![An assortment of air fryers displayed on a kitchen counter](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/qSX4cL7tAd42fJNMG7uUjp1nMro=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Web_1500-AirFryers-GroupShot-tamara-staples-se-4142-8160805608604ef7ab0c3955845c6b84.jpg)
The Spruce Eats / Tamara Staples
Air fryers have gained popularity for producing crispy, evenly browned "fried" foods without the use of a deep fryer. They work by circulating hot air around food, similarly to a convection oven, and eliminate the need for much (if any) cooking oil. Many air fryers are programmed with multiple cooking functions and can double as a toaster oven, convection oven, warmer, rotisserie, indoor grill, and more. Even the most basic air fryers can cook a wide range of foods, save space and energy in the kitchen, require little to no time to preheat, and can fry, roast, and heat up foods with minimal cooking time and cleanup.
We tested the top-rated air fryers and compared them side-by-side, making loads of air-fried biscuits, brown sugar-roasted apples, coconut shrimp, french fries (fresh and frozen), Brussels sprouts, chicken wings, and more.
Best Overall
Cosori Pro LE Air Fryer
Even and consistent cooking
Easy-to-use design
Inexpensive
Slower cooking than other models
Unitasker
There are some awfully expensive air fryers out there, but the Cosori Pro LE proves that a higher price doesn't always mean a higher quality. A top performer in all our cooking tests, it boasts extremely easy controls, with precise temperature settings, a cool-touch basket handle, and even a customizable "shake reminder" to ensure you periodically give your food a little agitation to ensure even doneness. It has a really nice, compact, sleek, and—most importantly—safe design. During our testing, even when operated by someone with no air frying experience, this machine was easy to brown Brussels sprouts as well as crisp up fries and wings. We did note that it took a bit longer than the recipes specified for full doneness.
Many product listings for the Pro LE call it a "9-in-1" appliance, which is a bit of a misnomer: It has settings for seven different foods as well as pre-heat and keep warm, but its only function is air-frying. It doesn't offer dehydration, baking, toasting, or any of the other alternate cooking methods some models have. Still, it does an excellent job at its one main task, and its 5-quart basket had no trouble holding full batches of each recipe we tested. When it comes to cleaning, the basket and crisper plate that fits inside it—the only parts of the machine likely to get very dirty—are non-stick and dishwasher-safe.
Capacity: 5 quarts | Power: 1,500 watts | Dimensions: 10.7 x 10.8 x 11.9 inches
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Best Overall, Runner-Up
Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer
Consistent, even cooking
Simple controls
Reheat, roast, and dehydrate settings
Basket is slightly odd-shaped
This Ninja model performed beautifully in a range of cooking tests and really impressed us with its ease of use and cleaning. It had no trouble making deliciously crispy french fries, wings, and shrimp, with a basket and crisper plate that go right in the dishwasher after cooking. Its wings were probably the best in all of our testing, with crisp, golden-brown skin and a juicy, evenly cooked interior. The controls couldn't be simpler, and we definitely didn't need to consult the manual before getting started.
On top of its amazing air frying, the Ninja has reheat, roast, and dehydrate settings that extend its capabilities to things such as warming up leftover pizza to crispy-crust perfection, cooking pork tenderloin, and making apple chips. Our only real quibble is that its 4-quart basket is fairly small and shaped in a way that can't fit larger individual items very efficiently: In testing, we needed three batches to air-fry four servings of coconut shrimp.
In all, this Ninja and the Cosori Pro SE we named our top pick would both be a welcome addition to your kitchen. The Cosori won for its slightly larger capacity and lower price, but the Ninja has extra cooking modes that the Cosori doesn't. If you plan to use the machine for more than just air frying, the Ninja might well be worth the extra few bucks.
