A Guide to Air Fryers: Everything to Know Before You Buy

A Guide to Air Fryers: Everything to Know Before You Buy

Air fryers  have made a whole lot of noise in the kitchen appliance space over these past few years. If you've become a little air fry-curious, there are some questions you might want to have answered before you invest in yet another small kitchen appliance. If starting from scratch, you'll want to know exactly what an air fryer does and how it's used. Does an air fryer actually fry? And are air fryers healthier than normal ovens? Also, what can you make in an air fryer, and which type of air fryer oven is best for your cooking habits? Most importantly, is an air fryer worth buying with so many other kitchen appliances available, or are these trendy countertop cookers just a bunch of hot air?

Whether or not an air fryer is right for you is ultimately a decision you'll have to make. But as someone with the chance to try much of the latest kitchen gadgetry, I can say that the air fryer is one of my personal favorite small appliance additions. It's one I fire up at least a few times each week and recommend to folks who are considering buying one. Air fryers cook in a way that nothing else in my kitchen does. They're also incredibly simple to operate and easy to clean. What's more, air fryers don't cost very much, especially if you know what you want and what to look for.

In this air fryer explainer and buying guide, I'll explore the best uses for the trendy air fryer, and break down the various types of air fry ovens along with average costs to help you make a more informed purchase. 

First, a little background.

What is an air fryer?

Contrary to the name, an air fryer doesn't actually fry at all. Instead, the air fryer works more like a convection oven, circulating hot air with a fan. The main difference between a regular convection oven and an air fryer is that the air fryer fan blows faster and the compartment in which food is cooked is often (but not always) smaller. Because of these two things, all that hot air hits food more rapidly and so it doesn't lose as much heat in transit. Most air fryers come with a grated rack or perforated basket so the air can travel through and hit the food on all sides.

The perforated basket helps the hot air hit food on all sides and crisp evenly. 

Getty

This fast, hot roasting or "super convection" will quickly brown chicken, potatoes, frozen snacks, veggies and fish without overcooking the inside. That's very similar to how deep-frying works, which is where both the comparison and name come from. 

While it isn't the case for everything, I've air-fried many foods that taste nearly identical to if they'd been deep-fried. In fact, some things taste better (in my opinion) since they are not saturated with heavy oil which can overpower the flavor of the food.

Are air fryers healthy?

It all depends on what you're making in your air fryer but cooking something in an air fryer is almost universally healthier than deep-frying or pan-frying it in oil. Less oil means less fat and fewer calories too.

What can you cook in an air fryer?

If you think about the best fried foods -- chicken wings, fried chicken, french fries, mozzarella sticks -- those are all great candidates for an air fryer. You'll get similarly crispy and browned outsides with insides that don't overcook. 

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp air fryer and multicooker turned out some excellent air-fried chicken.

David Watsky/CNET

An air fryer can actually do quite a bit more than a solo air fryer since it's really an oven. You can cook fish (salmon is a popular air fryer pick), vegetables, pizza and bread. You can also warm food or reheat leftovers and much more. 

Some of my all-time favorites to cook in an air fryer include "fried" chicken with the skin on; just a quick dredging of egg and seasoned flour and then 25 minutes on high. I also love potato wedges in the air fryer as well as Brussels sprouts, dumplings (with a light coating of oil), and seasoned mushrooms with chopped garlic. 

Read more: Air frying vs. oven baking: Which cooking method is best?

Do you need to use oil in an air fryer?

Short answer: No, you don't need oil. But some foods do well with a light spray or coating of cooking oil. Vegetables including green beans, broccoli, asparagus, and even potatoes will dry out if you blast them in an air fryer so a light spritz of avocado or olive oil can go a long way. 

Remember, you're still using far less oil than deep-frying or even pan-frying in which food sits in oil or is submerged the entire time it's cooking. Anything with some inherent oil content, like chicken or salmon, will have plenty of natural oil to baste itself while cooking.

When air frying vegetables, a light coating of oil goes a long way.

Getty

How much do air fryers cost?

