In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksReviewsHow Do Air Fryers Work?How to Use Oil in an Air FryerIs Air Frying Food Really Healthier?The Bottom LineChoosing an Air FryerOur TestsWe Also ConsideredCommon QuestionsOur Trusted Expertise
In This ArticleView All
In This Article
View All
Our Top Picks
Reviews
How Do Air Fryers Work?
How to Use Oil in an Air Fryer
Is Air Frying Food Really Healthier?
The Bottom Line
Choosing an Air Fryer
Our Tests
We Also Considered
Common Questions
Our Trusted Expertise
Photo:EatingWell / Nick Simpson
EatingWell / Nick Simpson
The craze around air fryers just won’t quit—and for good reason. Air fryers make deliciously crispy food without all the oil, sochicken tendersandonion ringsget a healthy upgrade to their deep-fried counterparts. In addition to saving you on calories from oil, air fryers also cook your food super quickly, so you can get dinner on the table in a fraction of the time.
Given all thebenefits of using an air fryer, it’s no surprise you’d want to add one to your kitchen appliance collection. But with so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the best one. That’s why we did the legwork for you. We tested 19 different air fryer models against items like frozen French fries and chicken wings and then graded them based on ease of use and cleaning, design, performance and value. We also spoke to a registered dietitian for insights on how to choose an air fryer that’s right for you. Our top picks cook food evenly, are easy to clean, and simply designed and user-friendly.
Essentially a mini convection oven, an air fryer has a heating element along with a fan that circulates the hot air around your food.
“Air fryers cookfrom the top down through the use of a fan, which circulates the heat,” says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, creator ofBetterThanDieting.comand author ofRead It Before You Eat It—Taking You from Label to Table.
The food goes into the air-fryer basket or on the tray that is placed inside the appliance. Because the basket or tray is suspended and accessible to circulating heat from all sides, this results in a crispy texture similar to deep frying. Plus, it doesn’t take long to preheat or cook food in an air fryer.
Most air fryers don’t require oil to work, but using cooking spray or tossing your food with a teaspoon or two of oil before air frying can improve the texture and flavor.
“If you’re going to use oil, it’s best to use a spray bottle so you just put a mist of oil on your food. Using more than that can cause smoking,” Taub-Dix says.
Here’s what you need to know about using oil with your air fryer:
Compared to deep frying, there’s no question about it—air frying is a nutritionally superior way to cook food. Air frying doesn’t require any oil (or calls for very little) to cook foods, and omitting oil significantly decreases your calorie intake (just one tablespoon of olive oil has about 120 calories). Deep-frying, on the other hand, requires a lot of oil (which contributes many calories), and if the oil is heated to a high enough temperature, it might even add trans fats to your meals. Trans fats are known to raise harmful LDL cholesterol and increase your risk of heart disease.
Best Overall:Ninja DZ071 Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer at Amazon$178Jump to Review
Best Overall:Ninja DZ071 Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer at Amazon$178
Best Overall:
Also Great:GoWISE USA GW22956 7-Quart Air Fryer at Amazon$106Jump to Review
Also Great:GoWISE USA GW22956 7-Quart Air Fryer at Amazon$106
Also Great:
Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven:SALEInstant Omni Plus Air Fryer Toaster Oven at Amazon$280$230Jump to Review
Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven:SALEInstant Omni Plus Air Fryer Toaster Oven at Amazon$280$230
Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven:
SALE
Best Large Option:
Best Dual Basket:SALENinja DZ550 Foodi 6-in-1 Smart 10 Quart 2-Basket Air Fryer at Amazon$250$194Jump to Review
Best Dual Basket:SALENinja DZ550 Foodi 6-in-1 Smart 10 Quart 2-Basket Air Fryer at Amazon$250$194
Best Dual Basket:
Best Small Option for Two (or One!):Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer at Amazon$90Jump to Review
Best Small Option for Two (or One!):Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer at Amazon$90
Best Small Option for Two (or One!):
Best Mini Option:Chefman TurboFry 2 Quart Air Fryer at Amazon$60Jump to Review
Best Mini Option:Chefman TurboFry 2 Quart Air Fryer at Amazon$60
Best Mini Option:
Best OverallNinja DZ071 Foodi FlexBasket Air FryerPHOTO: Amazon$178 at Amazon$180 at Wayfair$149 at Walmart
Best OverallNinja DZ071 Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer
Best Overall
Ninja DZ071 Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer
PHOTO: Amazon
$178 at Amazon$180 at Wayfair$149 at Walmart
What we like:A removable divider allows you to choose between two independently controlled fry baskets or one large one.
