Prevent last-minute chaos with our Christmas tips. Use our handy shopping list for a successful holiday dinner, including essential ingredients and gadgets
Christmas is a whirlwind of present-buying, food-ordering, gift-wrapping and party-going – and it's hard to remember every last detail To help you out, we've drawn up a list of items that are easy to forget but will make things a little bit simpler come Christmas Day. See our Christmas menu ideas for recipe inspiration, from a traditional Christmas dinner menu to our vegetarian Christmas menu and vegan Christmas menu. We also have plenty of Christmas desserts, Christmas cakes and Christmas baking ideas. Essential storecupboard buys for Christmas Day These take-it-for-granted products are worth having on hand: 1. Extra wide foil For keeping the big bird covered when you need to. Remember to make a ball out of your used foil before you bin it, that way it's easier to recycle. Use it for: Classic roast turkey Next level roast turkey Easy turkey crown Roast turkey breast Foolproof slow roast chicken 2. Butcher's string Every trusser's essential. Use it for: Next level porchetta Festive porchetta Porchetta Italian-style roast pork with crispy crackling 3. Baking parchment Perfect for lining trays for sausage rolls, mince pies and all those other irresistible nibbles. Buy a compostable version. Use it for: Christmas dinner sausage roll Mincemeat traybake Classic Christmas cake Last minute Christmas cake 4. Reusable food containers You can never have too many, great for storing and stacking pre-prepped foods and leftovers. Use it for: Christmas leftovers Make-ahead Christmas recipes 5. A labelling pen Date it and name it, because it's hard to work out what that frozen mass is. Use it for: Make-ahead Christmas recipes Freezable Christmas recipes 6. A couple of new tea towels If you need some. Top 10 ingredients for your Christmas shopping list Glamorous ingredients? Maybe not, but we'll be grateful we added them to the list when the feeding frenzy begins 1. Eggs Breakfasts and Boxing Day bubble and squeak taken care of. Use it for: Bubble & squeak hash Eggs benedict with smoked salmon & chives Spicy Bloody Mary eggs with crunchy croutons Breakfast casserole 2. Icing sugar A sprinkle gives a festive frosting to any dessert. Use it for: Christmas crinkle cookies Next level yule log Gingerbread cake Lebkuchen Sunken chocolate, olive oil & hazelnut cake Unbelievably easy mince pies 3. Cheese and biscuits The perfect snack when you're too full for a full-blown meal. Use it for: Grazing platter Cheeseboard mince pies Christmas tree cheeseboard Cheeseboard sticks 4. Chutney For all the leftover cold meats. Use it for: Jumbo turkey samosas Mango chutney campfire cheese toasties Caramelised onion chutney & soured cream dip with air fryer crisps 5. Vanilla ice cream Allow to melt slightly and mix with leftover Christmas pudding for an easy dessert. Use it for: Frozen custard sundae Christmas pudding strudel Mince pie baklava Mulled wine brownie surprise Rye Christmas pudding cookies 6. Frozen peas Rustle up a pea and ham soup with leftover ham stock and gammon. Use it for: Pea & ham soup Pea & feta toasts Leek, pea & watercress soup Pea & ham pasta 7. Mayonnaise A potato salad or coleslaw make easy Boxing Day sides. Use it for: Classic homemade coleslaw Next level potato salad Marie rose sauce Easy coronation chicken Sriracha & lime potato salad 8. Puff pastry Impromptu guests? Scatter ready-rolled with leftover cheese, slice and cook for simple cheese straws. Use it for: Pesto cheese straw Christmas tree Cheese straws Puff pastry mince pies Caramelised onion puff pastry tart Pigs in puff pastry blankets 9. Sauces Not just cranberry and bread, top up your tomato and brown for festive brunches. Use it for: Family breakfast station Air fryer bacon One-pan egg & veg brunch Merguez sausage baps & harissa ketchup 10. Butter and self-raising flour You've got the eggs, have these two to hand and you can always whip up a quick cake for guests. Use it for: Winter wonderland cake Christmas chocolate cake White forest Christmas tree traybake Red velvet brownies Gadgets and kit for making Christmas dinner Yes, we can manage without, but life is simpler with them... 1. Meat thermometer The best way to ensure you don't overcook and dry out your meat. Use it for: Garlic and herb stuffed tender turkey crown Classic roast chicken & gravy Next level roast beef Crispy roast pork belly 2. Gravy separator jug A simple concept, this jug separates the delicious meat juices from the fat. Use it for: Sticky Port gravy Flavour-bomb roast turkey & gravy Turkey & chestnut gravy Gravy for the Christmas turkey Make-ahead your way gravy 3. Food processor Quick and efficient for taking repetitive ingredient-preparation off your hands, like shredding cabbage, slicing vegetables and blitzing sauces. Use it for: Two-tray Christmas dinner Healthy stuffing balls Stir-fried festive cabbage Christmas red cabbage Gratin of carrots & root vegetables 4. Roasting tin An indispensable kitchen staple for making mains and sides. Use it for: Ultimate roast potatoes Easy roast chicken Chestnut, bacon & cranberry stuffing All-the-trimmings traybake Honey-roasted parsnips 5. Non-stick baking tray Ideal for stopping messy spills from bubbling Christmas dishes. Use it for: Stuffing pigs in blankets Crunchy parsnips Halloumi pigs in blankets Christmas dinner wellington Beetroot & squash wellingtons with kale pesto 6. Food warmer Sadly hostess trolleys are no longer a high-fashion kitchen favourite but you can get a small heated tray for keeping all the side dishes warm. Use it for: Giant pig-in-a-blanket pinwheel Easy red cabbage Clementine, bay & pink peppercorn stuffing balls Cheesy sprout gratin Sweet chilli-glazed pigs in blankets 7. An electric carving knife Great for those who hate to carve, otherwise a super sharp carving knife is spot on. Get a big fork too to steady the bird. Use it for: Peppercorn & honey ham Burnt lemon & thyme butter turkey crown Pepper-crusted roast beef with béarnaise butter Classic roast goose with cider gravy Slow-cooker ham with sticky ginger glaze 8. Plate warmer Perhaps a luxury too far but ideal for keeping you and your guests' meals warm while you wait for granny to pass the carrots. For more recommendations of our tried and tested favourites, visit our reviews section where you'll find expert buying advice on hundreds of products. So you've taken a look in our shopping basket – now, we'd like to know what's in yours. Turkey aside, which must-haves will you be stocking up on for the festive period?
