If you only read one thing: the Ninja Double Stack XL SL400UK is the best overall air fryer in this guide.
I'll be honest, I'm not sure I could live without an air fryer now. It's the bit of kit I reach for when roasting veggies, cooking chips or fish fingers and even baking up a single cookie from my freezer stash. And I'm not alone; in last year’s Good Food Nation Survey, 58 per cent of people told us they now own one.
I understand the appeal: that crisp, 'fried' finish with little to no oil, plus they're usually faster and cheaper to run than the oven. The latest models are a big step up on the early air fryers I remember, with smarter controls, better efficiency and enough versatility to roast, bake and even dehydrate.
Meet Nat
I've put more kitchen appliances through their paces than I care to count, and that includes around 30 air fryers. By now I know exactly what separates a genuinely great one from an overpriced basket of hot air. A good air fryer should make everyday cooking easier, not just add another bulky appliance to your worktop. The hardest part of the job? Trying not to eat all the halloumi.
Check out more of Nat's reviews.
Best air fryers 2026 at a glance
Jump to section:
- Good Food in partnership with Tower air fryers
- How to choose an air fryer
- Best air fryers to buy in 2026
- Are air fryers energy efficient?
- What can you cook in an air fryer?
- How to recycle an air fryer
- How to convert recipes for an air fryer
How we tested the best air fryers
What is the first thing you think of when you consider air fryers? Chips, of course, so our homemade fries test was crucial.
The key to crisp fries was to peel and soak the potatoes in cold water for half an hour to remove starch, before drying thoroughly. We used Maris Piper potatoes for all the models we tested, as we think these produce the best air fryer chips.
We followed each manual's directions for set-up, cooking temperature, time and quantity of oil. Anything from the size of the cut to the variety of potato can also make a difference, so it’s always good to gauge things halfway through the time. For the purpose of the test, we shook ingredients only when prompted or advised to in the manual.
After putting each air fryer through its paces, we scored each on the following core areas out of five – the average of all determined the overall star rating they achieved:
- Quality of food: We looked at how evenly our chips were ‘fried’, and whether they were brown and crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
- Ease of use: We looked for air fryers with clear, simple instructions, so we could unbox and get cooking as quickly as possible. Air fryers also scored highly if the icons or control buttons were easy to use and intuitive.
- Value for money: Some of our cheaper fryers made excellent fries without a big price tag. We looked at whether they were worth the price.
- Ease of cleaning: Some air fryer baskets are dishwasher-safe or coated with a non-stick surface. Read our guide to how to clean an air fryer.
- Quality of materials: We checked that every component of the air fryer was built to last and able to withstand regular use.
- Sustainability: In this day and age, single-use plastic packaging is a no-no – so, we awarded more points to those that used recyclable materials.
Why you can trust Good Food reviews
As expert product testers, myself and the team at Good Food have reviewed around 50 air fryers over the last five years, using our trusted matrix format to put each model through its paces.
We test each model in the Good Food Test Kitchen, which is set up to replicate the average home kitchen rather than a 'laboratory'-like environment, this means you can trust that, if something works in our kitchen, it should work in yours too.
We also don't share product reviews with manufacturers or retailers before they're published and we don't accept payment in exchange for positive reviews, either.
Best air fryers to buy in 2026
Ninja Double Stack XL SL400UK Air Fryer
Available from AO (£253), Very (£253), John Lewis & Partners (£269), Currys (£269.99), Ninja (£269.99), JD Williams (£269.99)
Best air fryer overall
Pros:
- Large capacity
- Fully recyclable packaging
- Smaller footprint than most dual-drawer models
- No flavour transfer between drawers
Cons:
- Noisy
- Tall, so may not fit underneath lower cupboards
Star rating: 5/5
If you've always thought your kitchen countertop might be too small for a dual-drawer air fryer, the Double Stack XL could be the model for you. It turns the traditional dual-drawer design on its head, by positioning one drawer on top of the other rather than side by side.
The 'stackable' design doesn't stop there, though: each 4.75-litre drawer comes with a stainless-steel rack, so you can also air fry two layers of ingredients simultaneously.
