after Le Creuset You don't need to season your casserole dish before or after use but you will want to let the dish cool after cooking before you wash it – sticking it in water when it's still hot might crack the enamel coating. When it's ready to be put away, store it in a dry, airy cupboard and use a pan protector to keep it scratch-free. Why is Le Creuset so expensive? The simple answer is, when it comes to cookware, you get what you pay for. With prices starting at £199 for a 24cm casserole dish, Le Creuset is certainly among the most expensive out there. However, what you get in return is ultra-durable, high-quality, good-looking dishes, pots and pans that, when cared for properly, will last a lifetime. There are also some brands, like ProCook and Our Place, that have the same colourful aesthetic if you're looking for less expensive alternatives, but bear in mind the warranties are significantly shorter. Top-rated Le Creuset cookware we've tried and tested Le Creuset signature stainless steel frying pan Available from John Lewis & Partners – 20cm (from £125), Amazon – 26cm (£145) We tested the 28cm version of this stainless-steel pan, though it comes in a range of sizes (from 20cm to 30cm). We loved how well it retained heat when caramelising onions, and its curved sides and slim, easy-to-grip handle are winning features, too. Read more in our guide to the best stainless steel frying pans. Available from: John Lewis & Partners – 20cm (from £125), Amazon – 26cm (£145) Le Creuset stoneware fluted flan dish, 28cm Available from Le Creuset (£36.40), Amazon (£36.40) This fluted flan dish is ideal for baking pies and comes in two sizes (24cm and 28cm), as well as a range of colours. Made from stoneware, it's heavy but built to last and backed by a 10-year guarantee. Inside the box, there's plenty of advice on how to care for your dish, plus protective packaging to keep it safe in storage. It can also be used as an attractive serving dish at the dinner table, and is dishwasher and fridge-freezer-safe, too. Read more reviews in our guide to the best pie dishes. Available from: Le Creuset (£36.40) Amazon (£36.40) Le Creuset signature round casserole dish, 18cm Available from Amazon (£142), Le Creuset (£219) Perhaps what Le Creuset is best known for, this iconic cast-iron casserole is available in seven sizes, but this is the smallest available. This particular size is ideal for smaller households of two people, or you can use it to cook side dishes as part of a larger meal. There's also a choice of 18 colours, though we love Le Creuset's signature volcanic orange. Discover our guide to the best casserole dishes. Available from: Amazon (£142) Le Creuset (£219) Le Creuset signature round casserole dish, 20cm Available from Amazon (from £187), Harts of Stur (£199.20), John Lewis & Partners (£249) A slightly larger size than the version above, this 20cm cast-iron pot is also ideal for feeding two or three people. It's also compact enough to store easily and slide next to other dishes in the oven. It heats quickly and is versatile, too – you could even use it to bake a loaf of bread, as Le Creuset's cast iron conducts and retains heat so well. Available from: Amazon (from £187) Harts of Stur (£199.20) John Lewis & Partners (£249) Le Creuset signature oval cast-iron casserole dish, 35cm Available from Le Creuset (from £299), Amazon (from £299) This hard-wearing oval-shaped casserole dish is perfectly built for roasting a whole chicken or other joints, and the tall sides also allow you to roast your veggies around the meat. The heat-resistant knob on the lid is easy to grip, even when wearing oven gloves, and the enamel interior means cleaning is a breeze, too. Available from: Le Creuset (from £299) Amazon (from £299) Le Creuset signature cast-iron Grillit Available from Amazon (from £115.50), Harts of Stur (£132), Le Creuset (£165), John Lewis & Partners (£165) This cast-iron griddle is heat resistant up to 250C, which makes it a versatile option if you’d like a pan you can move from the hob to oven or barbecue. In test, we found it was great at achieving defined griddle marks on our meat and veg, while also locking in lots of flavour and moisture. For more product suggestions, read our guide to the best griddles. Available from: Amazon (from £115.50) Harts of Stur (£132) Le Creuset (£165) John Lewis & Partners (£165) More deals Air fryer deals Microwave deals Dishwasher deals Pizza oven deals Related reviews Best casserole dishes Best cast-iron pans Best cast-iron cookware Best non-stick frying pans Best hand blenders Best kettles Best pestle and mortars Best toasters Best mixing bowls Best dishwashers Best paella pans Best oven thermometers Is HexClad worth it? Is Our Place worth it? Is KitchenAid worth it? Are Smeg appliances worth it?
5 reasons to buy Good Food's December magazine
Find out how to subscribe and be the first to discover what's coming up in the new issue.
In this month's issue "Anyone who knows me knows about my obsession with cheese, so it felt only fitting to make British artisan cheese the star of our special celebration issue. Paired with mince pies, croissant crackers and spicy piccalilli, it makes for the perfect sharing board. Plus, there are health benefits, too – as our feature reveals, there’s no need to feel guilty about indulging. It’s Christmas, after all. From the cheeseboard to the globe, our Christmas Around the World feature takes you on a culinary journey through festive dishes and traditions that bring people together in joyful, delicious ways, with recipes from Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Ukraine, France and Italy. For the days that follow, our Twixmas ideas offer smart, sociable dishes, from chipotle turkey tacos to an irresistible cheesecake inspired by the Dubai chocolate trend. And, as the year draws to a close, our tropical New Year’s Eve party brings sunshine to your table, proving that a touch of escapism pairs perfectly with fizz and friends. Wherever and however you’re celebrating, I wish you a very happy Christmas and a flavour-filled New Year." Keith Kendrick, group magazines editor Get the December magazine now: Order a copy online from Mags Direct Download a digital version of our December magazine 5 reasons to buy our December issue 1. Christmas sharing magic From mince pies with a surprise to croissant crackers, discover all of our favourite feed-a-crowd recipes this festive season. 2. Christmas around the world Be inspired by global festive recipes – from Sri Lankan stovetop biryani to Ukrainian dumplings and scallops from Brittany. 3. The joy of twixmas Make the days between Christmas and New Year delicious with chipotle turkey tacos, Dubai chocolate cheesecake and an oozy gnocchi and camembert bake. 4. Mary Berry's family favourite Mary Berry shares a timeless classic – her recipe for an all-in-one family fish pie. 5. Leftover inspiration Transform your Christmas dinner extras into indulgent toasties, a twist on bubble & squeak and a comforting brothy rice. Get the December magazine now: Order a copy online from Mags Direct Download a digital version of our magazine Download our app Become a confident cook with a range of meal plans, exclusive recipes, tutorials and celebrity chef takeovers. To download the app, search for Good Food on your app store and download your ad-free cooking companion today. Try for free Good Food Podcast Our team shares tips, techniques and recipes in our lively podcast. New series available now. Listen now Subscribe to Easy Cook Looking for fuss-free, flavour-packed meals that fit into your busy life? Easy Cook is the UK’s best-value food magazine, packed with 100+ recipes every issue – from speedy midweek suppers and budget-friendly family favourites to brilliant bakes and fresh seasonal ideas. Right now, you can enjoy a whole year of Easy Cook for only £5 for 5 months– that’s just £1 an issue, saving you 80% on the shop price. Whether you’re cooking for one, feeding the family, or just after new inspiration in the kitchen, Easy Cook makes meal planning simpler, smarter and more delicious. Subscribe today and start cooking with confidence – all year long!
