Buying Guides
Air Fryer Buying Guide
Thinking about buying an air fryer? Before you purchase one of these handy kitchen appliances, learn more about how they work, what capacity is right for you and some of the top features to look out for. Whether you’re new to cooking or are looking to add another great tool to the collection, you’ll find everything you need to know in our handy air fryer buying guide.
HOW DO AIR FRYERS WORK?
Much like a convection oven, air fryers cook your food by circulating hot air around it. As the hot air is contained within a confined area, such as a basket or chamber, air fryers allow for more even cooking, with fans helping to evenly distribute heat in all directions around your food.
Although the name may be slightly misleading, air fryers do not actually fry food in the traditional sense, but rather use air to heat food from the outside in.
Popular brands of air fryers: Philips, Breville, Tefal, Ninja
WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW BEFORE BUYING AN AIR FRYER?
BENEFITS OF AIR FRYERS
There are many different benefits of using an air fryer which has helped to make it one of the most popular kitchen appliances in recent years. Some of the most common claims made air fryer manufacturers include:
Fast cooking: Instead of having to wait 15 minutes or more for an oven to preheat, air fryers can be used quite soon after being switched on. Most models only take around 3 minutes to preheat, cutting down your total cooking time.
Healthier meals: Air fryers use far less oil than standard deep fryers, allowing you to achieve similar results without the need to use high-calorie oils.
Easy to use: Air fryers are typically quite easy to use, with only a few controls used to select temperatures, cooking times and cooking modes.
Crispy food: Even without using oil, food is cooked in such a way that ensures the outside is nice and crispy, while the inside remains moist.
Safer than using a deep fryer: Using air to cook food instead of a deep fryer reduces your exposure to large amounts of hot oil, making it a safer option.
CAPACITY
An air fryer’s capacity will dictate how much food you can cook at one time. Finding the right capacity for your needs is key to ensuring all the mouths in your household are fed efficiently. Each capacity offers different benefits:
0.5 litres to 2 litres
Great for small kitchens
Best suited to single-person households
Could be a good option for occasional use by small families
Good for cooking snacks and smaller meals
2 litres to 4 litres
Takes up more space than smaller capacity models, but will still work well in smaller kitchens
Great for couples and small families
Good for cooking meals for a couple of people
4 litres to 6 litres
Require a large amount of bench space
Best suited to larger families
Good for entertaining
Are big enough to cook larger meals
Although most air fryers will have a capacity listed on the box, it’s important to do your research before settling on a make or model. Some brands may list the entire capacity of the appliance, rather than the usable capacity of the cooking basket.
FEATURES TO LOOK OUT FOR
Size: Before you decide on a make or model, it’s important to find out how much bench space you have available. Air fryers are quite large and require a decent amount of space when in use. Measure each appliance you’re considering and compare it with the amount of space you have on hand. If you plan on keeping your air fryer in a cupboard when it’s not in use, be sure to measure the size of your storage spaces too.
Controls: Most models feature either a dial or digital controls. Dials are typically quite easy to use, but can be less accurate, especially when setting temperatures or timers. Digital controls tend to be more accurate than dials, allowing you to set temperatures and timers with relative ease. Whichever control type you choose, ensure that it is easy to read and use.
Ease of cleaning: As with any kitchen appliance, it’s a good idea to look for air fryers that can be easily cleaned. Look for models with non-stick surfaces or components that are dishwasher safe.
Safety features: To ensure your safety while using your air fryer, look for features such as non-slip feet, cool-touch hand grips and locking lids. Models with automatic shut-offs can also be well worth looking out for to help prevent your food from burning.
Cooking modes: If you can find an air fryer in your price range that has multiple cooking functions, it will provide you with greater versatility when preparing your meals. Some models feature, among others, baking, roasting, grilling, toasting, slow cooking and reheating modes. Think about what you intend to cook with your air fryer to help you determine which cooking modes are must-haves.
Air fryer accessories: Some air fryers come with accessories to help you get more from your appliance. From double layer trays and grill kits to baking attachments, you’ll find a variety of air fryer accessories on the market. Check to see which accessories are standard inclusions and which you’ll need to purchase separately.
Still not hooked on the air fryer idea and want to stick to the traditional oven? Check out our Oven Buying Guide for all the need to know information, and to help you find the perfect appliance for your kitchen today.
OUR MOST POPULAR AIR FRYERS
FAQs
Q. ARE AIR FRYERS HEALTHY?
Requiring just a fraction of the oil used by a traditional deep fryer, air fryers can be a healthier cooking alternative, allowing you to make delicious crispy foods without the added calories. Thanks to the design of the appliance, some foods may even be cooked without any oil at all. As with any cooking device, however, the foods that you choose to cook will also help to determine whether air frying is healthy or not. Pre-cooked battered foods, cakes and other calorie-dense options will always be less healthy than meals made with lean meats and vegetables.
If you’re time-poor or find it hard to get motivated to cook a healthy dinner, air fryers can help to cut some of the time out of preparing delicious quick meals. Vegetables, chicken and other meats can be cooked perfectly without creating excess mess.
Q. WHAT CAN BE COOKED IN AN AIR FRYER?
Similar to a mini oven, air fryers can be used to cook a wide variety of foods, making them a versatile addition to your kitchen. While your cooking options may vary based on the attachments you have and the appliance’s cooking modes, some common foods that can be cooked successfully in air fryers include:
Proteins, including chicken, beef, fish, bacon and more
Pre-fried frozen foods, such as battered fish, chicken tenders and chips
Vegetables, such as potatoes, root vegetables, asparagus, mushrooms and brussels sprout
Fruits, such as apples
Cakes, muffins and other baked goods
If you’re not sure of what to cook, you’ll find plenty of air fryer recipes online. From quick meals to healthy, easy dinners, there are countless great ways to make the most of this handy kitchen appliance.