What to know:We noticed some temperature variability when using separate baskets.
When choosing whether or not to add another appliance to your kitchen, versatility is key. That’s why we loved the Ninja Foodi FlexBasket; this handy device allows you to cook two different foods simultaneously in the two 3.5-quart baskets. However, if you’re making a whole chicken or a big batch of French fries, you can remove the basket divider and give yourself 7 quarts of cooking space.
The auto-broil setting lets you give your foods a quick blast of 450-degree heat to crisp up your vegetables or add a quick sear to your proteins. The Ninja also has handy reheat and dehydrate presets, along with air-fry, bake and roast functions.
The machine is very intuitive to use, and with its adjustable capacity and range of presets, we think this could easily replace your oven or microwave as your main mode of cooking. While we noted some temperature variations when the baskets were divided into two different “zones,” this did not prevent us from cooking some excellent snacks.
Wattage:1,690 watts |Temperature:Up to 450°F |Dimensions:11.81”W x 18.19”D x 11.26”H|Capacity:7 quarts|Functions:Air fry, air broil, bake, roast, reheat, dehydrate
PHOTO: EatingWell / Will DickeyPHOTO: EatingWell / Will DickeyPHOTO: EatingWell / Will DickeyPHOTO: EatingWell / Will DickeyPHOTO: EatingWell / Will Dickey
Also GreatGoWISE USA GW22956 7-Quart Air FryerPHOTO: Amazon$106 at AmazonWhat we like:Stackable baskets and precise temperature control made this air fryer an affordable favorite.What to know:The touch controls are very sensitive, so it’s easy to change your settings accidentally.This air fryer combines a hefty 7-quart capacity with eight clever presets, including air fry, roast, broil, dehydrate, grill, bake, reheat and even a “keep warm” function. This machine’s ability to go as low as 90 degrees Fahrenheit also allows it to function as a dehydrator, and the GoWISE comes with three stackable racks so you can load it up with meat, fruits or vegetables while still allowing hot air to circulate fully. The crisper tray and basket are also non-stick for easy cleanup.The GoWise has many features we see on higher-end models at a wallet-friendly price. You can adjust the temperature in increments of 5 degrees, and the generous 7-quart capacity makes it a great choice if you regularly feed a crowd. The touch screen is straightforward to use, with pictures representing its various functions, and the air fryer runs very quietly.During testing, our frozen French fries cooked up with a lovely crisp outside and fluffy interior, and our wings achieved an ideal golden-brown crispness. Had the GoWISE had two baskets, it might have been our top choice; as it is, for features and value, it’s a close second.Wattage:1,700 watts |Temperature:90°F to 400°F |Dimensions:13”W x 16.5”D x 14”H|Capacity:7 quarts|Functions:Air fry, roast, broil, dehydrate, grill, bake, reheat, keep warmPHOTO: EatingWell / Will DickeyPHOTO: EatingWell / Will DickeyPHOTO: EatingWell / Will DickeyPHOTO: EatingWell / Will DickeyPHOTO: EatingWell / Will Dickey
Also GreatGoWISE USA GW22956 7-Quart Air FryerPHOTO: Amazon$106 at Amazon
Also GreatGoWISE USA GW22956 7-Quart Air Fryer
Also Great
GoWISE USA GW22956 7-Quart Air Fryer
$106 at Amazon
What we like:Stackable baskets and precise temperature control made this air fryer an affordable favorite.
What to know:The touch controls are very sensitive, so it’s easy to change your settings accidentally.