Celebrate New Year’s Eve by throwing a family party at home. Discover festive recipes, drinks and fun ideas to keep both kids and grown-ups entertained until midnight
Staying at home for New Year’s Eve is a popular choice for families, especially for those with younger children. You can save money by avoiding high-priced entertainment and enjoy a more relaxed evening at your own pace – and if the kids can’t quite keep their eyes open until midnight, it’s easier to bundle them off to bed in your own home. With just the right balance of nibbles, mocktails for the kids and a few games along the way, we think a family New Year’s Eve party at home can be great fun for everyone. New Year’s Eve party food Having an array of snacks and nibbles on hand is essential, from a moreish cheesy spinach & artichoke dip (with tortilla chips, hunks of bread and crudités) and mini sausage rolls to cheese & pesto rolls and fun easy hedgehog canapé skewers. You could also make rainbow fruit skewers and get the kids to help put them together. If you want to put on a buffet-style spread, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in our family New Year’s Eve collection – but you might want to feed the little ones something more substantial, too. New Year’s Eve family menu For a cosy family meal, try this creamy chicken stew – it’s a real crowd-pleaser, especially served alongside our smashed mini jackets. Or tuck into this fun onion bhaji sharing board, with a mixture of onion bhajis, green chutney, cucumber raita, pomegranate salad and mini poppadoms. New Year's Eve is hardly the time for epic amounts of washing-up, so take a look at our family winter traybake ideas for all-in-one recipes. Or, put the slow cooker to good use and make a hearty stew to warm up after watching the fireworks. Festive mocktails for kids The grown-ups might be drinking something fizzy and fun, but the kids don’t need to miss out. Whizz together these frozen blackberry smoothies or serve a simplified version of our faux fizz made with elderflower cordial instead of the base syrup. If your New Year’s Eve plans include stepping outside into the cold, warm up afterwards with a batch of mulled apple juice. Alternatively, the kids will enjoy watching these chocolate stirrers dissolve into delicious mugs of hot chocolate. Desserts and sweet treats Inspired by the 80s classic Viennetta, this showstopping mint choc chip ice cream bombe is a perfect celebration pud that screams nostalgia at Christmastime. Alternatively, this amazing millionaire’s cheesecake feels fancy but boasts flavours everyone will love. If you want to get the little ones involved ahead of time, have a look at our kids’ baking recipes to see if there’s anything sweet they’d like to help make. We also think these white chocolate fortune cookies are a great snack for New Year’s Eve – you can write your own messages inside for your family to discover! New Year’s Eve games for families Of course, entertainment at New Year's Eve is a must! Start the night with some hands-on activities for the kids – they could make a papier mâché mask, create a fun firework picture using black paper and glitter pens or craft their own paper plate clock to help them countdown to midnight. If you’re entertaining lots of children, we also have some great ideas for kids’ party games you could play. A family board game is also a fun option for New Year’s Eve, as it gets everyone around a table. If you want to try something new, there are a whole host of modern family board games that kids of all ages can enjoy. You can also opt for a low-key family film night – a great way to pass the time and help the kids wind down before they finally make it to bed. How do you like to spend New Year’s Eve with your family? Leave a comment below… Get more inspiration for New Year’s Eve Family New Year’s Eve recipes Kids’ party drink recipes Best ever New Year’s Eve party food How to cater for a party New Year’s Eve menu
Learn how to host a Boxing Day buffet by revamping your Christmas leftovers after the big day. Try these easy-to-make, seasonal dishes to wow a crowd
Boxing Day was made for relaxing with friends and family and indulging in the best of your Christmas leftovers. Turn sad-looking scraps into new meals, and if you're having people over, put together a buffet to impress. These Boxing Day party food ideas are all about big, comforting flavours and making the most of festive favourites. We've got clever pasta bakes, salads, scones and puddings to use up whatever's left in the kitchen and keep the party going well beyond Christmas Day. ' Check out our Boxing Day recipes for more ways to use your Christmas leftovers. If you’d prefer a more intimate affair after you’ve hosted your main celebrations, why not try our quick Boxing Day dinners or family dinner ideas for Christmas leftovers? And it’s never too late for a Christmas sweet treat! Try our best leftover Christmas dessert ideas to breathe life into your stale festive cakes and biscuits. Salads and finger foods 1. Boxing day scones Turn your leftover gammon or ham into a round of warm fresh scones, the perfect welcome for last-minute guests between Christmas and New Year. Discover more sweet and savoury scone recipes. 2. Orange, fennel & wild rice salad Do you have carrots left over from Christmas Day? You can enhance them with texture and fresh flavours in this orange, fennel & wild rice salad. Use up more of your leftover Christmas veg with these clever Christmas leftover salads. 3. Veg peel fritters Save your vegetable peelings from your Christmas roasts to make these easy fritters, spiced with chilli powder, cumin and nigella seeds. They go perfectly with a lime pickle, mango chutney or raita dip. 4. Honeyed beetroot & carrot salad with feta & hazelnuts If you have a bag of leftover carrots in your cupboard, spruce them up in this honeyed beetroot & carrot salad with feta & hazelnuts. Make the zesty dressing using honey, lemon zest, orange, cumin and coriander. It’s a light and refreshing main, ideal after a heavy Christmas roast. Make the most of seasonal winter produce with our winter salad recipes. 5. Refried roasties Use up any uneaten potatoes and make these refried roasties with pickled onions and thyme. They’re a great vegetarian and gluten-free addition to your Boxing Day buffet. Boxing Day mains 6. Leftover lamb curry Make the most of leftover roast lamb with this simple, three-step, flavour-packed leftover lamb curry. Serve with naan, spiced rice and more side dishes for a filling feast. 7. Leftover turkey fricassee This creamy leftover turkey fricassee can be on your table in just 20 minutes, and works well with either potatoes or pasta. You can bulk it up further by pairing it with a side of garlic bread or greens, such as our stir-fried garlic green beans or spring greens with lemon dressing, for a zesty side to cut through the creaminess. 8. Leftover lamb & potato pie This spin on cottage pie can be made in no time, and is great for using up your leftover lamb, gravy and potatoes. Layer your meat at the bottom of a small baking dish before topping it with gravy and your crumbled potatoes, then top with cheese and cook until golden. Discover more twists on traditional cottage pie with our guide 10 twists on cottage pie. 9. Leftover turkey curry If you’re craving some spice after your traditional Christmas lunch, then this leftover turkey tikka masala is a great way to repurpose your leftover turkey. Made using double cream and yogurt, this curry is the perfect balance of rich and creamy while being packed with the strong flavours of chilli, cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander and garam masala. Try these leftover Christmas turkey recipes to transform your roast turkey into more filling meals. 10. Boxing Day soup Warm up with a wholesome soup made from Christmas Day veg. This recipe not only feels light after all the festive indulgence, but also transforms your leftover vegetables into a lovely lunch. Discover more hearty soup recipes with our winter soup recipes. 11. Christmas leftovers pizza Make the most of your Christmas leftovers with a simple twist on pizza. This Christmas pizza is a laid-back way to enjoy the remnants of your holiday feast without much fuss. Just load up your base with whatever you have remaining and enjoy while watching a festive film. If you’re feeling more energetic, why not make your pizza base from scratch? Our pizza margherita in 4 easy steps is a good place to start. 12. Leftovers roast chicken pad Thai Want to make the most of your leftover roast chicken? All you need is a pad Thai sauce and noodles to transform it into something new. This meal can be on your table in only 30 minutes and the kick from the sriracha and chilli will be welcome after all the rich Christmas food. Discover more of our Thai-inspired recipes. 13. Easy leftover chicken curry Whip up a quick and easy leftover chicken curry with just 10 ingredients. This no-fuss dinner idea is egg-free, nut-free and low in sugar, and it packs a punch of flavour. Plus, the addition of sugar snap peas brings a touch of sweetness. Find more budget-friendly meal ideas with our leftover chicken recipes. 14. Leftover turkey wraps with cranberry sauce Craft a simple lunch using surplus cranberry sauce, red cabbage and turkey. It's a convenient no-cook option, especially when you've already spent a lot of time in the kitchen over the holidays. Check out our no-cook recipes for more speedy supper ideas that don’t require you to turn on the hob or oven. 15. Leftover turkey casserole This one-pot stew uses up all your roast dinner leftovers in one go and has a great honey-mustard tang. Simply soften the onions and apples before stirring in sage, stock, mustard and honey. Then, add your leftovers and simmer for 15 minutes – voila! Boxing Day desserts 16. Christmas pudding cheesecake Combine Christmas pudding with cheesecake and what do you get? This fantastic alternative festive dessert with a crunchy ginger base and creamy filling. Discover more Christmas cheesecake recipes. 17. Christmas brownies If you have an abundance of edible gifts you would like to repurpose, look no further. Our Christmas brownies are full of chocolate truffles, amaretti biscuits and chocolate buttons. Try more Christmas brownie recipes, flavoured with mulled wine, cranberries and other festive delights. 18. Christmas rocky road Another recipe that’s great for using leftover Christmas sweets and biscuits is our Christmas rocky road. It’s a great way to get kids involved in the kitchen, as they'll relish the chance to bash the biscuits. Try our rocky road recipes for more recipes loved by kids and grownups alike. 19. Rye Christmas pudding cookies Transform leftover Christmas pudding into thesemoreish cookies. Even pudding sceptics will be swayed by these soft, buttery rye bakes, which taste of Christmas. Repurpose your Christmas pudding with our leftover Christmas pudding recipes. 20. Christmas pudding trifle Use leftover Christmas pudding to rustle up this speedy, creamy trifle with Grand Marnier-infused oranges. Try more of our Christmas trifle recipes, which make a great showstopping pudding. Like these recipes? Check out more ways to use Christmas leftovers... Video: how to use up leftover Christmas pudding Top 10 ways with leftover turkey 10 ways with leftover Christmas desserts What are your favourite Christmas leftover recipes? Leave a comment below...
