The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to The Air Fryer
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The air fryer has taken the world by storm, and for good reason: they make cooking convenient, quick and oftentimes healthier than other methods. Naturally, everyone and their mother is trying to come up off the air fryer craze, which means LOTS of options. Not sure which air fryer is worth the money? New to air fryers and not sure how to narrow down your choices? Read on my friend, I’m here to help!
Choosing the Right Air Fryer for Your Needs
When it comes to selecting the best air fryer for your culinary adventures, it’s super important to consider several factors:
- Size and Capacity: If you’re living in a single or 2-person household, a smaller size may suffice, while large families (or if you’re like me and love to host guests) may need a larger one to accommodate multiple portions.
- Cooking Features: Most air fryers have adjustable temperature controls and timer settings, preset cooking functions for dishes such as chicken, fries, or vegetables, and some models even offer multifunctional capabilities, which will allow you to roast, bake, or grill.
- Power: Higher wattage means faster cooking times and better heat distribution.
- Profile & Design: These are less important, unless you’re like me and want to keep up the aesthetic while maintaining functionality and saving space. There are several different types of air fryers, so let’s break it down.
Air Fryer Designs Explained
Single-Basket Air Fryer
Best For: Quick & easy meals, small to medium households
Pros:
- Compact and easy to store
- Simple to use with fewer buttons
- Fast cooking times
- Most affordable option
Cons:
- Limited cooking capacity
- No extra cooking functions (mainly air frying)
- May require shaking or flipping food manually to ensure even cooking
Popular Models:
- Ninja Air Fryer
- Cosori Pro LE Air Fryer
Dual-Basket Air Fryer
Best For: Cooking two dishes at once (e.g., protein and veggies)
Pros:
- Cook different dishes at different temperatures
- Saves time when preparing meals
- Great for families with different food preferences
Cons:
Popular Models:
- Ninja Foodi DualZone
- Instant Vortex Plus Dual Drawer
Oven-Style Air Fryer
Best For: Large families, meal prepping, multi-function cooking
Pros:
- Larger capacity – can fit a WHOLE chicken (or turkey), or multiple items
- Extra functions (bake, toast, broil, dehydrate)
- Can cook different foods on multiple racks
Cons:
- Occupies more counter space
- Slower cooking time compared to basket-style
- Usually the most expensive design
Popular Models:
- Instant Vortex Plus 10-quart
- Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer
Essential Maintenance and Cleaning Tips for Your Air Fryer
Air fryers make our busy, fleeting lives infinitely easier, so it’s only fair to give back with a little spa day every now and again. Maintenance and cleaning are crucial to make sure it lasts as long as possible. When taken care of correctly, your air fryer will be saving time and making delicious food without added oils for years to come. Before we get into it, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintenance, this is just what has worked for me. And please, for the love of all that is good…DO NOT SUBMERGE YOUR AIR FRYER IN WATER. With that said, lets move on!
It’s recommended to clean your air fryer after each use. But can I be honest? Anyone who’s doing that is better than me; I personally wait until the bottom is basically covered in crumbs, or I use air fryer liners to maintain cleanliness (disposable & reusable). I have a single-basket air fryer, but this cleaning method will work with any design/model.
- Heat the air fryer on at least 350F/177C for about 2-3 minutes. This will loosen up any grease or stuck-on food.
- When the timer runs out, separate the food tray and the drip tray. Pour out and discard any grease that has accumulated on the bottom (I do recommend discarding the grease after each use. You can pour it straight into the trash (after its cooled), but I like to use a silicone grease catcher. After it’s full, I pop it into the freezer for a few hours and it pops right out into the garbage)
- Use a paper towel and tongs (since it’s still hot) and wipe out and discard any crumbs on the bottom.
- Give the food and drip trays a good wash with soap and water. Only use non-abrasive sponges or towels to avoid scratching the non-stick coating. Either air dry or re-assemble and heat at 350F/177C for another 2-3 minutes.
For exterior cleaning, a damp cloth or sponge can effectively remove smudges without using harsh chemicals. I like to use a microfiber towel and some water.
My Top Budget-Friendly Air Fryers
Look, we’re all about bougie on a budget over here, and there’s no worse feeling than feeling like your money wasn’t well spent. Let me put you on to some air fryers that give you that high quality product without the outrageous price tag.
You know her, you love her, it’s Ninja. Ninja is a household name, known for its other appliances (shameless stan for the blender), and they kept the pressure for these air fryers okay! Reviewers love this bad boy for its fast, even and versatile cooking functions (such as roast, bake, air fry, reheat, or dehydrate) with very little preheat time. The best part? It’s dishwasher safe! Overall, this is a top choice for home cooks everywhere.
Check it out HERE
Chefman may not be on everyone’s radar, but it should be. This model is designed for 4-6 person households, and even has an “LED shake reminder”, so you’re guaranteed to have crispy fries from all angles. With functions like Roast, Bake, Reheat, Air fry and Dehydrate, reviewers find this sweet thang delivers, and many report still using it after 16 months of consecutive use. And, of course, it’s dishwasher safe.
Check it out HERE
Cosori is quickly making a name for itself in the air-fryer world, and for good reason. This stud muffin is equipped with functions on top of functions: Roast, Defrost, Proof, Dehydrate, Bake, Air Fry, just to name a few. With a deep 6qt basket, this is sure to accommodate the whole family. Reviewers find that this model is especially beginner-friendly, and it compact for the amount of items that will fit inside.
Check it out HERE
Instant is best known for their crockpots/pressure cookers, and they have not sacrificed the reliability and longevity they’re known for on these air fryers. This is a 6-in-1 appliance, with functions like Frying, Broiler, Dehydrate, Reheat and Roast. This model touts a 6qt basket, making it big enough for the whole family. Reviewers love the even cooking, non-stick interior, and easy to use one-touch controls.
Check it out HERE
Okay, I need you to hear me out on this one. When I was researching for this article, my finger stopped dead on the trackpad because I thought…”there’s no way”. No shade to the queen, this just seemed kind of off-brand in my opinion. But this is actually a solid choice for my friends who are in it for the aesthetic. Reviewers praise this cutie for its large capacity (families of 4+) and its clear instructions. As always, its dishwasher safe.
Check it out HERE
So that’s it, you made it! Hopefully I could help you decide which air fryer to invest in. Rest assured, no matter what you choose, you can’t go wrong. Air fryers are a total game-changer, and I’m excited to see what you create. Happy Frying!