Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a healthier alternative to traditional deep frying. By using hot air to cook food instead of oil, air fryers can produce crispy and delicious meals with significantly less fat and calories. In this article, we have researched and tested various air fryers to bring you our top 5 picks for healthier cooking.
When choosing an air fryer, there are a few critical factors to consider. First, you’ll want to think about the size of the fryer and how much food it can hold. If you’re cooking for a large family, you’ll need a bigger fryer than if you’re cooking for just yourself. You’ll also want to pay attention to the wattage of the fryer, as higher wattage fryers will cook food faster and more evenly.
Another important factor to consider is the fryer’s features. Some air fryers come with additional functions like baking, grilling, or roasting, which can be useful if you’re looking for a versatile appliance. Additionally, some fryers have digital displays and preset cooking programs, which can make cooking even more effortless.
Without further ado, here are our top 5 air fryers for healthier cooking:
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Philips TurboStar Technology Air Fryer – This high-end air fryer features a unique TurboStar technology that circulates hot air around the food, ensuring even cooking and crispy results every time. It also has a large 2.75-pound capacity and a digital display with preset cooking programs.
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Ninja Air Fryer – The Ninja Air Fryer is a versatile appliance that can air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate food. It has a 4-quart capacity and a ceramic-coated basket that is easy to clean.
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Cosori Air Fryer Max XL – This air fryer has a 5.8-quart capacity, making it perfect for families or entertaining. It also has 11 preset cooking programs and a removable nonstick basket that is dishwasher safe.
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GoWISE USA 7-Quart Electric Air Fryer – With a 7-quart capacity, this air fryer is one of the largest on the market. It also has a digital display with eight cooking presets and a built-in alarm to remind you to shake the food for even cooking.
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Chefman TurboFry Air Fryer – This affordable air fryer has a 3.6-quart capacity and a sleek, compact design that won’t take up too much space on your countertop. It also has adjustable temperature control and a 30-minute timer.
In conclusion, air fryers are an excellent investment for anyone looking to cook healthier meals without sacrificing taste. By considering factors like size, wattage, and features, you can find the perfect air fryer for your needs. We hope our top 5 picks have helped you make an informed decision and happy cooking!
Top 5 Air Fryers for Healthier Cooking
As health-conscious individuals, we understand the importance of maintaining a balanced diet while still enjoying the foods we love. That’s where air fryers come in – they allow us to indulge in our favorite fried foods without the added guilt of excess oil and calories. After extensive research and testing, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 air fryers that will help you achieve your health goals without sacrificing taste.
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
If you’re looking for a versatile air fryer that can handle all your cooking needs, the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer is an excellent choice. With its 4-in-1 cooking programs and wide temperature range, you can cook, roast, reheat, and dehydrate your favorite foods with ease. Plus, its family-sized capacity makes it perfect for feeding a crowd.
Pros
- You can enjoy guilt-free food with up to 75% less fat than traditional frying methods thanks to its air frying technology.
- Its wide temperature range of 105°F-400°F allows you to cook and crisp foods with convection heat or gently remove moisture from foods.
- Its 4-quart ceramic-coated nonstick basket and crisper plate fit 2 lbs of French fries, perfect for feeding a family.
Cons
- Its size may be too small for larger families or meal prepping, requiring multiple batches to be cooked.
- It doesn’t have a preheat option, which can be inconvenient for some users.
- While it’s easy to clean with dishwasher safe parts, the machine exterior may require wiping to clean.
We’ve been using the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its versatility and ease of use. We’ve air fried chicken wings, roasted vegetables, reheated leftovers, and even dehydrated fruits, all with excellent results. The air fryer is straightforward to use, with clear instructions and intuitive controls. Plus, it’s compact enough to fit on our countertop without taking up too much space.
One of the things we appreciated most about the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer is how easy it is to clean. The ceramic-coated nonstick basket and crisper plate are dishwasher safe, and we found that wiping the machine exterior with a damp cloth was sufficient to keep it clean. Overall, we highly recommend the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer for anyone looking for a versatile and easy-to-use air fryer that can handle all their cooking needs.
COSORI Pro LE 5.0-Quart Air Fryer
If you’re looking for a compact air fryer that can cook meals up to 50% faster than a traditional oven, the COSORI Pro LE 5.0-Quart Air Fryer is a great option. With patented Air Whisper® Technology, this air fryer operates quietly, so you can enjoy dinner table conversation without any disruptions. The Pro LE fits perfectly on your countertop and has a roomy 5-quart basket that can accommodate enough food for 1—4 people. With a 30-recipe cookbook included and even more recipes on the VeSync app, you’ll never run out of cooking inspiration.
Pros
- The COSORI Pro LE 5.0-Quart Air Fryer uses 360° rapid heat circulation technology to cook food with up to 85% less fat, so you can enjoy the same crispy textures as traditional deep frying without the added calories.