Natalie Hardwick – Head of Digital Delivery, goodfood.com
Looking for slow cooker Christmas inspiration? Check out our easy festive feasts to make December entertaining an absolute breeze
We know you love slow cooker recipes, and that Christmas is one of the busiest times of year, so we put two and two together to bring you a selection of hassle-free feasts for December. To the uninitiated, slow cookers allow you to bung ingredients into a pot, plug it into the wall and let the gadget slowly make light work of cooking. Slow cookers are energy efficient, space-saving and often require minimum prep, so if don't already have one, you know what to add to your Christmas wishlist this year... See our easiest ever Christmas dinner for a hassle-free menu, as well as our complete collection of Christmas recipes, festive main course recipes and Christmas sides. For more comforting winter recipes see our winter one-pots, winter comfort food and slow cooker desserts. Make sure you've got the best kitchen kit for the job with our review of the best slow cookers. This guide was brought to you by Cook Smart, a campaign designed by Good Food experts to help you save money and reduce food waste. Dive into more Cook Smart content in our budget hub. Christmas recipes you can make in a slow cooker 1. Christmas turkey If you’re catering for a smaller crowd this Christmas, you can actually cook your bird in a slow cooker, freeing up crucial oven space. Our recipe uses turkey breasts bound into a parcel with string. The meaty bundle is then poached in a wine, bay and porcini liquor, which is used to make a turkey gravy to serve. You need to brown the meat first, so a slow cooker with a pot you can use on the hob would be handy here, but not essential. See our slow cooker dinner party recipes for more inspiration. 2. Slow cooker Christmas cake Why not make this year's Christmas cake in a slow cooker? You'll save on energy costs and be rewarded with a cake rich in plump dried fruit and cherries. It will keep for up to two months in a sealed cake tin. Try our air fryer Christmas cake or check out more Christmas cake recipes. 3. Christmas ham Pre-boiling a gammon uses up hob space and energy, so buying a joint that nestles neatly into your slow cooker means you can bypass the hassle. Once the ham is cooked through, finish it off in the oven with a glaze – our recipe uses ginger preserve, but marmalade, treacle or membrillo would all work instead. Read Tom Kerridge's 10 ideas for glazes here and for another inventive flavour twist, try our sticky slow cooker gammon in cola. 4. Slow cooker Christmas pudding Take the stress out of steaming with a slow-cooked Christmas pudding that's laden with fruits, nuts and spices. It can be made up to six months ahead of the big day and kept in a cool, dark place. Try our pressure-cooked Christmas pudding or check out more Christmas puddings recipes. 5. Christmas slow cooker beef brisket For melt-in-the-mouth tender beef, try this slow cooker beef brisket with star anise, cinnamon and rosemary for subtle festive flavours. Once cooled, the cooked brisket will keep frozen for up to three months, so why not get ahead and take the stress out of Christmas Day. Discover more slow cooker beef recipes. 6. Slow cooker turkey curry Using up leftover turkey need not be a challenge. You can throw any leftover veg from the big day into this slow cooker turkey recipe, too. Find out more leftover turkey recipe ideas here. 7. Slow cooker cheesy creamed greens Seasonal winter produce cavolo nero and leeks are elevated to creamy, cosy levels with double cream, Dijon mustard, grated nutmeg and salty parmesan. For more cheesy goodness, try our irresistible green veg gratin. 8. Spiced ginger beer slow cooker cabbage Let red cabbage shine this Christmas with ginger beer, festive spices and juicy apples. Taking only 15 minutes to prep, let your slow cooker do all the hard work as it simmers away for six hours. Alternatively try this simple sweet & sour slow cooker red cabbage. Try our top red cabbage recipes for more inspiration. 9. Festive pulled pork A batch of pulled pork is a good thing to have on standby when people are dropping in for a festive toast, not to mention when you have a hungry family to feed. This recipe allows the pork to cook at a glacial pace, which results in an extra-pulled, melting finish. Instead of apple and fennel, serve the pork with our Christmas coleslaw to act as a crunchy foil for all that tender meat. 10. Wintery duck tagine Looking for something to serve on Christmas Eve? One-pot recipes require minimum effort for maximum gain, allowing you to get on with important tasks like sprout-prepping and potato-peeling. This deluxe duck tagine is packed with festive flavours like cinnamon, dates and citrus. Serve with a simple couscous, then kick back and cruise into the feasting. 11. Slow cooker pork loin A succulent festive dish, our herby slow cooker pork loin recipe is accompanied by roasties, veg and a boozy honey-mustard gravy. For another winter warmer, try our slow cooker pork casserole. 12. Mulled wine The trick with mulled wine is not to let it get too hot as you’ll boil away the alcohol content, so making it in a slow cooker is an easy way to moderate the temperature. Slow cookers usually have a keep warm function, too, so your wine can stay toasty during your party. Why not try our slow cooker mulled cider next.? 13. Muscovado cheesecake with hazelnuts & blackberries Treat your guests to this sensational slow cooker cheesecake. With an oaty biscuit base, a velvety centre and zingy blackberry syrup, this dazzling dessert has all the makings of a celebratory showstopper. For sweet fiends, now try our no-bake cheesecake recipes. 14. Hot chocolate Relax at the end of the big day with a warming mug of hot chocolate. This slow cooker special is made from a mix of luxurious double cream and dark and milk chocolate. Top with marshmallows and chocolate gratings for an indulgent twist. For a boozy kick, add a splash of your favourite liqueur or spirit to each mug – it is Christmas, after all! See our round-up of hot chocolate recipes and boozy hot chocolates for more ideas. 15. Leftover turkey soup By the time the main event is over, we often crave hearty, nourishing dishes, and there’s nothing as nourishing as soup. This traditional recipe uses leftover roast chicken, but turkey works just as well. You can even throw a cooked carcass in and pull the meat off after. The bones will impart flavour, acting as a kind of instant stock. See more of our warming winter soups. 16. Slow cooker hot chocolate fondant cake Bringing together the best of both worlds – a self-saucing pudding and a fondant – this is a match made in heaven for any chocoholics. Can't get enough? Try our top desserts with chocolate. 17. Slow cooker turkey pho If you're bored of the same old Christmas turkey leftovers, try this slow cooker turkey pho. With a delicate, aromatic broth, it's made with your leftover turkey carcass to help get the most out of your meat. Alternatively, try our easy vegan pho. 18. Slow cooker sticky toffee pudding Start this sticky toffee pudding going in the morning and by the evening you'll have a warming, comforting classic ready to serve up with vanilla ice cream. It doesn't get much better than that. Try our gluten-free sticky toffee pudding if you need to avoid the flour. We also have plenty more slow cooker desserts. 19. Slow cooker spiced parsnip soup Using up leftover parsnips from your roast, this vegan soup takes just 15 minutes to prepare. It can also be frozen to be enjoyed at a later date. We have plenty more slow cooker soup recipes and vegan soup recipes where that came from. 20. Slow cooker fudge An easy Christmas gift to get the kids involved with, this festive fudge is flavoured with a mixture of milk and dark chocolate. Feeling inspired? Try more homemade Christmas gift ideas. More on slow cookers Best slow cookers to buy Video: How to use a slow cooker Family slow cooker ideas 10 top tips for using a slow cooker Genius everyday recipes for your slow cooker Are you a slow cooker devotee? We’d love to hear what you cook in yours…
The most popular recipes of 2025 - 15 dishes you couldn't get enough of
From burnt cheesecake to protein pancakes and marry me chicken, these are the recipes which made it into Good Food's top risers of 2025
Each year, we see certain recipes rise to the top, capturing the hearts (and taste buds) of thousands. These are the recipes that get saved, shared and rated five stars by readers who return to them week after week. From quick midweek dinners to indulgent bakes, these dishes have become staples in households up and down the country. It’s clear that the nation’s appetite for delicious, reliable recipes shows no sign of waning. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just getting started, there’s always room in your recipe repertoire for more inspiration. We know how important it is to have a collection of dishes you can turn to time and again — those crowd-pleasers that never let you down, as well as new discoveries that bring a spark of excitement to your everyday meals. Alongside this year’s trending favourites, there’s a core collection of recipes that rarely leave the top of the charts. These are the recipes that have stood the test of time, with thousands of five-star ratings and a place in the nation’s heart. Every Sunday, for example, we see huge spikes as the nation whips up Yorkshire puds. These classics rarely budge from the nation’s favourites: Easy pancakes: the ultimate weekend treat, perfect with lemon and sugar or your favourite toppings. Banana bread: the bake that kept us all going – ideal for using up overripe bananas. Best Yorkshire puddings: no roast is complete without them – puffed-up, golden and gloriously crisp. Chilli con carne: a warming, versatile dish that’s brilliant for batch-cooking and sharing. Best spaghetti bolognese: a reliable family favourite that makes brilliant use of storecupboard staples Best ever chocolate brownies: fudgy, chocolatey and completely irresistible. Chocolate chunk cookies: soft in the middle, crisp at the edges – perfect with your afternoon tea. Ultimate spaghetti carbonara: creamy, silky pasta with pancetta and parmesan. Cottage pie: comfort food at its finest, topped with fluffy mash. Classic Victoria sandwich recipe: the quintessential British cake, sandwiched with jam and cream. If you’re after a bit of dinner inspiration or simply curious about what everyone else is cooking, settle in and discover Good Food’s most popular recipes of 2025 – 15 dishes you couldn’t get enough of this year. Each one comes with a little insight into why it’s so loved, and how you can make it your own. Good Food's most popular recipes of 2025 1. Marry me chicken If there’s one dish that has continued to take social media — and dinner tables — by storm this year, it’s marry me chicken. This creamy, sun-dried tomato chicken recipe is so irresistible, it’s said to inspire proposals. The appeal is obvious: it’s a one-pot wonder that delivers maximum flavour with minimal fuss, making it perfect for impressing guests or simply treating yourself midweek. One reader commented, “This is probably our favourite recipe from this site, great for family dinners but I also made a double batch for a family event and it was all eaten. Highly recommend.” The creamy sauce, aromatic herbs and hint of tang from the tomatoes make this a dish you’ll want to add to your regular rotation. Try next: If you love this, you’ll also enjoy our creamy Tuscan chicken or creamy garlic pasta for more comforting, crowd-pleasing chicken dinners. 