If you’re still wondering what an air fryer is and how it differs from convection cooking, think of a small oven that can crisp up wings, fries, vegetables with little (or no!) oil - in just a little more time.
Air fryers come in several styles, including what we like to call the basket style, which is ideal for large quantities of food, like fries and vegetables that benefit from shaking; the oven style, which is ideal for cooking food on multiple levels and often includes roasting attachments; and the toaster oven style, which can toast, bake, broil and more besides air frying. Regardless of style, they require minimal cleaning, which is one of the main reasons we love using them. (When the time comes, check out our tips on how to clean an air fryer).
In the DeliverIt Innovation Lab, we’ve tested over 40 fryers over the years, cooking at least a pound of chicken wings in each one, as well as half a pound of frozen fries and half a pound of fresh homemade fries. Our top-performing machines fried the food to a crisp texture and chewy interior. They were easy to operate with large, easy-to-read controls that barely required the user manual. Here are the best air fryers and air toaster ovens of 2022 that you can buy right now.
1. Ninja Max XL Air Fryer
This Ninja Air Fryer Max XL 5.5-quart basket-style fryer was the top performer in our air fryer test. It got top marks for ease of use, thanks to its intuitive, easy-to-read buttons and clear, helpful user manual. In our tests, the fryer basket slid out and off easily, making it easy to handle. We liked the basket’s removable tray and its smooth ceramic interior, which makes it non-stick. The tray also fits snugly and securely into the bottom of the basket, so you don’t have to worry about it falling out when you flip food onto a plate. The basket and tray are dishwasher safe and easy to clean, even if you choose to wash them by hand.
Besides being easy to use, the Ninja Air Fryer Max XL earned the highest rating for performance. It produced crisp, evenly cooked frozen fries and home fries, as well as moist chicken wings on the inside. The model we tested has a cooking rack for even faster, juicier results - and a quick way to create melty cheese. It also has several cooking settings, which are programmed with unique maximum and minimum temperatures - including Max Crisp and Air Broil (which reaches 450°F) and dehydrate (which reaches a minimum of 105°F) - so you can get different cooking results. Another unique feature is the timer, which counts down to the second. For a larger capacity, consider the Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 2-Basket Fryer. It’s just as good as the Air Fryer Max XL, with even more versatility. It’s the one we use most for meals for one because each individual basket is smaller and takes up less space in the dishwasher.
2. Cosori Fryer
While not the cheapest fryer on our list, the Cosori fryer is a great value: It’s simple, easy to use and can feed an entire family without costing a fortune. It has a 3.7-quart square basket, which offers plenty of cooking space, especially compared to its round competitors. The basket is removable and lightweight, with plenty of vents for optimal airflow. We loaded the control panel with presets that are programmed with recommended temperatures and cooking times, including a preheat option. We can also use the Cosori fryer in manual mode if none of the presets are quite right.
In our testing, the Cosori scored high for ease of use - and over 13,000 five-star reviews on Amazon agree. It also made great fresh fries and chicken wings. The frozen fries took almost 10 minutes less than the manufacturer’s instructions, so monitor the food you’re cooking. Steam escaped from the fryer during cooking, which caused condensation to form on the drawer (this did not seem to affect the results).
Buy: Cosori Fryer
3. Dash Compact Fryer
The Dash Compact is a good fryer for people who only cook for themselves or for someone who is new to air frying and wants to try it. With its 1.7 liters, it can quickly cook a portion of food. Thanks to its small footprint, it takes up less space on your countertop, and its compact basket makes cleaning easy. This model has a dial timer, which makes it a little difficult to program to the minute. It also set the temperature with a dial and doesn’t offer many options, but we still found the Dash to be a good choice since we use the maximum temperature of 400°F to air fry most foods. We like that the unit comes in an assortment of bright colors, unlike most fryers on the market. The aqua color shown here is our favorite.
Buy: Dash Compact Fryer
4. Cuisinart convection fryer and toaster oven
Cuisinart was one of the first brands to launch a toaster oven fryer that allows you to grill, bake, air fry, and convection cook. We tested this digital version, which not only produced the crispiest air-fried foods in the least amount of time of any fryer we tested, but also some of the most evenly colored toast in our toaster oven test. The 15.5 x 16-inch rectangular rack provides a large cooking surface (especially compared to basket fryers) and sits above a drip and breadcrumb tray for easy cleanup. Since the launch of the toaster oven fryer, Cuisinart has also released a smaller, non-digital version with the same features and quality performance, as well as a similarly sized model with a drip pan that we’re excited to test.
