Ninja has got quite the hold on the air fryer world, dominating the space (and our best air fryers guide) with the Pro 4-in-1 and Foodi DualZone. When the Ninja Crispi air fryer was released in 2025, it even prompted our expert tester to say, "It made me rethink everything I knew about air fryers."

The Ninja Crispi is a glass air fryer that cooks everything from pasta to green beans and a whole lot in between. It reinvents the traditional air fryer whilst looking incredibly smart and almost futuristic for an everyday kitchen appliance. So, how can you possibly evolve the Ninja Crispi even further?

Well, Ninja has just launched the Ninja Crispi DualZone – the first glass air fryer to cook in two independent zones. You're telling me I can cook my salmon at the same time as my vegetables, and they'll both be cooked to perfection, ready to be plated at the same time? This is the feature I've been desperately hoping for!

Meet the Ninja Crispi DualZone

The Ninja Crispi DualZone isn't the brand's first evolution of the Crispi; the Crispi Pro launched earlier this year. But, it is the first time it's used its patented DualZone technology on the innovative glass air fryer.

And it's the two independent cooking zones that are the real shining star of the new Crispi. Each zone is made up of a CleanCrisp glassware container that is designed for non-toxic cooking and speedy storage, but there's more technology at play here that's worth talking about.

Smart Finish, for example, is Ninja's answer to no-stress mealtimes. With this technology, the Ninja Crispi DualZone intelligently syncs both zones to finish at the same time. Pair this up with Match Cook that mirrors what settings you've got running across your zones, and you can use it for double-batch cooking, too.

No longer will you have to cook your food back-to-back with the Crispi or bring in other kitchen appliances to make sure your meal comes together at once – and for me, that sounds like the dream. And if you're keen to cook up using different functions, there are six customizable options onboard with Air Fry, Bake, Dehydrate, Max, Crisp, Roast and Recrisp all available,

Why I can't wait to try it

I've loved the look of the Ninja Crispi since it launched, but I've already got the Ninja Foodi DualZone that allows me to cook on two sides at the same time. It's hard to compete with that until now. I finally feel like I could replace the Foodi with the Crispi, but there's more to it than that.

I've also recently moved over from plastic food storage containers to glass, and I've definitely noticed a difference when it comes to taste. If the same can be said for the Ninja Crispi DualZone, then I'm super intrigued. With no PFAS and PTFE, it also feels like a smart choice for chemical-free cuisine.

I'm really keen to grab a Ninja Crispi DualZone now that it's got the feature I've been desperately waiting for, and it doesn't hurt that it looks incredibly stylish, too. I'll reserve full judgment until we get it in for a full review. Now, I just need them to make a Ninja Crispi Pro DualZone, and I can fit food in for the whole family.

More from Tom's Guide

• Ninja Crispi Pro review: A meal prep marvel
• Ninja just released an air fryer so portable you can take it to the office
• 7 dangerous mistakes to avoid when cooking in an air fryer

I consider myself a decent cook, but I absolutely despise the clean-up afterward. And baking? That’s usually a definite pass for me. With my Italian background, I'm much more comfortable with the "intuitive cooking" approach.

Even though some of the best air fryers can be somewhat tricky to clean, the Cosori Iconic Air Fryer has surprisingly changed my mind. Its ease of clean-up has me cooking more meals more frequently, and I've even found myself motivated to bake with it.

In fact, I really don’t have anything negative to say about the Iconic. Every meal I’ve cooked in it has been delicious and cooked to perfection — once I learned that I had to shorten my cooking times due to the powerful heating element and motor. I even baked a cheesecake! I followed a recipe and everything!

The Iconic has become a staple in my kitchen, and I imagine it will stay there for a long time because it’s so easy to use and produces such consistently delicious results. Here’s what happened.

Cosori Iconic Air Fryer review: Price and availability

The Iconic is available for purchase now for $249 at Amazon. Cosori offers free shipping, 30-day returns, and a 5-year limited warranty. It is also available for purchase at other retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

Cosori Iconic Air Fryer review: Design

The Iconic Air Fryer’s exterior is made of stainless steel, while the top is tempered glass. All the touch-sensitive controls live beneath that glass. The basket slides out from the front of the unit and is also faced with stainless steel, as well as a large handle with a button-release on top. All told, it weighs 14.1 pounds, making it easy to move around the kitchen.

The 6.5-quart basket’s inside features a nonstick ceramic coating, and it’s dishwasher-safe. Cosori says you can feed 3-5 people with the basket’s capacity, though that, of course, depends largely on what you’re cooking.

The Iconic comes with a crisper plate that fits perfectly within the basket. It’s removable for easy cleaning, and it’s also dishwasher-safe.

All of the cooking functions rely upon a DC motor, which Cosori says is more powerful and energy-efficient than a traditional AC motor. There are six cooking functions: Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Proof, and ReHeat.

There are five fan speeds, and temperature range settings from 90 degrees to 450 degrees. And you can operate the Iconic anywhere from 1 minute up to 24 hours.

Aside from the main unit and crisper plate, the Iconic doesn’t include any other accessories. However, it does come with a brief recipe book — a good place to start if you’ve never used an air fryer before.

Like other air fryers, the Iconic cooks food by using a powerful fan to circulate hot air around the food. The small basket makes this an efficient process. One of the big benefits of an air fryer is that the exterior of the food crisps quickly, sealing in moisture and providing an even cook on all sides. The crisper plate creates a gap between the bottom of the basket and your food, through which the hot air can circulate.

The heating element is situated above the fan at the top of the Iconic’s internal structure. The fan then transfers this heat downward toward the food in the basket. Cold air around the food is quickly forced away, allowing the hot air to crisp the outside of the food quickly.

Cosori Iconic Air Fryer review: Cooking performance

My biggest question when I took on the Iconic review was how much more convenient it could be over a conventional oven. It is, in a lot of ways, just a small oven, after all. But the forced air cooking system does have its benefits, as does the super small size of the cooking basket.

I found that cooking with the Iconic is vastly more convenient than a conventional oven for a lot of reasons. For starters, it’s far more efficient in terms of power use and cooking time. Since it’s small, it heats up quickly, using less power and getting to the important work of cooking almost immediately, rather than wasting lots of time and energy on pre-heating a larger space.

Secondly, the Iconic does an incredible job of crisping the outside of food, sealing in moisture and flavor. I cooked chicken thighs during my first use, and they came out exceptional — I would say even better than my usual method, which involves a cast-iron pan in the oven at a high temperature, usually 425 degrees or higher, for up to 40 minutes. With the Iconic, I had crispy, moist chicken thighs ready to eat after just 20 minutes of cooking.

After my initial success with chicken, I took the plunge and put a New York Strip steak into the oven. I don’t eat steak often, so when I do, I want it to be perfect, especially since beef is getting more and more expensive. The Iconic was up to the task.

The internet recommended 7 minutes per side for my cut of beef. I found this to be too long, however, and I ended up slightly overcooking the steak, even though I cut down the cooking time to five minutes on one side and three on the other. I ended up with a medium cook, though I much prefer medium rare.