2. Microwave mug cake Sometimes, only a quick fix will do. Our microwave mug cake has become a new go-to for those late-night sweet cravings, or when you want a treat without the washing up. Ready in minutes and endlessly customisable, it’s no wonder this speedy dessert has earned hundreds of five-star ratings. “This was easy to make and tasted so good. I highly recommend this recipe to anyone who’s starting out baking or just looking for something quick and easy as a dessert after a long day. I absolutely loved it,” shared one happy baker. Whether you prefer chocolate, vanilla or a fruity twist, this recipe is the ultimate solo pudding. Try next: Explore our range of mug cake recipes, including vegan and gluten-free options, or give our hot chocolate mug cake a whirl. 3. Easy protein pancakes With the rise of health-conscious cooking and a focus on high-protein breakfasts, our easy protein pancakes recipe has soared in popularity. These light, fluffy pancakes are perfect for fuelling busy mornings or post-workout brunches. Readers love how simple they are to whip up. “Lovely, light and fluffy, we made ours with chocolate protein and they were fabulous” is a top comment. Serve in stacks and top with nut butter, maple syrup and fruit for a balanced start to your day. Try next: For more breakfast ideas, see our black forest breakfast bowl or breakfast egg wraps for a healthy savoury breakfast. 4. Classic margarita It’s not just food that’s getting the Good Food community excited — tart and zingy cocktails are having a moment too. The classic margarita is a timeless favourite, ideal for summer gatherings or a Friday night in. With its perfect balance of tangy lime, smooth tequila and a hint of sweetness, this cocktail has become a staple for home bartenders. “My favourite cocktail. Followed this recipe exactly and this tastes exactly like how it does from a bar!” wrote one reviewer. Don’t forget the salt rim for that authentic finish. Try next: If you’re in the mood for more tipples, explore our collection of classic cocktails, from mojito to Aperol spritz. 5. Burnt basque cheesecake The burnt Basque cheesecake earned a cult following this year, thanks to its striking appearance and gorgeously creamy centre. Unlike other cheesecakes, there’s no biscuit base – just a deeply caramelised exterior giving way to a light, almost soufflé-like middle. It’s the ultimate showstopper for dinner parties or special occasions. “Wow. I made this twice over the weekend, the second to give to my daughter and son in law who introduced me to Basque cheesecake in the first place. Amazing dessert, so creamy and light. I served it with a tart morello cherry compote,” said one reader. Serve it plain or check out Matty Edgell's salted caramel version which is served with chocolate sauce. Try next: If you love a bake with a twist, try our millionaire's cheesecake or lemon drizzle cake for more classic desserts. 6. Ginger shots Wellness has been a major theme this year, and ginger shots have become a breakfast staple for many. Packed with zingy, immune-boosting goodness, these little shots are easy to make at home and far more affordable than shop-bought versions. “Amazing recipe! keeps the body going in the colder months,” said one enthusiastic reviewer. Blend fresh ginger with lemon and apple juice or a touch of honey for a fiery start to your day. Try next: For more healthy breakfast inspiration, check out our smoky beans on toast or protein porridge. 7. School cake Nostalgia is a powerful thing, and our multi-coloured school cake has brought back fond memories for many. This simple traybake, topped with a thick layer of icing and rainbow sprinkles, is a hit with both children and adults. “This is such a good easy make cake. My family love it and it’s often requested even for birthdays,” shared a reader. It’s easy, fun and perfect for bake sales or parties. Cut into squares and serve with hot custard, if you like. Try next: For more retro bakes, try our jam roly-poly or black forest arctic roll 8. Honey chicken A sticky, sweet-savoury sensation, our recipe for honey chicken has become a midweek favourite for families. Quick to prepare and wonderfully versatile, it’s delicious served over rice or with a side of steamed greens. One reviewer said, “Just made this and it was delicious, I added mixed peppers and it was bang on, even the kids loved it. This will now be our Tuesday night go to meal!”. The glossy sauce and tender chicken pieces make this a dish you’ll return to time and again. Try next: Explore more chicken recipes such as this chicken & bacon pasta or chicken stroganoff for similar comfort and ease. 9. Pasta alla vodka Pasta alla vodka has taken off in recent years as a creamy, tomato-rich pasta dish with a hint of chilli and – as you can guess – vodka, which balances out the intense flavours. It’s indulgent, fast and easy to make, perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself. “Absolutely delicious! The vodka really brings out the flavours! Loved it. Plus super fast and easy to make,” raved one home cook. Finish with a sprinkling of parmesan, a good grinding of black pepper and fresh basil for a flavoursome, high-fibre meal. Try next: For more cosy pasta recipes, see our fajita-style pasta or Cajun chicken pasta. 10. Overnight oats Overnight oats have become the breakfast hero of the year for their convenience and versatility. Prepare them the night before and wake up to a nutritious, grab-and-go meal. Readers love how easy it is to customise with fruit, nuts, seeds or a swirl of nut butter. “Great to know that a breakfast could be tasty, filling and easy to make. The combination of the almond butter and yogurt made for a nice topping,” said one reviewer. It’s a brilliant way to eat well without the morning rush. Try next: If you’re a fan of make-ahead breakfasts, try our blueberry baked oats or healthy homemade granola for more energising starts. 11. Classic lasagne No list of favourites would be complete without a hot, bubbling lasagne. This comforting, layered pasta bake is five-star, perennial winner, perfect for feeding a crowd or batch-cooking for the freezer. The combination of rich meaty sauce, creamy béchamel and gooey cheese is simply unbeatable. “This lasagne is an amazing dish, in fact the best I’ve ever cooked! Definitely a 5 out of 5. I cooked it with my daughter and it was very fun,” said one user. Try next: For more hearty mains, see our one-pot chicken chasseur or lamb biryani. 12. One pot garlic chicken This one pot garlic chicken has emerged as a weeknight saviour — minimal washing up, maximum flavour. Juicy chicken breasts cooked with plenty of garlic, cream and cheese make for a dish that’s as comforting as it is easy. “My fussy kids wolf this down! 5/5. Nice with a jacket potato and lots of veg on the side,” wrote one reviewer. Serve with rice and green beans, if you like. Try next: For more one-pan wonders, try our nduja pasta or chicken provençal. 13. Roast pork with crackling A Sunday roast is a British institution, and Barney's recipe for roast pork with crackling is the centrepiece many aspire to perfect. Achieving that crisp, golden crackling is the holy grail, and this recipe delivers every time. One reader shared, “I cooked this today and it was amazing. The sauce was delicious with a lovely flavour of the apple [...] It was a big hit with the family. Will definitely repeat.” Serve with apple & cider gravy, roast potatoes and all the trimmings. Try next: For more roast inspiration, see our foolproof slow roast chicken or check out our step-by-step guide to the perfect Yorkshire puddings. 14. Thai red curry For those who love bold, aromatic flavours, this Thai red curry has become a go-to. This recipe balances heat, fragrance and creaminess, and is easily adaptable to your favourite protein or vegetables. “Made for the first time, and it was delicious. Simple and straightforward to make,” commented one fan. Top with red chilli, a thumb-sized piece of ginger and a few extra basil leaves, then serve with jasmine rice. Try next: For more global flavours, try our crispy sesame chicken or Mexican street corn soup. 15. Chicken jambalaya Rounding out our top 15 is our chicken jambalaya — a healthy, flavour-packed one-pot inspired by the cuisine of Louisiana. Our highest-rated dinner recipe on the website, it's perfect for feeding a crowd, and is as colourful as it is tasty. “I’ve made this jambalaya several times now with winning comments and requests for the recipe each time; it really is lovely. [...] Love this recipe and will make again and again,” said one reviewer. Sliced chorizo, peppers and a kick of Cajun seasoning make this a dish to remember. Try next: For more warming one-pots, try our one-pot prawn & lentil curry or salmon risotto. Have you tried any of these recipes? Share your favourite twists and tips or let us know what you’d like to see next year. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a crowd, Good Food is here to help you make every meal memorable.