Buy: Cuisinart convection fryer and toaster oven
5. Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook
Air fryers from Instant, the same brand that makes Instant Pot multi-cookers, have been on our list of best air fryers since we started testing them. The ones we tested, including this one, are easy to program and very efficient. One feature of this fryer is its clear window, which allows you to look inside without having to remove the basket. It also has a light that can be turned on manually and automatically turns on just before the timer goes off.
In our tests, chicken wings cooked in this 6-liter ClearCook model came out crisp, golden and juicy in just 20 minutes, and frozen fries were moist but crisp and cooked evenly without shaking halfway through. This fryer has a built-in preheat function, which takes about 3 1/2 minutes to reach 400ºF and beeps when ready to cook. There’s no need to press start again after preheating, if you want to place your food from the beginning and go. It also alerts you halfway through the cooking process in case you want to shake or flip the food. The digital control panel is very responsive, and the button allows you to quickly program the temperature and time. It has six preset settings with recommended (but adjustable) temperatures and cooking times, including Air Fry, Bake, roast, reheat, broil and dehydrate. The square basket maximizes cooking space, is easy to slide and maneuver and fits comfortably in the dishwasher. It has a removable tray (like the Ninja, Dash and GoWise fryers), not a separate basket that sits in a drawer (like the Cosori and Philips). We find the tray easier to wash.
Buy: Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook
6. Ninja Speedi Rapid Cooker and Fryer
The Ninja Speedi Rapid Cooker and Air Fryer is one of the newest air fryers we tested. While it looks different - and is larger - than most fryers on the market, it’s worth making room for on your countertop. This 12-in-1 appliance not only fries quickly and efficiently, it works the same way as a multi-cooker (without the pressure!) and can sear, sauté, bake, roast, grill, steam, simmer, steam, sous vide and even dehydrate. It can also steam and bake/air fry at the same time for juicier and tastier results.
One of the most impressive things it can do is make quick one-dish meals by cooking the base - like pasta, rice, or quinoa - in the bottom of the square basket and the toppings - like chicken, shrimp, or meatballs - in the top tier. It requires no additional accessories, just the included perforated tray, which is used for air frying and steaming in the bottom position and crisping/grilling in the top position. The tray and six-quart basket are ceramic-coated, like other Ninja fryers, and are easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher. We found the Speedi easy to program and appreciated the clear control panel. The user’s guide is filled with helpful instructions, tips and colorful recipes.
Buy: Ninja Speedi Rapid Cooker and Fryer
7. GoWise USA 7 Liter Electric Fryer
The GoWISE USA 7 Liter Electric Fryer is the one we use the most for cooking large batches because it’s so large. In our tests, it fried crispy fries and juicy chicken wings that we kept turning over to enjoy. The fryer basket is oblong, which allows for more cooking in one layer than round baskets, an immense advantage for dehydrating. This GoWise fryer comes with three additional stacking grids, which sets it apart from other appliances on the market. The stackable grids allow you to fry and dehydrate up to four layers at a time. It’s also available in two additional colors: mint and red.
Buy: GoWise USA 7 Liter Electric Fryer
8. Philips Compact Air Dryer
Our favorite feature of the Philips Premium Air Fryer is its compact shape that cooks enough food for two servings. At 2.5 liters, it’s the smallest of the Philips fryers, which also come in XL and XXL sizes. It’s also the only fryer we tested with a splash-proof lid. In our tests, the lid produced crispy frozen fries that were moist on the inside and evenly browned. It also allowed us to cook fatty foods, such as sausages, which are not recommended in an air fryer because they can cause fumes. Besides the lid, the Philips are very easy to use with a user-friendly control panel and four preset settings. The basket handle pulls out for easy cleaning.
Buy: Philips Compact Air Dryer
How we test air fryers
We’ve tested over 40 fryers in the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Kitchen Appliance Lab, including traditional basket fryers, fryer ovens, toaster ovens with fryers, and even several microwaves and multi-cookers with fryer functions. We also cook regularly with these appliances and have developed countless recipes for them.
When we test fryers, we evaluate their performance and ease of use by frying frozen and fresh French fries and chicken wings. We don’t test baked goods like cakes, because cakes and most other desserts benefit from an even distribution of gentle heat, and most fryers don’t have heating elements on the bottom besides the top (although fruit crumbles and air-fried doughnuts are great!) We rate foods for crispness, juiciness, and evenness, and consider details such as how quickly it cooks, how helpful the user guide is, and how loud the unit is. We also evaluate features, such as the control panel, temperature range and dishwasher-safe accessories.