I found the 'Max Crisp' setting worked best on air fried chips , which had a crisp and well-sealed exterior and fluffy centre. To test whether flavour or smells transferred from one drawer to another, I also baked brownies in the top drawer and a salmon fillet in the bottom, using the sync function so they finished at the same time. Thankfully, there wasn't a hint of fishy flavour in the brownies, and they had a perfectly fudgy texture with a crisp top.
We wouldn't recommend this if: you have low-hanging kitchen cupboards.
Wattage: 2470W
Size: 38.5 x 28 x 47 cm (H, W, D)
Capacity: 9.5L
Presets: Max crisp, air fry, roast, reheat, dehydrate, bake
Warranty: 2 years
Cost to run for 10 minutes: 4.1p (based on 22.36p/kWh)
Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer
Available from Amazon (£99.93)
Best single-drawer air fryer
Pros:
- Sleek design
- Easy-to-use touchscreen display
- Cooks quickly and quietly
- Well-written manual
Cons:
- Susceptible to fingerprints
- Large footprint
Star rating: 5/5
The TurboBlaze is a stylish, six-litre gadget with nine presets, including air fry, roast, grill, prove and reheat. According to Cosori, what sets it apart from previous models is its high-speed motor and new air-duct solution, which translates to it being up to 46% faster than the Cosori Pro.
It comes with a wide, bright touchscreen and five fan speeds, each of which corresponds to a different function. Temperatures can reach as high as 230C, and the timer can be run for a maximum of 24 hours – ideal if you're using the dehydration setting for ingredients like fruit. In test, I loved how easy it was to use, and though it's quite chunky for a single-drawer air fryer, it's versatile and relatively quiet while it cooks.
We wouldn't recommend this if: you're short on counter space.
Wattage: 1725W
Size: 30.1 x 30 x 40cm (H, W, D)
Capacity: 6L
Presets: Air fry, roast, grill, frozen, reheat, preheat, dry, bake, proof, warm
Warranty: 2 years
Cost to run for 10 minutes: 4.2p (based on 27p/kWh)
Available from:
undefinedNinja Foodi MAX Dual Zone AF400UK Air Fryer
Available from Very (£226), AO (£229), Ninja (£229.99)
Best dual-drawer air fryer
Pros:
- Generously sized
- Easy to clean
- Two cooking zones
- Programmable so different foods finish simultaneously
Cons:
- Big footprint
- No pre-set cooking options for specific ingredients
Star rating: 5/5
This large-capacity dual zone air fryer was a joy to use, and as with most Ninja products it came in mostly recyclable packaging, with very little plastic.
The sync function came in handy for air-frying a chicken breast in one drawer and salmon fillet in the other, cooking them both at different temperatures but so they finished at the same time. The salmon had a crispy skin, while the chicken was moist with a slight golden colour. There was no transfer of smell or flavours between the two drawers, either.
With a large capacity you get a large footprint, and there's no denying that a large amount of counter space is needed to accommodate this air fryer – use it regularly enough though and it's definitely worth it.
We wouldn't recommend this if: you have a small kitchen.
Read our full Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone AF400UK air fryer review.
Wattage: 2470W
Size: 32.5 x 41.5 x 27cm (H, W, D)
Capacity: 9.5L
Presets: Max crisp, air fry, roast, reheat, dehydrate, bake
Warranty: 2 years
ProCook Air Fryer Health Grill
Available from ProCook (£143.20)
Best air fryer grill
Pros:
- Fully recyclable packaging
- Wide range of presets
- Comprehensive instruction manual
- Intuitive controls
Cons:
- Large footprint
Star rating: 5/5
This is ProCook's first ever air fryer grill, released as part of the brand's debut into electrical appliances. Its sleek, stainless-steel design looks great on the countertop, which is fortunate as it's very large, so most households would have to keep it on display.
Among the presets are traditional settings like air fry, roast, grill and bake, plus more unique functions, like slow cook and steam. A non-stick crisper basket, multifunctional cooking pot, grill rack, glass lid, removable splatter shield and cleaning brush are also included. It performed well in test, too, producing crisp, golden chips.
We wouldn't recommend this if: you don't like to keep your appliances on display.
