Air fryers have advanced in style, features, and sizes. There are three distinct types: air fryer toaster ovens, single baskets, and double-air fryer baskets. Doing homework is an excellent way to ensure you pick the right one.
The best air fryers offer great value, which is subjective to the consumer and depends on counter space, other cooking modes, and how often the air fryer is used. Below is a list of the best price air fryer options and a brief guide on their functionalities.
Jump to:
- How Does an Air Fryer Work?
- Different Air Fryer Types
- What To Consider When Looking For An Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Features and Accessories
- Average Price of an Air Fryer
- Popular Air Fryers
- Best Large Capacity Air Fryer
- Best Splurge Pick
- Best Compact Size
- Best Overall Air Fryer
- Popular Air Fryer Foods
- FAQs
- Wrapping Up
How Does an Air Fryer Work?
An air fryer is a smaller convection oven. It uses hot air and a fan to "wrap" food in hot air, mimicking the deep frying process. It is a healthy alternative to deep frying because very little oil is required for air fryer recipes.
The small cooking chamber and blower fan mean the air fryer preheats and cooks faster than traditional convection ovens. Air fryers are perfect for small-batch cooking, football parties, and weeknight dinners.
Different Air Fryer Types
Air fryers started as the single-basket type, but now there are dual-basket and even toaster oven styles. The different types are not only bigger sizes; they provide more functionality and cooking options for the home chef.
Single Basket
Single-basket style air fryers are the most common and were the first iteration of air fryers. As the name implies, there is one basket, generally between two and five quarts. They are best for single-person meals or small batches for up to four people.
Double Basket
The double basket-style air fryers have become increasingly popular because of their slim design and cooking functionality. This style can be as large as eight quarts and is optimum for four to eight people.
Some models allow the baskets to cook different foods at different temperatures that finish simultaneously. You can also cook a double batch of the same food to feed a larger crowd.
Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Air fryer toaster ovens offer a range of cooking modes, such as air broil, bake, toast, and dehydrate. I have used this style many times, and I love its versatility. They are larger than the basket-style air fryers but can replace a traditional oven and other appliances that clutter countertops.
This type of air fryer can feed large crowds and is adept at cooking larger cuts of meat. It can replace an oven during the hotter months without putting out too much heat. The smaller heating element also allows the food to cook much faster, which saves energy and money.
What To Consider When Looking For An Air Fryer
Once you familiarize yourself with the various styles of an air fryer, your primary consideration before purchase is size and functionality. The functionality also includes the different cooking modes you are looking for, which can vary significantly from what is typical in most air fryers.
I love the dual basket style, which allows me to cook two different foods simultaneously. This feature makes quick work of dinner and eliminates dirty dishes because I only have to wash the baskets.
Considerations
- Counter space
- Storage Space
- Safety features
- Air fryer space
- Capacity
- How often the air fryer will be used
- Prices
Air Fryer Features and Accessories
Several accessories are available for an air fryer. These accessories increase the air fryer's functionality for rotisserie, automatic cooking, and various cooking tools. A popular feature is basket styles with square baskets. These allow for more food without taking up more countertop space with a larger model. See a list below of available accessories:
- Rotating basket(s)
- Automatic Start
- Pre-programmed settings
- Tongs
- Indicator lights
- Alarms
Average Price of an Air Fryer
The price of an air fryer depends on the style, capacity, and the different cooking modes. It also depends on the consumer's budget and the manufacturer of the air fryer.
Average prices range from $70 to $200, but some models are as high as $350. Higher-priced models are usually the toaster oven style, with up to 13 different cooking modes.
Testing air fryers
Air fryer tests are always wise to check (your air fryer or any other kitchen appliances) before using them. Run it at the highest temperature and use an infrared thermometer tool to check the cooking chamber's temperature to see if it is up to par.
You can also cook small batches with and without nonstick spray to compare the results and determine which one you prefer. This is also an ideal way to learn different air fryer recipes.
Related: Best Oil For Air Fryer: Which One To Choose?
Popular Air Fryers
Popular brands include Ninja and Cuisinart, while the Instant Pot Vortex is making a splash. The Instant Pot is known for its pressure cookers, and judging by its excellent safety record and versatility, the brand's air fryers should be top-notch.
The Cuisinart Toaster Oven is one of the most popular brands because of its cooking, safety, and ease of use features. It has a wide temperature range, up to 450℉, and can bake, broil, fry, and crisp, among other features.
I have used the Cuisinart for years without any problems. I also liked using it in my RV because it produced less heat than the gas oven and didn't heat the RV as much. The dehydrator worked excellently for fruit chips, beef jerky, and vegetables.
Best Large Capacity Air Fryer
The best value basket-style air fryer is Instant Vortex Plus. It is under $100 and has popular options like a clear window and multiple cooking modes. This is a basket style that performs like a toaster oven style.
The nine-quart capacity means you can cook large batches of food simultaneously. The removable basket divider is a unique feature that allows the dual baskets to cook as one large compartment, perfect for large crowds.
