Best Air Fryers 2022
Air fryers are popular kitchen appliances that fry dishes like exquisite salmon, savory fish tacos, and irresistible buffalo chicken wings. They do not pose any health risks or consume unhealthy cooking oil, making them a must-have for your kitchen.
However, it might not be easy to decide which brand and model to buy when there are so many on the market. We’ve created this best air fryer guide for that reason, whether you want the tastiest wings, crispy fries, great fried rice, or wonderfully cooked greens.
Here are our top selections for the best air fryers for every type of kitchen and dish at the most affordable price:
- Best Overall: Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
- Best Value: COSORI Air Fryer
- Best f0r One Person: Dash Compact Air Fryer
- Best with Rotisserie: Chefman Digital Air Fryer+ Rotisserie
- Best Premium: Ninja Max XL Air Fryer
Best Overall Air Fryer
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
Price: $90 on Amazon
This is one of the less expensive, but high-quality air fryers.
This appliance comes with a crisper plate that can handle up to 2 pounds of french fries in addition to an air fryer basket. It is dishwasher-safe and has one of the lightest air at just 10 pounds. Additionally, it uses 1,550 watts, which contributes to its energy efficiency.
The temperature range of the Ninja AF101 model is 105 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It includes a recipe book, a one-year warranty, and dishwasher-safe accessories.
Features
Style: Basket fryer
Capacity: 3.7 liters
Cooking Type: Air-fry, roast, bake, reheat, and dehydration.
Pros
- Affordable
- Power-saving and lightweight
- Easy to clean.
- Window allows you to monitor the meal as it cooks.
- Cuts down cooking odors.
Cons
- Contains only a few predefined functions.
- Broiler feature absent
Best Value Air Fryer
COSORI Air Fryer
Price: $100 on Amazon
The Cosori Pro LE Air Fryer is excellent when it comes to being attractive and cost-effective. This kitchen appliance’s LED and touch control panel is situated on the glossy top, giving it a more streamlined appearance than any other air fryer.
It has seven meal settings for cake, bacon, and shellfish. It also has a shake reminder that you can flip the food halfway through cooking to get an even crisp. To use the reminder, activate it while setting the cooking time.
Features
Style: Basket fryer
Watts: 1500 W
Capacity: 4.7 liters
Cooking Type: Air-fry
Pros
- Great for chicken wings and fries.
- Elegant, minimalist style
- Seven pre-programmed settings for foods like bacon and shellfish
Cons
- Requires trial and error to produce results that are evenly browned
Best Air Fryer for One Person
Dash Compact Air Fryer
Price: $50 on Amazon
The Dash Compact is ideal for those who cook exclusively for themselves or wish to try air frying for the first time. It can swiftly prepare a serving of food because it holds just 1.7 liters.
It takes up less space on your counter, and its small basket makes cleaning it easier. The dial timer makes it a little challenging to set the timer to the exact or preferable minute. The Dash is still a decent choice even though the temperature is regulated via a dial and doesn’t give many possibilities.
Features
Style: Basket fryer
Capacity: 1.7 liters
Cooking Type: Air-fry
Pros
- Very affordable.
- Comes in different types of colors
- Less counter space is needed than with full-size models.
Cons
- Fries are not cooked uniformly.
Best with Rotisserie
Chefman Digital Air Fryer + Rotisserie
Price: $86 on Amazon
The Chefman digital air fryer is an amazing multifunctional product. It is a 6.3-quart oven, which also functions as a dehydrator.
With the unit’s eight settings, you can cook various foods at temperatures ranging from 90 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It has two racks, which, in contrast to air fryers with baskets, makes it simple to cook two different foods at once, such as “fries on top and chicken on the bottom.”
Features
Style: Air-fry Toast Oven
Capacity: 59 liters
Cooking Type: Air-fry, Toast, Roast, Broil, Bake, Dual Cook, Reheat, Dehydrate, Pizza
Pros
- Integrated air filter for an odor-free kitchen.
- Ability to cook various dishes at the same time.
Cons
- Heat-up takes some time.
- Certain parts are not rust-proof.