This air fryer combines a hefty 7-quart capacity with eight clever presets, including air fry, roast, broil, dehydrate, grill, bake, reheat and even a “keep warm” function. This machine’s ability to go as low as 90 degrees Fahrenheit also allows it to function as a dehydrator, and the GoWISE comes with three stackable racks so you can load it up with meat, fruits or vegetables while still allowing hot air to circulate fully. The crisper tray and basket are also non-stick for easy cleanup.
The GoWise has many features we see on higher-end models at a wallet-friendly price. You can adjust the temperature in increments of 5 degrees, and the generous 7-quart capacity makes it a great choice if you regularly feed a crowd. The touch screen is straightforward to use, with pictures representing its various functions, and the air fryer runs very quietly.
During testing, our frozen French fries cooked up with a lovely crisp outside and fluffy interior, and our wings achieved an ideal golden-brown crispness. Had the GoWISE had two baskets, it might have been our top choice; as it is, for features and value, it’s a close second.
Wattage:1,700 watts |Temperature:90°F to 400°F |Dimensions:13”W x 16.5”D x 14”H|Capacity:7 quarts|Functions:Air fry, roast, broil, dehydrate, grill, bake, reheat, keep warm
Best Air Fryer Toaster OvenInstant Omni Plus Air Fryer Toaster OvenPHOTO: Amazon$280$230 at Amazon$280 at WalmartView on Jcpenney.comWhat we like:It’s large enough to cook multiple foods simultaneously, including toasting bread, crisping up fries and melting cheese—and it does so very well.What to know:Due to its large size, it may not fit in a cabinet or work if you have limited counter space.This large-capacity Instant Pot Omni Plus air fryer toaster oven is quite the over-achiever: It can air fry, broil, bake, roast, dehydrate, reheat, rotisserie, toast, warm and convection cook. The manual is very clear and the dials and controls are easy to read. Plus, this mini oven comes with a cooking pan, rotisserie lift, rotisserie spit and—of course—an air fryer basket.Whenwe tested air fryer toaster ovens, we noticed the Instant Pot Omni Plus took just under 7 minutes to reach the highest temperature setting, which is 450°F, and theair fryer toasterwas exceptional at cooking and baking all the foods we tested against. It took about 6 minutes to toast bread to golden-brown perfection, and you can fit six slices of toast in this oven. We also successfully melted cheese on toast and baked a batch of nine cookies. All the while, the Omni Plus is very quiet while operating, and the internal light is nice and bright so you can keep your eye on your dinner’s doneness.Last but not least, you’ll find that this air fryer toaster and its components are easy to clean and all the accessories are dishwasher-safe.Wattage:1,800 watts |Temperature:Up to 450°F |Dimensions:16.5"W x 13'‘D x 14'‘H |Capacity:18 liters|Functions:Air fry, broil, bake, roast, dehydrate, reheat, rotisserie, toastPHOTO: EatingWell / Russell KilgorePHOTO: EatingWell / Russell KilgorePHOTO: EatingWell / Russell KilgorePHOTO: EatingWell / Russell KilgorePHOTO: EatingWell / Russell Kilgore
Best Air Fryer Toaster OvenInstant Omni Plus Air Fryer Toaster OvenPHOTO: Amazon$280$230 at Amazon$280 at WalmartView on Jcpenney.com
Best Air Fryer Toaster OvenInstant Omni Plus Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Instant Omni Plus Air Fryer Toaster Oven
$280$230 at Amazon$280 at WalmartView on Jcpenney.com
What we like:It’s large enough to cook multiple foods simultaneously, including toasting bread, crisping up fries and melting cheese—and it does so very well.
What to know:Due to its large size, it may not fit in a cabinet or work if you have limited counter space.
This large-capacity Instant Pot Omni Plus air fryer toaster oven is quite the over-achiever: It can air fry, broil, bake, roast, dehydrate, reheat, rotisserie, toast, warm and convection cook. The manual is very clear and the dials and controls are easy to read. Plus, this mini oven comes with a cooking pan, rotisserie lift, rotisserie spit and—of course—an air fryer basket.