- With industry-leading temperatures up to 450°F, this air fryer heats up 20% faster than before, so you can prepare a quick meal whenever you want.
- The 9 one-touch cooking functions on a tempered glass display let you preheat and add personalized Shake Reminders, making the cooking process more fun.
Cons
- The COSORI Pro LE 5.0-Quart Air Fryer can hold up to 5 quarts of cooking space, which may not be enough for larger families or those who like to cook in bulk.
- While the air fryer is dishwasher safe, some users have reported difficulty cleaning the nonstick BPA-free basket.
- The COSORI Pro LE 5.0-Quart Air Fryer is ETL-Listed with a power rating of 120V / 1500W, so it may not be compatible with all countries’ electrical systems.
We recently tried out the COSORI Pro LE 5.0-Quart Air Fryer and were impressed with its performance. The air fryer cooked our food evenly and quickly, and the 9 one-touch cooking functions made it easy to use. We especially appreciated the included cookbook and VeSync app, which gave us plenty of recipe ideas to try out. The COSORI Pro LE 5.0-Quart Air Fryer is a great choice for anyone looking for a compact air fryer that can cook meals quickly and easily.
Ninja Air Fryer XL
We highly recommend the Ninja Air Fryer XL for anyone looking for a versatile and easy-to-use air fryer that can cook up to 3 lbs of food at once.
Pros
- The 5.5 qt. nonstick basket and crisper plate allow you to cook up to 3 lbs. of French fries or wings with ease, making it perfect for families or entertaining.
- With 5 versatile cooking programs (Air Fry, Air Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate), the Ninja Air Fryer XL offers incredible versatility for all your cooking needs.
- The nonstick, nano-ceramic basket is easy to clean and dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze.
Cons
- The Ninja Air Fryer XL is a bit on the bulky side, so it may take up a bit more counter space than some other air fryers.
- Some users have reported that the Ninja Air Fryer XL can be a bit noisy during operation.
- While the Ninja Air Fryer XL is a great all-around air fryer, it may not be the best choice for users who are looking for a more specialized air fryer for specific cooking tasks.
Overall, we found the Ninja Air Fryer XL to be an excellent choice for anyone looking for a versatile and easy-to-use air fryer that can cook a large amount of food at once. Whether you’re cooking for your family or entertaining guests, the Ninja Air Fryer XL is sure to impress.
COSORI Small Air Fryer Oven 2.1 Qt
If you’re looking for a small air fryer that’s easy to store and carry, the COSORI Small Air Fryer Oven 2.1 Qt is a great option. With its compact design, this mini air fryer is perfect for single serving items like sides, snacks, wings, and more. It’s also great for those who want to cook healthier without sacrificing taste.
Pros
- This air fryer has four cooking functions to choose from, including Air Fry, Roast, Bake, or Reheat, so you can easily customize your cooking for your favorite foods.
- The COSORI Small Air Fryer Oven 2.1 Qt is the quietest air fryer in the COSORI line, with noise levels less than 48dB. You can now cook your favorite foods without the distraction of annoying or disruptive noise.
- Even with no preheating needed, this air fryer cooks frozen food to crispy perfection in a matter of minutes at temperatures ranging from 170–400°F. Plus, you can enjoy crispy textures with up to 97% less oil than traditional frying.
Cons
- The COSORI Small Air Fryer Oven 2.1 Qt has a small capacity, so it may not be suitable for larger families or those who want to cook bigger portions.
- Some users have reported that the non-stick coating on the basket wears off after a few uses, which can make cleaning more difficult.
- While this air fryer is dishwasher-safe, some users have reported that it’s difficult to clean in the dishwasher.
We recently tried out the COSORI Small Air Fryer Oven 2.1 Qt and were impressed with its performance. The air fryer is small and lightweight, making it easy to store and carry. We especially loved the fact that it has four cooking functions to choose from, which allowed us to cook a variety of different foods. The air fryer also cooked frozen food to crispy perfection in just a few minutes, which was a huge time-saver.
One thing to note is that the COSORI Small Air Fryer Oven 2.1 Qt has a small capacity, so it may not be suitable for larger families or those who want to cook bigger portions. Additionally, some users have reported that the non-stick coating on the basket wears off after a few uses, which can make cleaning more difficult. However, we found that the air fryer was easy to clean overall, and we didn’t have any issues with the non-stick coating.
Overall, we would definitely recommend the COSORI Small Air Fryer Oven 2.1 Qt to anyone who’s looking for a small, compact air fryer that’s easy to store and carry. It’s a great option for single serving items like sides, snacks, wings, and more, and it’s perfect for those who want to cook healthier without sacrificing taste. With its fast and convenient cooking, up to 97% less oil than traditional frying, and included recipes, this air fryer is a great gift for foodies or anyone who loves to cook.