Other cooking modes include roasting, crisping, dehydrating, and reheating. The clear window and light allow the cook to check the food's progress without removing the basket. The light also turns on automatically just before the timer goes off.
It also has a square basket that provides more space than its round counterpart. The digital interface is easy to use, and the knob makes it simple to adjust the temperature.
Runner Up: Beautiful by Drew Barrymore
The Beautiful is one of the most affordable air fryers with positive reviews. It costs around $70 and comes in seven different colors. Its powerful motor also churns out crispy French fries, chicken wings, and other popular air fryer foods.
Best Splurge Pick
The best splurge pick air fryer is the Breville Smart Air Fryer. It costs around $350 on Amazon and has many positive reviews. It has a large capacity, a viewing window, and Element IQ heating blowers. The capacity is large enough for six pieces of toast or a whole chicken.
The heating elements automatically adjust to maintain a consistent temperature throughout cooking. This eliminates uneven cooking and produces crispy food quickly while air frying.
Best Compact Size
The best compact air fryer is the Instant Vortex Mini. It is a great air fryer with many of the same features as the bigger version mentioned before, including a digital interface and temperature adjustment knob. The slim design means the Vortex takes up little counter space.
The Instant Pot Vortex Mini has a two-quart capacity and is ideal for a one-person meal and smaller spaces like RVs, dorm rooms, and apartments. Though smaller than other Instant Pot models, it produces the same crispy results in no time.
Related: What Is The Best Air Fryer For One Person In 2024?
Best Overall Air Fryer
The best overall air fryer is the Ninja Air Fryer Max XL. Its 5.5-quart capacity makes it ideal for cooking for four to six people, and the powerful heating elements make food extra crispy, just like a deep fryer. The basket locks into the bottom of the base, so you don't have to worry about it falling out when transferring the food to a serving dish.
The nonstick basket is dishwasher safe, making cleaning easy. The easy-to-use interface also has a Max Crispy option, and the temperature goes up to 450℉, higher than most models. The price point and ease of use make the Ninja XL an excellent choice for beginners.
Popular Air Fryer Foods
Once you choose the best air fryer and learn how to use it, let the fun begin! An air fryer pairs perfectly with a wide range of foods. Nonstick cooking sprays like Pam add extra crispiness, but I recommend cooking the first batches of food without the spray to see how well your air fryer performs.
- French fries
- Frozen fries
- Chicken wings
- Chicken
- Vegetables
What you should not cook in an air fryer
When air frying, do not use wax paper as the wax melts and leeches into the food. You can use aluminum foil or parchment paper, though I recommend the latter. The paper should always be weighed down, or the fan can tear it loose and lodge it into the fan or heating element.
The parchment paper should be perforated before air frying so the fan can circulate hot air. Some foods should not be cooked in an air fryer.
- Leafy greens - Their lightweight means they can fly around and create a potential fire hazard.
- Popcorn - Like leafy greens, they are too lightweight and will blow around the cooking chamber.
- Cheese - Cheese and other dairy products melt too fast and will potentially ruin your air fryer.
- Batter - Battered foods create a mess in the bottom of the air fryer and should never be air-fried.
Also see: Air Fryer Hacks: Genius Ways to Use Your Air Fryer
FAQs
You can use an air fryer straight from the box, but you should read the user manual first and give it a five-minute dry run. This will tell you if it is working properly. If it doesn't, review the troubleshooting tips or return it.
Cleaning an air fryer should be done after every use. The baskets and dividers are dishwasher safe, but the interior and base should be hand-washed. A mild detergent and a towel or sponge are best for air fryers. Pay close attention to the heating element at the top of the cooking chamber. It gets clogged after a while and creates a fire hazard.
The popularity of air fryers is that they produce cris[y food without using oil. The lack of oil is a healthier option for deep frying and has far fewer calories.
A light mist of a nonstick coating makes the food extra crispy. While this does add a few calories, it is usually not enough to be concerned with.
A preheated air fryer is the best way to air fry. It only takes three to five minutes and ensures the food cooks evenly. I preheat my air fryer while I am prepping the food. It usually preheats before I am done and gives me a consistent temperature throughout the air frying process.
Flipping food halfway through air frying is a great idea because it allows all sides of the food to cook thoroughly. If you have a toaster oven, turn the food with a pair of tongs. If you have a basket-style air fryer, pull it out and shake the contents around.
Wrapping Up
There are many air fryers to choose from, and the best way to shop for this kitchen appliance is to know what you want ahead of time. Counter space is a big consideration, as is the average number of people you feed. Cooking modes and functionality also need to be considered before buying an air fryer.
Toaster oven-style air fryers come with up to 13 different cooking modes, and the big cooking chamber can hold a whole roast or chicken. Some basket models, like the Instant Vortex Plus, also have other cooking methods and take up less space.
User-friendly kitchen appliances are the most popular choices. Depending on the cook, some of the best features are clear windows, ease of cleaning, and an easy interface. Once you decide on an air fryer, give it a dry run before air frying with it to make sure it works properly. Happy air frying!
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