Whenwe tested air fryer toaster ovens, we noticed the Instant Pot Omni Plus took just under 7 minutes to reach the highest temperature setting, which is 450°F, and theair fryer toasterwas exceptional at cooking and baking all the foods we tested against. It took about 6 minutes to toast bread to golden-brown perfection, and you can fit six slices of toast in this oven. We also successfully melted cheese on toast and baked a batch of nine cookies. All the while, the Omni Plus is very quiet while operating, and the internal light is nice and bright so you can keep your eye on your dinner’s doneness.
Last but not least, you’ll find that this air fryer toaster and its components are easy to clean and all the accessories are dishwasher-safe.
Wattage:1,800 watts |Temperature:Up to 450°F |Dimensions:16.5"W x 13'‘D x 14'‘H |Capacity:18 liters|Functions:Air fry, broil, bake, roast, dehydrate, reheat, rotisserie, toast
PHOTO: EatingWell / Russell KilgorePHOTO: EatingWell / Russell KilgorePHOTO: EatingWell / Russell KilgorePHOTO: EatingWell / Russell KilgorePHOTO: EatingWell / Russell Kilgore
Best Large Option
PHOTO: Walmart
$139 at Walmart
What we like:This air fryer combines an impressive 9-quart capacity with a sleek, contemporary design.
What to know:While this air fryer technically has dual basket capacity, you have to pull the whole basket out to reach the separate compartments, which could impact cooking times.
While we would have liked it to produce crispier wings during our tests, the meat was fully cooked and tender, and our fries came out beautifully (with a quick toss halfway through cooking). We also found the removable parts and interior easy to clean (which isa constant challenge with air fryers).
We’ve continued to test this air fryer over a multi-month period and it continues to perform beautifully (pun intended!) and consistently. In a home setting, it operates a little on the louder side. We’ve successfully prepared cinnamon buns, sweet potatoes and salmon in this air fryer. And it’s been a go-to for reheating leftover chicken thighs and pizza slices.
Wattage:1,700 watts |Temperature:90°F to 450°F |Dimensions:11.81”W x 19.7”D x 14.4”H|Capacity:9 quarts|Functions:Air fry, bake, broil, dehydrate, reheat
Best Dual BasketNinja DZ550 Foodi 6-in-1 Smart 10 Quart 2-Basket Air FryerPHOTO: Amazon$250$194 at Amazon$220 at Ninjakitchen.com$220 at Kohls.comWhat we like:TheNinja Foodi 10-Quart Air Fryerfeatures a “smart finish” option, so even if you’re using the baskets to cook two different items, it holds the temperature so they finish at the same time.What to know:This is the most expensive option on our list, and we noticed the Foodi sometimes struggled to maintain higher temperatures.As we mentioned before, if you’re going to invest in another appliance, you want to be sure it has enough versatility to deserve coveted counter space. The Ninja Foodi’s 10-quart, dual-basket model features make it possible to do most of your cooking with this one device. The dual baskets allow you to cook a main and a side concurrently, and the Foodi’s Smart Finish feature lets you program them to finish cooking at the same time. In addition to standard air-fry settings, this model also lets you broil, roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate your food.During our tests, we filled both baskets with fries and applied the “match cook” setting to see if we could indeed produce even results. We found the temperatures held steady, with a variance of no more than 10 degrees throughout the cooking cycle. The resulting fries were evenly golden-brown and crisp, though when testing our wings, we found the Foodi sometimes struggled to maintain temperatures above 400 degrees (perhaps due to its size). Still, the settings were easy to use and understand, and the components were a breeze to disassemble and clean.We’ve also put this air fryer through multiple months of testing (aka at-home cooking) and found that it stands the test of time. In fact, we’ve had great success preparing a whole chicken in one basket of this air fryer and a batch of vegetables in the other basket for a complete family meal. It’s also just the right size if you want to air-fry a side dish, such as Brussels sprouts, for a bigger group or dinner party.Wattage:1,690 watts |Temperature:105°F to 450°F |Dimensions:13.9”W x 17.1”D x 12.8”H|Capacity:10 quarts|Functions:Air fry, air broil, roast, bake, reheat, dehydratePHOTO: EatingWell / Will DickeyPHOTO: EatingWell / Will DickeyPHOTO: EatingWell / Will DickeyPHOTO: EatingWell / Will DickeyPHOTO: EatingWell / Will Dickey