15 easy December recipes to add to your weeknight dinner rotation
Embrace December’s seasonal bounty and keep weeknight dinners easy and exciting with these comforting, seasonal recipes.
It’s all too easy to fall into a dinner rut, especially as the nights draw in and the temperatures fall. However, with longer evenings and more time spent indoors, December is a great time to shake things up in the kitchen while making the most of the season’s bounty. With ingredients like leeks, sweet potato and kale at their best, there’s plenty of inspiration to be found. These easy weeknight recipes below are designed to help you try something new, comforting and delicious — each one simple enough for busy evenings, but special enough to become a firm favourite in your winter dinner rotation. Check out what's in season in December for more recipe inspiration, as well as our round-up of the best December recipes, winter dinners and British comfort food recipes. 1. Chicken, kale & mushroom pot pie This satisfying one-pot pie featuring tender chicken, earthy mushrooms and nutritious kale is easier to make than you think. Using ready-made puff pastry to cut corners, it's ideal for a comforting family supper, and any leftovers can be frozen for another day. We have plenty more chicken pie recipes for you to try, including this curried chicken pie. 2. Turkey pasta bake Use up any leftover turkey (or chicken) to create this super-comforting pasta bake. You can even turn it up a notch by topping with pigs in blankets (if there's any spare). Discover our freezable pasta bakes to help you get ahead with family dinners. 3. Smoky sausage & squash traybake Make the most of seasonal butternut squash in this oven-baked traybake with sausages, red onions and warming spices. An all-in-one meal that’s both simple and satisfying, it will be a hit with everyone at the table. Try more of our easy traybake recipes, such as this vibrant za’atar & lemon chicken traybake. 4. Thai curry noodle soup This speedy and spicy prawn noodle soup is great for using up whatever vegetables you have on hand. It's a warming bowl that's packed with flavour and is ready on the table in just 20 minutes – ideal for busy weeknights. Try more of our noodle soup recipes, including this Vietnamese chicken noodle soup. 5. Root veg lentil bowl with herb pistou Celebrate the season’s root vegetables with this wholesome veggie bowl, featuring roasted carrots or parsnips, hearty lentils and a herby pistou drizzle. It makes for a vibrant and vegan-friendly meal. Take a look at more vegan winter recipes, such as this coconut cashew & butternut squash curry. 6. Cod & prawn pie with saffron potatoes Elevate your fish pie with a touch of saffron. Low in fat and calories, it's also a great way to enjoy seafood during the cold winter months. Check out more of our fish pie recipes as well as our healthy Christmas recipes. 7. Caramelised onion & chicory tart with gorgonzola This tatin-style vegetarian tart combines sweet caramelised onions, chicory and blue cheese, finished with a scattering of crunchy hazelnuts. It’s simple enough to make – using ready-rolled puff pastry for ease – yet its full of moreish winter flavours. Take a look at our tarte tatin recipes for more inspiration, then check out our best blue cheese recipes. 8. Red cabbage, cauliflower & coconut dhal Transform red cabbage and cauliflower into a nourishing vegetarian dhal, flavoured with coconut and warming spices. This warming bowl of goodness is perfect for chilly winter nights. Try our best ever dhal recipes here. 9. Sweet potato & peanut curry Nothing says Friday night like a beautiful homemade curry, and this one will kick a takeaway to the curb. This budget-friendly dish is flavour-packed but mild enough for kids, plus meat-eaters won't even realise it's vegan. With spinach and sweet potato, it boasts two of your five-a-day and it’s also under 400 calories. Try more of our sweet potato curry recipes then take a look at our round-up of the most popular curry recipes. 10. Turkey ramen A creative way to use up any roast turkey leftovers, this nourishing ramen features a rich broth, shiitake mushrooms and a jammy egg. It’s a restorative bowl to curl up with on those dark nights. Find more ways to use up your turkey leftovers. 11. Cavolo nero orecchiette Enjoy winter’s finest greens with this easy pasta dish, ready in just 30 minutes. Iron-rich cavolo nero is tossed with orecchiette and a simple garlicky sauce, making for a nutritious, speedy supper. Take a browse through more cavolo nero recipes, such as this pancetta & white bean stew. 12. Creamy sprout, hazelnut & leek pasta Give your sprouts a new lease of life in this creamy low-calorie pasta, where they’re paired with sweet leeks and crunchy hazelnuts for a festive twist. See our winter pasta recipes for more inspiration, as well as our vegetarian winter recipes. 13. Chorizo & pea risotto This risotto makes brilliant use of storecupboard and freezer staples — smoky chorizo, frozen peas and arborio rice — cooked together for an easy, flavour-packed dinner that's ready in under 40 minutes. Take a look at more comforting risotto dishes or check out our chorizo recipe collection. 14. Warm winter bean salad with chicken A robust salad for cold weather, this dish features soft butter beans, bitter leaves, chicken breast and herbs, all tossed in a tangy dressing. It’s hearty enough to be a main meal. See more winter salad recipes to add to your repertoire. 15. Vegan ramen A bowlful of comfort, this meat-free ramen is loaded with veg, tofu, dried mushrooms and miso for umami-rich depth. Add whatever winter vegetables you have to hand for a flexible, speedy supper. See our collection of top ramen recipes for more soothing suppers.
Celebrate like an Italian with these traditional Christmas dinner ideas
Want to try something different this Christmas? Discover some of the main Italian dinner traditions and dishes for Christmas Eve (La Vigilia) and the rest of the festive period.
