An air fryer is a miniature oven that can quickly and easily crisp up wings, fries, and vegetables with very little (or no!) oil. You can get an air fryer in a variety of shapes and sizes, including a basket design that’s perfect for cooking large batches of foods like fries and vegetables that benefit from shaking; an oven design that’s great for cooking food on multiple shelves and often includes rotisserie accessories; and a toaster oven design that can also toast, bake, broil, and more. One of the reasons we love them is that, regardless of design, they require very little maintenance after use.
What Is The Number One Air Fryer In The World?
What is the best air fryer on the market today? Which air fryer is best for home use? Which air fryer is made in the USA? What is the best, most cost effective air fryer? Do air fryers use a lot of electricity? What are the disadvantages of air fryers?
These are just a few examples of the many inquiries we see daily about the top rated air fryers on the market.
Because they all utilize the same fundamental technology, the majority of air fryers offer comparable specs. Because they all utilize the same core cooking technology—heat circulation—air fryers all look and function similarly. Air fryers, however, come in a variety of styles.
Related: Benefits of Air Fryers
Check out this list of the top 10 air fryers on the market to help you decide if you need one and, if so, which one is right for you.
Our Top Air Fryers:
Best Air Fryer: COSORI Air Fryer
Despite not being the cheapest air fryer on our list, the Cosori Air Fryer is an excellent buy because it can feed a family of four easily without breaking the bank. When compared to its competitors, its 3.7-quart square basket provides significantly more cooking space. The basket is easily removable, lightweight, and equipped with numerous vents for improved airflow. Presets with suggested cooking temperatures and timings, as well as a preheating function, are available on the control panel. If none of the preprogrammed settings work perfectly, the Cosori Air Fryer can be operated in manual mode. We found the Cosori to be quite user-friendly, and more than 68,000 Amazon customers seem to agree.
Best Compact Air Fryer:Dash Compact Air Fryer
The Dash Compact Air Fryer is the ideal air fryer for singles, couples, and small families. Air-frying chicken dinners or hamburgers for just two people is no problem for this appliance, which isn’t much bigger than a coffee maker. Simple to set up with just two dials (one for temperature, the other for time), it requires no guesswork to get just the right results. While using the Dash, you may notice that air frying timings are on the longer side, and you’ll need to be extra attentive about tossing your French fries and turning over your chicken cutlets to produce equally browned and crisped results. The Dash Compact Air Fryer is cute since it is small, cylindrical, and well-finished. It is available in a range of colors, from black and white to red and aqua. The dishwasher-friendly basket won’t take up too much room in your machine and can be easily cleaned after each usage.
Best Easy to Use Air Fryer: Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
The Ninja AF101 Air Fryer can make crispy, tasty snacks with almost no oil at all! You can now fry, roast, grill, and bake your favorite foods while reducing the amount of fat used in preparation by as much as 75%. Use it to dehydrate chips and other crisp treats with very little oil when you want to have some fun (and a healthier alternative). The Ninja AF101’s cutting-edge heating technology allows it to preheat in just 3 minutes, allowing for delicious results to be achieved in record time. When you can quickly prepare nutritious meals and tasty snacks by baking or steaming, there’s no reason to waste time deep-frying.
The Ninja AF101 Air Fryer is a favorite among customers because of its useful features. The appliance can dehydrate food, roast meat, and bake goods, so it’s a great option for anyone who needs a multipurpose appliance for their next cooking project in addition to its air frying capabilities. The Ninja AF101 Air Fryer is a great buy that can add both ease and pleasure to your cooking routine because of its affordable price and helpful built-in safety features. If you’re short on kitchen storage or counter space, the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer might be a good option.
Best Value Air Fryer: GoWise USA 3.7 Quart 8-in1 Air Fryer
The GoWISE USA 3.7-quart 8-in-1 Air Fryer may have a low price, but don’t let that fool you. It does an admirable job of air frying and has all the modern conveniences, like digital controls and preset temperatures, of a much more expensive appliance. Although the basket is smaller than that of competing models, it still packs a punch.