Best Dual BasketNinja DZ550 Foodi 6-in-1 Smart 10 Quart 2-Basket Air FryerPHOTO: Amazon$250$194 at Amazon$220 at Ninjakitchen.com$220 at Kohls.com
Best Dual BasketNinja DZ550 Foodi 6-in-1 Smart 10 Quart 2-Basket Air Fryer
Best Dual Basket
Ninja DZ550 Foodi 6-in-1 Smart 10 Quart 2-Basket Air Fryer
$250$194 at Amazon$220 at Ninjakitchen.com$220 at Kohls.com
What we like:TheNinja Foodi 10-Quart Air Fryerfeatures a “smart finish” option, so even if you’re using the baskets to cook two different items, it holds the temperature so they finish at the same time.
What to know:This is the most expensive option on our list, and we noticed the Foodi sometimes struggled to maintain higher temperatures.As we mentioned before, if you’re going to invest in another appliance, you want to be sure it has enough versatility to deserve coveted counter space. The Ninja Foodi’s 10-quart, dual-basket model features make it possible to do most of your cooking with this one device. The dual baskets allow you to cook a main and a side concurrently, and the Foodi’s Smart Finish feature lets you program them to finish cooking at the same time. In addition to standard air-fry settings, this model also lets you broil, roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate your food.
During our tests, we filled both baskets with fries and applied the “match cook” setting to see if we could indeed produce even results. We found the temperatures held steady, with a variance of no more than 10 degrees throughout the cooking cycle. The resulting fries were evenly golden-brown and crisp, though when testing our wings, we found the Foodi sometimes struggled to maintain temperatures above 400 degrees (perhaps due to its size). Still, the settings were easy to use and understand, and the components were a breeze to disassemble and clean.
We’ve also put this air fryer through multiple months of testing (aka at-home cooking) and found that it stands the test of time. In fact, we’ve had great success preparing a whole chicken in one basket of this air fryer and a batch of vegetables in the other basket for a complete family meal. It’s also just the right size if you want to air-fry a side dish, such as Brussels sprouts, for a bigger group or dinner party.
Wattage:1,690 watts |Temperature:105°F to 450°F |Dimensions:13.9”W x 17.1”D x 12.8”H|Capacity:10 quarts|Functions:Air fry, air broil, roast, bake, reheat, dehydrate
Best Small Option for Two (or One!)Ninja 4-Quart Air FryerPHOTO: Amazon$90 at Amazon$90 at Target$71 at WalmartWhat we like:Great easy-to-clean option for beginners or small households.What to know:No-frills—it’s missing a built-in preheat cycle and smart capabilities.This Ninja air fryer was one of our test kitchen’s favorites as it received perfect scores for performance and ease of cleaning in both rounds of testing. Its sleek digital display is straightforward and lights up, and the machine is quiet (it alerts you with a quick beep when it’s done), making it ideal for air-frying a midnight snack.The 4-quart interior makes it perfect for small households or tight spaces, but it may not be the best option when you’re trying to meal prep, as you’ll have to work in smaller batches. If you do find yourself needing a roomier option, we also loved theNinja Max XL Air Fryer(AF161, view at Amazon), which boasts a 5.5-quart interior. This larger Ninja air fryer cooks food evenly and well, but our testers wish it had a temperature range that was easier to control.While this compact Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer doesn’t come with a preheat cycle or smart capabilities, we appreciated how easy it was to use and clean. Both the crisper plate and tray are nonstick and dishwasher-safe.Wattage:1,550 watts |Temperature:105°F to 400°F |Dimensions:8.5"D x 12.1"W x 11"H |Capacity:4 quarts|Functions:Air fry, roast, reheat, dehydratePHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell/Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell/Nick Simpson
Best Small Option for Two (or One!)Ninja 4-Quart Air FryerPHOTO: Amazon$90 at Amazon$90 at Target$71 at Walmart
Best Small Option for Two (or One!)Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer
Best Small Option for Two (or One!)
Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer
$90 at Amazon$90 at Target$71 at Walmart
What we like:Great easy-to-clean option for beginners or small households.
What to know:No-frills—it’s missing a built-in preheat cycle and smart capabilities.
This Ninja air fryer was one of our test kitchen’s favorites as it received perfect scores for performance and ease of cleaning in both rounds of testing. Its sleek digital display is straightforward and lights up, and the machine is quiet (it alerts you with a quick beep when it’s done), making it ideal for air-frying a midnight snack.
The 4-quart interior makes it perfect for small households or tight spaces, but it may not be the best option when you’re trying to meal prep, as you’ll have to work in smaller batches. If you do find yourself needing a roomier option, we also loved theNinja Max XL Air Fryer(AF161, view at Amazon), which boasts a 5.5-quart interior. This larger Ninja air fryer cooks food evenly and well, but our testers wish it had a temperature range that was easier to control.
While this compact Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer doesn’t come with a preheat cycle or smart capabilities, we appreciated how easy it was to use and clean. Both the crisper plate and tray are nonstick and dishwasher-safe.
Wattage:1,550 watts |Temperature:105°F to 400°F |Dimensions:8.5"D x 12.1"W x 11"H |Capacity:4 quarts|Functions:Air fry, roast, reheat, dehydrate
PHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell/Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell/Nick Simpson
Best Mini OptionChefman TurboFry 2 Quart Air FryerPHOTO: Amazon$60 at Amazon$50 at Walmart$60 at Kohls.comWhat we like:The square basket helps maximize this air fryer’s limited capacity.What to know:There are no presets; you can control the time and temperature, but that’s it.Just because you have a small kitchen doesn’t mean you should miss out on the crispiest snacks and quick-cooking capabilities of an air fryer. This petite option lets you control time and temperature using two dials. The basket and tray are easy to slide out and clean; the manufacturer recommends hand-washing, but we accomplished this with a few swipes of a soapy cloth. We also liked the square shape of the basket, which maximizes the 2-quart capacity more than a rounded shape would (so there’s more room for wings!).While the Chefman lacks the frills of some of our other picks, we liked the ability to fine-tune the temperature and time ourselves instead of leaving it up to an arbitrary preset. The handle is coated with rubber to add insulation and provide a good grip. During testing, this air fryer crisped up our wings and fries evenly (you just have to be sure not to over-crowd the basket). We think this would be a great alternative for apartment dwellers, college students and others with limited storage space.Wattage:1,000 watts |Temperature:200°F to 400°F |Dimensions:7.87”W x 9.45”D x 11”H|Capacity:2 quarts|Functions:Air fryPHOTO: EatingWell / Will DickeyPHOTO: EatingWell / Will DickeyPHOTO: EatingWell / Will Dickey
Best Mini OptionChefman TurboFry 2 Quart Air FryerPHOTO: Amazon$60 at Amazon$50 at Walmart$60 at Kohls.com
Best Mini OptionChefman TurboFry 2 Quart Air Fryer
Best Mini Option
Chefman TurboFry 2 Quart Air Fryer
$60 at Amazon$50 at Walmart$60 at Kohls.com
What we like:The square basket helps maximize this air fryer’s limited capacity.
What to know:There are no presets; you can control the time and temperature, but that’s it.
Just because you have a small kitchen doesn’t mean you should miss out on the crispiest snacks and quick-cooking capabilities of an air fryer. This petite option lets you control time and temperature using two dials. The basket and tray are easy to slide out and clean; the manufacturer recommends hand-washing, but we accomplished this with a few swipes of a soapy cloth. We also liked the square shape of the basket, which maximizes the 2-quart capacity more than a rounded shape would (so there’s more room for wings!).