This holiday season, bring new flavours to your table with an Italian Christmas feast. From rich fish and seafood dishes to comforting stuffed pastas, roasts and panettone, these Italian Christmas dinner ideas offer a delicious alternative, or a perfect complement, to your traditional British spread. In Italy, the Christmas holidays start on the 24 December, Christmas Eve. That’s when the celebrations and food gatherings officially begin, with Natale (Christmas Day) as the main event, and Santo Stefano (26 December, Boxing Day) as the closing act. Across Italy every region has its own traditional festive foods and even within a single region recipes often change from town to town. Still, some dishes are similar and many traditions are shared. Here’s a look at Italy’s festive tables, from Christmas Eve’s meatless meals to the long, abundant lunches on Christmas Day and the relaxed, leftover feasts on Santo Stefano. These are some of the traditions kept alive in Italy and by Italian families across the US who continue to celebrate customs brought over by earlier generations of immigrants. Christmas is celebrated in many ways around the world. We’ve got plenty of menu inspiration from classic British Christmas dinners to plenty of alternative dishes. You might want to lay on a buffet from all around the world, incorporating some Polish Christmas dishes as well as being inspired by these Italian Christmas dinner ideas, as well as our collection of Italian-inspired recipes. Christmas Eve – La Vigilia and The Feast of the Seven Fishes (24 December) On Christmas Eve, Catholics celebrate the birth of Jesus by staying up until midnight and attending Mass. Many families mark the occasion with festive gatherings, whether or not they’re religious. Traditionally, Italians abstain from meat on this day, opting instead for fish, vegetables and legumes. Popular dishes include spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with clams), assorted fried fish, seafood salads, vegetable stews or comforting bean soups. In some areas pizza also makes an appearance. Many enjoy these foods for lunch, as at night they go to Mass and keep their dinner short and light. Perhaps because Christmas Eve meals were supposed to be meat-free, Italian immigrants in the US began celebrating with several fish courses, giving rise to the famous Italian-American tradition known as the Feast of the Seven Fishes. It seems this tradition was brought to the US by Sicilian immigrants in the 1900s – Sicily’s strong fish and seafood culture may have influenced it. The number seven is said to have been chosen for its symbolic meaning in the Bible. There is no set list of fish, the selection varies by location and family. Starters might feature fried calamari, stuffed clams, toasted bread topped with cream cheese and smoked salmon, and prawn cocktail. This could be followed by a pasta or soup course such as spaghetti with clams, ravioli or another pasta filled with lobster or crab, and clam chowder. Finally, the main course often includes baked fish like baccalà (salt cod) or salmon, grilled lobster tails and a fresh seafood salad. Try our Italian Christmas Eve inspired recipes Starters: Crispy fried calamari & aïoli Cauliflower fritters with herby dipping sauce Pasta & soup course: Spaghetti alle vongole Clam chowder Quick seafood linguine Crab ravioli Main: Grilled lobster tails with lemon & herb butter Salt cod with root vegetables, cream & bacon Roasted fish Italian style Baked salmon with fennel & tomatoes Christmas Day – Il Giorno Di Natale (25 December) Christmas Day is when families gather for an abundant, multi-course meal that often stretches across the afternoon and even into dinner. While children sleep in or play, mothers, grandmothers and other family members are busy preparing lunch all morning. The meal typically includes an antipasto (starter) of cured meat and cheese, primo (first course) with pasta, rice or soup, secondo (second course) featuring meat, fish and sides, and dolce (dessert) such as pandoro, panettone, cookies and more. And, of course, the meal usually ends with fresh fruit and nuts. Antipasto A typical starter is a charcuterie board featuring a mixture of cured meats and cheeses. Several large trays are laid out across the table, accompanied by bowls filled with olives and salted nuts. Naturally, a drink accompanies the spread: a prosecco or spritz for those who enjoy alcohol, and Sanbittèr, Crodino or Cedrata for an aperitivo analcolico. The food selection varies by region. Platters may include salumi such as salsiccia, capocollo, soppressata, prosciutto crudo, coppa and mortadella, or formaggi like pecorino, caciocavallo, mozzarella and burrata. Other traditional antipasti include: cardi in pastella, battered and fried cardoons; crostini con fonduta e tartufo, toasted bread with melted cheese and truffle; pettole and panzerotti fritti, deep-fried pizza dough and mini calzones; olive all’ascolana, olives that are breaded, stuffed and fried. Try some of our Italian antipasto recipes: Grazing platter Antipasti platter with homemade flatbreads Pear & gorgonzola crostini Deep-fried olives Truffled parsnip & parmesan bruschetta Primo Stuffed pasta features across Italy. It’s often served in broth – think of the iconic tortellini al brodo – though in some regions it’s dressed with rich meat sauces. Shapes and names vary by region: agnolotti in Piedmont, shaped like small semi-circular pockets; ravioli in Liguria, with a classic square shape; casoncelli in Lombardy, shaped like half moons; anolini and tortellini in Emilia-Romagna (the first round, the second folded around the filling); cappelletti in Umbria, Marche and Lazio, which resemble tortellini; and culurgiones in Sardinia, half-moon shaped and sealed in a way that resembles an ear of wheat. These pastas come with a wide variety of fillings — most are made with meat, cheese and herbs, while some consist of just fresh cheese and vegetables. Brodo (broth) is a staple on the Italian Christmas table and it’s not just served with pasta. In northern Puglia, zuppetta is a must – a baked dish made of layers of toasted bread, turkey, caciocavallo cheese and mozzarella, covered with broth. Campania’s minestra maritata combines escarole, chicory and other bitter greens in a meat broth. Basilicata offers another variation – a soup made with escarole, savoy cabbage and cardoons in turkey broth. Zuppa alla Valpellinese from Valle d’Aosta features stale bread and cabbage cooked in beef stock. Abruzzo’s version is a soup made with chickpeas, chestnuts and vegetable broth. While stuffed pasta and soup are among the most common Christmas first courses, other regional specialties include lasagne, risotto, a variety of handmade pastas with meat or fish sauces, and even bread dumplings (canederli). Try some of our Italian first course dishes: Italian vegetable soup Green minestrone with tortellini Acquacotta Hearty pasta soup Porcini, pancetta & spelt soup Italian borlotti bean, pumpkin & farro soup Check out more of our Italian starter recipes. Secondo e contorno Meat: for the second course, chicken is a common choice – specifically cappone, a large bird prized for its tender and flavourful meat. It’s usually roasted and sometimes stuffed: in Lombardia with minced meat, eggs and cheese; in Campania with stale bread and caciocavallo cheese. Roasted lamb and baked sausages are common as well, often cooked with potatoes, sage and rosemary. Beef stew and bollito (boiled meats) are popular choices too. Fish: this also features as a second course. Baccalà can be enjoyed fried, stewed (in umido), or boiled. Fish soup is another favourite – a well-known example is brodetto alla Termolese from Molise, made by cooking fresh fish and seafood in a tomato and pepper sauce. Eel is a traditional choice as well: fried, stewed, grilled or baked, it’s often eaten on New Year’s Eve but it’s also served on Christmas Day. Sides: traditional regional contorni include peperoni in bagna cauda, baked peppers stuffed with anchovies; cardoon flan; insalata di rinforzo, a cauliflower salad enriched with olives and pickled vegetables; pan-fried broccoli; winter caponata made with celery and almonds; orange, herring and onion salad; and vegetable tempura. Try some of our Italian second course dishes: Creamy Tuscan chicken Italian stuffed chicken Roast red wine lamb with Italian beans Seared steak with celery & pepper caponata Fish: Roasted fish Italian style Sea bream in crazy water (Orata all’acqua pazza) Sides: Winter vegetable caponata Roasted peppers with tomatoes & anchovies Baked cauliflower pizzaiola Dolce Desserts are the highlight of the season. Panettone and pandoro are the best known but regional sweets vary widely. Some traditional sweet breads include: panpepato, found in many regions across Italy; pandolce in Liguria; gubana in Friuli-Venezia Giulia; bisciola in Lombardy; panone di Natale in Emilia-Romagna, fristingo in Marche. These dense yet moist Christmas cakes are made with candied fruit, nuts, aromatics such as lemon, orange zest, cinnamon and clove, and often liquor. Trays full of cookies and other bite-size desserts are a must. In Valle d’Aosta, tegole, paper-thin wafers made with almond and hazelnut flour; in Tuscany, ricciarelli, chewy almond cookies; in Abruzzo, ferratelle, thin wafers; in Molise, ostie di Agnone ripiene, white wafers filled with caramelised walnuts and almonds; in Campania, roccocò, spiced almond cookies, and struffoli, tiny fried dough balls coated in honey; in Calabria, petrali, cookies filled with figs and nuts; in Sicily, buccellati, spiced cookies filled with figs, and, of course, cannoli; in Basilicata and Puglia, calzoncelli, fried pastries filled with chocolate, chestnuts or chickpeas. Last but not least is torrone, a nougat made with honey, sugar and nuts found across the country in both soft and crunchy versions. Try some of our Italian desserts and sweets: Panettone Pandoro Panforte Ricciarelli biscuits Fruity biscotti Easy biscotti Italian cookies & ice cream For more inspiration, check out our collection of Italian desserts. Boxing Day – Santo Stefano (26 December) The day of Santo Stefano was established as a national holiday in 1947 to provide a day of rest after Christmas Day. It is traditionally more relaxed – people visit relatives and Christmas markets, or play cards and tombola. There are no fixed rules about what to eat: families gather for a leisurely lunch and often enjoy Christmas leftovers or prepare something simple and comforting. Discover more traditional recipes and some of our Christmas guides here: Italian recipes Italian starter recipes Italian dessert ideas European baking recipes All our Christmas menu ideas
Rick Stein on his love of turkey, his festive fish of choice and why the pub on Christmas Day is the best
Legendary chef Rick Stein joins Sam for a festive edition of the podcast, complete with traditions, Christmas Eve fish and the secret to perfect gravy.