The GoWise saves time by not requiring preheating, and it prevents burns by remaining comfortably warm to the touch throughout the cooking process. The baskets are not dishwasher safe, but they have a nonstick coating that makes clean up a breeze. The GoWise includes a cookbook with a variety of recipes to help you get started in the kitchen. The GoWise is also available in vibrant red and purple if you find black to be too boring. The GoWise is the best air fryer if you’re on a tight budget.
Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven: Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven
One of the first manufacturers to market a toaster oven air fryer that can also bake, roast, air fry, and convection bake is Cuisinart. This digital toaster oven air fryer cooks the crispiest air-fried food in the shortest amount of time. The rectangular air fry rack measuring 15.5 by 16 inches provides a sizable cooking area (in comparison to basket-style air fryers) and rests atop a drip/crumb tray for convenient cleanup.
What You Should Know Before Purchasing An AirFryer?
Before purchasing an air fryer, there are a few things you should know:
- Air fryers are noisy—not just a little bit loud, but really loud. While it’s on, you’ll hear a constant hum like noise, you’ll get used to it, but it can be annoying at first.
- You can’t see the food you are cooking If you are anything like me, then you like to see through the oven glass when cooking; sadly, this is not the case with air fryers. You’ll need to open the air fryer to check on how your dinner is cooking. This is just a tiny hassle when you consider the convenience.
- Batter-fried food is a big no no If you are dreaming of cooking your crispy tempura shrimp in the air fryer, then think again. It just doesn’t work; the batter falls off the food by the time your air fryer heats up.
- You still have to add some oil If you want your meal to have that browning and crispy factor, then you’re still going to have to add a little oil, as your food won’t go brown on its own.
- Air fryers smoke I was a little startled to see that the air fryer smoked, but yes, it does. The best thing to do is put the air fryer on your stovetop and turn on the fan!
Related: Air Fryer Do’s and Don’ts
What Size Air Fryer Do I Need?
Air fryers, which hold 3 to 4 quarts of food, are ideal for households with two to three people and can accommodate enough food for frying chicken, fish, and vegetables for two meals. These are also fantastic for air-frying frozen dishes like pizza and bread once they have been thawed. A model with a capacity of 5 to 7 quarts would be ideal for a family of four. The entire chicken can be cooked in one of these air fryers. Look for a large countertop, toaster, or oven-style air fryer if you need to prepare for a crowd. These air fryers are spacious enough to feed an entire family because of their two racks.
Best Air Fryer Frequently Asked Questions
What Size Air Fryer is the Best?
If you’re going to use an air fryer, what size should it be? A quart each person, but remember that bigger isn’t always better. A two- or three-quart air fryer should be sufficient for a single couple or a small family. Then, for every person you plan on feeding on a regular basis, you should increase your pot size by one quart.
Related: What Shouldn’t be Cooked in An AirFryer
Do Air Fryers Use A lot of Electricity?
The size, kind, temperature, and length of time an air fryer is in use all affect how much electricity it consumes. Knowing your cost per kilowatt-hour will help you estimate how much it will cost to run an air fryer.
Is It Cheaper To Use An Air Fryer Than An Electric Oven?
In most cases, an air fryer will be more cost-effective than a standard electric oven. That’s because they cook items significantly more quickly due to the amount of surface area they employ, and an air fryer requires fewer kilowatts per hour to reach its maximum temperature. Because electric ovens are bulkier and take longer to heat up than air fryers, they are likely to be in use for a longer period of time and therefore consume more energy. Most dishes cooked in an air fryer only require about 10 to 15 minutes longer to prep, making them an excellent money saver. Just remember to shut off your air fryer when you’re done using it.
Can You Put A Little Olive Oil In The Air Fryer?
Oils that can withstand high temperatures during cooking are essential. Since it has a low smoke point, extra virgin olive oil is not ideal for air frying; nevertheless, extra light olive oil is suitable. For added crispiness when air frying, try using avocado, grapeseed, or peanut oil rather than regular olive oil or some vegetable oils (which smoke at lower temperatures). Use a light hand while using the cooking spray, or spritz it on evenly for the best results.
Related: Clean your air fryer easier using liners
Why Is My Food Not Crispy In The Air Fryer?
Oil or fat was not used correctly. You can improve the results of frying by first thoroughly drying the outside of the food. Do not overdo it with the oil, as this will result in greasy, less-crispy food.