While the Chefman lacks the frills of some of our other picks, we liked the ability to fine-tune the temperature and time ourselves instead of leaving it up to an arbitrary preset. The handle is coated with rubber to add insulation and provide a good grip. During testing, this air fryer crisped up our wings and fries evenly (you just have to be sure not to over-crowd the basket). We think this would be a great alternative for apartment dwellers, college students and others with limited storage space.
Wattage:1,000 watts |Temperature:200°F to 400°F |Dimensions:7.87”W x 9.45”D x 11”H|Capacity:2 quarts|Functions:Air fry
PHOTO: EatingWell / Will DickeyPHOTO: EatingWell / Will DickeyPHOTO: EatingWell / Will Dickey
The Bottom Line: The Best Air Fryers
TheNinja Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer(view at Amazon) earned top marks for its versatility, clever presets and the quality of the food it produced during our testing. However, theGoWISE USA 7-Quart Electric Air Fryer(view at Amazon) was a very close runner-up with its clever use of stackable trays for added space and its budget-friendly price tag.
Air fryers are all the rage, and it seems like every kitchen appliance brand is coming out with its own version of it. Before scooping up just any fryer, consider the following factors:
A User-Friendly Display and Easy-to-Clean Parts are Nonnegotiable
One of the most important features of a good air fryer is a user-friendly display. Let’s face it; when you’re trying to get dinner on the table, the last thing you want is to wrestle with a complicated interface. The best air fryers have clear, intuitive controls that make it easy to set the time and temperature. Bonus points if there are one-touch presets for common dishes (because who doesn’t love pressing a button labeled “fries” and getting perfectly golden results?).
You’ll also want to check to see that your air fryer has removable parts that are easy to clean—some are made with nonstick surfaces, which makes cleanup loads easier. “You might be interested in purchasing disposable liners for the inside of the basket of your air fryer to make cleaning up even easier. While convection ovens may not need to be cleaned with every use, the individual parts of air fryers do need to be cleaned after each use,” Taub-Dix says. You can alsouse aluminum foilin your air fryer to speed up the cleanup.
We Prefer Air Fryers with Minimal Preheating and Noise
We found ourselves gravitating towards air fryer models that operate quietly. It’s surprisingly hard to enjoy a meal prep routine when the appliance is so loud you can’t hear yourself think. Models that required little to no preheating also ended up ranking highly during our testing, as they let us go from impulse to execution in minutes, whether we werecooking french friesorair-frying chicken wings. After all, air fryers are all about convenience, so anything that saves time is a win.
Multifunctional Models Are a Better Use of Your Kitchen Space
When it comes to choosing an air fryer, versatility is key. The more functions an air fryer has, the more valuable it will add to your kitchen. Plus, having more options at your fingertips means you’re more likely to experiment with new recipes and techniques. A multifunctional air fryer can help you roast atray of veggies, dehydrate fruit for healthy snacks or evenbake a batch of cookies.
“As with any piece of equipment, you need to find the best bang for your buck and choose the machine that suits your wallet,” Taub-Dix says.
Our Air Fryer Tests
We’ve performed multiple rounds of air fryer testing to ensure our recommendations remain current. Our most recent round of testing involved cooking chicken wings and frozen French fries and evaluating how well and evenly we could cook each batch. We also judged each model on how long it took to reach a set temperature and how consistently that temperature was maintained. As always, we looked at how easy each air fryer was to clean and whether any of the components were dishwasher safe.
Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer(view at Amazon):While we still love this air fryer, the Ninja FlexBasket edged this model out with its added features and adjustable capacity. Still, the Instant Vortex Plus remains a solid performer and still produced perfectly crispy, evenly cooked food during our latest round of tests.
Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 Air Fryer(view at Amazon):This 8-quart model has handy dual baskets and similar presets to its 10-quart counterpart (and current dual basket favorite). It’s still an excellent option if you don’t need quite so much space, and it is a slightly more budget-friendly alternative.