The Good Food Podcast Join host Samuel Goldsmith for a festive special as he welcomes legendary chef Rick Stein to unwrap the magic of Christmas. In this heartwarming episode, Rick shares cherished family traditions from his Cotswolds childhood, reveals the inspiration behind his new book Rick Stein’s Christmas, and offers a peek into his own holiday table, complete with roast goose, Christmas Eve fish and the secrets to perfect gravy. Discover how Rick blends British and German traditions, navigates family memories, both joyful and bittersweet, and brings his signature warmth to every festive feast. From Boxing Day leftovers to sparkling shiraz, and even a few culinary confessions, this episode is packed with stories, laughter and practical tips for your own celebrations. Pour yourself something festive, grab a mince pie and settle in for a delicious conversation that captures the true spirit of Christmas with one of Britain’s most beloved chefs. View oEmbed on the source website Or listen here. Bonus episode Listen to the bonus cook-along episode. View oEmbed on the source website Listen to more podcast episodes, including our Cook Smart podcast and Tom Kerridge podcast.
The only air fryer Black Friday deals you should consider right now
I've tested over 30 different air fryers – here are the best on sale right now for Cyber Monday, with offers from the likes of Ninja, Our Place and Tower.
Hoping to snap up a last-minute air fryer deal? It's estimated that over half of UK households now own one of these appliances, at least according to last year's Good Food Nation Survey. But if you haven't yet bought one and want to – or perhaps you're thinking about upgrading your existing model – there's still time to make the most of the savings. It's Cyber Monday today (aka the final day of the Black Friday sales) and several retailers are still offering deals, including air fryer brands like Ninja and Tower, plus John Lewis & Partners, Lakeland, Currys and JD Williams. But how can you be sure that an air fryer deal you've found is the real deal? I've been covering Black Friday and Cyber Monday for four years and have tested around 30 air fryers for Good Food (which – contrary to what you might think – does involve more than eating a lot of chips). So, it's fair to say I'm pretty well versed in which of these gadgets will give you the best bang for your buck, and which air fryer offers are actually genuine – because, let me tell you, not all of them are. I've also been price-tracking a range of tried-and-tested models all year long, and have rounded up the best savings I've found so far below. I've shared whether I saw a lower price on Cyber Monday last year and if I think prices will drop again, too – so you know whether to buy now or wait a little longer. I'll never recommend an air fryer that hasn't been granted our team's seal of approval, so you can rest assured that every model featured in the list offers good value for money. You can read Good Food's full guide to the best air fryers for more in-depth reviews. Air fryer Black Friday deals at a glance Tower – save 30% on Good Food in partnership with Tower appliances with code GOODFOOD30 Amazon – Black Friday Week ends at midnight tonight Ninja – save up to 30% in Cyber Monday Event Lakeland – up to 50% off site-wide until midnight tonight, with up to £50 off air fryers JD Williams – up to 50% off home in the Black Friday sale Harts of Stur – save on the RRP of air fryers and other electricals John Lewis & Partners – Cyber Monday deals on selected air fryers Very – Cyber Monday sale ends at midnight on Tuesday 2 December Currys – 'lowest ever prices' on a range of air fryers, multi-cookers and more Hughes – save up to £300 on kitchen appliances, plus claim a 5-year guarantee Robert Dyas – up to 35% off small cooking appliances, ends tonight Don’t forget, all of the retailers offering air fryer deals are competing for your attention, so will be keeping just as much of an eye on other brands' prices as their own. Retailers like Currys, John Lewis & Partners and AO also offer a price-match promise. When you’ve spotted a price that appeals to you, look out for added extras, such as free delivery. View Green Video on the source website Jump to: Air fryer Black Friday deals 2025 How to shop safely online during Cyber Monday How do we find air fryer Cyber Monday deals? How do we select air fryer Cyber Monday deals? Are air fryers worth the hype? How much does an air fryer cost? How to get a good air fryer Cyber Monday deal Air fryer Black Friday deals 2025 Good Food in partnership with Tower 10-litre oven and basket air fryer £139.99 £97.99 at Tower | (save £42 or 30% with code GOODFOOD30) £139.99 £84 at Amazon | (save £55.99 or 40%) Elevate your kitchen with the Good Food 10-litre oven and basket air fryer: the perfect solution for versatile family cooking. Created in partnership with Tower, this Tried, Tested, and Trusted model combines a 5.5-litre oven chamber for roasting joints and a 4.5-litre air fryer basket for crisp results. The viewing windows let you monitor cooking without interruption, and the sync function ensures meals finish simultaneously. Like all air fryers on this list, the model has been rigorously tested to ensure brilliant performance. Available from: Tower (£139.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30 Amazon (£84) Ninja Double Stack XL SL400UK Best air fryer overall Star rating: 5/5 £269.99 £179.99 at Amazon | (save £90 or 33%) £269.99 £179.99 black at Robert Dyas | (save £90 or 33%) £229 £180 at John Lewis & Partners | (save £49 or 31%) £269.99 £188 at Ninja | (save £81.99 or 30%) £269.99 £188 at Currys | (save £81.99 or 30%) £269 £188 at Very | (save £81 or 30%) £229.99 £188 at Argos | (save £41.99 or 18%) Ninja's Double Stack XL turns the traditional dual-drawer design on its head and positions one drawer on top of the other, rather than positioning them side by side, so you have more room on your countertop. That's not all – both 4.75-litre drawers also have a stainless-steel rack that allows you to air-fry two layers of ingredients at the same time. In test I found it a joy to use, and even though it was noisier than other models I've tested, cooking with it was straightforward and all the recipes I cooked were a success. £179.99 is the lowest price I've ever seen for this air fryer – last year's Black Friday deals went as low as £209. Available from: Amazon (£179.99) Robert Dyas (£179.99) John Lewis & Partners (£180) Ninja (£188) Currys (£188) Very (£188) Argos (£188) undefined Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone air fryer Best air fryer for families Star rating: 5/5 £229.99 £143 at Very | (save £86 or 38%) £143 at Argos £229.99 £159.99 white at Currys | (save £70 or 31%) This sleek-looking air fryer from Ninja comes with the handy sync function you get with most dual-drawer models, which allows you to programme both drawers simultaneously, even when cooking at different times and temperatures. This particular model also arrived in mostly recyclable packaging, which is a big win on the sustainability front. It has a large capacity so it's an ideal choice for families of four-plus, and while it takes up a big chunk of the counter, it's versatile enough to guarantee everyday use. This air fryer was available for £149 during Black Friday 2024, so £143 represents a genuine saving versus last year. Wattage: 2470W Available from: Very (£143) Argos (£143) Currys (£159.99) undefined Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer Best for cooking a complete meal in one Star rating: 5/5 £199 £119.99 at Amazon | (save £80 or 40%) £199.99 £129.99 at Ninja | (save £70 or 35%) This Ninja air fryer scored top marks for several reasons, namely its recyclable packaging and easy-to-use touchscreen controls. It comes with two drawers that can be programmed to sync up, meaning food finishes cooking at the same time. I also felt it was good value for money and scored well for energy efficiency. Read the full Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer review. Available from: Amazon (£119.99) Ninja (£129.99) Sage the Smart Oven air fryer Best multi-tasking air fryer Star rating: 5/5 £279 at John Lewis & Partners £329.95 £299.95 at Sage | (save £30 or 9%) £329.95 £279.95 at Amazon | (save £50 or 15%) £329.99 £299.99 at Currys | (save £30 or 9%) Deserving of pride of place on the kitchen