Watch as Michelin-trained chef, Poppy O'Toole, demonstrates how to make mouth-watering, warming winter meals – while saving the pennies on energy bills, with the help of a smart meter.

The TikTok star, who has gained over four million followers for her cooking content centred largely around potato-based recipes, has whipped up two of the nation's favourite hearty dishes for the colder months – a shepherd's pie, and sausage and mash.

She uses a slow cooker and an air fryer, respectively, to cook up the dishes – all the while keeping a close eye on the handy display on a smart meter, to monitor how much the appliances are costing in energy usage.

It comes as over a quarter of food-lovers (27%) have voted the air fryer their winter cooking appliance of choice – with 77% saying it is increasingly important to them to keep on top of their energy usage whilst cooking.

This is of particular concern during the winter months, as four in ten plan to spend more time cooking as the temperature drops, than they do during any other season.

In fact, the poll of 2,000 adults, who cook at home, found they will spend an estimated 72 hours rustling up meal from December to February – compared to just 55 hours from June to August.

Some of the top reasons for this upward trend include a craving for more hearty, comforting dishes (65%), wanting to feel warm and cosy (42%), and the kitchen being the warmest room in the house (32%).

It also emerged 51% are concerned about the impact more time spent in the kitchen will have on their household bills – and as a result, 79% are keen to learn more energy efficient recipes.

The research was commissioned by Smart Energy GB, which teamed up with Poppy O’Toole – dubbed TikTok’s “Potato Queen” – to craft a selection of energy-efficient recipes and hacks.

She said: “Winter is one of my favourite seasons when it comes to the wealth of hearty, comforting recipes you can create – especially if they include potatoes.

“And when the weather is colder and the days shorter, what better way to spend time than cooking your favourite winter warmers?

“These dishes can take more time and energy to make, which is why I’m excited to show it doesn’t always have to be this way. I’ve developed a recipe range of energy-efficient takes on classic favourites – all with the help of a smart meter.”

The study also found 25% of those with a smart meter plan to monitor their in-home display more carefully during the winter.

Of those, 42% are doing so because it gives them a greater sense of control over their household bills, while 40% want to reduce their energy use when cooking. In fact, a fifth of all adults are searching for more cost-saving cooking methods, the research found.

It also emerged the typical home cook will use their oven for the equivalent of nearly three days (64 hours) from December to February, and their hob for nearly two days (46 hours).

This amounts to at least £18 in energy usage in the kitchen alone between December and February, according to data from Smart Energy GB and Energy Saving Trust.

A traditional roast, shepherd’s pie, and sausage and mash are among the most popular meals made when then temperature plummets.

The study, conducted via OnePoll, also found 39% are using more kitchen appliances in their cooking endeavours than ever before – with 43% naming the oven as their top winter appliance of choice.

Victoria Bacon, director at Smart Energy GB, said: “As we head into the colder, winter months, where many people spend more time in the kitchen, small changes to the way we cook can make a tangible difference to the amount of energy that’s used.

“Smart meters are installed at no extra cost by your energy supplier, and come with a handy in-home display which allows you to track your usage in near-real time.

“These warming recipes created by Poppy are the perfect thing to help households rustle up a hearty dish, while keeping an eye on energy use.”