Air fryers have taken the culinary world by storm, revolutionizing the way we cook and enjoy our favorite foods. If you’re new to the world of air fryers or looking to up your air frying game, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about air fryers, from the basics to expert tips and recommendations. So, let’s dive in and make your cooking healthier and tastier with air fryers.
Top 10 Best Air Fryers in 2023
Instant ｜ Vortex 2-Quart
Its square two-quart basket is ideal for serving two people.
The Instant Vortex is a compact kitchen gadget with a two-quart capacity, offering air frying, roasting, baking, and reheating modes. Its square two-quart basket is ideal for serving two people.
In our tests, the fried chicken from this air fryer was exceptionally juicy, unlike the dryness often associated with high-temperature air cooking for smaller pieces. Frozen fries turned out wonderfully crunchy, similar to potato chips, while maintaining that distinct potato flavor. For those who prefer a softer texture, thicker slices are recommended. The air fryer’s even heat distribution also kept potato wedges moist and flavorful. Overall, this air fryer excels at preserving the juiciness of dishes and preventing excessive dryness.
Premium Airfryer XXL
A Bit Tricky to Use, Can Make a Variety of Dishes Well
The Philips Premium Airfryer XXL is a seven-quart capacity air fryer that claims to reduce fat content by up to 90 percent. Its design features a combination of a rounded body and a square basket, making ingredient arrangement simple. In addition to air frying, it offers roasting, baking, grilling, and reheating functions, and it includes a recipe book for culinary inspiration.
When it comes to cooking, this air fryer produces frozen fries that strike the perfect balance between moisture, crispiness, and an authentic potato flavor. The fried chicken, although slightly overcooked on the outside, maintains juicy meat beneath its crunchy crust. Potato wedges also turn out well, but be mindful of some inconsistencies in cooking if you forget to shake the basket midway through the process.
Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer Oven
App with over 100 Recipes, Single Basket, Stainless Steel
This appliance offers 6-in-1 functionality, allowing you to air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate your food. It comes with a ClearCook window and an internal light, making it easy to monitor your cooking progress without the need to open the basket. Additionally, it features Odor Erase Technology with built-in, replaceable air filters that effectively remove cooking odors, reducing lingering smells in your kitchen.
It also offers one-touch smart programs, allowing for customization with options like one-touch wings, roasted veggies, garlicky potatoes, cookies, cinnamon buns, and more.
Additionally, it boasts fast preheating capabilities, requiring little to no preheating time. You can go from frozen to golden in just minutes, opening up the possibility to create gourmet meals with a wide temperature range from 95 to 400°F.
NINJA ｜ Foodi XL 2-Basket Air Fryer
Efficient Meal Prep With the Ability to Cook Two Dishes at Once
The Ninja Foodi XL is an air fryer featuring two four-quart baskets, enabling it to simultaneously cook two different dishes.
This product truly shines when it comes to preparing frozen fries. It achieves a perfect crispness on the surface while retaining moisture, preserving the natural potato flavor. While the fried chicken may seem slightly overcooked on the outside, it still maintains a juicy interior. The potato wedges also cook evenly, delivering satisfying results in our testing.
COSORI ｜ Pro LE 5-Quart Air Fryer
Food at the Edges of the Basket Tends to Dry Out
In our assessment, we observed that this air fryer tended to leave dishes slightly drier compared to our top-rated models, which had a minor impact on its overall score. While it did achieve a nice browning on the surface of the food, individuals who prefer juicy chicken or a full potato flavor in their frozen fries might find this fryer slightly lacking in that regard.
During our testing of raw potato wedges, we noticed that the heat didn’t thoroughly penetrate through thick potato slices. Specifically, the edges of the basket, where the hot air circulates freely, had a tendency to dry out. To mitigate this, we recommend periodically shaking the basket to ensure even cooking by mixing the food from the edges with that in the center.
GoWISE USA ｜ 5.8-Quart Digital Air Fryer
Tends to Burn on the Surface, so Be Careful to Monitor Cooking Progress
The GoWise air fryer comes with preset buttons that have recommended temperatures and cooking times for various dishes, including French fries, chips, pork, chicken, steak, shrimp, cake, fish, and pizza.
However, it’s worth noting that this product tends to overcook the surface of the food in general. While frozen French fries turned out evenly crispy with a noticeable potato flavor, the chicken was notably charred and had a somewhat dry texture. Potato wedges didn’t suffer from drying, but the burnt surface resulted in bitterness and off-flavors.
To achieve better results with this air fryer, you can manually set alarms at five, 10, and 15-minute intervals. Be sure to shake the food frequently and closely monitor the cooking progress to prevent overcooking and achieve a more satisfying outcome.
DASH ｜ Aircrisp Pro
Compact Size Good for One Person
The DASH is a compact, two-quart air fryer that operates using only temperature and time dials.