Learn how to make a homemade Christmas door wreath in 6 simple steps – a fun, sustainable craft project to step into the festive season
Making your own festive wreath is one of our favourite Christmas decoration projects. Our step-by-step guide will help you create the perfect base, which you can then customise to make something that perfectly matches your style. Homemade wreaths not only rewarding to make, they’re also are a great way to make use of locally available seasonal plants and any extra branches that need trimming from your tree. They’re often more budget-friendly and sustainable than their shop-bought alternatives, as well as offering a mindful break from the busy season, whether you choose to make yours alone or with friends and family. It also makes a great personal gift for loved ones. For more creative festive ideas, take a look at more of our Christmas gift ideas and recipes. As well as making your own door decoration, check out our edible wreath recipes, homemade Christmas decorations and our top 10 DIY Christmas crafts to enjoy this year. What you'll need to make a Christmas wreath Wire wreath or rattan base Scissors, floristry snips or secateurs String or floristry wire Moss (ideally sustainably harvested) Evergreen plants (ivy, bay, spruce, pine, conifers and holly work well) Seasonal flowers and berries (poinsettia, hellebores and chrysanthemums) Adornments that fit your style (e.g. pinecones, bells, cinnamon sticks, glitter spray, dried orange slices) Ribbon Method for creating a homemade Christmas wreath Follow our simple guide to create your simple base design, before adding your own festive touches to customise to your taste. 1. Prepare your wreath base Secure one end of your floristry wire to your base by twisting it around tightly. Take a handful of moss and pack it on top of that part of the base, then wrap the wire around the moss tightly to secure. Continue around until the base is evenly covered. Secure the wire to the base then cut off any extra. 2. Gather and trim foliage Sort your foliage, then trim each piece to around 15cm in length. For your spruce, try to keep pieces with several fronds to give your greenery a full and lush base to build upon. 3. Attach spruce to your base Gather a piece or two of spruce dense enough to cover your moss, then use wire to secure to the base. Continue working around the wreath, layering your pieces as you go to cover the moss fully. If needed, trim any longer pieces that may stick out. 4. Add in other foliage Once you’re happy with your base, start to work in other foliage by poking it through the spruce into the moss. To create a natural, layered look, start with more statement foliage with variegated leaves, holly and berries, then work in more delicate leaves such as ivy on top. Poking the stems into the moss helps retain moisture to keep your foliage fresh and vibrant for longer. 5. Attach ribbon Pick up your wreath to ensure all foliage is secure, then work out where you want the top of your wreath to be. Cut a length of ribbon to twice your desired length, then tie it securely around the top section of the wire base, leaving a loop for hanging. 6. Final touches Add any final touches that reflect your personal style. We used pinecones, but you can also add dried oranges, glitter spray, bows, cinnamon sticks and more. Now that your wreath is ready to display, hang it on your door. To help your wreath stay fresh, be sure to mist it every few days. Should any plants start to fade, simply replace as needed. After the holiday season, keep the base, ribbon and any non-biodegradable items for the following year, and compost any remaining foliage. Christmas wreath decorating ideas Bauble Christmas wreath Reuse spare baubles to create this traditional wreath that perfectly matches your existing decor. Keep this looking interesting by varying the colours, textures and shapes of your adornments. Dried Christmas wreath This eye-catching wreath is a fantastic alternative if you’re unable to source fresh foliage. Pine cones, dried berries and cinnamon sticks are wrapped around a rattan base to create a decoration you can use year after year. Asymmetric Christmas wreath Make your base a feature in itself by covering just one side of your wreath with foliage to create a modern, eye-catching look. Eucalyptus Christmas wreath The blue tones of eucalyptus can make a traditional wreath stand out against strong door colours. Combine with vibrant crab-apples to make this combination pop even more throughout the festive season. Mistletoe Christmas wreath Traditional mistletoe decorations get an upgrade with this wreath. Combine with frothy conifer branches and a waxy, shiny leaf such as bay to create this timeless design. Hydrangea Christmas wreath Add some dimension with glorious dried hydrangeas for a warm-toned look. Mix in some gold-sprayed leaves and ornaments to create a cosy, classy decoration that catches the light. Minimalist Christmas wreath In a case of less is more, olive branches twisted around each other and secured with floristry wire create a contemporary look that pops against pale backdrops. Discover more fun festive projects and decoration ideas Christmas crafts for kids How to make salt dough Christmas decorations How to style a Christmas table Christmas baking projects for kids
57 products we awarded 5/5 stars in 2025, from shiny stainless-steel cookware to health supplements
We've put hundreds of products through their paces this year, but which did we rate the best? From ultra-speedy blenders to supplements that actually taste good, here's what impressed us most
It's been a bumper year for product testing at Good Food HQ. We’ve reviewed over 300 appliances, pieces of cookware and health supplements and, in the name of rigorous journalism, sacrificed ourselves to roughly 60 slices of toast, 120 chips, 21 pizzas, 32 scoops of ice cream and 84 shots of espresso – and that's just on a good day. Our mission? To help you find the best products (and avoid the duds) to spend your hard-earned cash on. It's a tough job, but we struggle on. We've compiled every one of our 'star buys' for 2025 below, a.k.a. those products that earned a coveted 5/5 rating from our expert testers. In a nutshell, this is the gear that impressed us most: that excelled in what it was designed to achieve, be it the perfect batch of air-fried chips or barista-level cup of coffee, and provided genuine value for money. We rewarded those products that help you cut down on waste, too – whether that's by using fully recyclable packaging materials (a note to brands for 2026: we want to see much less plastic!), offering repairs, spare parts or lifetime warranties, or manufacturing in the UK. From milk frothers and pan sets to collagen powders and protein bars, we've tried and tested it all – you can visit our reviews hub to check out our full list of guides. In the meantime, these are the 57 products we'd recommend from this year. Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser Available from Hotel Chocolat (£149.95) One for chocolate lovers: the new version of Hotel Chocolat's Velvetiser wowed us with its distinctive look and smooth, speedy results. The design is inspired by a cacao pod and, unlike the original Velvetiser, this model comes with a cold setting that produces creamy, refreshing drinks with a feel of grown-up milkshakes. Read our full Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser review. Available from: Hotel Chocolat (£149.95) Falcon bake set Available from Season Cookshop (£90), Amazon (£90) This bake set from Falcon is a versatile addition to any kitchen, providing a range of durable enamelware for baking, roasting and more. It includes three bake pans (37cm, 34cm and 31cm) and two 20cm pie dishes, all designed to withstand oven temperatures up to 270C. It's also dishwasher-safe, freezer-friendly and hob-safe (gas and electric), so offers lots of versatility. Available from: Season Cookshop (£90) Amazon (£90) Swallow Daily Multivitamin Available from Swallow (£30) With a price per day of 84p, what our testers liked most about this multivitamin supplement was that it meets the recommended dosage for each nutrient, including vitamins C, D3, E, B12, zinc, iron and more. Read more in our guide to the best multivitamins. Available from: Swallow (£30) Our Place Titanium Perfect Pot Pro Available from Our Place (£145), Amazon (£145), Healf (£155) Our Place is known for its ultra-versatile cookware that looks stylish on any countertop, and its titanium range promises to deliver a non-stick effect without the need for a non-stick coating. We found the Perfect Pot in particular was ultra-durable and able to withstand much higher temperatures than other casserole dishes we tested. The fully-sealed rims also helped it to lock in moisture, so our beef stew