The best air fryers for healthier everyday cooking

An air fryer is a small, powerful fan oven. For most households the best air fryer is a basket model of around 5 to 6 litres (roughly 5 to 6 quarts), big enough for two to four people, quick to heat and easy to clean. Families who cook a main and a side together will like a dual-basket model. Either way, the appeal is the same: crisp potatoes and roasted vegetables with a spoonful of oil, in less time than heating a full oven.

Is air frying healthier?

Compared with deep frying, usually yes, because you use far less oil, and less oil means fewer calories. Compared with roasting in an ordinary oven, the difference is small: it is the same kind of cooking, just faster and in a smaller space. The bigger effect on health is what you cook. An air fryer is good at making vegetables, beans and lean proteins appealing; it is just as good at reheating frozen chips and nuggets.

Some research suggests starchy foods cooked at high heat, whether fried, roasted or air fried, form a compound called acrylamide. The UK's Food Standards Agency advises cooking starchy foods to a golden yellow rather than dark brown, which is easy to follow with an air fryer.

What to look for

• Capacity. Around 4 litres suits one or two people; 5 to 6 litres suits most families; dual-basket models hold more in total.
• Basket shape. A wide, flat basket crisps food better than a deep, narrow one, because food sits in a single layer.
• Dual baskets. Two baskets that can run at different settings and finish together are useful for a main and a side.
• Controls. Simple time and temperature dials or buttons are enough. Presets are a convenience, not a necessity.
• Cleaning. Look for a non-stick basket and crisper plate that are dishwasher safe.
• Noise and size. All air fryers make some fan noise. Check the footprint against your counter and the clearance under your cupboards.

How we chose

We looked at capacity, basket design, controls, cleaning and the long-term reputation of each brand's models. We have not run our own cooking tests. Prices change often and sales are common, so check before buying.

Best overall: COSORI TurboBlaze Air Fryer 6-Quart

Around $120

A well-sized single-basket air fryer for a household of two to four. The square basket gives more flat space than a round one of similar capacity, which helps food crisp evenly.

What we like

• Roomy square basket for two to four people
• Fan speed options for different foods
• Quieter than many basket models
• Dishwasher-safe basket

Keep in mind

• Large footprint
• Lots of presets you may never use

Check price at Amazon

Best for families: Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer (DZ201)

Around $180

Two separate baskets let you cook salmon in one and vegetables in the other, each at its own temperature, and have them ready at the same time. It is wide, so measure your counter first.

What we like

• Two baskets cook different foods at once
• Sync function finishes both together
• Large total capacity

Keep in mind

• Each basket is narrow
• Takes a lot of counter space

Check price at Amazon

Best compact: Ninja Air Fryer (AF101)

Around $90

A compact, straightforward air fryer for one or two people or a small kitchen. It does the basics well: vegetables, potatoes, reheating leftovers, and a couple of fillets.

What we like

• Small footprint
• Simple controls
• Ceramic-coated non-stick basket
• Reliable, long-selling model

Keep in mind

• Basket is small for more than two people
• Deep basket rather than wide

Check price at Amazon

At a glance

Five easy things to cook

1. Roast vegetables. Broccoli, cauliflower, peppers and courgettes, tossed in a teaspoon of oil and salt, cooked at about 200°C for 8 to 12 minutes with a shake halfway.
2. Potato wedges. Soak cut potatoes in cold water for 20 minutes, dry well, toss with a little oil, and cook until golden.
3. Crispy chickpeas. Drain, dry and season a tin of chickpeas, then cook until crunchy. A good snack with protein and fibre.
4. Salmon fillets. About 8 to 10 minutes, depending on thickness, until the fish flakes easily.
5. Leftovers. Reheat roast potatoes, pizza or meal-prep components without the sogginess of a microwave.

For a week of food, an air fryer pairs well with batch cooking components, as in our meal prep guide, and stores well in glass meal prep containers.

Tips for better results

• Do not overfill the basket. Food in a single layer crisps; a heap steams.
• Shake or turn food halfway through.
• Use a little oil, not none. A teaspoon tossed through vegetables makes them brown and taste far better.
• Avoid aerosol cooking sprays on non-stick baskets, as they can build up and damage the coating.
• Check meat with a thermometer until you know your machine.

Questions people ask

Does an air fryer use less electricity than an oven?

Often, for small amounts of food, because it heats a much smaller space and cooks faster. For a large batch that needs several rounds, a full oven can be just as efficient.

Can I put baking paper or foil in an air fryer?

Yes, if it is weighed down by food and does not cover the whole base, which would block the airflow. Never put loose paper in during preheating, as the fan can lift it onto the heating element.

Is food from an air fryer as crisp as deep-fried food?

Close, but not the same. Breaded and battered foods come out crisp but drier. Vegetables and potatoes are where an air fryer does best.

Photograph: AI-generated image

Filed under air fryer, healthy cooking, kitchen, vegetables.