During our testing, we encountered difficulties in controlling the temperature and ensuring even heat distribution within the compact chamber. As a result, we observed some noticeable scorching in our dishes. Both the fried chicken and frozen fries displayed burn marks and a noticeable bitterness, along with a clear dryness. When cooking thicker-cut potatoes, the insides cooked through, but the burnt tops detracted from the overall potato flavor, leading to less desirable results.
7.25-Qt with One-Touch Digital Controls
MAKE ADJUSTMENTS ON-THE-FLY
If you want a hotter temperature or need to extend the cooking time, no worries! You can easily adjust it on-the-fly with Brio. There’s no need to start the cooking process over, and Brio’s intuitive digital controls are user-friendly, providing an immediate response. The cool white display is easy to read in any lighting conditions, even in the dark.
Brio ensures healthy fried food and hassle-free cleanup. It uses super-heated air and an efficient airflow design to cook crispy, delicious fried foods without the guilt of messy oil, added fats, or extra calories. Brio allows you to air fry all your favorites, even straight from the freezer without defrosting. The ultra-non-stick air circulation riser is perfect for grilling and air frying, and the premium stainless steel reversible rack allows for multi-layer cooking. Best of all, all components are dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze.
Instant Vortex Plus XL 8-quart Dual Basket Air Fryer Oven
Dishwasher-Safe Baskets
This appliance offers 8-in-1 functionality, allowing you to air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, dehydrate, use SyncCook, and SyncFinish for versatile cooking options.
It features ClearCook windows and an internal light, making it effortless to monitor the cooking progress without needing to open the baskets.
With dual baskets, you can save time and eliminate the need for back-to-back cooking, which is common with traditional single-basket air fryers. The dual baskets enable you to cook two meals or appetizers in two different ways simultaneously or prepare larger batches with ease.
Instant Omni Plus 19 QT/18L Air Fryer Toaster
10-in-1 Functions, Fits a 12″ Pizza, 6 Slices of Bread
This appliance offers an impressive 10-in-1 functionality, allowing you to air fry, broil, bake, roast, dehydrate, reheat, use rotisserie, toast, warm, and utilize convection cooking, all in a single appliance!
It features EvenCrisp Technology, which is an advanced system that directs air flow from the top down, ensuring a consistently perfect golden finish and achieving crispy, tender results every time you cook.
With its extra-large capacity, it easily accommodates a 12-inch pizza, 6 slices of bread, a whole chicken, and more. It’s the ideal size to conveniently place on your countertop.
Air Fryers: A Game-Changer in the Kitchen
Air fryers are versatile kitchen appliances designed to cook food by circulating hot air around it. They are incredibly efficient and can produce crispy and delicious results without the need for excessive oil. Here are some reasons why air fryers have become a must-have in modern kitchens:
Healthier Cooking
One of the primary advantages of air fryers is their ability to cook with significantly less oil compared to traditional frying methods. This means you can enjoy your favorite fried foods with a fraction of the calories and unhealthy fats.
Quick and Convenient
Air fryers are known for their speed. They preheat quickly and can cook food faster than conventional ovens. Plus, they come with preset cooking programs, making them user-friendly even for beginners.
Versatile Cooking
From frying to roasting, baking, and even dehydrating, air fryers can handle a wide range of cooking tasks. You can prepare everything from crispy fries to succulent chicken breasts, all in one appliance.
Energy-Efficient
Air fryers are energy-efficient, reducing your electricity bills compared to using a full-sized oven for cooking smaller portions.
Tips for Perfect Air Frying
Now that you understand the basics, let’s delve into some expert tips to elevate your air frying game:
Preheat Your Air Fryer: Just like a traditional oven, preheating your air fryer is crucial for consistent and crispy results. It ensures that your food starts cooking immediately when placed inside.
Use the Right Temperature: Different foods require different cooking temperatures. Consult your air fryer’s manual or refer to online guides for temperature recommendations. This ensures your dishes are cooked to perfection.
Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: To achieve that coveted crispiness, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Give your food some space to allow proper air circulation. Cook in batches if necessary.
Shake or Flip During Cooking: For even cooking and browning, shake the basket or flip your food halfway through the cooking time. This helps achieve uniform results, especially for items like french fries or chicken wings.
Experiment with Seasonings: Get creative with your seasonings. Try various herbs, spices, and marinades to enhance the flavor of your dishes. Don’t be afraid to experiment and discover new flavor combinations.
Use Cooking Oil Spray: While air fryers use less oil, a light spritz of cooking oil on your food can enhance the crispiness and taste. Use an oil sprayer for even distribution to avoid excess oil.
Invest in Accessories: Consider purchasing accessories like grill pans, baking trays, or skewers to expand your air frying capabilities. These accessories can help you prepare a wider variety of dishes and cooking styles.
