THE 5 BEST AIR FRYERS OF 2024

Air fryers have become increasingly popular kitchen appliances in recent years, offering a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. These devices use hot air circulation to cook food, producing a crispy layer similar to frying but with significantly less oil. With a variety of models available on the market, finding the best air fryer to suit your needs can be a challenging task. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the top-rated air fryers based on their features, performance, and customer reviews. Whether you’re looking for a compact option for a small kitchen or a versatile appliance with multiple functions, we’ll help you make an informed decision to elevate your cooking experience. Join us as we delve into the world of air fryers and discover the best options that combine convenience, efficiency, and delicious results.

The Ninja Air Fryer Max XL, with its 5.5-quart basket-style design, emerged as the top performer in our air fryer tests. Praised for its user-friendly features, such as intuitive buttons and a clear owner’s manual, it stood out for its ease of use. The smooth sliding of the air fryer basket and the secure fit of the removable tray added to the overall convenience. Notably, the ceramic nonstick interior of the basket and the dishwasher-safe components facilitated easy cleaning.

Beyond its user-friendly design, the Ninja Air Fryer Max XL excelled in performance, earning the highest marks. It consistently produced crispy and evenly cooked frozen and homemade fries, along with moist chicken wings. The inclusion of a broiling rack further enhanced cooking speed and juiciness, making it a versatile choice. The appliance’s various cook settings, such as Max Crisp, Air Broil, and dehydrate, provided a range of temperature options. The unique countdown timer, accurate to the second, added to its standout features.

For those in need of a larger capacity, the Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 Two-Basket Air Fryer is recommended. Boasting 8 quarts in total capacity with two baskets, it matches the performance of the Air Fryer Max XL while offering enhanced versatility. The ability to cook different foods at different temperatures in each basket makes it particularly practical. Additionally, its smaller individual baskets make it a go-to option for one-person meals and ease of cleaning.

Instant, renowned for their Instant Pot multicookers, has consistently secured a spot on our list of the best air fryers, and their models, including this one, have proven to be both easy to program and high-performing. This particular model, known for its excellent value, especially during sales, boasts a distinctive see-through window design. This feature allows users to check on the cooking process without the need to pull out the basket. Notably, the built-in light automatically illuminates just before the timer ends, and users can manually activate it for a visual update.

During our testing, the 6-quart ClearCook model demonstrated impressive results, producing crispy and juicy chicken wings in a mere 20 minutes and evenly cooked frozen fries without the need for mid-cooking shaking. What sets this model apart is its preheat function, taking approximately 3 1/2 minutes to reach 400˚F, accompanied by a helpful chirp when the desired temperature is reached. Unlike some models, it eliminates the need to press Start again after preheating, streamlining the cooking process. Additionally, it provides a midway alert, allowing users to shake or turn the food if desired.

The digital control panel is not only highly responsive but also features a knob for swift temperature and time programming. With six preset settings for Air Fry, Bake, Roast, Reheat, Broil, and Dehydrate, it offers recommended cooking temperatures and times that are adjustable to suit individual preferences. The square basket design optimizes cooking space, making it easy to slide out and maneuver, and it conveniently fits in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. The removable tray, as opposed to a separate basket, was found to be simpler to wash.

The Dash Compact proves to be an excellent choice for individuals cooking for one or those new to air frying seeking to give it a try. With a modest 2-quart capacity, it efficiently handles small food portions, taking up minimal counter space. Its compact basket design contributes to simplified cleaning processes.

Equipped with a dial timer, this model may pose a slight challenge for precise minute programming. Similarly, temperature adjustment is accomplished through a dial, offering limited options. Despite these factors, the Dash Compact remains a commendable selection, as its maximum temperature of 400˚F adequately caters to most air frying needs. One notable feature is its vibrant color options, such as the popular aqua shade, adding a lively touch that stands out from the typical air fryer designs available on the market.

While the Ninja Speedi Rapid Cooker and Air Fryer may have a distinct appearance, standing out as somewhat larger than typical air fryers, it’s a worthwhile addition to your kitchen counter. This versatile 12-in-1 appliance not only excels in air frying quickly but also offers a range of cooking functions, including searing, sautéing, baking, roasting, broiling, steaming, slow cooking, proofing, sous vide cooking, and dehydrating. It even has the capability to simultaneously steam and bake or air fry for exceptionally juicy and flavorful results.

One notable feature is its ability to prepare quick one-pot meals by cooking the base (like pasta, rice, or quinoa) at the bottom of the square basket and the toppings (such as chicken, shrimp, or meatballs) on the top level using an inserted rack. This rack serves multiple purposes, functioning for air frying and steaming in the lower position and crisping or broiling in the upper position. The ceramic-coated tray and 6-quart basket, consistent with other Ninja air fryers, ensure easy cleaning, either by hand or in the dishwasher. The user-friendly design of the Speedi, along with its clear control panel, simplifies programming, and the accompanying user guide is filled with valuable instructions, tips, and colorful recipes to assist users in mastering the art of crafting delicious one-pot meals.

This new model from Dreo impressed us in our Lab tests. The small water reservoir allows users to steam while air frying for crisp and moist results. The unit also includes a probe that you can use when cooking in “chef mode,” which lets you select your protein and doneness to achieve an ideal cook. This mode made perfectly cooked salmon in our tests. It performed particularly well with chicken wings producing attractive browning — and while it needed a little longer than our standard testing time for grilled cheese, we were very pleased with how crunchy and gooey our sandwich was in the end.

The digital interface is attractive and helpful, but it’s somewhat unique (with basic air frying accessed via the “classic cook” menu), so there is a small learning curve compared with most air fryer control panels. The one caveat here is that the misting steam chamber and fancy interface do come with a steeper price tag than some other models.

Are air fryers “healthy?”

Air fryers are often considered a healthier cooking option compared to traditional frying methods. They use hot air circulation to cook food, producing a crispy layer similar to frying but with significantly less oil. Here are some reasons why air fryers are considered a healthier choice:

1. Reduced Oil Usage: Air fryers require only a fraction of the oil that traditional deep frying methods typically use. This means you can achieve a crispy texture without submerging food in excessive amounts of oil, reducing overall calorie and fat intake.
2. Lower Fat Content: Since air fryers use less oil, the final cooked product contains less fat. This can be beneficial for individuals looking to reduce their fat consumption for health reasons.
3. Healthier Cooking Method: Air frying eliminates the need for submerging food in hot oil, which can produce harmful compounds during the frying process. The hot air circulating in air fryers cooks food by creating a crispy layer without exposing it to the same risks associated with deep frying.
4. Retained Nutrients: Compared to boiling or other high-heat cooking methods, air frying tends to retain more nutrients in the food. This is because the cooking time is shorter, and the food is exposed to less heat.

However, it’s essential to note that the overall healthiness of a meal depends on the types of foods you choose to cook. While air frying can be a healthier alternative to deep frying, it’s still important to focus on a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrient-rich foods.

Additionally, some experts argue that the term “healthy” can be subjective and context-dependent. Air frying doesn’t necessarily transform unhealthy foods into healthy ones; rather, it offers a cooking method that can be part of a balanced and health-conscious approach to preparing meals. As with any cooking method, moderation and choosing whole, nutrient-dense foods are key factors in promoting a healthy diet.