Like anything else, you can pay a whole lot for an air fryer but in our experience, the most expensive air fryers aren't necessarily the best. A basic air fryer is actually not a terribly complex machine so you really needn't break the bank. Small no-frills air fryer models start at $25 or $30 and I've found they will do a serviceable job. That said, if you bump up another $30 or $40 you're going to get a better build, sharper look and generally a bit more power too.

At the high end are the hybrid countertop ovens with air fry functions. These can go as high as $300 but you can get less advanced models from bargain brands or ones that are on sale for around $150.

How big should an air fryer be? About a quart per person, but bigger isn't always better.

If you're cooking for one or two people a 2- or 3-quart air fryer should be large enough. From there, I would suggest adding a quart of capacity for every person that you're regularly cooking for. So, if you plan to air fry for five people on a regular basis, spring for a 5-quart model. 

Size matters when it comes to air fryer prowess but maybe not in the way you expected. A smaller air fryer means food is going to get blasted faster and more often than inside a larger model where the air has further to travel and more time to lose heat. I've found that small and powerful air fryers including the Magic Bullet 2-5-quart model and Instant Pot's Duo Crisp (which actually has a small air frying capacity once you load the air fry basket in) work exceptionally well and very quickly. 

The smaller air fryers mean less overall capacity so you may have to cook in batches.

I find that smaller air fryers like Magic Bullet's 2-5-quart model ($60) do an excellent job but the trade-off is less cooking space.

Magic Bullet

Using medium chicken thighs as a unit measurement, a 2.5-quart air fryer can fit three thighs. A 5-quart model will comfortably fit six thighs and so on. If you spring for a hybrid oven with multiple racks, you can cook as many as 10 or 12 chicken thighs at once, but it will take longer than with a smaller air fryer

What are the different types of air fryers?

Solo air fryer: Best for most people (and most budget-friendly)

The most basic of air fryers looks like a small robot. They are generally just a cylindrical base with a basket to hold the food that pulls in and out. These come as small as two quarts and can be as big as six or seven. These models come with digital controls or manual dials. There are also air fryers with dual compartments so you can make two types of food at different temps simultaneously. Ninja makes a particularly good one with two 4-quart cooking baskets (8 quarts overall).

Solo air fryers are the least expensive too, and they can be had for as little as $30. I'd say if you just want to try air frying but don't want to commit a lot of money or kitchen space, opt for one of these. 

Ninja's basic air fryer oven is one of the best we've tested.

CNET/Ninja

Read more:  The best air fryers in 2022

Air frying toaster oven: Bake, broil, roast and toast

These models look and function much like a standard countertop toaster oven but they have an air fry function as well. An advanced version is almost like adding a second main oven to your kitchen since they can broil, roast, bake, toast and much more. Some even come with a rotisserie function. For someone who hosts Thanksgiving or big family gatherings, the extra oven space these provide may feel like a godsend. Plus, they air fry; although due to their larger size, these models usually don't cook as quickly or quite as intensely as smaller solo air fryer ovens. 

Breville makes an excellent (and large) model as do KitchenAid and Cuisinart. My favorite in a test of these types air frying toaster ovens was Ninja's Foodi, which blasted chicken wings and french fries to crispy golden perfection -- I suspect that was large in part due to the smaller cooking cavity which helps the air fry function work properly. It also made wonderful broiled salmon and perfect toast.

These air fryers start at around $150 and go up from there.

If you're shopping for a countertop toaster, why not get one that air fries too?

CNET/KitchenAid

Read more: Best countertop oven and air fryer in 2022

Air fryer and multicooker: An air fryer that does it all

These are the most advanced and versatile air fryers and they do a whole lot more than air fry. Think Instant Pot but with an air fryer function as well. Ninja's Foodi multicooker and the Instant Pot Duo Crisp are two popular models, and if you want an air fryer and multicooker or pressure cooker but don't have a lot of kitchen space to relinquish, one of these is a great option. I've used the 6-quart Duo Crisp a bunch and find it works really well, turning out some of the most delicious fried chicken ever (with no frying at all.) These models generally retail for about $175 to $250

Air fryer attachment for your Instant Pot is a great option

If you already have an Instant Pot, you can buy an Instant Pot air fryer lid ($90) to attach or a Mealthy ($60) which will clamp on top and air fry food down below. I found the air fryer lids work exceptionally well, although they don't have a large capacity for cooking.