Keep an Eye on Your Food: Air fryers work fast, so it’s essential to monitor your food closely, especially when cooking delicate items like pastries or small snacks. Adjust the cooking time as needed to prevent overcooking.
Clean Your Air Fryer Regularly: Proper maintenance is key to ensuring your air fryer’s longevity and preventing any lingering flavors. Clean the basket, tray, and interior after each use to prevent residue buildup.
Try Air Fryer-Friendly Recipes: Explore recipes specifically designed for air fryers. There’s a vast selection of dishes you can enjoy, from crispy chicken wings to guilt-free sweet potato fries. Experiment with different recipes to make the most of your air fryer’s capabilities.
By following these expert tips, you can master the art of air frying and create delicious, crispy, and healthier meals with your air fryer.
How to Choose an Air Fryer
Choosing the right air fryer involves considering several factors to ensure it suits your cooking needs and preferences. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to choose an air fryer:
Understand What an Air Fryer Is:
An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that cooks food by circulating hot air around it, producing a crispy outer layer similar to deep frying but using significantly less oil. It’s versatile and can cook a variety of foods, including fries, chicken, vegetables, and even desserts.
Consider Your Cooking Needs:
Determine what types of food you plan to cook in the air fryer and how often you’ll use it. This will help you decide the right size and features.
Capacity:
Air fryers come in various sizes, typically measured in quarts or liters. Smaller units are suitable for singles or couples, while larger ones are better for families. Consider your household size and cooking needs when choosing the capacity.
Settings and Features:
Look for air fryers with adjustable temperature settings and cooking timers. Some models offer pre-programmed settings for common dishes like fries, chicken, and fish. Additional features such as a rotisserie, dehydrator, or grilling capabilities can also be useful depending on your preferences.
Temperature Range:
A wide temperature range allows for more versatile cooking. Most air fryers have a temperature range of 180°F (82°C) to 400°F (204°C). Make sure it can reach the temperatures required for the dishes you plan to prepare.
Ease of Cleaning:
Check if the air fryer has removable and dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleaning. Non-stick coatings on the cooking basket and tray can make cleanup simpler.
Safety Features:
Ensure the air fryer has safety features like automatic shut-off and cool-touch handles to prevent accidents while cooking.
Brand and Reviews:
Research different brands and read customer reviews to gauge the reliability and performance of the air fryer you’re considering. Reliable brands often offer better warranties and customer support.
Price and Budget:
Set a budget based on your preferences and needs. Air fryers come in a wide price range, so there’s likely a model that fits your budget while still meeting your requirements.
Warranty:
Consider the warranty offered by the manufacturer. A longer warranty period can provide peace of mind in case of defects or malfunctions.
Size and Kitchen Space:
Ensure you have enough counter space to accommodate the air fryer. Measure the available space and compare it to the dimensions of the appliance.
Accessories:
Some air fryers come with additional accessories like racks, skewers, or baking pans. These can enhance the versatility of the appliance.
Energy Efficiency:
Check the energy efficiency of the air fryer, as some models are more efficient than others, which can save you on electricity costs over time.
User-Friendliness:
Look for an air fryer with an intuitive control panel and easy-to-read display for hassle-free operation.
Warranty and Customer Support:
Consider the manufacturer’s warranty and the availability of customer support in case you encounter issues.
By carefully considering these factors, you can select an air fryer that best suits your cooking needs and preferences while staying within your budget.
FAQs)
How Does an Air Fryer Work?
Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food at high speed. This creates a crispy outer layer, similar to frying, but with significantly less oil.
Are Air Fryers Healthy?
Yes, air fryers promote healthier cooking by reducing the amount of oil needed. They can produce crispy and delicious results with up to 80% less fat compared to traditional frying methods.
Can I Cook Frozen Foods in an Air Fryer?
Absolutely! Air fryers are excellent for cooking frozen foods like French fries, chicken nuggets, and fish sticks. Just follow the recommended cooking times and temperatures.
Are Air Fryers Easy to Clean?
Most air fryers come with removable, dishwasher-safe parts, making them relatively easy to clean. Regular cleaning ensures your appliance stays in top condition.
Can I Bake in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can bake in an air fryer. It’s perfect for making muffins, brownies, and even small cakes. Just adjust the temperature and time according to your recipe.
What Size Air Fryer Should I Get?
The size of your air fryer depends on your cooking needs. For singles or couples, a smaller model (2-3 quarts) may suffice, while larger families may prefer a 5-6 quart model.
Conclusion
Air fryers have redefined the way we approach cooking, offering a healthier and more convenient alternative to traditional frying methods. By following our expert tips and experimenting with recipes, you’ll soon become a master of air frying. Embrace this versatile kitchen appliance and enjoy guilt-free, crispy delights with every meal.
