A BIRKENHEAD company boss has created Britian’s first air fryer ready meal range.

Noel Davis, 50, from Formby, has created a first-to-market range of 14 frozen ready meals specifically developed for the air fryer. 

Noel, who has more than 30 years of experience in food manufacturing and distribution across several different businesses, saw a market gap.

The idea was sparked over a meal with his three children: Dara,18, Aoife,17, and Rory,15.

Noel said: “Over 12.5m households are using air fryers, and after a discussion with my family in which they were championing air fryers and how many times a week they use them, I just suddenly thought we have the perfect products, the development and distribution network, and the contacts to launch this and with much success.”

Noel’s brand MJ’s Diner now has a range that includes an array of ‘fakeaways’ such as salt and pepper chicken, katsu chicken curry, kebab, and chip-shop favourites such as steak pie and sausages, and chips and gravy.

All products are priced between £1.99 and £2.49 per pack, have fewer calories than ‘ordering in’ - every meal in the range comes in at under 915kcals with the lowest being 531kcals - and all meal items come in one easy pack. 

Noel said: “We’ve ensured that we have selected some top British ‘fakeaway’ favourites in the range and included everything you need, so the gravy comes in its own sachet, as does the salt and pepper seasoning for you to sprinkle over after just 15 minutes cooking time.

“The range is a no-brainer. It's cheaper, quicker, healthier, and far higher quality than ordering in – every time.”

The range, already available in Farmfoods, Noel’s own Oops Food Clearance in St Helens, and more than 300 independent retailers nationwide, will also soon be available in Poundland. It cooks in less than 20 minutes, with some meals ready to eat in just 15.

Noel added: “This is already a record-breaking range for us, and it only launched last week.

“Rates of sale are up to 500% greater than the leading brands, which is seven or eight times more than the best-selling products such as Bisto, which have been on the market for many years.”

 Due to the success, Noel has recruited 50 staff members in his Birkenhead facility to cope with the demand. 

The 14 products in the frozen range are: 

 

  • Chicken Nuggets and Fries (Made with 100% Breast)
  •  Fish Fillet and Straight Cut Chips
  • Mixed Starter: 2 Potato Skins, 6 Garlic Mushrooms & 4 Hot & Spicy wings
  • All Day Breakfast - 2 Sausage, 2 Hash Browns, 3 Gammon Grill / Steak, 2 Black Pudding 
  • Katsu Chicken & Crinkle Cut Chips (100% Breast Fillet)
  • Sweet & Sour Chicken & Crinkle Cut Chips (100% Breast Fillet)
  • Shortcrust Steak Pie and Steak Cut Chips
  • Southern Fried Popcorn Chicken and Crispy Fries
  • Hot & Spicy Chicken Wings and Crinkle Cut Chips 
  • Breaded Fish Fingers with Chips
  • 2 Beef Grillsteaks with Chips
  • Crispy Chicken Goujons and Crinkle Cut Chips (100% Breast Fillet)
  • Salt & Pepper Chicken Chunks and Crinkle Cut Chips
  • Beef Meatballs with Chips & Gravy 

Noel continued: “This product range hasn’t been designed to be a healthy meal for the family. It’s here to help those who are time-poor and want something that won’t blow their calorie count but is a quick, tasty, and cheap option for an evening meal or breakfast. 

 “Air fryers are now a kitchen staple. They’ve proven they are not a gimmick or a fad. They are here to stay and are helping us Brits enjoy those treat meals more regularly because nothing is deep fried – so you still get that desired crunch and crispiness, just without the oil and fat.

“Most ready meals are, of course, what we call in the industry ‘wet’, which means sauce-based. Ours will not disappoint, won’t stick to the side, and are a step away from a sauce-based meal. We’ve reinvented the takeaway meal – and you know what, I have to say, it tastes much nicer.”

Noel is currently in talks with Home Bargains, Morrisons, and Sainsbury’s to supply the air fryer-ready meals.

New options are also on the way, including chips with chip shop curry sauce, kebab meat and chips with sriracha sauce (hot and spicy chilli sauce), salt and pepper pork ribs and crinkle cut chips, pork sausage in gravy and chips, and salt and pepper chicken wings and crinkle cut chips.