Ninja SP101 Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven with 8-in-1 Functionality, Flip Up & Away Capability for Storage Space, with Air Fry Basket, Wire Rack & Crumb Tray, Silver 8 Functions Standard Height
If you want to cook healthy meals with less fat and in less time, the Ninja SP101 Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven might be a good choice for you. With its 8-in-1 functionality, this appliance can air fry, air roast, air broil, bake, bagel, toast, dehydrate, and keep warm all in one powerful, 1800-watt machine. Plus, it has a flip-up and away capability for storage space, which makes it an excellent space-saving solution for your kitchen.
Pros
- The digital crisp control technology allows for precision-controlled temperature, heat source, and airflow for ultimate versatility and optimum cooking performance.
- With 8-in-1 functionality, this appliance provides the ultimate meal-making machine for your kitchen.
- You can eat all of your air fried favorites guilt-free with up to 75% less fat when using the Air Fry function vs. traditional deep frying.
Cons
- The appliance is relatively heavy, weighing in at 18.56 pounds.
- Some users have reported that the appliance takes longer to preheat than they expected.
- Its capacity may not be sufficient for larger families.
We have tested the Ninja SP101 Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven and found that it cooks up to 60% faster than a traditional oven on Air Roast, and it can make full meals in as little as 20 minutes. It also has a large capacity, with a 45% larger usable pan cooking area vs. the flat surface area of the Cuisinart toa-60 and toa-65 pan, which can fit a 13″ Pizza, up to 9 slices of toast, or 6 chicken breasts (6–8 oz. each). Moreover, selecting toast doneness is easy with a toast darkness selector to get it just right.
Cleaning the appliance is also easy, thanks to its removable crumb tray and easily accessible back panel for deep cleaning. The package includes a Countertop Oven, Air Fry Basket, Sheet Pan, Wire Rack & Removable Crumb Tray.
In summary, if you are looking for an appliance that can cook healthy meals with less fat and in less time, and you want to save space in your kitchen, the Ninja SP101 Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven might be a good choice for you.
Buying Guide
When it comes to purchasing an air fryer, there are several factors to consider to ensure you are making the best choice for your needs. We have compiled a list of features to look for when selecting an air fryer.
Capacity
The first thing to consider is the size of the air fryer. You want to make sure it can accommodate the amount of food you plan to cook. If you have a large family or like to entertain, you may want to consider a larger capacity air fryer. On the other hand, if you have limited counter space, a smaller air fryer may be a better option.
Power
The power of the air fryer is an important factor to consider. A higher wattage typically means faster cooking times and more even cooking. However, a higher wattage also means a higher price tag. Consider your cooking needs and budget when selecting the power of your air fryer.
Temperature Range
The temperature range of the air fryer is another important consideration. You want to make sure it can reach the temperature needed for the foods you plan to cook. Look for an air fryer with a wide temperature range to give you more versatility in your cooking.
Ease of Use
You want an air fryer that is easy to use and clean. Look for features such as a non-stick coating and dishwasher-safe parts to make cleaning a breeze. Additionally, consider the ease of use of the controls and the availability of preset cooking options.
Additional Features
Finally, consider any additional features that may be important to you. Some air fryers come with accessories such as baking pans or grilling racks. Others may have built-in timers or automatic shut-off features. Consider your cooking needs and preferences when selecting an air fryer.
By considering these factors, you can select an air fryer that best fits your cooking needs and budget. Remember to do your research and read reviews to ensure you are making the best choice for your kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should consumers know before purchasing their first air fryer?
When looking to purchase an air fryer, there are a few key factors to consider. First, it’s important to determine the size of the air fryer that will best fit your needs. Additionally, consumers should consider the wattage and temperature range of the air fryer, as well as any additional features such as pre-set cooking programs or digital displays. It’s also important to consider the ease of cleaning and maintenance, as well as the overall durability and reliability of the appliance.
What are the health benefits of using an air fryer for cooking?
Air fryers are a great option for those looking to cook healthier meals, as they require little to no oil for cooking. This means that meals cooked in an air fryer are typically lower in fat and calories than those cooked using traditional methods such as deep frying. Additionally, air fryers are a great option for those looking to reduce their intake of harmful chemicals such as acrylamide, which can be produced when certain foods are cooked at high temperatures.
What are the top-rated air fryers that use ceramic or stainless steel components?
Some of the top-rated air fryers that use ceramic or stainless steel components include the Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven, the COSORI Air Fryer Max XL, and the Philips Premium Airfryer XXL. These air fryers are known for their durability, reliability, and overall performance, making them great options for those looking for a high-quality appliance that will last for years to come.