Best Premium
Ninja Max XL Air Fryer
Price: $200 on Amazon
Due to the two distinct chambers in this fryer, you can simultaneously prepare two different recipes for serving. It has a very fast rate for crisping and evenly browning fries.
The two cooking drawers can hold 2.2 kg of chicken, and 1.4 kg of fries, with a total capacity of 9.5 liters.
Along with air frying, this useful kitchen appliance can roast, dry, bake, and even reheat; however, unlike most air fryers, the reheat feature cannot take the place of a microwave. You can use various cooking techniques simultaneously in each compartment. The “sync” feature ensures that both compartments are finished cooking simultaneously, so you’ll never have to wait for one part of your dinner to finish cooking.
It is quite fashionable, combining a glossy black finish and silver accents.
Features
Style: Twin Basket Fryer
Watts: 2470 W
Capacity: 9.5 liters
Cooking Type: Air-fry, roast, bake, reheat, and dehydration.
Pros
- Multifunctional dual zone appliance.
- High capacity
- Wide variety of cooking techniques
Cons
- Bulky, and occupies a lot of room
- Lacks a turn-on reminder feature
What To Look For When Shopping For An Air Fryer
Size
You might want to consider the number of people you are catering to. For one to two people, a small size is ideal, while three or more people prefer a larger one.
Style
Basket air fryers are good for fries and vegetables, especially in smaller quantities. Ovens are a little larger and can air fry food on numerous shelves. Toaster ovens can also be used for other types of cooking, such as baking, roasting, and broiling.
Price
Digital fryers are more expensive than mechanical ones, and stainless steel alternatives typically cost more than plastic ones.
Functionality
With the inclusion of an air fry setting in toaster ovens, microwaves, pressure cookers, steamer cookers, and even full-sized ovens, purchasing a multifunctional appliance can be a wise investment.
Are Air Fryers Worth It?
Yes! They make cooking a whole lot quicker without sacrificing delicious results.
They are flexible, easy to use, and provide deep-fried flavor without consuming oil.
Some are big and may feel like they are taking over your counter space, but most people who use them quickly realize their advantages. They work best for leftovers and frozen food items like french fries that would typically go mushy in a microwave.
When Shouldn’t You Use Air Fryers?
Although air fryers are excellent for making food crispy, there are some situations in which you shouldn’t use one. They include:
- Greasy Food: Cooking greasy food in an result in splattering and lead to smoke. Ensure greasy foods are cooked on low heat if you must use one.
- Liquids: Liquids can spill and splatter even when using a heat-resistant container.
Additionally, you shouldn’t use an air fryer for dishes that call for a wet batter since the coating doesn’t cling quickly enough and can result in leaks, smoke, and failure to produce crispy dishes.
How Do Air Fryers Work?
Convection heat is used in air fryers to cook food so that it is crispy and brown on the exterior but moist and soft on the inside. In comparison to deep frying or conventional oven roasting, cooking using an air fryer takes less time and creates less mess. Another benefit is that it consumes very little oil.
How To Convert A Regular Recipe To Air Fryer Recipe
You should lower the temperature of your air fryer by 25 to 50 degrees for most recipes. As a result, if the original recipe calls for cooking at 425° in the oven, it should be set to its maximal temperature of 400°. Most meats can tolerate a wide variety of temperatures, while starchier vegetables, like roasted potatoes, appreciate higher heat. Food like chicken breasts takes longer to cook and should be air fried at a lower temperature, like 370°F or 375°F, to prevent drying.
Keep in mind that they cook food quickly, so keep your user manual close by and refer to the recipes and cooking charts frequently. It’s also a good idea to start monitoring your food until you are familiar with the recipe.
Are Air Fryers Healthy?
An air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying food. It can also be fun using it to prepare a range of healthful foods like eggs, lean beef, chicken, broccoli, tofu, and potatoes. You can reduce the number of calories, fat, and potentially harmful chemicals in your food by using an air fryer rather than a deep fryer.
Conclusion
Air fryers have developed over time into small convenient ovens that can handle practically anything you’d put in a regular oven or deep-fat fryer.
They are simple to clean, preventing you from having a later, horrible deep-cleaning project. However, it is advisable not to use it for greasy or liquid food preparation to avoid ruining it easily.
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