was perfectly tender. Check out our full guide to the best casserole dishes. Available from: Our Place (£145) Amazon (£145) Healf (£155) Ninja Luxe Café Pro Series ES701UK Available from Amazon (£699), Very (£699), Currys (£699.99), Argos (£700) Ninja's second coffee machine – the Luxe Café Pro – finally launched in the UK earlier this year, and we had a blast using it. It's a great option for beginners and each espresso shot we pulled was topped with a glossy, caramel-coloured crema. Where this machine really excelled, though, was the automatic milk steaming, which produced the silkiest, creamiest microfoam for our lattes and cappuccinos – something that's tricky to achieve when you don't steam the milk manually. Read more in our full Ninja Luxe Café Pro Series coffee machine review. Available from: Amazon (£699) Very (£699) Currys (£699.99) Argos (£700) Tower Vizion 1.6L Soup Maker Available from Amazon (£53.99) Soup season is our favourite season, and this 1.6L machine from Tower makes it easy to whip up smooth and chunky soups in a flash. It's also lightweight, but as it's made with BPA-free Triton plastic – which is tougher than glass – we found it impressively hardwearing for the price. It's a doddle to use, too, with an easy-to-navigate digital interface and comprehensive instruction booklet. Discover more recommendations in our guide to the best soup makers. Available from: Amazon (£53.99) MadeIn ProCoat Non-Stick Frying Pan Available from MadeIn (from £109) With a reassuring weight and a slim, comfortable handle, the MadeIn non-stick frying pan offers a professional feel without being too heavy. It takes a little while to reach temperature but heats consistently, and the non-stick is effective – nothing stuck for us in test, and cleaning required little more than a quick rinse. The cooking results were excellent: omelettes were perfectly cooked and pancakes had an even browning across the surface. Read more in our guide to the best non-stick frying pans. Available from: MadeIn (from £109) Innermost The Glow unflavoured sachets Available from Innermost (£29.95) If you're looking at trying a collagen supplement, let it be this one – our testers loved its crisp, clear flavour, plus it comes in 100% recyclable packaging. It's made with bovine collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, biotin, folate and vitamin C and comes in individual sachets, so you know you're taking the right amount (which stops any from going to waste). Read more in our guide to the best collagen supplements. Available from: Innermost (£29.95) Beast Mighty 850 Plus blender Available from Healf (£112.49), Borough Kitchen (£127), Amazon (£127.49), Harrods (£149), Selfridges (£150) We know looks aren't everything, but the Beast Mighty 850 Plus blender is definitely one of the most attractive gadgets we've tested in 2025. Available in four colours, it has a tactile finish that makes it comfortable to hold and comes with a suite of accessories – three different sized cups, two different storage lids, two different drinking lids, two straws, a straw cleaner and a cleaning brush for the blender. It's also super powerful and cuts through seeds with ease, so smoothies and sauces are free from any bits. Available from: Healf (£112.49) Borough Kitchen (£127) Amazon (£127.49), Harrods (£149) Selfridges (£150) FreeSoul pure creatine monohydrate powder Available from FreeSoul (£9.99) With its neutral taste and straightforward use, this creatine monohydrate powder is ultra-convenient and dissolves quickly – with no lumps or aftertaste. It's free from unnecessary additives, fillers or sweeteners, suitable for vegetarians and vegans and delivers 3.4g creatine per serving. Available from: FreeSoul (£9.99) HexClad Roasting Pan with Rack Available from HexClad (£179), Amazon (£189) We've been impressed by all the HexClad products we've reviewed this year and this roasting pan is no exception. It's expensive and heavy (even without the non-stick rack), but delivered quality and performance – in fact, of all the roasting tins we tested, it cooked our chicken and veg traybake the fastest. It's also metal-utensil-safe, dishwasher-safe and comes with a lifetime guarantee. What's not to love? Available from: HexClad (£179) Amazon (£189) Loop Quiet 2 earplugs Available from Loop (£19.95), Amazon (£15.96) Made from flexible silicone, these earplugs are easy to adjust and feel durable enough for long-term use. They come with four different tip sizes, so it's easy to find the right fit, and we thought the soundproofing was impressive. Once in, they're hardly noticeable so ideal for side sleepers. Perhaps the only thing to watch out for is that they might get dirty quickly (we tried the white versions), but with a lifespan of around three-to-six months – longer if you clean them regularly – they strike the perfect balance between value and performance. Read our guide to the best earplugs for sleeping for more recommendations. Available from: Loop (£19.95) Amazon (£15.96) Sage the Toast Select Luxe Available from John Lewis & Partners (£99), Amazon (£99.99), Very (£109), Harts of Stur (£118.95), Sage (£119.95) This stylish Sage toaster has it all: intuitive settings, good looks and a handy dial for choosing how toasted you'd like your toast to be. There are functions for crumpets, brown, white and fruit bread, and it has a high lift so it's easy to extract most types of bread – though we struggled a little with the fruit loaf. Otherwise, it's a winning choice. Discover more reviews in our guide to the best toasters. Available from: John Lewis & Partners (£99) Amazon (£99.99) Very (£109) Harts of Stur (£118.95) Sage (£119.95) Paused perimenopause all-in-one Available from Holland & Barrett (£11.99), Boots (£19.99) We tested a range of perimenopause supplements this year, and this all-in-one blend is a solid pick that's easy to take. Containing essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin D, vitamin C, B6, B12, zinc and herbal extracts (red clover, sage and shatavari), it's also gluten-free and vegan-friendly. Available from: Holland & Barrett (£11.99) Boots (£19.99) Ooni Volt 2 pizza oven Available from Ooni (£499), Lakeland (£499), John Lewis & Partners (£499) We tested three new Ooni pizza ovens this year – all of which are featured in our guide to the best pizza ovens – but only the Volt 2 earned a 5/5 star rating. As an upgrade of the Volt 12 (which launched in 2023), this indoor oven is more compact than its predecessor and has a larger viewing window, as well as a 'Pizza Intelligence' system that adjusts the temperature in real time, so you achieve a more even bake. Despite being marketed as a countertop appliance, it's still very large and can get a little smoky, so it's worth keeping your kitchen well ventilated. We were wowed by the performance of this oven in test, though – our pizzas were perfectly puffed with mottled crusts and gooey mozzarella cheese. Available from: Ooni (£499) Lakeland (£499) John Lewis & Partners (£499) Koh surface starter kit Available from Koh (£29.90) Designed for kitchens and beyond, this fragrance-free multi-use eco cleaner tackles grease on hobs and cooker hoods with ease, leaving behind no streaks on glossier surfaces. We found it needed a little soaking time for burnt-on stains, plus it was less effective on deep dirt, but is otherwise ideal for everyday cleaning tasks. The kit's eco credentials are outstanding: packaging is fully recyclable, with a large refill pouch system to reduce single-use plastic. The formula also contains just 0.5% potassium hydroxide and purified water, with no added surfactants or fragrances. The product is GECA eco-certified, Allergy UK approved, non-toxic and both septic and greywater safe, too. Available from: Koh (£29.90) HexClad 4.7-litre casserole dish Available from HexClad (£204), Amazon (£204) Another winning piece of cookware from HexClad, this casserole dish sports the brand's signature tri-ply hybrid design that combines the convenience of non-stick with the searing power of stainless steel. It's relatively lightweight (1.6kg) for its size but still has the versatility and heft to withstand lots of use. It's oven-safe up to 480C and we loved the mirror finish on the lid and ergonomic stay-cool handles on either side. Available from: HexClad (£204) Amazon (£204) Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker Rice and Slow Cooker MC1101UK Available from Very (£119), AO (£119), Ninja (£119.99), Currys (£119.99) We've tested our fair share of slow cookers at Good Food, and this Ninja model is one of the best we've ever used. It comes with sear/sauté functionality, so you can pre-sear meat for extra flavour, plus settings for steam, pasta and porridge. It's easy to use, with a simple push-button display and brightly lit digital screen. It doubles up as