How to pick an air fryer
An air fryer is a small convection oven with a powerful fan. It crisps food with little or no oil and heats up faster than a full oven. Here is how to choose one that fits your kitchen.
Basket or oven style
Basket air fryers have a pull-out drawer. They cook fast, crisp well and are easy to shake halfway through. They are the most popular kind.
Oven-style air fryers look like a toaster oven with racks. They hold more, let you see the food, and can often toast, bake and dehydrate. They take more counter space and can be slower to crisp.
Dual-basket models have two separate drawers, so you can cook two foods at different temperatures and have them finish at the same time.
Size for your household
Capacity is usually listed in quarts.
- 2 to 3 quarts: one person, or side dishes.
- 4 to 6 quarts: two to four people. The most common size.
- 7 quarts and up: families, or cooking a whole meal at once.
A bigger basket only helps if food fits in a single layer. Crowding the basket is the most common reason air-fried food comes out soggy.
Features worth paying for
- A nonstick basket that is dishwasher safe makes cleanup much easier.
- A window lets you check food without opening the drawer.
- Simple, readable controls. A dozen presets matter less than an easy temperature and timer.
Things to check
Measure the space under your cabinets. Air fryers vent hot air out of the back or top and need a few inches of clearance. Check the wattage too. Larger models can draw close to what a standard kitchen circuit allows, so avoid running one alongside a kettle or microwave on the same outlet.
Is it a good deal?
Air fryers are discounted often. A well-reviewed model from a known brand at a solid discount is usually a better buy than a very cheap unknown brand with flimsy baskets.
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