The Duo Crisp is a powerful air fryer but it's also a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker and more. 

CNET/Instant Pot

Read more: Best Instant Pots of 2022

Should you get a digital air fryer over analog? Meh, not really.

This depends on your personal preference but the controls don't have much to do with the performance or end result. Digital air fryers have presets for things like chicken wings, french fries, fish and such, but I find that even if the presets exist, it takes me just a few runs to learn how long things need and the correct temperatures, and I end up bypassing them anyways. Digital air fryers tend to cost a bit more and you run the risk of the panel shorting out, but having a digital readout of the temp and cook time can be nice. 

So which is the best air fryer?

Another question that depends on your needs and budget. Fortunately, we've tested the best air fryers in 2022 and the best air frying toaster ovens with picks in various sizes, styles and prices to help you decide.

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Galanz Air Fryer Microwave Review

Galanz Air Fryer Microwave Review

Like

• Does the job of a microwave, air fryer and convection oven in one compact appliance
• Excellent value at under $100
• Quieter than other air fryers I've tested
• Rotates while in use to promote even cooking

Don't Like

• Galanz is a newer brand so it's harder to determine quality over time
• Slightly less powerful air fryer function than others I've tested
• Gives off a fair amount of heat when cooking

My uses for a microwave have dwindled over the years. One of the big shifts is an air fryer usurping many of its responsibilities. If I want to quickly reheat solid foods like meat and veggies, an air fryer does the job better, more evenly and just as quickly. I still call on the microwave for zapping semi-solids like mashed potatoes and beans, to soften butter or defrost frozen food in a pinch. (Letting it defrost on the counter will always be the best option if you can remember to take it out, though.) But while the air fryer is useful, there are still some good reasons to keep the microwave around. That's why a sleek $98 Galanz hybrid oven that combines the powers of the microwave, air fryer and convection oven caught my attention. 

The concept is confusing since microwaves famously can't cook with metal inside and convection ovens can't cook anything wrapped or sitting in plastic -- one of the microwave's few obvious advantages. But the Galanz had solid reviews and cost just $98. At that price, how could I not at least try the thing? 

The $98 Galanz microwave and air fryer proved itself a capable appliance that does the work of several.

David Watsky/CNET

There aren't a ton of microwave-air fryers out there which usually tells you all you need to know. I'll be honest, I had low expectations for this small kitchen appliance, but in a series of tests of the microwave and convection modes, I discovered that it manages to do a bunch of different types of cooking at least competently or better. If you're looking for a new microwave or need to replace an older model, I say get one that can do all that the Galanz can.

Here's more about the versatile microwave-air fryer oven why it impressed me so much.

Is this really a microwave and a convection oven?

Yes. I immediately ran simple tests to make sure there wasn't some fancy or misleading marketing jargon. When you set it on the microwave function, the Galanz cooks foods and liquids to extremely high temps but without melting plastic. That's a clear indicator that electromagnetic waves (aka microwaves) are at work.

Conversely, when you put it in air fry mode, roast or another variation of a convection program, this oven cooked just as most ovens do and the use of metal roasting racks -- like the ones that come with the oven -- didn't elicit any sparks.

Now it was on to the real tests.

Microwave function is up to snuff 

I'm not a stickler for a fancy or powerful microwave. I use mine sparingly and for very straightforward heating and defrosting tasks but I wanted to make sure the Galanz could perform the basic duties. I ran several tests side by side with my existing KitchenAid microwave. 

I put 8 ounces of water in two coffee mugs and microwaved on high for 2 minutes, then tested both with a thermocouple thermometer. Each mug of water rose to an identical 142 degrees F. 