a rice cooker too, offering specific functions for white and brown rice, and accessories like a rice spoon and measuring cup are also included. Available from: Very (£119) AO (£119) Ninja (£119.99) Currys (£119.99) ZipVit Super Strength Omega 3 Fish Oil 2000mg Available from ZipVit (from £10.99) These omega-3 softgels are easy to swallow and offer a high daily dose of DHA and EPA. The fish oil is sustainably sourced and distilled for purity, with minimal additives and clear labelling. It also exceeds the recommended omega-3 levels for brain and heart health. Available from: ZipVit (from £10.99) JosephJoseph Elevate steel knife set Available from JosephJoseph (£130), Amazon (£130) This Joseph Joseph knife set features five knives made from Japanese stainless steel, as well as a handy in-drawer bamboo storage tray that slots easily into a standard kitchen drawer. The stand-out feature, though, is the clever Elevate system – each knife has an elevated stand to keep the tip off the worktop, ensuring a cleaner worktop. All the knives have weighted ergonomic handles that feel safe and secure in use and each was faultless on test. We particularly like the Santoku knife, which chopped and diced with ease with its gently curved blade. Available from: JosephJoseph (£130) Amazon (£130) Tefal Perfectmix Cook BL83SD65 Soup Maker Available from John Lewis & Partners (£129), Amazon (£129), Argos (£129), Very (£129) Despite the name, the Tefal Perfectmix soup maker isn't just soup maker – it comes with 14 automatic programmes with just two related to making soup (smooth and chunky). Other functions include milkshake, smoothie, dessert, ice crush, compote, stir, multigrain milk, hot sauce, blend, pulse, clean and heat. On test it produced a super smooth creamy tomato soup and chunky roast vegetable soup in just 30 minutes, and made short work of crushing ice. All in all it's expensive for a soup maker, but given everything else it can do, it's a great multifunctional gadget to have in your kitchen. Available from: John Lewis & Partners (£129) Amazon (£129) Argos (£129) Very (£129) Horl 3 knife sharpener Available from Horl (£169), Borough Kitchen (£169) Rated 'best knife sharpener' in our best knife sharpeners guide, this nifty little tool comes from German brand Horl. It's made from two parts – a magnetic sharpening block angled at 20 and 15 degrees on each end, and a double-sided cylindrical rolling block, which has a diamond grinding disc on one side and a ceramic honing disc on the other. To use it, simply attach the blade to the magnet and run the block along the full length of the knife (first with the diamond disc, then the ceramic one). In action, the motion is smooth and seamless and all our knives were perfectly sharp. Available from: Horl (£169) Borough Kitchen (£169) Fellow Aiden Brewer Available from Amazon (£299), Healf (£304), Origin Coffee (£365) We love Fellow's coffee grinders, so we were excited when the brand launched its first coffee maker earlier this year – and we weren't disappointed. The Aiden Brewer is a filter coffee machine that's built with a minimalist aesthetic and precise technical engineering, though is still remarkably user-friendly. Simply input the roast level of your beans (light, medium or dark) and volume of coffee you'd like to make, then the machine will advise the weight of coffee grounds you should add to the filter basket. In test our coffee was packed with flavour, and the ergonomic handle around the jug allowed for smooth pouring. Read more in our guide to the best filter coffee machines. Available from: Amazon (£299) Healf (£304) Origin Coffee (£365) ESN Designer protein bar – fudge brownie Available from ESN (£1.83 per bar) This rich and chocolatey protein bar feels more like a treat than a typical protein snack, and the cocoa nibs add a pleasant natural crunch. It has a smooth milk chocolate coating that's sweetened without added sugar, and inside is a chewy centre combining milk protein and collagen peptides – with up to 15g of protein per bar. Available from: ESN (£1.83 per bar) Chef iQ Sense meat thermometer Available from Amazon (£59.99) This wireless dual-probe thermometer from Chef iQ allows you to track two food items at once, and its compatible app is packed with customisable features, recipes, how-to videos and step-by-step guides. You can use it to measure the temperature of poultry, red meat, veggies, wild game and plant-based proteins, and select specific cuts of meat, fish or vegetable. From there, simply choose the level of 'doneness' you want to achieve and the app will display a recommended temperature. Both probes have sharp, slimline ends that don't leave gaping holes behind, and they're safe to use in an oven, air fryer and deep-fat fryer. Read more in our guide to the best meat thermometers. Available from: Amazon (£59.99) Instant Pot Plus multi-cooker Available from Currys (£109), Amazon (£121.04), Instant Pot (£119.99) Ultra-efficient and versatile, this smart multi-cooker from Instant Pot can be paired with the 'Instant Connect' app, which allows you to control it remotely – even steam release is done via the app, which is great for those who feel nervous about being close to the pot when this happens. You can also programme, start and stop the machine from a distance and check on progress with the countdown timer. If you need to prep baby bottles or jars for jams and chutneys, there's also a handy sterilisation function that's unique to this particular model. Available from: Currys (£109) Amazon (£121.04) Instant Pot (£119.99) Dr Vegan PeriMenoFriend Available from Dr Vegan (£21.99) Featuring ingredients like red clover, sage and magnesium, plus vitamins D3 and B12, this perimenopausal supplement offers a well-rounded formula of essential botanicals, vitamins and minerals. Just two capsules per day are recommended, so it's an easy product to stick with every day, plus it's vegan-friendly. Available from: Dr Vegan (£21.99) Cuisinart Freeze Ease Pro Ice Cream Maker Available from Lakeland (£249.99), Cuisinart (£299.99) An upgrade of the Cuisinart Ice Cream and Gelato Professional (which we also rated 5/5), this sleek ice cream machine comes with four presets – ice cream, gelato, sorbet and frozen yoghurt – a hardness setting to fine-tune consistency and a mix-only mode that helps to aerate the base before churning. It has a clear, responsive touchscreen and is easy to wipe clean. It delivered great results, too: smooth, creamy vanilla ice cream that was ready to eat straight from the machine at the highest churn level, plus soft, evenly textured sorbet that was free from icy chunks. Read more reviews in our best Cuisinart ice cream makers guide. Available from: Lakeland (£249.99) Cuisinart (£299.99) Lakeland deep roasting tin Available from Lakeland (£9.99) At just £9.99, this Lakeland roasting tin offers remarkably good value but is far from flimsy. It's made from high-grade carbon steel and is 6cm deep, making it feel roomy and large enough for a family roast. The generous lip around the outside also means it's easy to handle. We had no grumbles at all when using it to make a chicken and vegetable traybake – it heated quickly and evenly, producing perfect results. It's also made in the UK and comes with a three-year guarantee. Available from: Lakeland (£9.99) Panasonic SD-PN100 breadmaker Available from John Lewis & Partners (£79), Amazon (£79), AO (£79), Lakeland (£79.99), Panasonic (£79.99), Argos (£80) Most Panasonic breadmakers are large and expensive, but this compact model is ideal for a smaller kitchen – and it does an excellent job baking fresh loaves, too. With presets for basic white, wholewheat, brioche and jam, plus four gluten-free programmes, we found it well made, good-looking and intuitive. Three browning settings (light, medium and dark) and a delay timer can be selected on the control panel. There's no viewing window, so you can't keep an eye on your bread as it's baking, but each setting has a clear indication of how long it will take. Available from: John Lewis & Partners (£79) Amazon (£79) AO (£79) Lakeland (£79.99) Panasonic (£79.99) Argos (£80) Vitabright Zinc Bisglycinate & Copper tablets Available from Vitabright (£8.99) Our testers thought this zinc supplement offered great value for money, providing 200 vegan-friendly tablets per pack, with each serving containing 50mg zinc (500% NRV) and 0.5mg copper. Formulated with nutritionists and medical practitioners, they're tasteless, easy to take and free from common allergens and additives. They're also GMP certified and come with a money-back guarantee. Available from: Vitabright (£8.99) Le Creuset Cast Iron Round Casserole Available from Le Creuset (from £219), Harts of Stur (£255.20), John Lewis & Partners (from £319) From iconic French cookware brand Le Creuset, this casserole dish