The outside was crisped beautifully, almost as well as I could have done with a sear in a pan. On my second run through with steak, I did do a quick sear in a pan after cooking in the Iconic, and this time, it was an absolutely perfect finish.

To complement both the steaks and the chicken, I also cooked some potatoes sliced thin. I marinated them first, then tossed them in the basket with the crisper plate at the bottom. In just ten minutes, the potatoes were perfectly cooked: tender and soft in the middle, crispy on the outside.

Over the last few months of testing, the Iconic has become my go-to method of cooking chicken dinners. I’ve cooked a few steaks in it too, and even tried a cut of fish. The latter was a bit tougher to nail down in terms of cooking time, so I would recommend checking in frequently when you’re cooking fish. And a simple meat thermometer helps a lot with beef. Even better, a wireless meat thermometer is ideal so you can check on the internal meat temperature without opening the unit and letting out the heat.

Cosori Iconic Air Fryer review: Bread and baking

I love homemade bread, so I was thrilled to see there’s a proofing function on the Iconic. Basically, this is just a super-low setting. It automatically sets the Iconic at 90 degrees, and you can adjust the time to your liking. It defaults to 90 minutes.

The idea of proofing my bread and then just baking it right in the Iconic was super appealing. It didn’t quite work out that way, however. The proofing function is definitely handy if you want to cut down your proofing time. No complaints there.

But when it comes time to bake, you need to be very aware of how much your bread will rise. I kept my dough in the unit and then hit bake for 25 minutes. About 20 minutes in, I smelled burning. The bread had risen during baking and was touching the top of the unit.

The solution is, of course, to measure out the dough more carefully, so this isn’t an issue. I could have cut my dough in half and baked two loaves instead. Ultimately, this largely indicates there’s a learning curve to using the Iconic, as is the case with just about any air fryer.

The recipe book that comes with the Iconic includes a recipe for cheesecake. I’m not much of a baker, but I sure do love cheesecake. In fact, I’ve never actually made one before, so this seemed like a great opportunity.

I had to get a 7-inch spring pan, which proved surprisingly difficult. But once it arrived, I modified the cheesecake recipe slightly (I don’t love cottage cheese, so I subbed that out).

Once again, the cheesecake batter rose while it baked, and I ended up scorching the top a bit. Luckily, I had peeked in to see how it was coming along and shortened the recommended cooking time. Other than the thin layer on top, the rest of the cheesecake was cooked to perfection. Once again, the trick here seems to be keeping a very close eye on the food while it’s baking. A viewing window would be wonderful here. As it is, you’ll need to open the basket and peek in periodically.

Cosori Iconic Air Fryer review: Cleaning and maintenance

I found clean-up to be super easy. I ended up washing both the crisper plate and basket by hand.

However, both components are dishwasher-safe and the crisper plate's design makes it a breeze to handwash.

The stainless steel exterior does get fingerprints on it super quickly, and it streaks if you wash it with a paper towel and some spray. But if you’ve got a microfiber cloth handy, you can get a nice, streak-free, and fingerprint-free finish.

So far, my only complaint with the Iconic is the relatively short power cord. It would help if this were longer to make it easier to place it in various locations in my kitchen.

Cosori Iconic Air Fryer review: App

You can control the Iconic using Cosori’s VeSync app. It’s a quick and easy setup once you register your account. You’ll pair the Iconic to the app via WiFi, which only took seconds when I did it.

Once in the app, you can choose recommended settings for any number of meals, and it’s easy to cycle through the options to find what you’re looking for most of the time. The odd thing is, you can’t start the Iconic remotely, even with the app. You can basically send the cooking time, temperature, and settings straight to the unit from your phone, but in order to start the Iconic, you will need to physically walk over to it. That’s likely a safety feature, but no less annoying because of it.

The app also has other nifty features. You can monitor the cooking progress of your food and activate voice control, too. There are other resources in the app so you can learn more about how to cook, what to cook, and what you’ll need to prep certain meals. Overall, it’s a well-thought-out app, if not a little cluttered.

Cosori Iconic Air Fryer review: Accessories

Cosori sells plenty of accessories specific to air fryers, and others that are more multi-purpose. The Air Fryer Accessories bundle ($32) includes a cake pan, pizza pan, silicone mat, metal holder, egg bites mold, and a rack with 4 skewers. This will likely cover most of the cooking you’ll do with the Iconic.

You can also get a Smart Meat Thermometer which I would highly recommend, so you can monitor your food’s internal temperature without opening the basket. Other nifty accessories include a food dehydrator, fruit roll sheets ($20), Cosori Air Fryer Liners ($12), and a Cosori NutriLens Smart Nutrition Scale ($50).

Cosori Iconic Air Fryer review: Verdict

Overall, I really don’t have anything negative to say about the Cosori Iconic. It’s been a fantastic addition to my kitchen, and it makes my life much simpler come dinner time. It cooks quickly, efficiently, and with an ease that makes me actually want to cook.

While its small size might be limiting if you’re cooking for a lot of people, I’ve found it’s an ideal size for my family of three.

Granted, there is a learning curve to it, even if you’ve owned an air fryer before. Perhaps it’s because of the DC motor, which is quicker and more efficient than AC motors, but the cooking times seem to be shorter than what’s often recommended. So, as you learn the particular features of the Iconic, be sure to keep an eye on the food within.

Air fryers are highly sought-after kitchen appliances, and for good reason. They offer the pleasure of crispy, fried dishes while drastically reducing the oil, fat, and strong odors associated with traditional deep-frying. But with so many air fryers to choose from, how can you pick the best one?

The Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer also functions as a convection oven and toaster, and certainly looks the part. And with a 5-quart capacity, it was plenty big enough for my family of four. However, you’ll want to measure your countertops before buying this appliance, as it will take up a good amount of space.

I tested the Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer to see how it compared with other popular choices. My verdict? I’d put it up there as one of the best air fryers for a medium-sized family who enjoys pizza, fries, bagels, and more. Here’s how the Ninja performed during my testing.

Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer: Price and availability

The Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer is available on Amazon for $181. You can also purchase the air fryer on SharkNinja’s website or at major retailers like Target, Kohl’s, Best Buy, and Walmart. Currently, it’s not available in the U.K.

In addition, there’s only one color option: stainless steel with black accents. However, this classic design should look at home in most kitchens, regardless of color scheme.

Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer review: Design

The Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer is a sizeable appliance that arrived in a large box, and at 16 x 15 x 13 inches, it will take up quite a bit of room on your countertop. It’s well-designed, however, and pairs well with other appliances. But if you’re short on space, you’ll need to make sure you have a place to store it when not in use.

It comes with several accessories: an air fry basket, a wire rack, a sheet pan, a broil rack, and a crumb tray. Each component is easy to clean with warm, soapy water; Ninja does not recommend putting any of them in the dishwasher. After washing and rinsing, pat the accessory dry and replace it in the air fryer to store until next use.

Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer review: Performance

I tested the Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer for two weeks. I looked for a mix of recipes and meal ideas that would let me test several functions. Here’s how the appliance performed in my kitchen.

Air-Fried Sweet Potatoes

To test the air fry setting, I peeled and chopped a sweet potato into cubes rather than into fry shapes. Per the instruction booklet, I soaked them in cold water for 30 minutes, then patted them dry. I tossed the sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon of oil, then threw them into the air fry basket and set the Ninja to “Air Fry” at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 18 minutes.

About halfway through, I took the sheet pan out and shook the sweet potatoes to ensure even crisping. I liked that the timer paused when I opened the doors, so I didn’t have to worry about losing time or ending up with undercooked veggies. After about 15 minutes total, the sweet potatoes looked done, so I removed them. The resulting sweet potatoes were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside — just as I like them.

Sausages and Peppers

To see how the air fryer handles protein, I followed a recipe from the guide that came in the box: Sheet pan sausage and peppers. The recipe uses the air roast function and the sheet pan. I sliced the bell peppers and onions and tossed them with oil as directed. Then I placed them on one side of the sheet pan and added the sausages to the other.

The recipe says to set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and the time to 25 minutes, flipping the sausages and tossing the peppers after 10 minutes. The sausages needed to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to be done.

After 20 minutes in total, everything looked very crispy, so I tested the sausages and found they were done. I served them on buns with the peppers on top, and they were delicious.

Bagels

The Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer has both a bagel and a toast setting. I decided to test the former while making breakfast. Both settings let you choose the number of bread and bagel slices (1–6) and the shade level (1–7). I set the appliance to toast two bagel slices with a shade level of 4.

Using these settings, the air fryer was automatically set to 5 minutes. However, after 4 minutes, I noticed that the bagel looked a little browner than I like, so I took it out. It was definitely overdone and chewy when I ate it. I’d stick to choosing lighter shades or keeping a closer eye on the appliance when making toast or bagels in the future.

Pizza

My family loves homemade pizza, so I was excited to test the Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer’s pizza setting. I’ve made pizzas in a toaster oven before and liked the way they turned out, so I wanted to see how the Ninja would measure up.

I set the temperature at 400 degrees Fahrenheit and the time for 45 minutes. In my full-size oven, it would easily take that long to make four pizzas (one at a time) for my family. The air fryer preheated within 90 seconds. I added the first pizza and kept a close eye on it until it turned golden, about 8 minutes. In total, I had all four pizzas ready in less than 30 minutes — much faster than my usual method.

The pizzas were perfectly cooked, and my entire family devoured them. My favorite part was that the fresh mushrooms I added to my pizza didn’t make the dough soggy, as they usually do in my oven. I will definitely use the Ninja for future family pizza nights.

Noise

As with any kitchen appliance, noise is a concern—especially in my open-plan kitchen, where it travels to the living room. I noted that the Ninja French Door Premier was much quieter than I expected.

While traditional air fryers vary in noise level depending on the fan setting, the Ninja French Door Premier’s noise range was similar across all settings. I measured a maximum of 64 decibels during preheating and periodically during cooking — that’s similar to the quiet drone of a business office.

Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer review: Ease of use and cleaning

I found the Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer extremely easy to use, and all my questions were answered in the owner’s guide or quick-start guide. The first couple of times I used it, I got a little confused by the settings — for example, I kept hitting “start” in the middle of the dial when trying to toggle between modes, temperatures, and cook times. But after a couple of uses, this wasn’t a problem anymore.

Similarly, cleaning the appliance is easy. After each use, simply remove the sheet pan or rack and wash it with warm, soapy water. There’s also a crumb tray at the bottom that you can remove after each use and wash or wipe clean to remove crumbs and other residue.

Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer review: Competition

Since the Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer also functions as a convection oven, it’s hard to compare it to a typical air fryer. This appliance is designed to be a jack-of-all-trades, whereas our best-rated air fryer, the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1, only has four functions (air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate). The Pro 4-in-1 performs these functions extremely well, but it can’t toast, bake, or make pizza like the French Door Premier can.

Another option to consider is the Cosori Turboblaze, which has bake and grill settings comparable to those of the Ninja French Door Premier. The Cosori also has a higher maximum temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit (the Ninja tops out at 400 degrees) and is smaller than the Ninja, which might make it a better fit (literally) if you have a small kitchen or limited counter space.

Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer review: Verdict

After testing the Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer in my kitchen for two weeks, I can highly recommend it — as long as you have the space. Its large size could be off-putting if you have a smaller kitchen.

But if you have the space to store it, it’s worth the money. It will certainly become a mainstay in my kitchen, if only for its ability to make perfect pizzas and fast weeknight meals.

Let’s get one thing straight: if you haven’t at least considered buying a Ninja appliance in the last five years, you’ve probably been living off grid. The company is synonymous with the rise of air fryers, at-home ice cream makers, and blenders. And honestly, when an Amazon sale comes around, it's the first brand I look for.

Nowadays, I don't think I could live without my Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone Air Fryer, which allows my wife and me to cook a full meal without turning the oven on. In fact, our oven broke three weeks ago — and we've opted to go without it during our kitchen renovation, because our Ninja does the job just as well, if not better.

At the moment, Amazon's Spring Deal Days is in full flow, and with that comes some excellent savings on some of Ninja's best products. I've scoured the sales event to find the best options from air fryers to knife sharpeners, and everything in between.

Why I think everyone needs a Ninja Air Fryer

When I first saw the hype about air fryers, I thought it was a fad that would quickly disappear. But after finally taking the plunge and surrendering my countertop, I have to admit defeat: you absolutely need a Ninja Air Fryer in your life. It fundamentally respects your time in a way few other appliances do. Going from frozen ingredients to a perfectly crispy dinner in under twenty minutes means I actually cook instead of mindlessly ordering takeout after a long day of staring at screens.

If you grab one of their dual-basket models, the "Smart Finish" feature is a legitimate game-changer. Roasting veggies in one drawer while air-frying chicken in the other, and having the machine sync them up to finish at the exact same second, takes away all the stress in the kitchen. It isn't just a passing TikTok trend; in fact, I'd go as far as to say that it’s easily the most impactful piece of tech in my house that doesn't have an Apple logo stamped on the back.

Ninja changed the air fryer game when it released the Crispi in 2025, but can the new Crispi Pro do the same? A larger, more permanent addition to your countertops, this modular glass cooking system can accommodate food for up to 10 people.

The new Crispi Pro also resolves one of my main gripes with the original Crispi and offers precise temperature controls instead of a range of preset cooking modes. This air fryer can cook from 80 to 450°F, which is pretty versatile, and the timer can run up to one hour.

After using the Crispi Pro to make everything from a roast chicken to frozen french fries, my only real gripe is the price tag. $279 is hard to justify, even for the very best air fryers.

If you're happy to pay, though, the Ninja Crispi Pro is a worthy addition to any kitchen countertop. I was impressed by its build quality, which felt sturdy and expensive, and its cooking performance is hard to fault. Here's what you need to know.