counter, this attractive air fryer is great to use as an extension of your main oven. Offering presets and functions that can tackle everything from toast and bagels to chips and even slow-cooked stews, this Sage model is a lot more than a standard air fryer. Whenever I see this model discounted, it doesn't tend to drop below £299 – so the £279 price at John Lewis & Partners represents a pretty good saving. Read the full Sage the Smart Oven air fryer review. Wattage: 2400W Available: John Lewis & Partners (£279) Sage (£299.95) Amazon (£279.95) Currys (£299.95) Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 air fryer Best air fryer for versatility Star rating: 4.5/5 £149.99 £113.99 at Amazon | (save £36 or 24%) £114 at John Lewis & Partners | (price match) £149.99 £117 at Ninja | (save £26.99 or 18%) £129.99 £117 at Argos | (save £12 or 10%) £149.99 £123.99 at Currys | (save £26 or 18%) I've got good news for those with the Ninja Crispi on their Black Friday wish list – this viral air fryer has been steadily dropping in price for the last few weeks, and £113.99 (Amazon) is the lowest I've seen so far. That said, if you're not in a hurry to buy and want to make an even bigger saving, my prediction is that it might be discounted again as we get closer to Black Friday itself – so keep checking back here for the latest updates. Even though it has just four presets (air fry, roast, re-crisp and keep warm), I awarded the Crispi 'best air fryer for versatility' because of its two lidded glass containers, which can also be used as storage bowls for on-the-go lunches or keeping leftovers in the fridge. You can also cook sauce-based recipes like curries or desserts in this air fryer, as well as classic dishes like chips, chicken wings and veggies. In test it delivered ultra-crisp, golden fries and a gooey mozzarella & tomato pasta bake with a crunchy cheese topping – exactly what I was looking for. Available from: Amazon (£113.99) John Lewis & Partners (£114) Ninja (£117) Argos (£117) Currys (£123.99) undefined Cosori Dual Basket Air Fryer Best air fryer for quick results Star rating: 4.5/5 £199.99 £113.98 at Amazon | (save £86.01 or 29%) With a spacious 8.5-litre capacity, this Cosori model is the brand's largest air fryer, featuring presets for air fry, roast, grill, reheat, dehydrate, and more. Unique to this model is a “shake” function for even cooking, which worked well for chips – crispy and golden in 30 minutes at 200C. While it cooks fast, avoid overcooking with a bit of trial and error. Packaging contains a lot of plastic, and spare parts aren’t readily available. This model has been fluctuating in price (it was £129.99 last week, then jumped back up to the £199.99 RRP again). So, I wouldn't say this is a particularly huge discount, but it is a few pounds cheaper than it was before. Available from: Amazon (£113.98) Lakeland Dual-Basket air fryer Best air fryer for chicken Star rating: 4.5/5 £99.99 £79.99 at Lakeland | (save £20 or 20%) £99.99 £84.99 at Amazon | (save £15 or 15%) Featuring eight presets, this 8L air fryer is a great choice for households who want to use their gadget to cook lots of different dishes simultaneously. What makes it easy is the sync function, which automatically programmes each drawer to finish at the same time, regardless of timings and temperatures. I liked the clear window built onto the front of this model and enjoyed being able to peek inside as the chips and chicken crisped up. Every dish I cooked was also a success, and the chicken breast in particular was probably the best I've ever had – juicy, tender and flavoursome. Wattage: 2700W Available from: Lakeland (£79.99) Amazon (£84.99) Ninja Speedi air fryer ON400UK Star rating: 4.5/5 £229.99 £149.99 in cyber space blue/silver at Ninja | (save £80 or 35%) £229.99 £149.99 at Argos | (save £80 or 35%) This clever gadget, which Ninja launched in 2023, is more like a multi-cooker/air fryer hybrid, and though there are 10 settings to explore, the Speedi can be primarily used for air frying, grilling, roasting and sautéing. Its generously sized 5.7-litre capacity makes it a brilliant addition to households of four or five, and the 'rapid-cook' setting is ideal for dinners in a flash. The cheapest I've ever seen for the Ninja Speedi is £119.98 (in May 2025), and during Black Friday 2024 retailers like Amazon and Lakeland offered it for £139.99. These offers aren't as good as last year's, but they are the best available right now. Read the full Ninja Speedi review. Wattage: 1760W Available from: Ninja (£149.99) Argos (£149.99) undefined Cosori Air Fryer Lite 3.8L Best WiFi-enabled air fryer Star rating: 4.5/5 £99.99 £69.98 at Amazon | (save £29.02 or 29%) This Cosori model impressed me with its sleek and simple design, colourful accents, and easy-to-remove grill tray – and its WiFi compatibility is a huge win on the convenience front. At the time of testing it was also one of the cheapest air fryers to run versus other models. It ran quietly during use, and though I had to exercise some trial-and-error during the cooking process, it produced crispy, well-sealed chips and moist, evenly cooked chicken. This air fryer has jumped about in price a bit over the last few weeks, but £69.98 is the lowest I've seen so far. Read the full Cosori Air Fryer Lite 3.8L review. Available from: Amazon (£69.98) undefined Our Place Wonder Oven Best looking air fryer oven Star rating: 4/5 £195 £155 at Our Place | (save £40 or 21%) £195 £155 at Selfridges | (save £40 or 21%) £195 £169 at Harrods | (save £26 or 13%) Sporting the same colourful design as the Always Pan frying pan, Our Place's air fryer oven has been a huge hit on social media. Its functions include air fry, bake, grill, roast, toast, and reheat, and a wire rack, air fryer basket and non-stick baking tray are also included. It's a little noisy and slower than other models I've tested, but I found it very easy to use. All the dishes I cooked with the Wonder Oven were evenly crisp and flavoursome, too, and the chicken breast had some good barbecue-like charring. I'm yet to see this air fryer sold for cheaper than £155, and I'm not expecting the price to drop any further. You can read more about the full range of Our Place products in our guide: Is Our Place worth it? Available from: Our Place (£155) Selfridges (£155) Harrods (£169) How to shop safely online during Cyber Monday If you find an air fryer deal and it feels too good to be true, it probably is. According to NatWest, these popular gadgets are becoming one of the top purchase scams criminals use by advertising goods or selling through retailers that don't exist. You can minimise the risk of being duped by targeted scams by shopping from reputable retailers you trust, and avoiding unfamiliar sites or private sellers suggested to you through social media. Always use the recommended secure payment methods if shopping online and avoid quizzes that ask for personal information similar to security questions, as these can be used to guess your passwords. Rest assured, I won't be adding any links into this page unless I'm 100 per cent comfortable with the retailer. Read more in Good Food's guide on how to avoid scams when shopping online during the Black Friday sales. How do I find air fryer deals? When searching for air fryers on sale, I look at a whole host of retailer sites to see what they’re offering. In my experience, I've found that prices can change a few times a week as retailers compete with each other, so I track all the prices to ensure you’re always getting the best deal – then update this page accordingly. But I don’t just look to big retailers – I also look at smaller ones too, as they may be offering a price that their larger counterparts can't. It's my aim is to find you the best price and the biggest air fryer deals, whatever the retailer. How do I select air fryer deals? You’ll notice that there are plenty of air fryer deals around right now, but those that feature in this list are the best performers of more than 50 of those shortlisted, tested and reviewed by myself and the Good Food product testing team. Each was put to the test using Good Food's thoroughly tested recipes, assessing both their performance on everyday kitchen tasks but also challenging the additional functions to identify any weaknesses. Visit the full guide to the best air fryers to find the team's top-rated picks and those that