will be instantly recognisable to many. Everything about it has been engineered for ease, from the extra-large handles to the softer edges around the knob, which make it easier to lift – particularly when wearing bulky oven gloves. It's oven-safe up to 260C and has impressive heat-retaining qualities, which keep the contents piping hot even when out of the oven. The only niggle is the expensive cost, but given the lifetime guarantee, we couldn't ask for better. Check out more reviews in our guide to the best casserole dishes. Available from: Le Creuset (from £219) Harts of Stur (£255.20) John Lewis & Partners (from £319) De'Longhi La Specialista Touch bean-to-cup coffee machine Available from De'Longhi (£549.99), Amazon (£549.99), John Lewis & Partners (£699), Currys (£699.99) Most premium bean-to-cup coffee machines are expensive, with some costing upwards of £1,000, so to see this newer De'Longhi model available for a slightly lower price was a welcome surprise. It's a semi-automatic model, which means it offers some level of automation but leaves the fun bits of making coffee (locking in the portafilter, steaming the milk) to the user. If you drink espresso, there's an additional drip tray that allows you to place your cup closer to the spout. The steam wand also comes with a temperature probe, which is ideal for beginners who may be less confident frothing milk. Available from: De'Longhi (£549.99) Amazon (£549.99) John Lewis & Partners (£699) Currys (£699.99) CASO Design WaffleUp Belgian waffle maker Available from CASO (£74.99), Argos (£75) A waffle maker might not seem like an essential purchase, but if you make them regularly, this gadget from CASO Design is a solid investment. It has a unique top-fill design that helps to minimise mess and waste, as excess batter flows into the detachable drip container. You'll need to add the batter gently and slowly, as the spout through which it pours is quite narrow. There are five browning levels to choose from across a scale of one to five, and in test the results were superb: our Belgian waffles were golden and crisp with a fluffy middle. Available from: CASO (£74.99) Argos (£75) Zwilling Spectrum knife block Available from Zwilling (£699) This set of five German-made knives are ice-hardened and steel-forged, which creates a tough, ultra-sharp edge that holds for longer. The Micarta handle also has a textured linen look that offers good strength and balance, making them comfortable to hold. Just bear in mind that the chef's knife is quite heavy, so might not suit everyone. Read more in our best knife sets guide. Dr Vegan Ashwagandha KSM66 Available from Dr Vegan (£12.99) These ashwagandha capsules from Dr Vegan fit easily into morning or evening routines, providing 500mg KSM-66 root extract with five per cent withanolides (a clinically backed form with proven absorption). The compostable pouch is easy to open and keeps the capsules fresh. They also offer good value at roughly 43p per day, and are vegan, allergen-free and additive-free. Discover more in our guide to the best ashwagandha supplements. Available from: Dr Vegan (£12.99) ESN Isoclear Whey Protein Isolate (strawberry lime) Available from ESN (£39.19) If you're after a post-workout boost without the heaviness and sweetness of typical protein powders, our testers rated ESN IsoClear Whey Isolate for being light and refreshing – so much so that they said it was more like a crisp, soft drink than a traditional shake. Each 30g serving offers up to 25g of clear whey protein isolate, with low levels of fat, lactose and sugar. It's also sweet without being overpowering, leaving a clean finish without a lingering aftertaste. Available from: ESN (£39.19) Le Creuset cast iron tatin tin Available from Amazon (£145), Le Creuset (£159), John Lewis & Partners (£159) This enamelled cast-iron dish from Le Creuset is specifically made for baking tarte tatins, but could work for other recipes. Its curved handles and bright coloured exterior (we tested the volcanic orange version) look super eye-catching, too. The dish conducts heat well and cooked our caramel quickly, without any cool spots or bubbling over. It's also deep enough to comfortably fit apple halves, though bear in mind that when you turn out your tarte tatin, the cast iron means it's pretty weighty. Still, we found it a joy to use. Available from: Amazon (£145) Le Creuset (£159) John Lewis & Partners (£159) Ninja Detect 3-in-1 Power blender and food processor Available from Amazon (£206.21), Currys (£229.99), Ninja (£229.99), Argos (£230) This powerful blender from Ninja is robustly built and comes with numerous features, like a 'BlendSense' function that senses and automatically adjusts the blending speed and time in the jug. It can also determine whether you're using enough liquid – if not, a warning appears on the screen – and whether you're using frozen or fresh ingredients. While it's loud, blending is fast and thorough so we could somewhat forgive the noise. It comes with a food processor, as well as several different blades, a slicing and grating disc and three single-serve lidded cups, so you can take smoothies on the go. Find more in our guide to the best blenders. Available from: Amazon (£206.21) Currys (£229.99) Ninja (£229.99) Argos (£230) Circulon Ultimum non-stick 2-piece roasting tin set Available from Circulon (£34.99), Amazon (£34.99) This two-piece set from Circulon includes a generously sized 39.5cm x 25cm roasting tin and a smaller square cake pan that can double as a roaster. Both are made from carbon-steel and with a shiny non-stick surface, featuring the brand's signature 'Hi-Low' grooved bottom that helps to prevent sticking. In test we cooked a chicken and veg traybake in each tin and loved the results – both were evenly cooked with tender veg and succulent chicken. The ergonomic handles also made the pans easy to handle. Available from: Circulon (£34.99) Amazon (£34.99) Sage the Barista Touch Impress with Cold Extraction Available from John Lewis & Partners (£997.99), Amazon (£997.99), Sage (£999.95) If you're weighing up whether to buy a Sage coffee machine, this bean-to-cup model is a superb choice that's less costly than its other flashier models (though is still expensive). It's an upgrade of the original Barista Touch Impress and comes with cold-brew functionality, plus a couple of new drink options. There's lots about this machine to love, including the customisable features – you can tweak the froth level and type of milk you're using, be it dairy, soy, oat or almond – and auto dosing, which self-corrects if the espresso extracts too quickly or too slowly. Read more about Sage in our guide: Are Sage coffee machines worth it? Available from: John Lewis & Partners (£997.99) Amazon (£997.99) Sage (£999.95) Instant Pot Superior Slow Cooker 7.1L Available from John Lewis & Partners (£79), Amazon (£79) As we've come to expect from Instant Pot, this large 7.1-litre model is the ultimate companion for batch cooking. It has a robust inner pot that can be easily taken from kitchen to table, plus a glass lid and four functions: sear, slow cook, steam and keep warm. In test we cooked a beef stew and loved the results – the meat and veg were deliciously tender and the gravy was glossy and thickened by the slow reduction. If you're feeding a crowd or filling up your freezer, this is the gadget for you. Available from: John Lewis & Partners (£79) Amazon (£79) Paused Sleep Aid Available from Holland & Barrett (£17.99), Amazon (£17.99), Boots (£19.99) If you're after a straightforward approach to improving sleep, this supplement from Paused is a great pick – with 30 servings in each bottle (two per day are recommended). It's suitable for vegetarians and vegans, contains no unnecessary additives and is free from GMOs and gluten. Our testers thought the packaging was convenient and practical, too. Available from: Holland & Barrett (£17.99) Amazon (£17.99) Boots (£19.99) Prowise Super Strength Ashwagandha Available from Prowise (£9.99) Offering good value at just 5.5p per dose, this bottle of ashwagandha contains 180 tablets with 1500mg of high-strength root extract. They're easy to prepare and swallow with water, and have a dried fruit or sultana-like aroma though they don't taste of it. They're also manufactured in the UK to GMP standards and vegan-friendly, plus free from common allergens and additives are kept to a minimum. Available from: Prowise (£9.99) Stellar Stay Cool 4-Piece Draining Saucepan Set Available from Stellar (£90) This stainless-steel 4-piece pan set is impressively user-friendly, with touches like stay-cool handles and firm-fitting lids with silicone rims. On the saucepans, there are also draining spouts on both sides that make draining easy. All the pans heat up remarkably quickly and everything we cooked from porridge to