What is an air fryer, you ask? It’s a compact convection oven. OK, right, but what’s a convection oven? It’s an oven with a fan that circulates hot air to ensure even cooking. So, you may press on, why is an air fryer called an air fryer when it is in fact just a convection oven that’s small enough to sit on a countertop and uses electricity as its power source?
Look, let’s not get too pedantic here—I’m not the one who chose the product name. I’m just a guy who loves preparing food with much the same crispy goodness as you get when frying chicken, shrimp, zucchini, or, well, fries, but without all the oil and fat and the actual frying process. Air fryers offer a fast, easy way to cook all sorts of foods, and they really do create the verisimilitude of fried food with just a bit of oil drizzled about the cooking chamber. Your heart and arteries will thank you. And your taste buds will be none the wiser.
Did you know that you could turn your Instant Pot into an air fryer? Well this handy lid fits on the classic 6Qt Instant Pot and gives you all the capabilities a stand-alone air fryer would, without a whole new gadget. It does everything an air fryer would, using less oil to make your food crispy and crunchy.
Speaking of an all-in-one, this gadget is just that. Without effort, the Ninja Foodi can air fry, pressure cook, and more. As Scouted contributor John Brandon says, “A nice bonus is that you can cook multiple side dishes at the same time as the meat, all in one pot.”
This air fryer comes in a handful of different colors to match your style and decor. It has an automatic timer that will switch off and an adjustable temperature setting. In addition to “frying,” you can grill, roast, and bake in this too. The LCD display makes it easy to read how much time is left, and it even comes with a recipe book so you can try some new dishes out.
I’ve tried out more than half a dozen air fryers in recent years, and this one remains my go-to. It’s just so simple to use. Set the timer, set the temp, wait about a minute for pre-heating, then load up that fry basket and let ’er cook. This may be the most user-friendly appliance in my kitchen today.
On the opposite end of the spectrum from simple you get this 12-in-1 multicooker that can be used to steam, sauté, slow cook, pressure cook, and more, with air frying of course included in there. Where this advanced cooking machine shines is in slow cooking, say, a Cornish game hen for hours followed by a quick “frying” session that seals in flavor while crisping things up.
In the mood for toast this morning? This thing has you covered. Want to bake a pizza up to 12 inches in diameter? Ditto. Or hey, how about some (air) fried chicken or a platter of French fries? Set the dials and get cooking. This (relatively) little guy may replace your deep fryer and your oven.
This four-quart air fryer can cook up enough fries, chicken wings, or battered veggies for the family or let you crank out apps for a party. It can also be used to roast foods more slowly or even as a dehydrator. And the digital temperature controls ensure precision.
This air fryer is on the smaller side, but its 1.6-quart capacity is just fine for couples or if you’re frying up a feast just for yourself. It’s simple to use and doesn’t take up much space on the countertop or in the cabinets when the frying is done.
Got a lot of mouths to feed? Then this large and in charge air fryer will serve just fine. Its 5.8-quart capacity can accommodate five to six pounds of food, even allowing you to cook up a whole chicken. Its seven pre-set functions create the perfect cooking conditions for foods like fries or cupcakes at the push of a button.
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