achieved the highest star ratings. Are air fryers worth the hype? Known for their versatility, air fryers are able to perform multiple functions. You can bake, roast, dehydrate and grill in almost all of the models I've tested, plus many more functions. It’s impressive to see how much is packed into their compact countertop footprint. Not only does an air fryer save you precious counter space, they’re often cheaper to run than ovens, particularly if you’re only heating up food for one or two. Air fryers work by circulating hot air to cook and crisp food to achieve that 'fried' texture and flavour, rather than using vats of oil – making air fryers a healthier alternative to deep-fat frying. Plus there’s considerably less mess. Not just reserved for chips, use your air fryer for air fryer chicken breasts, buffalo cauliflower wings, air fryer sausages, air fryer salmon, air fryer doughnuts and much more. Read more in Good Food's guide: are air fryers worth it? How much does an air fryer cost? Prices can vary depending on the size, capacity and versatility of the machine. Prices for standard air fryers tend to begin at around £50, though those at the lower end of the spectrum may require you to do some pre-cooking before you start. For a basic air fryer, I recommend looking at those around the £100 mark for something efficient. For more versatile and multifunctional appliances, I've seen prices reach the £300+ mark, but these models tend to serve as an extension of the oven, so are equally well worth the price. How to get a good air fryer deal Read reviews: it’s easy to get swayed by a great looking deal, but there’s every chance the model you’ve got your eye on could be a dud. Myself and Good Food's product testing team has reviewed around 50+ different air fryers, so really do know the very best models around. Each test and review is impartial and offers up-to-date advice on the products actually worth buying. Set a budget and stick to it: sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday usually offer excellent opportunities to save money so, in order to make the most of the discounts, set a budget and try to stick to it. When you see a price you're happy with, buy it: many air fryer deals will only be available for a limited time, but I'll always tell you if I expect prices to drop further. Utilise tools to alert you to good prices: for example, CamelCamelCamel will show you the price history of Amazon products. How to calculate your kWH cost While air fryers can be cheaper to run than a conventional oven, they vary in energy efficiency. To calculate how much energy your appliance uses, simply multiply its wattage by the number of hours it is used per day. Then, divide that total by 1,000 to get the gadget's daily kilowatt-hour (kWh). The cost per kWh can vary depending on what your energy tariff is, plus where you live. If you have a smart meter in your home, you'll be able to see the cost per use as you cook without having to do this calculation. You can find more advice in our guide to energy-efficient cooking, plus tips and advice on how to clean an air fryer and what not to cook in an air fryer. 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As the brand behind the Always Pan and Wonder Oven air fryer, Our Place's pastel-coloured ultra-versatile cookware continues to be all over our social media feeds – but is it worth the money?
Anyone with a social media algorithm tuned into cookware, food or interiors will be familiar with Our Place. As the brand behind the Insta-famous Always Pan and the Wonder Oven, it's the epitome of the millennial kitchen aesthetic: where soft pastels and earthy hues meet practical design and storage. Most of us accumulate pots and pans of all shapes and sizes, then tuck them away in various drawers and cupboards, but for Our Place it's about the opposite. Its cookware is multifunctional, so in theory you only need one of its pans to do the job of several, and it's so good looking that you'll want to keep it out on display permanently. The brand has also just launched a new 'butter yellow' cookware range in partnership with Crocs and US cook Molly Baz. But as every Instagram or TikTok influencer affirms that Our Place is a must-buy brand, you might be asking: is the hype actually justified? We've spent our fair share of time testing Our Place products over the past four years, and we've put everything from the Perfect Pot to the Wonder Oven through its paces in the Good Food Test Kitchen – measuring against everything from ease of use and quality of materials, to sustainability and cooking results. This means we know exactly which pieces of Our Place's cookware will give you bang for your buck, and how it compares to other brands on the market like HexClad, ProCook and Le Creuset. For more advice and product recommendations, read our guides to the best non-stick frying pans, best pan sets and best casserole dishes. Jump to: Is Our Place worth it? What are Our Place pans made of? Is the Always Pan worth it? Our top-rated Our Place products What are the best Always Pan alternatives? Where to buy Our Place cookware Is Our Place worth it? Deciding whether Our Place is worth the hype (and cost) comes down to a few different factors: how much budget you have to spend; what you want from your cookware; and how much space you have in your kitchen. Here are a few things to consider before you hit the buy button: Our Place offers a lifetime warranty on its titanium, cast-iron and steel cookware Its non-stick, silicone, plastic, wood and ceramic products, and the Wonder Oven air fryer, only have a one-year guarantee The cookware is designed to be multifunctional, negating the need for lots of different pots and pans Its non-stick coating is PFA-free, which means it's made without PFTE (commonly known as Teflon) It can more expensive than other brands, with prices starting at £100 for the Mini Always Pan Our testers have found the non-stick of the Always Pan degrades after a year or so, even after proper care and use All the products are well made, stylishly designed and available in a range of colours – including the new limited-edition 'butter yellow' The ceramic non-stick pans are oven-safe but not metal utensil safe or dishwasher-safe To maintain the non-stick, Our Place advises against exposing its pans to high temperatures The brand uses recycled materials for its cookware and all its packaging is plastic-free What are Our Place pans made of? For many, the main selling point of Our Place's cookware and bakeware is that it's PFA-free, which means it's made without chemicals like PTFE (also known as Teflon). Traditional non-stick materials like PTFE are safe to use providing you use non-metal utensils, avoid abrasive scrubbers and don't overheat them (above 260C/500F) – you can read more about this in our guide on how to care for non-stick cookware. Most of the general health concerns around non-stick actually centre around another chemical, PFOA, which was banned in the UK in 2005. When it comes to overall construction, the Always Pan 2.0 and Perfect Pot are made with a ceramic non-stick coating and 100 per cent recycled aluminium exterior, which means they're lightweight and heat quickly. If you're after cookware with a bit more heft, Our Place's Titanium Pro range has a stainless steel exterior with an aluminium core and titanium interior, which means it's metal utensil safe and can handle high temperatures (up to 400C). Enamelled cast iron has been used to create the Cast-iron Always Pan, and compared to other cast-iron skillets we've tested, it's remarkably lightweight at 4.2kg. Is the Always Pan worth it? The Always Pan is undoubtedly Our Place's hero product, having launched first in the UK in 2021 – and then again as the Always Pan 2.0 in 2023. We were fans of the original Always Pan when we tested it in 2021, rating it 4/5 stars, and its smooth non-stick and even heat distribution impressed us. However, at £125, we weren't sure the cost was justified and felt there were plenty of other pans as effective but much cheaper. Unlike similarly priced offerings, like those from Le Creuset and HexClad, the original Always Pan also couldn't go in the oven. So, when Our Place launched the oven-safe Always Pan 2.0 in 2023, it was music to our ears. Like the original, it comes with an integrated stainless steel steamer basket, beechwood spatula and heatproof