Wattage: 1500-1700W
Size: 40cm x 28cm
Presets: Air fry, roast, broil, grill, bake, dehydrate, slow cook, griddle, stew, steam, keep warm
Warranty: 2 years
Cost to run for 10 minutes: 7p (based on 28.62p/kWh)
Available from:
Best of the rest
Lakeland Slimline Air Fryer Black 8L
Available from Lakeland (£89.99)
Best air fryer for couples
Pros:
- Internal chamber light and clear viewing window
- Light, very quiet and quick to set up
- Roomy 8L single basket; enough for a small chicken
Cons:
- Fewer settings than the Lakeland Dual (below)
- Hand-wash only, not dishwasher safe
Star rating: 4.5/5
There’s bang for your buck and then there’s bang per gram: Lakeland’s Slimline Air Fryer packs a real punch whilst being light as a feather in comparison to other air fryers on this list.
Size matters, and this machine’s compact size and lightweight design makes it extremely manoeuvrable, particularly handy for those of us navigating tiny kitchen spaces (I found it a lifesaver in my shoebox flat). There is also the major selling point of the internal lights which satisfies that innate human need to stare at your food as it cooks but beware: a watched kettle never boils and a watched chip never fries.
This is certainly a powerful machine: it gets up to temperature quickly and when there, it does a good, if intense, job. I cooked salmon fillets which came out beautifully; they were crispy on the outside with a tender flake within. However, both chips and chicken wings needed to be pulled out several minutes sooner than anticipated. This isn’t a set-and-wait job: such is the power of this air fryer I’d recommend checking back on your meal.
We wouldn't recommend this if: you're cooking for a larger household
Wattage: 1700W
Size (H, W, D): 27.7 x 29 x 42cm
Capacity: 8L (single basket)
Presets: 7
Warranty: 3-year Lakeland guarantee
Available from:
Lakeland Dual 8.4L Air Fryer
Available from Lakeland (£99.99)
Best air fryer for families cooking several things at once
Pros:
- Internal chamber light and clear viewing window
- Heats up quickly
- 12 cooking pre-sets
- Easy to hand-clean, even after oily food
Cons:
- Thin, fragile trays
The dual drawer, slightly bigger, slightly heavier cousin of Lakeland’s Slimline offering, above – this 8.4L dual air fryer offers more choice of functionality than its slimmer relative and, as expected, packs even more of a punch than the already feisty Slimline edition.
Whilst two drawers is by no means a novelty in the air fryer market, the light-up drawers are incredibly handy. Being able to take a glance at your chicken as you’re passing by offers great peace of mind without having to crack open a drawer and lose precious heat. This is also very useful given that this air fryer runs hot and quick; I had to pull out chips and chicken wings earlier than expected.
Salmon cooks incredibly well here, as do the chips and chicken wings, but aubergine came out unevenly cooked and a touch soggy. I’d choose this over the Lakeland Slimline if I would make frequent use of the dual drawer capacity - the additional presets are also a welcome addition (12 settings compared to the Slimline’s seven).
We wouldn't recommend this if: you don't need a dual-drawer air fryer.
Wattage: 2600-3100W
Size (H, W, D): 29 x 40 x 36cm
Capacity: 8.4L
Presets: 12
Warranty: 3-year Lakeland guarantee
Available:
Ninja CRISPi Pro
Available from Ninja (£249.99)
Best colourful air fryer
Pros:
- Very easy to clean
- No pre-heating required
- 7 colourways
- Compact
- Non-toxic cooking
- Very intuitive
Cons:
- No shake reminder (you need to shake your food to ensure even cooking)
- Beeping is noisy
- Small weak spot in the centre
- Air fryer mode max timer setting is 30 minutes
Star rating: 4.5/5
If you're looking for an air fryer that looks as good as it cooks, the Ninja CRISPi Pro might just be your kitchen worktop's new best friend. Available in seven colourways including pale pink and green, it's one of the more eye-catching options in this guide. While it doesn't offer dual or tri-zone cooking, it comes with two glass cooking chambers – 5.7L and 2.3L – for cooking, serving and even storing food in the fridge, since matching lids are included. Its intuitive control panel truly couldn't be simpler to use.