Ninja Crispi Pro review: Price and availability

The Ninja Crispi Pro is astoundingly expensive, and once you've invested, you'll pay handsomely to upgrade your cooking system further. At $279, you could buy two of my top-rated Ninja Pro air fryers, and have a little pocket money to spare.

What's more, you only get two cooking containers included with your Crispi Pro: the 2.5 quart and 6 quart containers. Want to try the 4-quart container? You'll need to spend an extra $50 at SharkNinja to get your hands on it.

It does look fantastic on a kitchen countertop, and I enjoy the range of colors to choose from. I tried it in the shade Cyberspace, but if I were buying it for my home, I'd definitely opt for Rose Quartz. Mark my words: one of these days, I'll get my hands on a pink air fryer.

Ninja Crispi: Design

Both glass containers included with the Crispi Pro have a removable nonstick plate insert and a lid that can be used to store leftovers or meal prep directly inside the containers.

They also come on plastic bases, which allow you to lift your hot cooking container and place it straight on your dining table for serving up family-style meals.

To cook with the different sized containers you'll need to move your stand up or down to accommodate. The middle setting is effectively defunct until you buy a 4-quart container, so you'll be using the top height for your 2.5-quart container and the base for your 6-quart container.

The settings are clearly marked on the display of the Crispi Pro: there's Air Fry, Max Crisp, ReCrisp, Roast, Bake/Proof and Dehydrate. That's two more than the original Crispi, which just had Max Crisp, Bake, Air Fry, and Recrisp.

You're also able to toggle the temperature and timer using a dial on the front of the display. It feels great to use, with a tactile clicking sensation as you twist it and a button finish to start and stop cooking.

I found that the Crispi Pro automatically paused cooking when I took out the cooking container, meaning you can stir or shake food mid-cook, just like you would with a regular air fryer.

Ninja Crispi review: Performance

Air frying frozen food

I can't remember the last time I cooked frozen food in the oven. That's my air fryer's job! When I tested the original Crispi, I found that it was a worthy competitor to most traditional air fryers, and the Crispi Pro is no different. It cooked some tasty gochujang chicken wings from frozen to juicy and sizzling in just 18 minutes, which was 7 minutes less time than the packaging instructions.

Halfway through cooking I added some frozen french fries in with my chicken wings, and they came out golden and crunchy — perhaps a little overcooked!

This is largely down to the fact I was cooking in the smaller 2.5-quart container, which meant my frozen food was very close to the heating element. Because of this, the pre-heat time needed was minimal, and the crisper plate allowed air to circulate both above and underneath the food, resulting in an even finish without having to flip my food.

Roasting chicken and potatoes

Ninja boasts that the Crispi Pro can cook an entire chicken, but considering I was just cooking dinner for two, I decided to test this theory with half a chicken sat atop some potato wedges.

I first cut some potatoes into thick wedges and tossed them in oil and seasoning before sitting my criper plate and my peri-peri half chicken on top. You'd struggle to fit a large chicken on a crisper plate, but if you removed it, there's no reason why you couldn't cook an entire bird in the Crispi Pro.

The results were impressive. Yes, the seasoning on top of the chicken skin browned a little faster than I'd have liked on the Roast setting, but it was sat very close to the heating element. I didn't flip the chicken midway like I usually would, but the finished meat was still very juicy and well-cooked, and after 40 minutes it was ready to serve.

What wasn't ready were my potato wedges. In the oven, these would typically take 45 minutes, but because they were sat under the crisper plate and removed from the heating element, they were almost-cooked and not very crisp after the chicken was removed. I removed them from the glass container and slotted them on top of the crisper plate, where it only took an extra 10 minutes to take them from pale and soft to brown and crispy.

Reheating mac and cheese

One of my favorite uses of the Ninja Crispi is to reheat or add a crispy top layer to sauce-based dishes. Because the crisper plate is removable, it means you can cook directly on the glass base, just like a typical baking dish. To test this in the Crispi Pro, I reheated some mac and cheese and topped it with panko and parmesan to give it a new lease of life.

I was surprised at just how much mac and cheese fit into the 2.5-quart container. It was easily enough to feed two as a main, or four as a side dish. Using the Max Crisp setting, I was left with a browned and bubbling pasta dish in just 8 minutes.

How does the Ninja Crispi Pro compare?

While they're both part of the same line, the Crispi and Crispi Pro are very different air fryers. You'll have to make the Crispi Pro a permanent feature on your kitchen counters, whereas the original Crispi is compact and ideal for storing in kitchen cupboards when not in use. For usability and versatility, I'd opt for the Pro over the original every time, but if you're short on space, the Crispi is a great choice.

At half the price of the Crispi Pro, you might enjoy the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 if you want a countertop fryer. It's not got the glass aesthetics or modular design, but it's a fantastic drawer-style air fryer that aced every test I put it through, and currently sits at the top of our best air fryer guide.

Should you buy the Ninja Crispi Pro?

If money were no object, I'd be giving the Crispi Pro five stars. But it's so hard to recommend a $279 air fryer that doesn't outperform the cheaper options I've tested. If all you want is a great air fryer and you don't mind about nonstick interiors or the lack of modular storage, you could save yourself a lot of money by picking up another one of Ninja's excellent fryers.

That's not to say that the Crispi Pro is bad, because it's not. This is a fantastic air fryer — it did a brilliant job of cooking my chicken evenly, left me with a bubbling, crisp mac and cheese and would also be a fantastic option if you love to meal prep. I also love how it looks, and can't fault the user experience. If you can stomach the price tag, you'll enjoy everything else about the Crispi Pro.

More from Tom's Guide

• How to use the Ninja Foodi Max Dual air fryer
• Air fryer dos and don'ts — 7 safety tips I recommend for everyday use
• How to clean your air fryer's heating element

Im a big air fryer fan. In fact, since they've become a signature kitchen appliance, I've tested more than 15 models of air fryers. Single, dual-zone, tri-zone, an air fryer that doubles as a slow cooker — you name it, I've cooked in it. So, it came as a rather big surprise when I recently learned something you're not supposed to do with an air fryer, which I've been doing for years. And stupidly, I hadn't even realized this was one of the most common air fryer mistakes.

Yes, the rumors are true: just like your non-stick fry pan, you're not supposed to use metal utensils in an air fryer. This is because of those easy-to-clean grates, which sit in your air fryer baskets — they're dipped in a special non-stick coating that is easily scratched when it comes in touch with anything sharp. And once scratched, it could release those 'forever chemicals' into your food.

Here's what else we know about the dangers of using metal utensils in an air fryer — plus air fryer accessories you can buy so that your metal utensils can still be used. And if you're concerned about the non-stick coating of the grates in general, we've even got a non-toxic air fryer recommendation.

Metal utensils in an air fryer — is it really that bad?

The short answer is no, so long as you're careful about scratching. The long answer is that you really need to be aware that if you do end up scratching this coating, you'll need to buy a replacement grate — and if this isn't available, a whole new air fryer.