handle. We awarded it 5/5 stars in testing and rated its impressive non-stick performance, lightweight build and fully recyclable packaging. To maintain the effectiveness of the non-stick, high temperatures are best avoided, which makes searing and frying more difficult. With this in mind, the Always Pan 2.0 is perhaps less versatile than it makes out, though Our Place did share with us that "the occasional sear is totally fine". For this kind of cooking, the Titanium Always Pan Pro, which can handle temperatures of up to 400C, might be the better choice. In our experience, the non-stick coating also starts to degrade after a year or so, even with proper care and use – so this is something to bear in mind. If you're just looking for a new frying pan, you will find more affordable options that do the job just as well. However, we do think it's a solid pick for anyone lacking cupboard space or looking for a statement piece of cookware that looks attractive on the counter. We also love a brand that takes sustainability seriously, and Our Place's commitment to an ethical chain of production and plastic-free packaging are worth applauding. How to clean the Always Pan Using a dishwasher to clean your cookware undoubtedly saves time and effort, but high temperatures and powerful detergents will impact the longevity of the non-stick coating. So, to make sure your Always Pan stands the test of time, make sure you only wash it by hand once it's cooled – warm water, mild dish soap and a non-abrasive sponge are all you need. If you're tackling burnt-on residue, simply sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on the pan's surface, add a splash of water to form a paste, then gently rub with a soft sponge before rinsing thoroughly. Our top-rated Our Place products If you need some help deciding, we've selected a few of our top-rated Our Place products below – all of which have been tried and tested by the Good Food product reviews team. Always Pan 2.0 Available from Fenwick (£93.75), Our Place (£99), Harrods (£99.95), Selfridges (£125), Amazon (£125) Star rating: 5/5 An upgrade of the pan that started it all, the Always 2.0 is the do-it-all piece of cookware that's "deep enough to roast a chicken and shallow enough to flip an egg". It's oven-safe up to 230C, can be used as a steamer with the handled steamer basket (included) – which also doubles as a colander – and comes with a wooden spatula that nestles into the handle. It's incredibly light for its size and build, and comes in five colours. We also found the ceramic non-stick coating ultra smooth and achieved speedy results, and even browning when cooking omelettes in test. Read more in our guide to the best non-stick frying pans. Available from: Fenwick (£93.75) Our Place (£99) Harrods (£99.95) Selfridges (£125) Amazon (£125) Our Place griddle pan Available from Amazon (£110) Star rating: 4.5/5 Functioning as a roasting tray, generous baking sheet and stovetop griddle, the multi-purpose Griddle Pan is a serious piece of kit, though it comes with a bit of a catch. It's not induction-friendly, but at 53cm wide it's large enough to cover two electric hob rings or gas burners. It's also oven-safe up 230C, but the size of it does mean it won't fit inside a standard oven, so you'll need a range oven if you want to roast or bake with it. For those who have the space, though, it's a brilliant pick for feeding guests or a large family. In test we cooked eight sizeable American-style pancakes in one go and, despite the uneven spreading, all of them were perfectly cooked and slipped onto a plate with no trouble. Read our full guide to the best pancake pans. Available from: Amazon (£110) Our Place Perfect Pot Available from Our Place (£109), Selfridges (£135), Amazon (£135), Harrods (£110) Star rating: 4.5/5 Our Place has channelled the colourful, multifunctional design of the Always Pan into its 5.2-litre casserole dish, also known as the Perfect Pot. It can be used as a stock pot, dutch oven, saucepan, roasting rack, steamer, strainer, and braiser, and a spoon rest has been incorporated, too. Like the Always Pan, the non-stick coating is PFA-free and our pot arrived in plastic-free packaging. It's more lightweight than other casserole dishes we've tested, which meant it shifted around on the hob a little while stirring. On the plus side, this meant we could effortlessly transport it from the countertop to the oven to the table. Read our first-look review of the Our Place Perfect Pot, plus our full guide to the best casserole dishes. Available from: Our Place (£109) Harrods (£110) Selfridges (£135) Amazon (£135) Always Pan Titanium Pro Available from Our Place (£135), Harrods (£149), Selfridges (from £170), Amazon (£185) Star rating: 4/5 For those who love the multi-functionality of the Always Pan 2.0 but want the searing power of cooking on stainless steel, the Titanium Pro is an excellent choice. Its tri-ply set-up, made from aluminium, titanium and stainless steel, doesn't rely on coating or chemicals, but will require a little seasoning with oil before use. The surface of the pan also has a mesh-like texture, which prevents food from sticking but did leave a noticeable imprint behind on our American-style pancakes. Unlike the Always Pan 2.0, it's metal utensil safe, too. For the price it's not the most premium-looking frying pan, though it does feel robust and with the right care should withstand years of use. Read more in our full guide to the best non-stick frying pans. Available from: Our Place (£135) Harrods (£149) Selfridges (from £170) Amazon (£185) Our Place Wonder Oven Available from Our Place (£155), Harrods (£155), Selfridges (£195) Star rating: 4/5 Our Place jumped on to the air fryer trend in 2024 with the launch of the Wonder Oven, which sports the same chic, colourful design as the rest of its product range. The Wonder Oven has proved to be a huge hit on social media, and in test we had a great time cooking with it. Functions include air fry, grill, roast, bake, toast and reheat, and though it's a little noisy and slower than other air fryers we've tested, we found it a doddle to use. All our dishes were nicely browned and evenly cooked, and accessories like a wire rack, non-stick baking sheet and air fryer basket are thrown in, too. Read our first-look review of the Our Place Wonder Oven, plus our full guide to the best air fryers. Available from: Our Place (£155) Harrods (£155) Selfridges (£195) What are the best Always Pan alternatives? Our Place is still the frontrunner when it comes to multifunctional 'everything' pans, but in the last couple of years we've spotted a handful of dupes from the likes of Aldi, M&S and ASDA. This summer, we also saw the release of the Lakeland 8-in-1 Only Pan, which is similar in terms of versatility but over 50% cheaper at just £59.99 – we rated it 4/5 in test. Like the Always Pan, it has a PFA-free non-stick ceramic coating, integrated steamer basket and domed lid with an incorporated utensil rest, and can be used for steaming, searing, sautéing and more. There's a choice of three colours – 'sage green' has been a sell-out – and the shape and style of the pan closely resemble those of the Always Pan. Where they differ is the Always Pan can handle higher oven temperatures – up to 230C – so can be used for roasting and baking, where the Only Pan is only oven-safe up to 150C. The Only Pan is 3.5L, so slightly larger than the standard-sized Always Pan (2.5L), and because of this it's a little heavier too (1.79KG, versus 1.36KG). Our Place says it offers a 'limited lifetime warranty' on its non-stick products – dig a little deeper and you'll find the guarantee is actually three years if the pan is purchased after 1 May 2025 (or one year if the pan is bought before this date). Lakeland, on the other hand, offers a 10-year guarantee on the Only Pan. Where to buy Our Place cookware You can buy Our Place products directly from its website, as well retailers like Harrods, Selfridges, Fenwick and Amazon. Related reviews Best non-stick frying pans Best saucepans Best pan sets Best griddle pans Best sauté pans Best pancake pans Best cast iron skillets Best casserole dishes Best stainless steel frying pans Best paella pans How to store pans How to care for non-stick cookware More guides Is HexClad worth it? Is KitchenAid worth it? Is Le Creuset worth it? 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