TEFAL Actifry XL Express Review

We don't often have home made chips and possibly never have ready frozen oven chips however from time to time chips are exactly what you need to go with the meal you are preparing.  TEFAL Actifry has been around for some time and I have always wanted one for those 'chips' moments.

Fast forward to the release of the new TEFAL Actifry XL Express!  I was recently introduced to this product and was really surprised at how versatile it is, how it is much more than a chip fryer! Looks a bit like a space ship!

At a 'get to know' session we split into two and each group made a different recipe in their Actifry XL Express.

What a great surprise! The TEFAL Actifry XL Express is much more than a 'chip fryer'. It not only make tempting, delicious food in quick time but uses less oil to do so making the food less in calories and grams of fat.

First an introduction and a big reveal from TOWIE star Frankie Essex

Then our group made a Sesame Salmon. Using a marinade of soy sauce, lemon juice, honey, sesame seeds, paprika and a pinch of salt we mixed it with our salmon

and let it sit for the two minutes it took for the machine to heat up.

We put it in the new TEFAL Actifry XL Express, set the timer and in just 7 minutes we had a really tasty, tender and perfectly cooked Sesame Salmon for lunch.  I think I could easily become addicted to this recipe!!

When everyone was finished cooking their recipe we sat down to a lovely lunch with loads of extra salads on the table but as you can see guests couldn't resist taking pictures of our Sesame Salmon!

Now for some real excitement  - my new TEFAL Actifry XL Express has arrived at my house.  Mr R - your chip cravings will soon be satisfied! What will impress him the most - will it be that it can be controlled by Bluetooth - once you set it up to work with your phone you can download recipes and once you turn the machine on your app will keep track of the remaining time.

We tested the TEFAL Actifry XL Express out with chips! I soaked about 1kg of sliced potatoes in cold water, drained them and patted them dry with a clean tea towel.  Pop the potato slices inside, add one spoonful of oil (spoon supplied) and according to the app set the timer for 28 minutes.

Twenty eight minutes later, the buzzer goes off, the machine turns itself off and you have crispy on the outside fluffy on the inside chips!

As well as chips you can make curries, stir fries, casseroles and more with 100s of recipes on the Bluetooth app.  There is an easy to set digital timer. The removable parts can be washed in the dishwasher and the rest can be wiped clean with a soft cloth.  I sense a revolution to home made chips for Mr R who is a self confessed Potato Monster!

I was sent a TEFAL Actifry XL Express to review. I was not required to write a positive review. As usual all opinions and photos are my own.  No photos may be reproduced without my written consent.

Quick Prep with Tefal Fresh Express

You may have seen the recent deluge of TV advertising for the Tefal Fresh Express.  It is small and brightly coloured so has lots of kitchen appeal and does slicing, dicing and shredding in record time.

I was intrigued by this new baby of a prep machine and was delighted to receive one from Tefal to try, review and write about.

It really is compact and I love how the chopping blades fit so neatly together with a clip on outer holder. The cord fits neatly inside so you don't have a problem with it hanging out dangerously whilst on a counter top or in a cupboard.

Put together with the clear drum holder clipped in place

There are five brightly coloured drums, one for thick slicing, one for thin slicing.  Another one thickly grates and one for thin grating and the final one for very fine grating such as parmesean and chocolate.  There really isn't much you can't slice or grate with this little beauty!

All five of the drums

I initially tried slicing courgettes, onions and celery. The courgettes sliced beautifully and will look fantastic in my quiche for dinner. 

Very thinly sliced courgettes

I thought the onions were a bit difficult but I think sometimes they have more moisture than other times of the year and the one I used were a bit difficult.  On the other hand the celery sliced just perfectly. 

I am expecting this machine to be a great boost over the Christmas holiday with all the prep needed to feed friends and family.  My son is keen on borrowing this from me as he and his wife follow a Slimming World eating plan and he is planning on getting one eventually.