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The Best Air Fryers of 2022 for Every Budget and Household
Find out everything you need to know about air fryers and where to buy the best model for you and your household.
Heather Baird, SprinkleBakes.com
Our Top Air Fryer Picks
- Best Overall: Cosori Max XL 5.8-Quart Air Fryer
- Best for Everyday Use: Ninja Digital 4-Quart Air Fryer
- Best for Small Spaces: Dash AirCrisp Pro Electric 3-Quart Air Fryer
- Best Splurge: Philips Premium Digital XXL Air Fryer
- Best Air Fryer/Convection Oven Combo: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer
Move over, pressure cooker. There’s a new “it” cooking appliance in town and this one has the ability to whip up guilt-free fried chicken, crispy French fries and fluffy doughnuts in 30 minutes or less. Yes, really.
Introducing: the air fryer.
Air fryers are taking over coveted counter space and winning the hearts of home chefs around the world for their ease of use, quick cook time and stress-free cleanup. Best part? Air fryers produce crispy, crunchy and juicy results comparable to traditional deep-fried food using a fraction of the oil. By cutting down on oil, users can enjoy delicious, typically indulgent meals without sacrificing their health to do so.
How Do Air Fryers Work?
In its most basic sense, the air fryer is a countertop convection oven equipped with a hot air fan that circulates at a rapid pace to cook food quickly and yield a browned, fried-like results. Fried eats not your thing? Don’t write off the air fryer just yet. The compact appliance is as versatile as it is handy. Air fryers can melt, roast and bake anything your traditional oven can, and it delivers delicious meals to your table in less time.
What to Cook in Your Air Fryer
Your menu is only as limited as your imagination. Air fryers are great for just about anything in your fridge or freezer. Fresh vegetables and lean meats (think: pork chops, chicken breasts or salmon) make delicious family dinners on the fly, and frozen treats like mozzarella sticks or tater tots come out perfect every time. As for what not to cook: wet or flour-based batter are tricky to pull off in an air fryer because of the rapid fan. Be sure to freeze anything with a liquid batter before cooking, or follow an air fryer-specific batter recipe to ensure the tastiest results.
Which Air Fryer Is Best for You?
There’s an air fryer for every budget, family and lifestyle on the market right now, so it can be difficult and confusing to know which one is best for you. The good news? You’ve come to the right place, because we’re sharing our favorite air fryers and who they’re best for in the links below.
Looking for an air fryer with overwhelmingly positive reviews? The Cosori Max XL checks out with a 4.5-star rating and more than 58,000 reviews on Amazon. The popular air fryer boasts a 5.8-quart capacity that’s perfect for a family of five and uses up to 85-percent less fat than traditional deep-fryers. This model comes in black, red and white and includes 11 one-touch presets, including poultry, seafood, bacon, frozen food, desserts and steak. Bonus: Each Cosori air fryer comes with a recipe book with 100+ recipes to try at home.
The Ninja Digital Air Fryer makes a great addition to a family home with bustling schedules. It can make up to two pounds of food at one time and comes equipped with a basket, crisper plate and multi-layered rack. Each appliance boasts a built-in timer and temperature range of 105-400 degrees to prepare a variety of foods with ease. Our favorite part? You’re not limited to air frying. This machine offers roast, reheat and dehydrate settings to try out, too.
Limited storage space shouldn’t come between you and crispy, air-fried foods. The Dash AirCrisp Air Fryer is a small-yet-mighty machine that comes with adjustable time settings, auto-off technology and temperature dials to achieve the perfect fry every time. Plus, its compact size makes it easy to store in your kitchen cabinets or pantry between use.
The Philips Premium Digital XXL Air Fryer is a splurge-worthy addition to your cooking routine. The innovative design comes equipped with a hefty three-pound capacity, smart presets for convenient use and Twin TurboStar technology that promises to remove fat from food so it contains 90-percent less fat than those prepared in traditional deep fryers. More noteworthy features include digital touch controls, an auto shut-off and a QuickClean basket made from nonstick mesh.
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer offers the delicious benefits of an air fryer and traditional convection oven. The high-tech design features 11 preset functions ranging from air fry and roast to cookies and pizza. Unlike other air fryers, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer boasts two convection modes to cut down on cooking time and deliver ultra-crispy results. Choose between a damson blue, stainless steel or smoked hickory finish to best suit your kitchen design.
