Exclusive Q&A with Clare Andrews: 15-Minute Air Fryer Feasts

We chat with Clare Andrews about her new cookbook, The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook: 15-Minute Feasts, including her go-to Christmas dish. See it here!

Air frying is set to be one of the hottest trends for Christmas Day, from buffets to the big festive dinner. We sat down with Clare Andrews to chat all about her new book, The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook: 15-Minute Feasts, exploring the inspiration behind it and, of course, revealing the ultimate time-saving Christmas dish you can whip up in the air fryer.

Q&A with Clare Andrews: The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook: 15-Minute Air Fryer Feasts

In three words, how would you describe your new cookbook?

Quick, effortless, delicious!

What inspired you to focus on 15-minute meals—was it your own busy schedule or reader demand?

A bit of both, really! I wanted to create recipes that fit real life, the kind of meals you can throw together after a long day and still feel good about eating. My readers often say they love their air fryers but struggle to find quick, tasty ideas, so The Ultimate Air Fryer: 15-Minute Feasts grew out of that need for speed and flavour. It’s about showing that great food doesn’t have to take hours.

Which recipe in the book is your personal favourite, and why does it stand out for you?

That’s a tough one, but I’d have to say the Tomato and Butter Bean Bake. It’s simple, nourishing, and full of that slow-cooked flavour even though it comes together in minutes. The butter beans get creamy, the tomatoes turn rich and jammy, and a bit of crusty bread on the side makes it pure comfort food. It really captures what the whole book is about, quick, wholesome food.

If you could only cook one Christmas dish in the air fryer to save time on the big day, what would it be?

Definitely crispy roast potatoes, they’re the ultimate Christmas essential! The air fryer makes them golden and crunchy on the outside, fluffy inside. All you need is a little olive oil, sea salt, and maybe some rosemary, simple, perfect, and such a time-saver on the busiest cooking day of the year.

Did you discover any unexpected air fryer hacks while testing recipes for this book?

Absolutely! One of my favourite discoveries was how amazing the air fryer is for toasting nuts, breadcrumbs, and spices; it brings out so much flavour in just a minute or two. I also realised baking things like crumbles or small casseroles the air fryer does it so well, the air fryer gives them that golden, oven-baked finish without heating up the whole kitchen. It really proved to me how versatile it is; it’s definitely not just for chips!

What’s one recipe from the book that even total beginners can master and feel proud of?

I think they are all great beginner-friendly recipes! But if I had to pick one from the book it would be the Baked Feta, Eggs & Tomato. It’s wonderfully simple, you just layer everything in the air fryer, and it does all the work for you. The feta softens and turns creamy, the tomatoes roast down into a rich sauce, and the eggs bake perfectly on top. It’s foolproof, full of flavour, and feels like something you’d order for brunch, even though it only takes a few minutes to make. It’s the perfect confidence booster for anyone new to air fryer cooking.

A big thank you to Clare Andrews for taking the time to answer our questions and share her tips. Don’t forget to check out her cookbook, The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook: 15-Minute Feasts—you can grab your copy here. OK, who’s ready to get the air fryer out and start Christmas cooking? We know we are!