With seven pre-set modes including Max Crisp, Air Fry, Bake, Prove, Roast, Dehydrate and Re-crisp, it makes easy work of almost anything. At £249.99, it's one of the pricier options in this guide, but results were impressive: homemade chips and seasoned chicken wings came out evenly browned with a succulent inside and salmon fillets were perfectly finished. One thing to note: there is a slightly weaker spot at the centre of each chamber, so with salmon it's worth placing fillets around the edges and with chips you'll need to give everything a good mix and move the food around regularly. The lack of a shake reminder makes this easy to forget. The air fry mode also maxes out at 30 minutes, depending on what you're cooking.
At this size it's considerably more compact than a traditional drawer-style air fryer, and arguably the easiest in this guide to clean: the glass containers are fully dishwasher-safe and the main unit rarely needs more than a wipe down.
We wouldn't recommend this if: you prefer drawer-style air fryers.
Wattage: 2050W
Size: H32 x W27 x D28
Capacity: 5.7L and 2.3L
Presets: 7
Warranty: 2 years
Available from:
CASO Design AirFry DuoChef
Available from CASO Design (£199.99)
Best dual/single-oven hybrid
Pros:
- Easy to change from air fryer to oven
- Lots of cooking space
- Easy to clean – dishwasher-safe parts
- Shake reminder
- Interior lights
Cons:
- Large – requires a lot of worktop space
- Heavy
Star rating: 4.5/5
This air fryer has versatility written all over it as it doubles as an oven: simply remove its baskets and the central divider between them, and hook on the large pull-down door for oven mode. In this mode you can use a baking tray or a perforated baking tray for cooking, or both, thanks to its two rack supports which sit at different heights. It offers 5.5 litres of usable cooking space in each basket, or a total of 14 litres in oven mode.
It has 10 handy preset programmes, including a reheat mode, plus a special hold function, which tailors cooking times so both baskets can be ready at the same time. It also beeps to alert you to turn your food halfway through cooking. We used it to cook salmon, which it did perfectly, as well as chips, halloumi chunks and aubergine slices. While we didn’t find any griddle marks, we did note that foods browned perfectly and cooked in good time.
Its clever, adaptable design makes this a great pick for families who would rather avoid using their oven entirely, or for those who really need the extra oven space. You can clean both baking trays, both drawers and both basket trays in the dishwasher. It is large, so be prepared to make a lot of space on your worktop for it.
We wouldn't recommend this if: you're looking for a lightweight air fryer.
Wattage: 2200W
Size: H33.5cm x W43.5cm x D38.5cm
Capacity: Baskets: 2 x 5.5L. Tray: 14L
Presets: 10
Warranty: 24 months
Available from:
Ninja Foodi 4-in-1 Dual Zone AF200UK air fryer
Available from Argos (£129.99)
Best simple dual-drawer air fryer
Pros:
- Great price
- A reasonable footprint for a dual-drawer model
- Simple to operate
Cons:
- Only four functions
- Limited drawer space
Star rating 4.5/5
This basic but efficient air fryer is a great example of the ubiquitous Ninja dual-drawer model. The AF200UK has just four-functions – air fryer, 'max crisp', roast and reheat – and the four functions will be all that's needed for anyone who wants a simple appliance that's quick and easy to use.
The 4-in-1 also has a sync-or-match function, where the two drawers effectively become one, or sync where two different foods can be set to finish cooking at the same time. It took us a few goes to figure this out successfully, but once we did, we loved the results.
The dishes we cooked on the test were excellent, with great texture and full flavour – only the chips were a little dark at the edges, but more shaking of the drawer rectified this. At the price, this is an excellent little gadget to have in the kitchen.
We wouldn't recommend this if: you have a lot of mouths to feed.
Wattage: 2400W
Size: 31.5cm x 38cm x 33cm (H, W, D)
Capacity: 7.6L
Presets: 4
Warranty: 2 years
Available from:
undefinedNinja Crispi 4-in-1 air fryer
Available from John Lewis & Partners (£119), Amazon (£149), Currys (£149.99), Argos (£150), Ninja (£179.99)
Pros:
- Compact and stylish
- Can cook wet and dry ingredients
- Air fryer baskets double as storage containers
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Runs quietly
Cons:
- Packaged with non-recyclable materials, including polystyrene
- PowerPod unit is quite heavy
- Not as portable as it makes out
- Silicone feet around crisper trays may be susceptible to snapping off
Star rating: 4.5/5
Ninja has broken the mould once again with one of its newest air fryers, the Crispi, which claims to offer portability, 'non-toxic' cooking and – as the name suggests – ultra-crisp results every time. Even with just four presets (air fry, roast, re-crisp and keep warm), it's still versatile thanks to its two lidded glass containers, which double as storage solutions for lunches or leftovers.