Capacity: 4 quarts | Power: 1,550 watts | Dimensions: 8.5 x 12.1 x 11 inches
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Best Large-Capacity
Instant Pot Vortex Plus 10-Quart Air Fryer
Even cooking
Large capacity
Rotisserie function and accessories
Uses a tray instead of a basket for air-frying
We're big fans of the Instant Pot company for its popular line of electric pressure cookers, so our expectations for its air fryer were admittedly high. This multipurpose appliance nonetheless managed to exceed them. It combines the features of a standard air fryer with the functionality of a countertop oven, plus a rotating rotisserie.
As a standard air fryer, the Instant Vortex was able to cook very evenly despite its large capacity, doing a fantastic job with everything we threw at it. The controls are quite user-friendly, but we noted a minor flaw in that the machine uses a tray rather than a basket to hold food. This makes it tougher to shake items while cooking and requires a hot pad to remove afterward.
It takes a time or two to figure out how to set up this machine's included rotisserie basket and spit, but they also work quite impressively. We were able to roast a 4-pound whole chicken in 45 minutes and thought it was as good as those that are slow-roasted for an entire day. You can also use the rotating basket in air-frying mode, which tumbles wings or fries to help them brown evenly. (The basket isn't a good choice for more delicate items that will crumble if tossed around, however.)
Another big plus for the Instant Vortex is cleanup: Almost everything that contacts food is removable, nonstick-coated, and dishwasher-safe, including the drip tray that lines the bottom of the oven. If the door and interior get dirty, you can wipe them down with a sponge and dish soap. It does take up a bit of counterspace, but we think it's well worth it thanks to the variety of tasks it can accomplish.
Capacity: 10 quarts | Power: 1,500 watts | Dimensions: 13.2 x 13.2 x 14.4 inches
![Person removing a baking sheet full of French fries from the Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer displayed on a kitchen island](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/foRiPo1SL8IfkbzJF1-FPnL07jk=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ses-toaster-ovens-air-fryers-test-instant-pot-vortex-plus-10qt-rkilgore-023-e03c197d53f8431aab4405f073184b3e.jpg)
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Best Budget
Dash Compact Air Fryer
Affordable
Small footprint
Even cooking
Analog controls
Unitasker
At just 2 quarts, the capacity of the Dash Compact is the smallest we've found among air fryers. It's also the lowest-priced of all the models we tested, but everyone in our Lab was very impressed with the results. It might have taken four batches to cook 12 ounces of coconut shrimp, but they were browned and crisp outside, juicy and sweet within.
In terms of controls, there are analog dials for temperature and a timer, and that's it. With some practice, we were able to get excellent results. The key is to fill the basket to the roughly same level every time: When we cooked biscuit bites, the first batch, with a full basket, came out perfect, but the second one, with a smaller number of bites, was on the verge of burning.
The Dash Compact is tiny and cheap, but it really does get the job done. It's not the air fryer for a large family, but it might be ideal for someone who lives alone, shares a tiny kitchen with roommates, or is whipping up snacks in a dorm room.
Capacity: 2 quarts | Power: 1,000 watts | Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.1 x 11.4 inches
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Best With Toaster Oven
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer
Excellent performance
Multifunctional
Large capacity
Expensive
Glass door gets very hot
The Breville Smart Oven might be pricey, but it does a great job as a toaster, broiler, dehydrator, and pizza oven in addition to an air fryer. It offers a huge capacity: It can fit nine slices of bread, a 13-inch pizza, or nearly an entire bag of frozen french fries. (It helpfully comes with custom-sized pizza and baking pans along with its large air-fry basket and oven racks.) The controls are simple to use, with a light-up display and simple dial to control the time, as well as a large-type display that's easy to read, even from across the room.
With all these different functions (it has 11 presets), you might worry that this unit wouldn't do a great job with any of them, but our tests found quite the opposite. It can make a huge batch of crispy, golden fries and then turn around and bake cookies or broil veggies, fish, or even bananas without missing a beat. The glass door does get hot, so we recommend giving it a good amount of space and using a kitchen towel to open it when in use.
Not only were we impressed with this appliance's performance, but we also love how easy it is to clean, too: A removable crumb tray collects any stray bits of food, and each of the oven pieces comes out for cleaning with a simple wipe-down. None of the pieces are dishwasher safe, but they are easy to hand-wash.