What to look for when buying the best air fryer for you.
✔️Size: how many people are you cooking for at once? A compact size is good for one to two people, while a larger size works best for three or more people.
✔️Style: Basket-style air fryers are good for small batches and easy-to-shake foods, such as fries and vegetables. Air fryer ovens are larger and can air fry foods on multiple shelves, but they require more supervision and the food often needs to be rotated during cooking. Air fryer toaster ovens can perform multiple cooking functions - such as baking, roasting and grilling - besides air frying.
✔️Price: Digital air fryers cost more than mechanical air fryers, as do stainless steel options versus plastic.
✔️Multifunctionality: If you’re in the market for another appliance, toaster ovens, microwaves, pressure cookers, steamers, and even full-size ovens have incorporated an air fryer option into their designs, so investing in a multifunctional appliance could be a good value (that takes up less space!).
Are air fryers worth it?
Air fryers are worth it if you like to cook food quickly and with minimal cleanup. Sure, some are bulky and can feel like they’re usurping your counter space, but most people who use them see immediate benefits. They’re especially good for pre-packaged frozen foods and leftovers, like fries or dumplings, that would normally be soggy or rubbery in the microwave. In the kitchen appliance lab, we like to use ours for quick dinners. Many proteins, such as chicken, pork chops and salmon, cook quickly and become golden and juicy; vegetables become nicely blistered or caramelized. We especially like to air-fry root vegetables, like baby potatoes, butternut squash and diced beets.
When not to use an air fryer?
Air fryers are great for crisping food, but there are some instances when you should not use them.
You shouldn’t use an air fryer for liquids, as they can easily spill and splatter, even if we heat them into a heat-resistant container. We do not recommend it to use a deep fryer for foods that require a wet batter, such as tempura, because the coating does not harden fast enough to adhere, which can cause dripping and smoking and prevent the production of a crispy food.
We don’t recommend an air fryer for many cooking tasks: Most of them can’t really cook because the heating elements are only on the top of the appliance, not on the top and bottom like a toaster oven or oven. Also, the design of the basket or shelf usually limits the size of your baked goods. However, fryers are great for desserts that need to brown, such as a baked apple or an individual-sized crumble.
You should avoid cooking fatty foods in a deep fryer. If you are frying a fatty food, use a lower temperature to reduce splattering, which can cause the fat to touch the elements and create smoke.
Also, be wary of light foods, such as bread, as some fryers with a powerful fan can cause it to fly.
How do air fryers work?
Most fryers combine a heat source at the top of the unit with a large fan that circulates hot air. This design allows for quick cooking of food, as do other factors such as the use of perforated trays, which help increase airflow, and a small-capacity design, which helps create a high-temperature environment. In our testing, home use and recipe development, we have found that most foods cook best at high temperatures, such as 400ºF, for short periods of time. Smaller foods rarely need to be stirred or turned, but they can be for more even results; larger foods need to be turned for more even cooking.
How do I convert a regular recipe to an air fryer recipe?
Converting a regular recipe to an air fryer recipe is not as simple as converting a regular recipe to a convection oven recipe, which usually requires lowering the temperature by 25°F and checking it earlier. Instead, keep in mind that most foods cook best at 400ºF, unless they are thicker (think chicken breasts, which take longer to cook and need to be fried at a lower temperature, such as 370ºF or 375ºF, to prevent them from drying out).
The most important thing to remember is that air fryers cook quickly, so keep your owner’s manual handy and consult the included cooking charts and recipes often. Until you know the recipe, it’s a good idea to check your food in a quarter of the time it would normally take you to check it in the oven.
Are air fryers “healthy”?
“Air frying uses much less oil than deep frying and pan frying, so it can be a lower-calorie, lower-fat alternative while still providing a crispy texture,” says Stefani Sassos, MS, RDN, CDN. “But deep fryers are only as healthy as the food you choose to cook in them. They won’t magically eliminate saturated and trans fats from your meals.”
To get the most out of your fryer, Sassos recommends using it to add vegetables and lean protein to your diet. One of her favorite uses is frying frozen vegetables. “I couldn’t believe how easy it was the first time I tried it,” she says.
Why trust DeliverIt?
Ni Putu Samantha is the director of the DeliverIt Innovation Lab. She has worked at kitchen appliance companies, where she helped develop some very popular air fryers, as well as many recipes for them. Since joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she has gotten her hands on every new fryer that has come through the lab (whether she tested them herself or oversaw the testing) and has tasted dishes prepared in almost all of them. She is also an avid user of fryers at home, where she has about six of them available.