You can also use the Crispi to cook curries, fajitas, a whole roast chicken, desserts or a pasta bake, not to mention traditional air fryer recipes like chips and chicken wings. Because it includes two different-sized containers (1.4-litre and 3.8-litre), you can make the correct portion size for however many people you're feeding, whether you have a family of four or are making a meal for one.
It gets to work once you attach and programme the 'PowerPod' unit, which is surprisingly heavy to lift on and off. The glass containers are also weighty and not exactly portable, but for putting leftovers in the fridge they're incredibly handy.
Be mindful of the silicone feet around the crisper trays, as Good Food's managing editor Lulu Grimes warned me of hers snapping off – there are replacement trays available on Ninja's website if you need them. This aside, I thought the materials felt well made and built to last.
We wouldn't recommend this if: you're a larger household.
Wattage: 1700W
Size: 34.5 x 30.4 x 34cm (H, W, D)
Capacity: 1.4L and 3.8L (two containers provided)
Presets: Air fry, roast, re-crisp, keep warm
Warranty: 2 years
Cost to run for 10 minutes: 5.27p (based on 25.73p/kWh)
Bosch Series 6 air fryer
Available from Amazon (£89), Bosch (£139.99), Argos (£139.99), Currys (£139.99)
Best air fryer for ease of use
Pros:
- Handy alert to shake ingredients half-way through cooking
- Generously sized air fryer basket
- Comes with quality accessories
- Easy to set up and use
Cons:
- Noisy fan
- Large single basket is less useful if you want to cook different ingredients separately
- Some non-recyclable packaging
Star rating: 4.5/5
Bosch has been manufacturing small appliances for decades, and despite being a little late to the party to launch its first ever air fryer, I think the Series 6 model has proven to be worth the wait.
It has a classic minimalist design, with a generous 7.2L basket, glossy black exterior and compact shape that helps it slot easily under lower cupboards. A stainless-steel grill is included so you can layer even more into the basket – ideal if you're cooking large quantities of the same ingredient. However, if you want to be able to air fry different foods at different temperatures, a dual-drawer model with a sync function would probably suit you better.
Much like other Bosch appliances we've tested, I found the Series 6 remarkably easy to use. The instruction manual is absolutely packed with detail, including diagrams, cooking charts and advice on how thick to cut ingredients – leaving little room for error.
A handy alarm sounds half way through cooking to prompt you to shake your ingredients – a surprising number of air fryers don't have this, even though it's often recommended to achieve more even results. The alarm is loud, though (you shouldn't miss it going off), as is the fan, so just bear that in mind if you live in an open-plan space.
We wouldn't recommend this if: you're after a quiet air fryer.
Wattage: 1800W
Size: 31.4 x 30.9 x 38.8cm (H, W, D)
Capacity: 7.2L
Presets: Bread, fish, french fries, meat, small pastries, poultry, vegetables, keep warm
Warranty: 2 years as standard, 5 years when you register
Cost to run for 10 minutes: 6.29p (based on 26.35p/kWh)
Available from:
undefinedOur Place Wonder Oven
Available from Our Place (£145), Selfridges (£156)
Best looking air fryer oven
Pros:
- Good-looking
- Available in a choice of colours
- Includes accessories
- Mostly recyclable packaging
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Slower than other models we've tested
- Unable to adjust timer once set
- Noisy in use
Star rating: 4.5/5
A huge hit on social media, this air fryer oven benefits from the same colourful design as the Our Place Always Pan. There are three colours to choose from – 'steam', 'char' and 'blue salt', as well as limited-edition 'spice'.
Settings include air fry, bake, grill, roast, toast, and reheat, and there are plenty of accessories thrown in too, including a wire rack, non-stick baking tray and air fryer basket.
It's a little noisy but easy enough to use. It's also a little slow versus other models out there, and annoyingly you can't adjust the timer dial once you've twisted it round – you just have to wait for the time to run out.
On the plus side, everything cooked in the Wonder Oven was nicely browned and flavoursome, with some nice barbecue-like charring on the chicken breast.