This thing may be one of the most expensive air fryer/toaster/countertop ovens out there, but it really can replace all three, which might make the price worth it. It's even available in seven different colors to match your kitchen decor.
Capacity: 4.4 quarts | Power: 1,800 watts | Dimensions: 10.9 x 18.9 x 15.9 inches
The Spruce Eats / Ariane Resnick
The Spruce Eats / Ariane Resnick
The Spruce Eats / Ariane Resnick
The Spruce Eats / Ariane Resnick
The Spruce Eats / Ariane Resnick
The Spruce Eats / Will Dickey
The Spruce Eats / Ariane Resnick
The Spruce Eats / Will Dickey
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Best With Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot Pro Crisp & Air Fryer 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer
Inner pot has handles
Inner pot is stovetop- and oven-safe
Convenient vent/pressure toggle
No preset cooking programs
Fans of multifunctional kitchen appliances will want to check out this air fryer option from Instant Pot. It comes with two lids—one for air frying and one for pressure cooking—that enable the pot to function as both an air fryer and the classic pressure cooker the brand is known for. Instant Pot has so many different models that it’s hard to remember the differences, but this one stands out from the crowd thanks to its sleek black exterior and its handy vent/pressure toggle.
The pot holds up to 8 quarts, which is enough room to air fry a whole chicken, and is equipped with 11 cooking functions that are sorted by which lid they require (though there are no preset cooking programs). The pressure-cooking lid can also sauté, slow-cook, steam, and sous-vide, and the air-fryer lid can also warm, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate. The pressure cooker performed well with pork ribs, steamed cauliflower, and sautéed potatoes in our tests, while air-fried egg rolls and fries were also a success.
We also found that the inner pot has some upgraded features compared to other Instant Pot models, including side handles and a flat bottom for even cooking. It can even be used on the stovetop or in a conventional oven. The unit comes with a number of accessories, including a multi-use cooking rack, a nonstick air fryer basket, a dehydrate/broil tray, a protective pad for the lids, and a storage cover. Most of them are dishwasher-safe, and they also fit inside the machine all at once for compact storage.
Capacity: 8 quarts | Power: 1,500 watts | Dimensions: 14.8 x 12.5 x 15.5 inches (with air-fryer lid)
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Best Smart
Cosori VeSync Pro II Smart Air Fryer
Multifunctional
App-controlled settings
Easy cleaning
Runs hot
App cannot start cooking
The VeSync Pro II is an upgraded version of the Cosori Pro we previously tested, with one major difference: a highly functional app. This means you can control the settings, look up recipes, and monitor cooking all from your phone, including with voice control. There's even an open-basket warning if you forget to lock the basket back in after shaking. Design-wise, it's a sleek device that won't take up too much counter space, but the 5.8-quart capacity is big enough for large meals and then some.
Despite its 12 customizable presets—steak, chicken, shrimp, seafood, frozen foods, french fries, bacon, vegetables, toast, bake, preheat, and keep warm—we found the machine intuitive to use. It performed nearly as well as the Cosori Pro LE which was our No. 1 pick; it actually overcooked some items and probably could have gone for a minute or so shorter than the recipe called for.
The VeSync app is a neat feature that lets you customize the onboard settings and run specialized cooking programs right from your phone. The problem is, though, that the app can't actually start the cooking process—you can use it to set all the options, but you still have to hit the physical start button on the machine. Overall, that's a minor annoyance, and the app has an always-growing library of recipes for inspiration even without its smart features. The perforated basket liner and outer basket have a nonstick coating that makes cleanup easy (and they're dishwasher-safe).