So, it's not really worth the risk, in my opinion. There are things you can buy to use in your air fryer so that you can still (cautiously) use metal utensils, if you're not willing to let go of your metal spatula yet.

As frustrating as it is that these grates (and in some cases, the baskets, too, it all depends on the air fryer) are coated with non-stick, this is one of the reasons your air fryer is so easy to keep clean.

What to use instead?

Metal utensils aren't a complete no-go — you can, of course, use metal tongs to take food out of your air fryer, so long as they're not touching the baskets or grates, only the food.

Otherwise, wooden and silicone utensils are always a great option. You could also invest in some air fryer basket liners like this $9 2-pack on Amazon (these are usually made from silicone), which can be used with metal utensils as there's no scratch risk.

If you're not a big fan of using a lot of plastic in the kitchen (arguably, me too!), then a great alternative is these paper air fryer liners, $23 at Amazon. They are disposable, so you get 100 in a pack. They also hold oil and liquids, and are available in several sizes to suit the shape of your air fryer baskets.

Can I buy an air fryer without a non-stick coating on its baskets?

These are commonly known as non-toxic air fryers, and they are rapidly becoming popular — it's easy to understand why.

The tried and tested Ninja CRISPi is a great glass alternative, which benefits from zero coating but is still easy to clean. It doesn't offer separate drawers, however, and doesn't quite pack the power that your usual air fryer does. One of the biggest pros about this air fryer's design has to be that its glass cooking bowl can also be used as a container, as it comes with lids. It's totally detachable from the main unit, making the main unit easy to store away.

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• How to clean your air fryer's heating element
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I'm an air fryer fanatic and a microwave skeptic. However, when I took IKEA's new 3-in-1 microwave, which works as an oven, air fryer and grill, for a spin in my kitchen, I was admittedly impressed.

Not only is IKEA's new GÅTEBO microwave only $199, it also comes with everything you need to grill and even air fry, including a basket and grate that slots neatly inside the appliance for any possible use.

But while the GÅTEBO can air fry, can it beat an actual air fryer? And if you're short on space, which is the appliance you should choose for your kitchen? I put the IKEA GÅTEBO microwave head-to-head with one of the best air fryers, and here's what happened.

Challenge 1: French fries

When testing an air fryer, one of the first things I do is to cook frozen french fries. In an air fryer this only takes a few minutes, and will usually leave me with a super crisp exterior and soft, fluffy inside. Best of all, I can tip them straight out from the basket and onto a plate.

By contrast, I needed to pour my frozen fries onto the raised air frying basket included with the GÅTEBO, and then pre-heat (which took about five minutes) before adding it in. You can choose your temperature up to 240°C / 460°F, which is actually hotter than the maximum temperature in my air fryer, which is 210°C / 410°F.

I followed the air fryer instructions on the bag of fries, cooking them at 190°C / 370°F for 12 minutes. According to the GÅTEBO instruction manual, you should expect french fries to take 21 minutes on the maximum temperature, which is almost twice as long as they'd take in an air fryer.

Sure enough, the fries did need the full 21 minutes to come out hot and sizzling, and even when they were ready, they weren't nearly as crisped or browned as those I cooked in my Dreo ChefMaker in half the time.

With that being said, they did taste nice. My partner said they reminded him of McDonald's fries — hot and greasy, but not very crispy. I personally preferred the fries that I made in the air fryer, but the GÅTEBO put up a good fight.

Challenge 2: Grilling chicken skewers

My air fryer has a grill setting, and so does the GÅTEBO microwave oven. So to test these additional features, I put a chicken skewer in each.

One commenter in my initial story on the GÅTEBO pointed out that they could see the microwave getting messy if you use it as an air fryer, so the bright red spicy marinade on my skewers seemed the perfect test on how high-maintenance this cooking method could be. With my air fryer, the grate and basket can go straight in the dishwasher, making cleanup a breeze.

Again, the GÅTEBO took much longer to cook my chicken than the air fryer, and I was left with a less browned, less crispy result. It still tasted perfectly nice — very juicy and full of flavor, but it took twice as long as the air fryer to cook through.

As for the mess? Honestly, it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. Some juice had dripped onto the glass plate below, but this was easily wiped clean and didn't require any scrubbing to remove.

Can the GÅTEBO replace your air fryer?

I use my air fryer most days, so there's no way I'd replace it with this 3-in-1 appliance. But as I said at the very beginning, I'm not a huge fan of microwaves, and I don't typically keep one in my house. I'd much rather heat up soup on the stove, and I'm not a fan of microwave meals. So if you're anything like me and you use an air fryer more than you'd use a microwave, I'd stick to your trusty Ninja.

For those who love microwaves but are intrigued by the idea of having a multi-functional upgrade, I do think the GÅTEBO is a great option. While it's slower, it does air fry, and I was happy with the way it cooked both my chicken and my french fries. They weren't crisped up or significantly browned, but they tasted nice and weren't too messy to clean up after.

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• I just upgraded my home with these 5 IKEA items
• You don’t need an appliance garage — I’ve been using this $29 IKEA classic for years, and it keeps my gadgets neatly stowed away

My air fryer often makes its way around my kitchen, as I'm always rearranging the layout of my countertops. Truthfully, although it's handy, this slightly obtrusive appliance slightly ruins my aesthetic. It's big, bulky, and in comparison to my white and sage green kitchen, it sticks out like a sore thumb. But the placement of your much-loved air fryer is often overlooked as a mere suggestion in the manual, but really, it's the difference between your air fryer overheating and setting on fire in your kitchen, and not.

After placing my dual-zone stacked air fryer in my pantry for a few weeks, I quickly realized how dangerous this was. It was getting hot in there! It's such a tight space, with three large shelves and a small countertop area on offer. This countertop area also plays home to my microwave and milk frother. So, eventually, I came to peace with the fact that my air fryer had to be on display, for safety reasons.

Now, after reading the manual (and actually abiding by the recommendations), my air fryer is on show on my countertop, but I've got peace of mind that it's is a lot safer. Even when I throw frozen fodder in the drawers and walk out of the room for 20 minutes, I'm assured it's as safe as it can be. It's recommended, really, that you leave around 10cm of clearance space on either side of the air fryer — that's back and sides. Yes, you should never be pushing it right up against your backsplash.

Wasn't aware of this? Me too, for some time. But you'd rather be safe than sorry! Right, off you go to move that air fryer of yours.

Keep your kitchen safe

There are so many air fryer dos and don'ts, but the number one safety hazard has to be wrong air fryer placement. Other than keeping it somewhere that's easy to reach, especially if, like me, you use it a lot, you also have to allow for ventilation. It's recommended that you leave at least 10cm of space on the back and sides of the air fryer to allow the air vent to breathe. This air vent pushes out a lot of hot air, so if it's pressed against something, like a wall, tiles, or even another appliance, this could cause a fire.

