For fried-food lovers who are trying to get healthy, an air fryer is the perfect gadget. Air fryers mimic deep-fried food with the use of minimal oil, giving you delicious flavor with minimal calories. Read on to learn about the features of the best air fryers.

What Is an Air Fryer?

An air fryer is a device that simulates deep-frying through the use of a small amount of oil and hot air. By using less oil, air-fried food is much healthier than deep-fried food. You can perfectly heat frozen food and make potato chips, pastries, chicken, and more.

The top interior of the air fryer is outfitted with a fan and heater. Food is placed on a rack or rotisserie or in a basket with about a tablespoon of oil, and the fan sends hot air rushing down and around the food. This fast-moving hot air crisps the food, producing a similar effect to a deep fry. The air-fried food will be lower in fat, calories, and other harmful compounds than if you had decided to deep-fry.

Air Fryer Types

Basket Air Fryers

Basket air fryers have an interior basket similar to what you would use to deep-fry food. These air fryers are the most common type you will find. To use a basket air fryer, place food lightly coated in oil in the basket and turn on the air fryer. You may have to periodically shake the basket to ensure that all sides of your food are crisping evenly.

Countertop Convection Ovens

These devices look similar to toaster ovens, as they have interior racks where you can place the food. These devices often fit less food than a basket air fryer but crisp food more evenly since they are laid out instead of stacked. Some of these ovens come with rotisseries where you can place a large cut of meat to evenly cook all sides.

Halogen Oven

A halogen oven is not technically an air fryer, but it works in a similar way. A halogen oven emits red and infrared light into a glass bowl to cook food and employs a small fan to keep heat circulating like an air fryer does. A halogen oven is easier to clean than an air fryer but may require more oil to cook, making it less healthy.

Air Fryer Sizes

All air fryers are relatively small because the convection effect of circulating air requires a small space to fry food effectively. You probably won’t be able to cook a meal for a family of six or more in one go. However, there are different sizes you can pick from to suit your needs.

Under 3L Capacity: An air fryer of this size is best used to cook a meal or snack for a single person. This size is great if you want to perfectly cook plates of frozen food such as chicken wings, french fries, mozzarella sticks, or mini tacos for a quick personal lunch.

3–5L Capacity: This air fryer size could produce a small meal for two or a snack for two to three people. This air fryer would be ideal for a couple or roommates looking to make a shared lunch or snack.

Over 5L Capacity: If you want to use your air fryer to make dinner for the family, this is the ideal size for you. These air fryers can feed four to five people or create ample appetizers for home entertaining.

Air Fryer Features

Dishwasher-Safe: For easy cleanup, keep an eye out for a dishwasher-safe air fryer. The air fryer itself cannot be placed in the dishwasher since it is a piece of electric machinery, but the parts inside can be removed and washed in the dishwasher.

Nonstick Surface: Air fryers with a nonstick surface will be easier to clean and will make it easier to remove food without losing any crispy goodness. The basket of a basket air fryer is often made of nonstick material, and a convection oven air fryer may have a stainless steel rack.

Dehydrator: Some air fryers come with a dehydrate setting you can use to preserve fruits, vegetables, and meats. Try thinly slicing and dehydrating strawberries or other fruits to create healthy chips.