Capacity: 5.8 quarts | Power: 1,700 watts | Dimensions: 13.9 x 12.7 x 11.8 inches
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Best Mid-Size
Cosori Dual Blaze Air Fryer
Square shape allows more space
Smart features include voice controls
Dual heating elements for even cooking
12 one-touch functions
Food might fall through holes in plate
Many air fryers have a rounder shape, but if you want to maximize space for your food, you have to go square. The Cosori Dual Blaze Smart Air Fryer has a 6.8-quart capacity, which is ideal for cooking bigger batches without food overlapping. Dual Blaze gets its name from the two heating elements, one above and one below the food tray, that heat ingredients quickly and evenly. During testing, we noticed we didn't have to shake the basket or flip food items nearly as often as other models to ensure the food was evenly cooked.
One minor thing we didn't like was the larger holes in the food basket. There were a few times smaller ingredients fell through the gaps. The edges of the food basket are also a bit sharp, so be careful while you're cleaning. The Dual Blaze more than makes up for those minor downsides with other features, though, such as the intuitive one-touch presets. There are 12 in all, ranging from heating options such as roast and broil to more specific functions including seafood and veggies.
This model is ideal for families for a number of reasons. In addition to the large-capacity food tray, this smart air fryer has voice controls when connected to an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. If you've got kids running around demanding your attention, you can add a timer or set a certain temperature with just your voice. Want to cook up a frozen meal? If you scan the bar code on your phone, the Cosori app will pull up cooking instructions and ideal air fryer settings for optimal results.
Capacity: 6.8 quarts | Power: 1,900 watts | Dimensions: 11.7 x 12.9 x 13.8
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Best Space-Saving
Ninja DoubleStack XL Air Fryer
Tall, not wide
Able to program baskets separately
Impressive performance with meat and seafood
Cook time changes when using both baskets
Recommended to intermittently toss food while cooking
The Ninja DoubleStack XL Air Fryer has two stacked compartments that can be set to individual times and temperatures. It expedites the cooking process and ensures that all parts of a meal are prepared simultaneously—meaning you won't have to reheat sides while the main course cooks. The DoubleStack XL also comes with two removable metal racks, which means four different foods can be cooked at once. In our testing process, we cooked salmon, potatoes, asparagus, and zucchini concurrently, plating everything while it was hot. It took a second try to get the potatoes soft on the inside and crispy on the outside, but we were impressed with the overall performance, especially regarding the air-fried salmon.
The DoubleStack XL has six cooking functions—Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate—and a maximum temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Its compact design is by far the best bonus. The machine is slim yet offers a large 10-quart capacity and will fit under most standard-height cabinets.
One of the few shortcomings is that food may heat differently when using one basket instead of two. It adds some trial and error during the first few uses, but we got the hang of it fairly quickly; a useful tip is to check the food and agitate it regularly while cooking. The DoubleStack XL is slightly more expensive than average, but if it falls within your budget, it's a versatile cooking appliance that prepares tasty meals.
Capacity: 10 quarts | Power: 1,690 watts | Dimensions: 11.25 x 19.2 x 15.1 inches
The Spruce Eats / Derek Rose
The Spruce Eats / Derek Rose
The Spruce Eats / Derek Rose
The Spruce Eats / Derek Rose
The Spruce Eats / Derek Rose
Best Multifunctional
Instant Omni Plus Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Large capacity
Simple controls
Many functions and features
Bulky
There are several air fryer models that have other capabilities, but very few offer as many cooking styles as the Instant Pot Omni Plus. It's an air fryer, toaster oven, rotisserie, dehydrator, roaster, and is even capable of baking desserts. Despite all the functionalities, the controls couldn't be simpler. In fact, we didn't even need to refer to the user manual once while using the dial to make cookies, toast, fries, and grilled cheese sandwiches.
The Omni Plus has a whopping 19-quart capacity, large enough to bake a 12-inch pizza or roast a whole chicken. Speaking of chicken, the Omni Plus has a rotisserie feature—spit included—so you can evenly cook a whole bird. Other accessories that come with the Omni Plus include a rotisserie lift, air-fry basket, oven rack, and enamel baking tray.
While it is on the bulkier side and will take up some precious counter space, we think it's worth it due to the many capabilities it has. No need to purchase multiple single-function appliances: The Omni Plus is a 10-in-1 powerhouse.
