When colleges across the country open their doors this September, many students will be experiencing independent living for the first time. College life can be hectic, with classes to juggle, clubs to join and socialising, but it’s important not to overlook proper nutrition. A well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet is essential for supporting brain function, helping students stay focused, energised and healthy.
Eating well on a student budget can be a challenge, however, nutritious food doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Simple one-pot dishes, such as stews, curries, or pasta bakes, are affordable, filling, and easy to prepare with minimal washing up.
When preparing dinner, consider making a double portion. This cuts down on both preparation and clean-up time. For example, a dish like pesto pasta works perfectly. It can be enjoyed hot for dinner, then refrigerated and the leftovers can be eaten cold for lunch the next day.
When planning your grocery shop, it helps to have a rough idea of the meals you’ll be cooking that week. Choose ingredients that have a longer shelf life or will last a few days in the fridge once opened. Being aware of how long food stays fresh can go a long way toward reducing waste and saving money.
An air fryer is a great investment for a student flat as it is compact, easy to use, and incredibly versatile. You can make everything from baked potatoes and burgers to toasties and pitta pizzas, plus the two recipes below, with minimal effort. You also have the benefit of cooking with little or no oil, which is healthier again. Plus, it’s easy to use with less washing up – something every student will enjoy!
Air fryer chicken fajitas
Ingredients: Serves 1
1 chicken fillets, cut into strips
1 clove garlic, crushed
½ onion, thinly sliced
½ red pepper, thinly sliced
1tsp fajita seasoning
1tbsp olive oil
To serve
1 large flour tortilla
Lettuce
Grated cheese
Method
1. Preheat the air fryer to 190 °C.
2. Place the chicken strips, garlic, onion and pepper slices into a bowl. Add the fajita seasoning and olive oil. Stir to combine.
3. Place in the air fryer, using a liner if you have one. Cook for about 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket every few minutes.
4. Heat the wraps according to the instructions on the pack, either in the microwave or wrapped in tin foil in the air fryer.
5. Divide the chicken and vegetables between the warmed tortilla wraps. Top with lettuce, a little grated cheese, and condiments of your choice.
Air-fryer loaded fries.
Ingredients: Serves 1
1 large potato, cubed
2tbsp olive oil
Salt
½ red pepper
½ onion
150g minced beef
1tsp taco seasoning
1tbsp tomato ketchup
25g cheddar cheese, grated
Method
1. Preheat the air fryer to 190°C.
2. Add the cubed potatoes to a bowl with a tablespoon of olive oil and a little salt. Stir to combine and add to the air fryer, using a liner, for about 15 minutes.
3. While the potatoes are cooking, place a medium-sized frying pan over a medium heat. Add about half a tablespoon of oil. Once hot, add the pepper and onion. Fry for about five minutes, stirring well while cooking. Remove and put on a plate.
4. Place the pan back over a high heat. Add a small drizzle of oil to the pan and add the mince. Cook over a high heat, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the mince is browned.
5. Return the pepper and onion to the pan along with the taco seasoning, tomato ketchup and a dash of boiling water. Stir to combine and simmer for about five minutes.
6. Once the potato cubes are almost cooked, top with the cooked mince, and add a layer of grated cheese. Continue to cook in the air fryer for about two minutes to allow the cheese to melt. Transfer to a plate and top with condiments of choice.
When colleges across the country open their doors this September, many students will be experiencing independent living for the first time. College life can be hectic, with classes to juggle, clubs to join and socialising, but it’s important not to overlook proper nutrition. A well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet is essential for supporting brain function, helping students stay focused, energised and healthy.
Eating well on a student budget can be a challenge, however, nutritious food doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Simple one-pot dishes, such as stews, curries, or pasta bakes, are affordable, filling, and easy to prepare with minimal washing up.
When preparing dinner, consider making a double portion. This cuts down on both preparation and clean-up time. For example, a dish like pesto pasta works perfectly. It can be enjoyed hot for dinner, then refrigerated and the leftovers can be eaten cold for lunch the next day.
When planning your grocery shop, it helps to have a rough idea of the meals you’ll be cooking that week. Choose ingredients that have a longer shelf life or will last a few days in the fridge once opened. Being aware of how long food stays fresh can go a long way toward reducing waste and saving money.
An air fryer is a great investment for a student flat as it is compact, easy to use, and incredibly versatile. You can make everything from baked potatoes and burgers to toasties and pitta pizzas, plus the two recipes below, with minimal effort. You also have the benefit of cooking with little or no oil, which is healthier again. Plus, it’s easy to use with less washing up – something every student will enjoy!
Air fryer chicken fajitas
Ingredients: Serves 1
1 chicken fillets, cut into strips
1 clove garlic, crushed
½ onion, thinly sliced
½ red pepper, thinly sliced
1tsp fajita seasoning
1tbsp olive oil
To serve
1 large flour tortilla
Lettuce
Grated cheese
Method
1. Preheat the air fryer to 190 °C.
2. Place the chicken strips, garlic, onion and pepper slices into a bowl. Add the fajita seasoning and olive oil. Stir to combine.
3. Place in the air fryer, using a liner if you have one. Cook for about 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket every few minutes.
4. Heat the wraps according to the instructions on the pack, either in the microwave or wrapped in tin foil in the air fryer.
5. Divide the chicken and vegetables between the warmed tortilla wraps. Top with lettuce, a little grated cheese, and condiments of your choice.
Air-fryer loaded fries.
Ingredients: Serves 1
1 large potato, cubed
2tbsp olive oil
Salt
½ red pepper
½ onion
150g minced beef
1tsp taco seasoning
1tbsp tomato ketchup
25g cheddar cheese, grated
Method
1. Preheat the air fryer to 190°C.
2. Add the cubed potatoes to a bowl with a tablespoon of olive oil and a little salt. Stir to combine and add to the air fryer, using a liner, for about 15 minutes.
3. While the potatoes are cooking, place a medium-sized frying pan over a medium heat. Add about half a tablespoon of oil. Once hot, add the pepper and onion. Fry for about five minutes, stirring well while cooking. Remove and put on a plate.
4. Place the pan back over a high heat. Add a small drizzle of oil to the pan and add the mince. Cook over a high heat, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the mince is browned.
5. Return the pepper and onion to the pan along with the taco seasoning, tomato ketchup and a dash of boiling water. Stir to combine and simmer for about five minutes.
6. Once the potato cubes are almost cooked, top with the cooked mince, and add a layer of grated cheese. Continue to cook in the air fryer for about two minutes to allow the cheese to melt. Transfer to a plate and top with condiments of choice.
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