Once the air vent has overheated, there's a chance this appliance could catch on fire. And we all know how fast that spreads. I've heard of many a case of an air fryer being the cause of an entire house fire.

So, when it comes to rearranging your countertops, you need to consider two things: where your closest (and free) socket is, and how you'll ensure that your air fryer has 10cm of free space around it. You can, obviously, push it into a corner, and when you're using it, pull it away from the wall. Just always ensure that when it's plugged in, it's away from the wall.

More air fryer safety must-knows

• Always unplug your air fryer when it's not in use
• Never add too much oil
• Don't use its top for storage purposes
• Clean it after each use
• Always use the correct air fryer accessories

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• How to use your new air fryer — 7 essential tips for beginners
• Air fryer dos and don'ts — 7 safety tips for everyday use
• Do you really need to preheat an air fryer? We asked 3 experts

Whether or not you're concerned about so-called "forever chemicals", the conversation around non-stick coatings is only growing. And with it comes an increasing market of buyers who want the option of buying a toxin-free air fryer.

Well, with demand comes supply, and Cosori is stepping up to the plate with its new Iconic air fryer. Cosori makes some of the best air fryers we've tested, but the Iconic model is special. It ditches the conventional plastic coating for a stainless steel exterior, and its nonstick insert uses ceramic coating over the more conventional PFAS lining. The Cosori Iconic air fryer is $249, making it Cosori's most expensive air fryer to date. Here's what's new.

What's new?

I think this stainless steel air fryer is going to be very popular, both because of its PFAS-free credentials and its chic exterior.

Of course, with stainless steel finishes, you do have to deal with the easily smudged exterior, and you're also missing out on the added benefit of a transparent viewing window, but I think this finish looks classy and would slot right alongside a Breville coffee maker or brushed stainless steel refrigerator.

Under the hood, there are six cooking functions on offer: Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Dry, Proof and Reheat. The Iconic's max temperature of 450°F is higher than alternatives from Ninja and Philips, and the glass-topped design means you'll still benefit from touch controls.

Switching to ceramic coating

Ceramic coating is a popular choice for those who want to ditch Teflon-style nonstick coating but still wish to benefit from easy cleaning. I've used ceramic-coated frying pans before, and while they don't quite match up to Teflon, they're still a durable choice without the potential risks.

Speaking of, what are the risks? Personally, I'm reluctant to ditch my air fryer purely because it's got nonstick lining. But in our article 'Is your air fryer really toxic?', we asked James LeBaigue, MSc, Head of Nutrition at Hurry The Food Up, if this was cause for concern.

“Historically, worries about toxicity seem to stem from Teflon, which was known to release harmful chemicals when overheated," he told us. "However, manufacturing techniques and legislation have improved significantly since then.”

LeBaigue went on to explain that “modern air fryers, especially those from reputable brands, use safer materials like ceramic nonstick coatings, which should not be a concern if you purchase a good-quality model.”

In addition to worries about nonstick coatings, plastic within the appliance seems to be another component causing people to worry. However, LeBaigue isn’t too concerned, stating, “plastic in air fryers is typically limited to the exterior, with food-contact parts made from safer materials like metal or ceramic-coated baskets.”

"If you choose a well-made air fryer, the risk of exposure is minimal.”

What other air fryers are PFAS free?

Released last year, Ninja's Crispi Pro air fryer also seems to be a bid for the PFAS-free air fryer market with its glass construction. It's still being reviewed by the team here at Tom's Guide, but its smaller counterpart, the Ninja Crispi, won a 4.5-star rating when I tested it last year.

Another good option is Our Place's Wonder Oven, which is compact and aesthetically pleasing to use and display in your home. With a toaster oven-style design, it's a good option if you want to opt for a stainless steel interior, too.

We'll be reviewing Cosori's new air fryer shortly. Would you consider switching?

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• You can remove stubborn air fryer grease with just a dishwasher pod — here's how
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When I first started reviewing air fryers, many were questioning whether they were just a fad appliance. But now, even my grandparents have an air fryer in their kitchen, and they use it every day.

But even though many of us have fully converted to the air fryer life, occasionally, I see strange guidance online that only serves to make air fryers more confusing, and for new users, more intimidating.

The truth is, air fryers are just tiny ovens, so anything you'd cook in your oven can go in the air fryer — so long as it fits, that is.

I recently came across an article claiming that you shouldn't roast chickens in your air fryer. And as someone who does it weekly, I think that's nonsense. Here's why it's perfectly safe to cook chicken in the air fryer, and how to make it juicy and evenly-cooked every time.

Is it safe to roast a chicken in the air fryer?

In its article, The Mirror quotes Better Homes & Gardens, which says, "The air fryer won't evenly cook the meat, and you may be left with overcooked or raw portions when it looks like it's done."

While it's true that you may need to make adjustments for a good cook, in my experience as an air fryer expert, it's perfectly safe to roast a chicken in your air fryer.

If your chicken fits — and by that I mean, if it slots into the basket with clearance between the top of the chicken and the heating element — you shouldn't have any trouble roasting a chicken.

The reason it needs that clearance is twofold. Firstly, if it comes too close to the element, it'll likely burn the top of the chicken, which will result in the bird cooking unevenly.

Secondly, even if it doesn't touch the element, fat can spit up from the chicken skin and burn onto the element, which (from experience) is a complete nightmare to clean!

However, while you should adjust your settings accordingly, it's perfectly safe to cook a chicken in the air fryer. In fact, in my experience, you'll often be left with a better result.

How to roast a chicken in the air fryer

When roasting a chicken in the air fryer, there are three things I always do to make sure it cooks evenly.

1. Adjust your temperature settings

As a general rule, I recommend a little lower and slower than you would in an oven. Air fryers are incredibly effective at crisping up food because they have a smaller cooking area than an oven, and use a fan to circulate hot air around your food. In practice, this can often mean you need to use a lower heat to ensure your food doesn't burn when cooking larger meals.

For a roast chicken, don't default to the highest heat, as you might do with french fries or chicken nuggets. I recommend starting at 350-375°F / 180°C. The time required will depend on the size of the bird.

2. Use a meat thermometer

While your chicken may appear cooked earlier when roasted in the air fryer, the key indicator that it's ready to eat is that it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before resting.

I use a meat thermometer when roasting my chicken to ensure it's always juicy and never overcooked.

Ideally, it's best to opt for a smart meat thermometer that can both go inside the air fryer itself and connect remotely to your phone to alert you when your desired temperature is reached. We've got a number of options in our guide to the best meat thermometers. In fact, roasting a chicken is one of the tests we use when reviewing!

3. Flip it halfway

If you're not careful, it's easy to dry out a large cut of meat when air frying it. This isn't inevitable; it's just a result of that heat circulation I mentioned earlier.

I recommend giving the chicken at around the 30-minute mark, which will mean it not only cooks more evenly but also becomes less dry. This is because the juices that run from the chicken will flow downwards, ensuring the down-facing side of the bird remains juicy.