Capacity: 19 quarts | Power: 1,800 watts | Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 13.9 inches
The Spruce Eats / Will Dickey
The Spruce Eats / Will Dickey
The Spruce Eats / Will Dickey
The Spruce Eats / Will Dickey
Best Glass
Fritaire Glass Bowl Air Fryer
Clear basket; can see inside
Aesthetically-pleasing
Includes multiple cooking accessories
Glass gets hot
Glass may not be the first material that comes to mind when you think of air fryers, but there is a lot to love about the Fritaire Glass Bowl Air Fryer. In addition to being eye-catching and gorgeous (available in multiple colors), you can see what's cooking inside, thanks to the crystal-clear food basket. When we tested the Fritaire, we were able to keep a close eye on cooking tater tots, gooey grilled cheese, and chicken wings. That said, the glass bowl doesn't hide much, so it will require regular cleaning.
In addition to the standard fryer tray, the Fritaire comes with a rotisserie rod and a rotating basket. Since the fryer is on the smaller side, it can't fit a whole chicken but works fine with breasts or thighs. The basket was ideal while cooking tater tots, but it made quite a mess when we tested saucy chicken wings, so maybe focus on dry ingredients instead.
This fancy fryer cooks food using a 1,500-watt halogen bulb and convection vortex airflow for even cooking on all sides. It reaches up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and the glass gets quite hot, so be careful while operating. When it's time to clean up, the Fritaire has a self-cleaning function that steams out tough messes.
Capacity: 5 quarts | Power: 1,500 watts | Dimensions: 13.9 x 10.8 x 12.3 inches
The Spruce Eats / Donna Curie
The Spruce Eats / Donna Curie
The Spruce Eats / Donna Curie
The Spruce Eats / Donna Curie
The Spruce Eats / Donna Curie
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Final Verdict
When it comes to air frying, we can't find a better machine than the Cosori Pro LE; it made quick work of consistently crispy fries, wings, and more. For an option under $50, the Dash Compact Air Fryer performed very well in all of our tests.
![A hand using a towel to hold a tray of baked apple slices in front of the Instant Vortex Plus 7-in-1 Air Fryer Oven](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/MPYW84F7LHlYUXVn1Zp2MjPd0wI=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Instant-Vortex-Plus-Air-Fryer-Oven-5-75f97c9ed21f4b749e2dd70f53c5b2f0.jpg)
The Spruce Eats / Lindsay BoyersÂ
How We Tested Air Fryers
We have tested air fryers multiple times in our testing Lab as well as in the kitchens of our experienced at-home testers. In our Lab, we purchased and tested 19 different air fryer models. In addition to rating each machine's results with cooking multiple foods, we took notes on ease of use and cleanup, size and shape, loudness, and any unique features, positive and negative. All other testing and ratings were completed before we learned the retail prices of the air fryers and rated their value.
We Observed
- How well the air fryers cooked a multitude of different foods: We diversified our tests of air fryers by cooking both savory and sweet, as well as drier and more wet foods like Brussels sprouts, chicken wings, coconut shrimp, biscuit bites, and brown sugar apples. Sometimes we had to do a few rounds of cooking based on how large or small the air fryers were, and we noted the differences in cooking between different-sized portions.
- If any accessories were necessary: While some air fryers can simply be loaded with food and turned on, others have additional parts and accessories they come with. We asked our testers if the machine came with any additional parts and if what they are necessary for.
- How easy the air fryer is to clean: Perhaps just as important as how well it cooks is how easy the air fryer is to clean. One of the most appealing aspects of an air fryer is the fact that you don't have to turn the oven on to use it—so we had our testers clean out the baskets and trays after each cooking session, marking down any difficulties or roadblocks they found.
We Rated
- Ease of use: During each test, we noted if we needed the instruction manual for any part of the air frying process—from set up to clean up. We also took note of how easy or difficult it was to use the machine's buttons and controls, and if the display was easy or hard to read. Some air fryers come with smart technology these days, and we had our testers try those accessories out and describe how well they worked.