Next, I cooked an Amy's frozen dinner (saag paneer with rice) for the amount of time instructed on the box. Both microwaves cooked the food to a very similar temperature and doneness. At this point, it was obvious the microwave function was on par with other leading (and much more expensive) microwaves.  

I half expected the plastic around this frozen dinner to be melted when I opened the door but the microwave function works as advertised. 

David Watsky/CNET

Frozen fries and dumplings

Fries are a popular air fryer food so I stuck a handful of Alexia garlic frozen fries on the air fryer rack, set the air fryer on 400 degrees F and cooked them for 8 minutes. When the timer dinged, the fries inside were cooked through and crispy but not quite browned enough for me. I gave them 3 more minutes and they were golden-brown perfection.

I also cooked six frozen dumplings with just a light coating of oil on air fry at 400 degrees checking them every so often. They turned out crispy and delicious in just 8 minutes.

There was some uneven browning but my dumplings turned out crispy and delicious in just 8 minutes of air frying.

David Watsky/CNET

Air fryer fried chicken

I've become hooked on making oil-free air fryer fried chicken so I ran a test with my trusty recipe in the Galanz oven. I made the very same chicken in my solo air fryer to compare. After coating the skin-on chicken thighs in egg and seasoned flour, I placed them on the air fryer rack and cooked them at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. The chicken that emerged from the Galanz was excellent -- crispy on the outside and juicy inside. The solo air fryer got the chicken skin just a slight hue darker but I imagine another minute or two of cooking and the Galanz would be right there with it.

The Galanz produced two excellent pieces of air-fried chicken (right) in 25 minutes, if not just slightly less browed than the single piece I cooked in a solo air fryer (left). 

David Watsky/CNET

This was as good a sign as any that the air fryer function was plenty powerful if not just slightly less powerful than a top-shelf solo air fryer. 

Air fried chicken wings

If you polled people on what food made them spring for an air fryer, you'd probably hear "chicken wings" more than any other. Wings are difficult to get right in a big convection oven and deep-frying at home is a very messy business. I cooked six medium chicken wings and used the oven's preset wing program. After the 30-minute cook time (temperature is not disclosed when you use a preset program), the wings came out nearly as crispy as in the test using our top-rated solo air fryers. 

I decided to run the test again and forgo the preset program. After 25 minutes on high (400 degrees F) the wings were darn-near perfect.

Wings riding high on the nonstick air fryer rack, ready to be cooked. 

David Watsky/CNET

Roasted broccoli 

To test the roast function, I cooked half a head of broccoli cut into florets at 400 degrees F for 17 minutes, just as I would in my oven. They came out as I'd hoped: cooked through but still retaining a snap and a bit of browning on the edges.

Mess and cleanup

Chicken wings have a lot of fat and generally make a pretty big mess when you cook them in a smaller oven. After 30 minutes of air frying, a decent amount of grease dripped down to the easy-clean circular glass tray below but almost none splattered on the sides or ceiling of the oven. What did splatter, I wiped away easily with a warm sponge.

A 30-minute session cooking chicken wings left pools of grease on the easy-clean glass tray, but very little splatter on the walls of the oven. 

David Watsky/CNET

The bottom line

This impressive oven does all the work of a microwave but it also has formidable convection power to air fry roast, toast and bake. Another advantage this oven has oven standard air fryers is a rotating glass tray which promotes even cooking. I have yet to come across another air fryer that spins food while it cooks.

If you've already got a microwave you like and are just looking for a good countertop toaster or air fryer, I might point you to our list of best air fryers since they generally cost less, take up less counter space and are light enough that you can move them in and out of cabinets or down from atop the fridge. I should also mention that I haver limited personal experience with the Galanz brand, so it's tough to predict how this oven will hold up over time. 

But at just $98, this combination device is an excellent value considering all it does and how well it is cooked a few of my air fryer favorites. If I were in the market for a new microwave, I can't think of a reason not to get one that also does everything else the Galanz does. If you're a serial host, think of it as an extra oven to make that pesky side of potatoes or holiday stuffing when it comes down to crunch time. 

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