Bonus tip: One of the best parts of air frying a chicken is that the base of the basket collects those delicious juices that can drip away when cooking. Don't waste those! I either pour them over my veggies for a boost of flavor or add them to a chicken stock, which I make with the bones of my roast chicken.

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Whether you’re trying to limit your fat intake or simply not a fan of greasy fried food, the Chefman Crispinator delivers on that promise. Whether you want to recreate your favorite fried chicken recipe or jazz up your vegetables, this air fryer has your back.

With its large 8-quart fryer basket, the Chefman Crispinator is ideal for a small to medium-sized family. Bear in mind, it’s not the smallest air fryer, so make sure you have room for it on your countertop or in your cabinets.

I tested the Chefman Crispinator for two weeks, and I can confidently say it’s one of the best air fryers I’ve used. It was the perfect size for my family of four, who especially liked how it crisped up frozen fries to perfection. Here’s how the Crispinator performed when I put it to the test

Chefman Crispinator review: Price and availability

The Chefman Crispinator is sold on Amazon for $149.99. It’s also available at major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. The Crispinator is not currently available in the UK.

It comes in two color options — Midnight and Concrete — and I tested the Midnight version. The black color matched perfectly with the other appliances in my kitchen.

Chefman Crispinator: Design

The Chefman Crispinator arrived neatly packed into a box, using cardboard rather than styrofoam to keep everything in place. The box contained the main unit, an 8-quart capacity basket, and a non-stick basket rack. Setting it up was as easy as placing the rack in the basket and sliding the basket into the air fryer.

The Crispinator has a sleek look, with primarily digital controls that prevent the display from appearing cluttered. There’s a time and temperature adjustment knob on top, and the start/stop button is right in the middle of that knob. There are two selector buttons to the left of the adjustment dial: one for selecting cook mode, and one for toggling between cook time and temperature.

The air fryer has six cooking functions: air fry, broil, bake, reheat, keep warm, and dehydrate. Each function has a default time, temperature range, and fan speed, though you can adjust these as desired. Plus, the air fry function includes a shake alert halfway through cooking to ensure your food browns on all sides. And two functions — broil and reheat — have a flip alert.

The Crispinator also came with an instruction booklet, which explains each function and offers cooking tips. But my favorite part of the booklet was the QR code that led to a digital cookbook. Whether you’re an air-frying pro or a newbie, you’ll find a recipe to suit your tastes. Some of my favorites included French toast sticks, stuffed mushrooms, blackened salmon, and mini hasselback potatoes.

Chefman Crispinator review: Performance

I put the Chefman Crispinator to work by planning most of my weekly meals around different cooking functions. In all, I tested the air fry, broil, reheat, and dehydrate settings.

French Fries

My first test was with a bag of frozen French fries. I usually have a bag in the freezer for a quick side that my kids will actually eat, but heating up my oven and cooking the fries can take time.

I tossed half the bag into the air fryer basket, taking care to space them out as much as I could. Then I selected the air fry setting, which defaults to 15 minutes at 400 degrees. The Crispinator instruction booklet includes a handy guide to cooking times and temperatures for different foods, so I set the temperature to 425 degrees and left the cooking time at 15 minutes, as recommended.

I kept an eye on the fries through the basket window as they cooked and noticed they looked nicely done after 13 minutes. At this time, the fries were evenly browned and nicely crisp, so I decided to pull them out early to avoid overcooking. We ate them with cheeseburgers and enjoyed them sprinkled with salt at the perfect level of crispiness.

Salmon and Tofu

Since I don’t really eat chicken or red meat, I opted to try the blackened salmon recipe from the Crispinator recipe book. The recipe looked simple enough, though one instruction stumped me. The recipe said to use the “roast” setting, of which there is none. I considered two options — air fry and roast — and ultimately decided air fry was probably the best choice, since salmon was listed as an air-fry-compatible food in the Crispinator instruction booklet.

Per the recipe, I patted the fillets dry, seasoned them, and placed them in the fryer basket. I air-fried them at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, then let the salmon rest for an additional five minutes. The fish was perfectly cooked and tasted delicious — much tastier than when I make salmon in the oven.

I eat a lot of tofu and often bake it in my oven, so I decided to use the Crispinator instead. I pressed and cubed the tofu, then tossed it with a small amount of olive oil, cumin, salt, paprika, and cornstarch before placing it in the air fryer basket.

I set the timer for 15 minutes and shook the basket halfway through, as directed. The tofu came out crispy and delicious, though it was a little dry. Cutting the cooking time down to 10 minutes should remedy that the next time I air fry tofu.

Vegetables

My family hates Brussels sprouts, so I rarely make them. But what better vegetable to test in the air fryer? My favorite way to prepare Brussels sprouts is to remove the stems, pick off any loose leaves, and drizzle olive oil over them. Then I sprinkle salt on top and pop them in the oven. So, I was interested to see how they would turn out in the Crispinator.

First, I placed the sprouts in a bowl and tossed them with olive oil and salt. Then, I placed them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. I chose the “air fry” setting and changed the temperature to 375 degrees, leaving the timing at 15 minutes. After shaking the sprouts halfway through, I noticed they were looking brown and crisp, so I ended the cycle early after about 12 minutes to prevent overcooking.

The Brussels sprouts were delightfully crispy on the outside and thoroughly cooked through. I’m not ashamed to say I ate half of them immediately as a snack. The entire process was quick and easy — I think the air fryer will be my new go-to for roasting vegetables.

Dehydrated Fruit

The Crispinator has a “dehydrate” setting, which intrigued me. Chefman has a recipe for sea salt and cracked pepper beef jerky, but I’m not much of a meat-eater. So, I decided to dehydrate some fruit instead!

I chose to dehydrate an apple. I cored it, then thinly sliced it and placed the slices in the basket before sliding the basket into the air fryer unit. The “dehydrate” setting defaults to six hours and uses the lowest fan speed, so I made sure I didn’t need to use my air fryer for anything else while the apples dried.

Ultimately, I removed the apples from the machine after about five hours, and they were perfectly chewy with just a hint of juice and a whole load of flavor. But I don’t see myself using this function much — the fruit has to be spread out during drying, which limits how much you can put in the basket.

Noise

It's worth noting that the air fryer’s noise level depends on which cooking function you choose. In general, the higher the fan speed, the louder the air fryer. Here’s what I measured using a decibel meter app on my phone:

• Air fry: 60 dB
• Broil: 51 dB
• Bake: 47 dB
• Reheat: 56 dB
• Keep warm: 51 dB
• Dehydrate: 44 dB

The loudest, 60 dB, is comparable to normal conversation, which is definitely manageable. However, I have an open-plan living area, so the air fryer noise was a little distracting while I was working or watching TV.

Chefman Crispinator review: Ease of use

The Chefman Crispinator is simple to operate, thanks to its intuitive design and easy-to-understand instruction booklet. Selecting a cooking mode is as easy as twisting a dial and pressing start. Adjusting the temperature and cook time is simple, as well. As a relative newbie to air fryer cooking, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy the Crispinator was to use.