eggs was excellent. Read more reviews in our guide to the best pan sets. Available from: Stellar (£90) Cuisinart Blast & Go Portable Blender Available from Amazon (£39.99), Lakeland (£49.99), Cuisinart (£69.99) We loved the Ninja Blast portable blender that launched last year – but does this lookalike from Cuisinart deliver the same level of quality? We think yes. It's ultra-lightweight, compact and ideal for taking on self-catering holidays or camping – plus, it comes with a three-year guarantee, offering better value than the Ninja Blast. Offering a 500ml capacity, it has two presets (smoothie and blender) that blitz through fresh and frozen ingredients in just 33 seconds. You can also use it to make small portions of sauces and dips, and there are handy measuring lines on the cup that make it easy to follow recipes. Available from: Amazon (£39.99) Lakeland (£49.99) Cuisinart (£69.99) Smart Strains For When You're On Antibiotics Available from Boots (£16.49) These capsules provide 10 billion live Lactobacillus rhamnosus that offer extra support for your body when taking antibiotics. Our testers were impressed by the thoughtful design of this supplement and how easy they were to take. They should be taken each day from the first antibiotic treatment, then continue for seven days after treatment has ended. Available from: Boots (£16.49) Made In Enamelled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven Available from Made In (£219) With a slightly more palatable price tag than some of its competitors, this Made In enamelled cast-iron Dutch oven offers incredible quality and a lifetime warranty. At 5.2 litres, it's hand-crafted in France and has a sleek, simple design, not to mention excellent non-stick qualities. We also found it retained heat well and the lid fit snugly, which helped to trap steam and lock in moisture – so our beef stew came out tender and rich. Available from: Made In (£219) KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF8 Available from Harts of Stur (£1,548.95), Harrods (£1,699), KitchenAid (£1,899) Sales of coffee machines have soared in 2025, but not all of us want to faff about with dosing and tamping coffee grounds – so a fully automatic model, like this one from KitchenAid, is just the ticket. The KF8 takes all the guesswork out of making your morning latte, cappuccino or espresso. Simply select your drink of choice (there are 12 to choose from) and let the machine do the rest. It's packed with other user-friendly features, too, like a hidden compartment in which the used coffee grounds go and a floating column that indicates when the drip tray needs to be emptied. Available from: Harts of Stur (£1,548.95) Harrods (£1,699) KitchenAid (£1,899) VivoLife Creatine Available from Healf (£13.99), VivoLife (£19.99) Our testers rated this unflavoured creatine powder for its finely milled texture, which means it doesn't clump easily, and practical recyclable packaging. It dissolves easily and each serving provides 3-5g of creatine monohydrate, which aligns with the recommended use for muscle support. It's also vegan-certified, third-party tested and comes with a money-back guarantee. Available from: Healf (£13.99) VivoLife (£19.99) CASO Designs Chop & Go cordless mini chopper Available from CASO Designs (£64.99), Amazon (£64.99), Argos (£65) We've seen an uptick in brands launching cordless appliances this year, which offer more convenience as you can use them anywhere in your kitchen (providing they have enough charge). This mini chopper from CASO Design is a great example of this done well: it's small but mighty, offering one hour of power on full charge and blitzing through ingredients speedily and cleanly. It has a sharp four-fold blade, an emulsifying disc for whipping and blending sauces, dressings and dips, and a handy non-slip mat that keeps the bowl secure on the worktop. In test, it cut through parsley and onions evenly without puréeing them, and made a smooth curry paste that needed the occasional scrape but was otherwise well incorporated. Available from: CASO Designs (£64.99) Amazon (£64.99) Argos (£65) FreeSoul HydraCreatine creatine & electrolytes powder Available from FreeSoul (£24.99) Our testers found this creatine powder super refreshing and liked its sweet and salty mango and strawberry flavour, plus it mixes easily into water. Each daily serving provides 3.4g of creatine monohydrate, as well as vitamin C, marine collagen, prebiotics and electrolytes, helping to support recovery, hydrating and performance. It also comes in a robust, resealable pouch and is vegan-friendly. Available from: FreeSoul (£24.99) Cuisinart Ceramica XT non-stick cookware set Available from Amazon (£74.99), Cuisinart (£79.99) This non-stick cookware set is comprised of 11 pieces – covering all bases for stovetop cooking, from boiling to braising, sautéing and steaming. The pans are oven-safe up to 175C for no more than 20 minutes, plus they're lightweight so ideal for anyone who struggles to lift heavier items. They're not compatible with induction, which is unusual for modern cookware, but have excellent conductivity and a robust non-stick coating. For the quality and functionality, this comprehensive set is excellent for the price. Available from: Amazon (£74.99) Cuisinart (£79.99) Dr Vegan Gut Works Available from Amazon (£26.98), Dr Vegan (£28.99) This probiotic supplement provides a blend of six well-known probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, as well as prebiotic inulin and psyllium husk. The capsules have a neutral flavour and deliver 50 billion CFU, which has a delayed release to help protect bacteria through the stomach. Stored in a sturdy recyclable pouch, they're also suitable for vegans and have a 60-day money-back policy. Available from: Amazon (£26.98) Dr Vegan (£28.99) Instant Pot Pro 5.7L multi-cooker Available from Amazon (£199.99), Instant Pot (£199.99), Currys (£249) This multi-cooker is the most powerful in the Instant Pot range, and it's ideal for anyone who's already familiar with the wonders of pressure cooking and wants to take things up a notch. It has all the classic functions, including steaming and baking, and thanks to the extra 200W we found sautéing was better than ever, allowing us to brown our meat perfectly. The new Nutriboost function also helps to agitate the food as it cooks, so tomato-based dishes like ragu are less likely to stick to the pot. Exploring the full range of settings takes a while, so this advanced model is perhaps not the best choice for novices, but if you're a devoted 'Pothead' (yes, it's a thing), it's a worthy upgrade. Available from: Amazon (£199.99) Instant Pot (£199.99) Currys (£249) Joseph Joseph Nest roasting tray Available from Joseph Joseph (£40) This non-stick roasting tin from Joseph Joseph is a stand-out – not just for its bold blue colour, but also for its performance. It's weighty but not overly heavy and heats quickly thanks to its carbon-steel construction. We loved the built-in hold-and-pull handles, which extend seamlessly from the sides and curve downwards, so you can move the tin in and out of the oven with ease. The chicken traybake we cooked was flawless, with charred veg, tender chicken and no residue left behind. Just bear in mind that the tin is hand-wash only. Available from: Joseph Joseph (£40) Morphy Richards Clarity 1.6L soup maker Available from Argos (£90) From Morphy Richards, this generously sized 1.6-litre soup maker is a joy to use. It's sturdy but lighter than expected thanks to its Tritan plastic jug, which doesn't stain or scratch and is BPA-free. The handle on the lid folds down and tucks away easily, which means storage is also a doddle – even for such a chunky appliance. The keep-warm programme is perfect for second helpings or latecomers, and both the chunky and smooth soup settings produce superb results. The clean function was a little hit and miss as the jug needed an extra rinse after use, but otherwise, this is a strong, powerful piece of kit. Available from: Argos (£90) Related reviews Best milk frothers Best coffee machines Best bean-to-cup coffee machines Best espresso machines Best air fryers Best multi-cookers Best soup makers Best slow cookers Best blenders Best juicers Best meat thermometers Best food processors Best pan sets Best non-stick frying pans Best stainless steel frying pans Best knife sets Best knife sharpeners Best collagen Best electrolytes Best creatine supplements Best iron supplements Best prebiotic supplements Best probiotic supplements Best perimenopause supplements Best omega-3 supplements Best protein powders Best protein bars
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?
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
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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