- Cooking power: Air fryers are meant to be powerful, but some can be either too powerful or not powerful enough. Our testers marked the appliances' minimum and maximum temperatures and any instances of overcooked and undercooked foods and why they thought that happened.
- Value: After cooking, cleaning, and handling air fryers, we asked our testers both at home and in our Lab about the value of each machine and if it is worth its price.
Testing Air Fryers for Capacity, Ease of Use, and Versatility
Other Options We Tested
- Philips Premium Air Fryer XXL: A previous battery of tests named this model our best overall choice, but it didn't hold up under more extensive Lab evaluation. Despite reasonably good results with some items, we found inconsistent performance on more delicate foods. This machine's sky-high price just isn't justified.
- GoWISE USA 7-Quart Electric Air Fryer with Dehydrator: This air fryer comes with three stackable metal racks that fit snugly in the basket, an attractive blue LED display, and multiple functions. We found it to be lightweight for its size and very easy to clean, but that's where the positives ended. The display was hard to read and none of the food was remarkable, with the chicken tenders coming out crispy but very dry.
- Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 Air Fryer: A convenient two-basket design lets you make two different foods at two different temperatures at the same time in this air fryer. It's a cool feature in theory, but in practice it splits one large air fryer into two undersized ones, neither of which did a particularly great job in our tests.
- Emeril Lagasse Power AirFryer 360: While we found this combination appliance, made popular by TV infomercials, serves its purpose as an all-in-one appliance, we were disappointed in how loud it was on air-frying mode as well as how tricky it was to clean. The air fryer worked well—although some recipes took longer than the instructions said—but we weren't super impressed with any of the other functions. In the end, we determined it's a steep price to pay unless you really plan to replace several major kitchen appliances with this one device.
- Air Whirl Crisper: A stovetop air fryer? That's not something we'd ever heard of, but this battery-powered fan lid claims to turn any pot or pan into an air fryer, and we had to at least give it a chance. Unfortunately, our skepticism was justified. Even following the included directions, this thing cooked really unevenly and didn't create any kind of browning. French fries turned out burnt-tasting but still somehow soggy and undercooked.
![A tray of two piles of French fries with two white cards with the name of an air fryer on each one](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/qORQypu-p3wiPkLUgmXMZcjb5eo=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Web_1500-Air-fryers-french-fry-test-tamara-staples-4810-a5a8c8c67115447abe718708a079e0d7.jpg)
The Spruce Eats / Tamara Staples
What to Look for in an Air Fryer
Capacity
Air fryers come in many shapes and sizes, with capacities ranging from 2 quarts to 10 or more. Are you frying a small batch of wings or french fries for the family on burger night? Make sure the fryer you choose can handle the amount of food you want to cook. There are also options that have two baskets that can cook two different foods simultaneously and at different settings. Don't forget to consider the fryer's overall size, too—more capacity might mean that it needs more storage space when it’s not in use. However, there are many small air fryers that are great for small counters.
Ease of Use
When it comes to air fryers, there are basic models and ones with all the bells and whistles, but a fancy one won't do you any good if its complicated interface detracts from its convenience. Many have preset programs that allow you to whip up a batch of fries, bake cornbread, or roast veggies with one touch of a button. There are also analog and digital models to choose from as well as models with smart functions and access to an app full of recipes.
Timers are always handy, and most air fryers include one—but not all. Timers with an audible alert or a fryer that can turn off automatically will add to the appliance's ease of use. These days, there are so many air fryers on the market that the list of additional features can be overwhelming. Sometimes more features mean the device will be more complicated to use, so be sure to look at the interface and controls before making a decision, especially if you are a beginner.
Versatility
First, look at the temperature range on an air fryer. A wider range of temperatures will give you more options for cooking different foods. Generally, fryers that can achieve higher temperatures can cook faster and brown foods more easily. Beyond temperature, take a look at the other functionalities of an air fryer. There are many all-in-one-type air fryers on the market today that can toast, bake, roast, dehydrate, and more. If those added functions can replace another small appliance in your kitchen, it may be worth additional cost.