Read our first-look review of the Our Place Wonder Oven and our guide: Is Our Place worth it?
We wouldn't recommend this if: you're looking for something speedy.
Wattage: 1400W
Size: 29.5 x 29.2 x 26.9 cm (H, W, D)
Capacity: 12L
Presets: Air fry, bake, roast, grill, reheat and toast
Warranty: 1 year
Cost to run for 10 minutes: 2.1p (based on 24.5p/kWh)
Available from:
undefinedGood Food in partnership with Tower GF17014 12-in-1 dual basket air fryer
Available from Amazon (£139)
Cook full family meals with ease using this versatile dual-basket air fryer. With 12 one-touch presets and clever Sync and Match functions, it takes the stress out of juggling timings. Vortx technology delivers crispy results fast using little to no oil, while the 8L capacity is ideal for larger portions. Pair it with Good Food’s recipe library to make the most of what it can do.
Available from:
Good Food in partnership with Tower 13-in-1 GF17015 Dual Air Fryer
Available from Amazon (£114), Tower (£139.99 – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30)
This clever dual air fryer and oven lets you cook two different dishes at once, saving time without compromising on flavour. The 10L capacity is great for family meals, while Vortx tech ensures food is crisp, fast and healthier. With 13 pre-set functions, sync and match settings, and handy viewing windows, it’s designed to make cooking easier.
Available from:
Other air fryers tested and reviewed
- Cosori Air Fryer Lite 3.8L, £59.99
- ChefMan TurboFry Touch Air Fryer, £58.07
- Ninja Foodi MAX Health Grill and Air Fryer, £269
- HYSapientia Dual Zone Air Fryer, £149.99
- Tefal EasyFry Precision air fryer and grill review, £119.99
- Ninja AF160UK air fryer max review, £131.99
- Cello 2-in-1 air fryer and home oven, £59.99
- Philips Air Fryer 5000 Series Dual Basket with Steam, £169
- Cosori Dual Basket Air Fryer, £119.97
- Philips Dual Basket Air Fryer 3000, £99.99
- Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer Dual Air Fryer, £269.99
- Tefal EasyFry 10-in-1 Multifunctional Air Fryer Oven, £99.99
- Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer review, £198.99
- Tower Vortex 5-in-1 air fryer review, £59.99
- Ninja Air Fryer Max Pro 6.2L AF180UK, £127.99
- Instant Vortex Plus Dual Air Fryer review, £119.99
- Ninja Speedi 10-in-1 Raid Cooker review, £149.99
- Breville Halo Flexi Air Fryer, £223.99
- Cosori Pro 5.5-litre Air Fryer review, £76.98
- Sage the Smart Oven Air Fryer review, £299.95
- Magic Bullet 2.5-litre Air Fryer review, £69.99
- HySapientia 24L Air Fryer oven review, £139.99
- Swan Duo 13-in-1 Air Fryer review, £129.99
- Cosori Pro 4.7L Air Fryer review, £69.97
- Zwilling Air Fryer review, £139
- Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer review, £59.99
- PHILIPS 4000 Series NA462/79 Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer, £169.99
- Lakeland 8-litre Dual Basket Air Fryer, discontinued
How to choose an air fryer
Air fryers differ in size, style and versatility, so ask yourself these questions while you're doing your research:
- What would you like to cook in it?
- How many people are you cooking for?
- How much space do you have?
- What is your budget?
- Do you have a specific requirement for ease-of-use? For example, large, clear function icons and controls, or perhaps an audible indicator for when each function has finished?
You might also want to consider the following:
Manual or digital
The simplest air fryers come with manual knobs that you twist to set the time and temperature. You may prefer a digital version, where you press buttons to set this, and can see the remaining time digitally displayed.
Choice of pre-set programmes
Do you like to choose your own temperature and how long to cook things for, or would you prefer to leave all that to the machine? Some of our fryers had up to nine pre-set programmes for popular foods like chips, fish and chicken.
Speed
It took between 17 and 30 minutes to cook chips in our samples, so this might be a factor. Some models need preheating, but only for a few minutes (much less than an oven).