Instant Vortex Plus 10-Quart Air Fryer(view at Amazon):This one took a little longer to figure out, with some trial and error on our part to determine the appropriate cooking times for different foods. Still, it’s easy to clean, and once you’ve clued in to its temperature settings, it produces excellent results.
Cosori 9-in-1 5-Quart Air Fryer(view at Amazon):This sleek, mid-size air fryer is budget-friendly and nearly silent. We found it a good size for households of about four people.
What is an air fryer and how is it different from a convection or toaster oven?
Air fryers boast a large fan, which circulates heat, and cooks your food from the top down. On the contrary, a convention oven’s fan is usually located on the back or side of the oven, Taub-Dix says. Air fryers are usually smaller than convection ovens—therefore, they take less time to heat up and they cook your food faster.
Is air frying healthy?
Air frying isoften considered a healthier alternative to traditional deep fryingdue to its ability to reduce fat content and lower the formation of certain harmful compounds. By using hot air circulation instead of submerging food in oil, air fryers can achieve a crispy texture with significantly less fat and calories.
Still, there’s a downside to popping everything in your air fryer: The appliance cooks food quickly because it reaches very high temperatures. When food is exposed to high temperatures for a prolonged period, there is some evidence that it may contain more advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which have been linked to an increased risk of diseases such as diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer’s.However, it’s still unclear what role, if any, air frying plays in the development of AGEs.
To keep your air-fried recipes as good for you as possible, make sure not to use a lot of oil and don’t crisp your food to a char—both of which can negate some of the benefits.
Is there anything you can’t cook in an air fryer?
While your air fryer can cook up most things relatively quickly, you’re best to avoid liquids and foods that are coated with a wet batter. “Wet batters and very moist coatings will make a mess in your air fryer,” Taub-Dix says. “It’s not likely that, even with the heat [of the air fryer], that they’ll form the crunchy coating you’re looking for.”
So skip air-frying custards, souffles, cake and bread. These foods are more likely to bake unevenly in your fryer, and your baked goods won’t rise or develop a good crust.
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Islam MdA, Amin MN, Siddiqui SA, Hossain MdP, Sultana F, Kabir MdR.Trans fatty acids and lipid profile: A serious risk factor to cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews. 2019;13(2):1643-1647. doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2019.03.033Prasad C, Davis KE, Imrhan V, Juma S, Vijayagopal P.Advanced Glycation End Products and Risks for Chronic Diseases: Intervening Through Lifestyle Modification.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2017;13(4):384-404. doi: 10.1177/1559827617708991
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Islam MdA, Amin MN, Siddiqui SA, Hossain MdP, Sultana F, Kabir MdR.Trans fatty acids and lipid profile: A serious risk factor to cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews. 2019;13(2):1643-1647. doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2019.03.033Prasad C, Davis KE, Imrhan V, Juma S, Vijayagopal P.Advanced Glycation End Products and Risks for Chronic Diseases: Intervening Through Lifestyle Modification.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2017;13(4):384-404. doi: 10.1177/1559827617708991
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Islam MdA, Amin MN, Siddiqui SA, Hossain MdP, Sultana F, Kabir MdR.Trans fatty acids and lipid profile: A serious risk factor to cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews. 2019;13(2):1643-1647. doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2019.03.033Prasad C, Davis KE, Imrhan V, Juma S, Vijayagopal P.Advanced Glycation End Products and Risks for Chronic Diseases: Intervening Through Lifestyle Modification.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2017;13(4):384-404. doi: 10.1177/1559827617708991
Islam MdA, Amin MN, Siddiqui SA, Hossain MdP, Sultana F, Kabir MdR.Trans fatty acids and lipid profile: A serious risk factor to cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews. 2019;13(2):1643-1647. doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2019.03.033
Prasad C, Davis KE, Imrhan V, Juma S, Vijayagopal P.Advanced Glycation End Products and Risks for Chronic Diseases: Intervening Through Lifestyle Modification.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2017;13(4):384-404. doi: 10.1177/1559827617708991