Cleaning
For the easiest cleaning, look for nonstick baskets and air fryers with parts that are all dishwasher-safe, or grab a silicone air fryer liner. It's usually fairly easy to wash the parts by hand or stick them in the dishwasher (if they fit), but if ease of cleaning is at the top of your list, nonstick is the way to go. Rotisserie racks and models with lots of accessories can be tricky to take apart/put back together, which will also add to your cleanup time.
![A hand transferring onion rings from the Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 8-Quart 2-Basket Air Fryer on to a white dinner plate](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/-3p-0_jDJQDnVRKiHynEbE7y6Nc=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Ninja-Foodi-6-in-1-8-Quart-2-Basket-Air-Fryer-02-7d4795fe7a294d838b9b4f82c87beb83.jpg)
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
FAQs
Air air fryers healthy?
Dietitian and therapist Corrie Van Horne, founder of Omni Counseling and Nutrition, says "Air fryers can be a quick and convenient way to create a balanced and nutrient-dense meal or snack. Each individual has different nutritional needs and desired health outcomes, so whether cooking with low or no added fat is optimal will depend on the individual. The air fryer can be a helpful tool in meeting nutrient intake and health-oriented goals."
In other words, what's optimally healthy for you will depend on your individual needs, but air fryers can be helpful whether you're aiming to add more or less dietary fat into your diet.
How does an air fryer work?
Air fryers don't fry food in the traditional sense. Instead of oil, air fryers use hot air to crisp and brown foods. All air fryers contain a heating mechanism and fan that keeps the heated air circulating around the food. The process is similar to a convection oven.
Air fryers contain a perforated or mesh basket that allows air to move around the food for even cooking. The only downside to this design is you can only air fry breaded foods since battered foods would drip through the perforated air fryer basket.
How do you preheat an air fryer?
Not all air fryers need to be preheated, while others automatically preheat before starting the cooking timer.
To preheat, select the preset preheat function if your air fryer has one, or just set the cooking temperature and let the air fryer heat for three to five minutes before adding your food.
We've tested models that automatically preheat and ones that let you get cooking without any preheating. In our tests, we found foods cooked similarly whether we preheated or not. Some air frying guides recommend preheating for better results when air frying meat you want to get a nice sear on, like steak and chicken breasts.
Can you put foil in an air fryer?
Yes, it's safe to use aluminum foil in an air fryer. Lining the bottom of an air fryer basket with foil may make cleanup easier and help you remove food from the basket when it's done cooking. You'll want to make sure the foil doesn't block air circulation, though.
How do you clean an air fryer?
Most removable parts (the cooking basket, tray, and any other cooking accessories) on most air fryers are dishwasher-safe. Check the owner's manual of your air fryer for which parts, if any, are ok to run through the dishwasher.
These parts are also easily cleaned by hand with warm, soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge. If there's any grease or stuck-on food that is particularly difficult to remove, let the parts soak in hot, soapy water first.
The interior and exterior of the air fryer can be wiped clean with a damp cloth, but should never be submerged in water since it contains electrical components.
If the heating element gets dirty, you can wipe it with a damp cloth when the unit is turned off, cooled, and unplugged.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
This roundup was written by the Spruce Eats Editor Siobhan Wallace, who compiled testing data from our in-house Lab as well as insights from our home testers' full product reviews, and updated by Katya Weiss-Andersson, a writer and editor who has nearly a decade of experience as a professional chef. Katya started out as an air fryer skeptic, but it is now the most beloved appliance in her kitchen.
After a second set of more extensive Lab testing, The Spruce Eats Commerce Writer Jason Horn updated the roundup with those results. After more than 15 years as a food and drink writer, he still doesn't own an air fryer, but he's pretty sure that he'll end up buying one at some point soon.
Sources
- Dietitian and therapist Corrie Van Horne, founder of Omni Counseling and Nutrition