Size
Always check the size as the capacity varies enormously – important if you’re feeding the masses or just want dinner for one. But bigger isn’t always better. Some take up more space on the kitchen surface and if you’re going to keep it in a cupboard, check the dimensions.
Transparent lid or internal light
Some models have a see-through lid, so you can glance in and check your chips are browning well. With others, you have to open the basket to check, stopping the machine.
Cleaning
You’ll need to wash the basket and pan after use. Some need to be hand-washed, while others are dishwasher-proof. (The main parts of the machine should just be wiped with a cloth.)
Price
Air fryers vary hugely in price – our tested models varied from £39.99 to £300. If it’s simply a healthier, more efficient method of cooking chips that you’re after, you can narrow your search down to one without bells and whistles, and save some pennies on a machine that does the core function well.
Top tip: Watch out for those that will require you to part-boil the cut potatoes prior to crisping – air fryers worth having should be able to fully cook chips on their own.
Are air fryers energy efficient?
Air fryers vary in their energy efficiency, but it is possible to calculate how much energy an appliance will use, which in turn will help you cost up the impact it’ll have on your bills. Here’s how:
- Take the appliance’s wattage and multiply it by the gadget’s hours of use per day, then divide the total by 1000. The result will be the appliance’s daily kilowatt-hour (kWh).
- The cost per kilowatt-hour will vary depending on your energy tariff and area. If you have a smart meter installed at home, you’ll be able to see the cost per use during cooking without having to calculate it.
One of the many useful qualities of air fryers is the countertop size. These gadgets are much faster to heat up and designed to circulate hot air efficiently, so food should cook more quickly than in a traditional oven. For smaller quantities and specific ingredients, air fryers will be switched on for considerably less time, which should mean less electricity consumption.
What can you cook in an air fryer?
Recipe-wise, air fryers are an excellent tool for not only knocking up traditional favourites, but aiding you in experimentation. The humble spud is a great starting point.
As we mention above, it’s possible to achieve a similar texture and flavour of traditional fried delights with an air-crisp function for air fryer chips and air fried roast potatoes using considerably less oil. The same applies to coated foods from which you’d like a crisp outer, like breadcrumbs. Discover our collection of air fryer recipes for a bit of inspiration for veggies and air-fried chicken.
On mid-range models, baking functions are often an option with non-stick accessories. This opens the door to thrifty bakes, classic cake recipes as well as free-from options to fit those with dietary requirements. Fruit leather is an excellent way to make the most of a dehydrate function if you have a hand blender, blender or food processor at home, or for an umami-kick try dehydrating tomatoes or mushrooms.
How to recycle an air fryer
If you want to upgrade to a newer model or your air fryer has reached the end of its life, knowing how and where to dispose of your appliance is important to avoid creating more e-waste.
- Check the warranty: If your air fryer is broken, find out whether it's still under guarantee. If it is, you should be able to have it replaced or repaired by the retailer or manufacturer.
- Can it be repaired independently? If the warranty on your appliance has expired, find out whether any independent appliance repairs services will fix it for you. Research recommended and trusted traders in your area, and they may be able to come out and take a look for you.
- Look for replacement parts: Some brands sell air fryer parts separately, so if a particular element of your gadget is broken and can be easily swapped out, find out whether you can purchase a replacement online or in store.
- Donate: If your air fryer is in full working order and you simply want to upgrade it, give it a new home and donate it to a worthy cause. You could also use platforms like Freecycle or Facebook Marketplace.
- Recycle: Some larger retailers like B&Q accept and recycle smaller electricals like air fryers. The Reuse Network lists the nearest charities and community projects that will welcome your old gadgets. Similarly, Recycle Your Electricals provides helpful guidance on how to recycle your gadgets, as well as a list of organisations that may accept donations. For further advice, read our guide on how to recycle electricals and appliances.
How to convert recipes for an air fryer
If you want to adapt a recipe for air frying, Good Food's senior food editor (and king of the air fryer!) Samuel Goldsmith recommends reducing the cooking time by 20%.
To do this, simply multiply the original time by 0.8 – the result will give you the amended cooking time. For instance, where a recipe calls for 20 minutes of cooking: 20 x 0.8 = 16, so the reduced cooking time is 16 minutes. That said, if you’ve recently bought an air fryer, trial the times and temperatures first as each model varies in size.
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source https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/best-air-fryers
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