After each use, Chefman recommends removing the basket, pulling out the rack, and washing both with warm, soapy water before rinsing and drying thoroughly. Both the basket and the rack are dishwasher-safe if you prefer hands-off cleaning. Chefman warns against using glass cleaner on the basket window; a thorough wash or trip through the dishwasher is all it needs.

Once the basket and rack are clean and dry, simply replace them in the air fryer and store the machine for next time.

How does the Chefman Crispinator compare?

As a mid-range air fryer, the Chefman Crispinator has plenty of competition, including the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 and the Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer.

The Ninja Pro 4-in-1 is slightly cheaper than the Chefman Crispinator, making it a solid choice if you’re on a tighter budget. However, the Ninja’s four cooking modes don’t quite match the Crispinator’s six. It also has a smaller basket, which might make it better suited for a two-person household, while the Crispinator is big enough for a family of four.

Meanwhile, the Philips 3000 Series has a higher list price than the Crispinator. However, that price can be justified by the fact that the Philips air fryer has two separate drawers rather than a single large one, so you can heat up smaller items faster or use both baskets for bigger meals. The Philips also has more cooking functions than the Crispinator, though it focuses more on food type rather than cooking mode.

Should you buy the Chefman Crispinator?

After testing the Chefman Crispinator for two weeks, I can safely recommend it as an excellent mid-range pick. While it’s not as cheap as some options, its performance justifies its $150 price tag. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the food I cooked turned out — especially the salmon — and it saved me a lot of time and effort when preparing dinner for my family and me.

I also liked that I could monitor the cooking progress through the clear window in the fryer basket, which let me remove food before it became too well done. Overall, I think the Crispinator will become a daily staple in my kitchen.

More from Tom's Guide

• How to use the Ninja Foodi Max Dual air fryer
• Air fryer dos and don'ts — 7 safety tips I recommend for everyday use
• How to clean your air fryer's heating element

When you test as many air fryers as I do, you'll get sick of the freezer food diet pretty quickly. I use french fries and chicken strips as part of my standard reviewing routine for ranking all the best air fryers, but in reality, my diet is (thankfully) a lot more varied.

I've made everything from poached eggs (bad) to cookies (surprisingly good) in my air fryer, and if you're only using it to crisp up frozen treats, you're making a big mistake. Air fryers are, essentially, tiny ovens, which means that they're just as versatile. If you'd cook it in the oven, you can cook it in the air fryer. Plus, because it heats fast and often comes with a removable basket, you can also use it in the place of a frying pan or even a baking tray.

Here are five things you should try cooking in your air fryer to make it even more of a daily driver. And yes, I've air-fried all of these foods myself!

1. Steak

You heard me: you can get a really great sear on a thick cut of steak when you flash (air) fry it. I was nervous to try this for myself. After all, steak is expensive, and if cooked wrong it can turn grey and rubbery. I like mine medium-rare with a blistered crust, which requires ramping up the temperature.

But, if you use a good air fryer, you can get a good result on an expensive cut of meat like a steak. My secret is to leave the steak in the fridge overnight, coated in a layer of fine salt to age the outside and encourage a crust when it hits the fryer. The other big trick is to always pre-heat your air fryer before adding the steak.

I cooked mine in the Dreo ChefMaker, which is an astoundingly good fryer that comes with its own temperature probe and will even cook your meat to your desired doneness. So in theory, it should be impossible to overcook it.

2. Pastries

I actually did this on Christmas day. Pastries come out so crisp and perfectly browned when you cook them in the air fryer. And even if you buy them pre-made, giving them a couple of minutes on a low heat to warm through makes them an even tastier treat when you're serving them up to a crowd.

I've done everything from frozen pain au chocolat to cinnamon rolls from a can in my air fryer, and they always come out crisp and even. It's because the air in the fryer circulates, cooking your food from underneath and not just above, like a typical oven.

This cooking style means your food will never come out burnt on top but soggy on the bottom, and you won't have any raw dough to contend with when you get to the center of your cinnamon swirl. Just heed my advice and cook a little lower than the recommended temperature: air fryers are so effective, they can often brown sugary foods before they're fully cooked, which makes them look burnt.

3. Vegetables

In my household, boiling vegetables was the norm until we picked up an air fryer. Now, the majority of our greens are cooked with a drizzle of oil and a pinch of salt. Adding some texture and brownness to your vegetables is a really great way to add some diversity to what may otherwise be a very beige plate.

I love to toss carrots in some honey and mustard and roast them off for a delicious caramelized finish. And if you're cooking brussels sprouts, halving them and tossing in parmesan before finishing in the air fryer is the perfect way to get that salty crunch that will keep everyone coming back for seconds.

4. Soup

Before I blend them, obviously.

I love to make tomato soup, especially this time of year. But the problem with soups is that they can often require a lot of nursing. That's why I now cook all my ingredients in the air fryer, baking in loads of tasty caramelized flavor and collecting all the drippings at the base of the basket to go straight back in the finished meal.

I recommend doing this slow and low, shaking occasionally to ensure your garlic, onion, tomatoes and red peppers are soft and evenly browned. Then, just throw your ingredients in the blender with some stock for the easiest soup ever.

5. Grilled sandwiches

Save a frying pan and use the air fryer instead! Bonus trick: make your tomato soup, then make a grilled cheese to dip in it.

Making a grilled sandwich in the air fryer really couldn't be easier. Just assemble it and pop it in, remembering to flip halfway through. The fryer will warm your ingredients through, leading to a gooey cheese pull, but because it's not in a pan you won't need nearly as much oil to get that crispy exterior.

Is there anything weird you think I should try cooking in my air fryer next?

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Air fryers have become kitchen essentials, promising crispy food without the oil and hassle of deep frying. When I bought my first air fryer, I thought it would be straightforward — plug it in, throw food in the basket, and enjoy perfectly crispy results every time. Turns out, there's a lot more to air frying than the marketing materials let on.

From dealing with stubborn grease buildup to discovering that silicone accessories can trigger your smoke alarm, I learned several lessons the hard way. Some of these discoveries improved my cooking, while others just saved me from ruining dinner or setting off alarms at midnight.

If you're considering one of the best air fryers, here are seven things I wish someone had told me before I started cooking.

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Air fryers have soared in popularity in recent years. If you'd have asked me in 2022 if I wanted to cook something in the air fryer, I would've looked at you like you were speaking a different language – and now, they're a kitchen staple in most homes.

The best air fryers are super convenient, capable of making naughty food a little bit healthier, and take up far less room, which are just three enticing factors that have put these compact appliances firmly on the map.

But, as many of us have started to use our ovens less, a new survey from Wickes suggests we might even end up getting rid of them entirely. Well, that's at least Gen Z's vision of the future.

"By 2075, the kitchen won't just be where we cook – it will be the smartest room in the house," says Dan Ferrari, Head of Kitchens at Wickes.

"Hidden appliances, self-cleaning surfaces and AI chefs will take care of the hard work, while modular layouts and mood-responsive lighting will adapt in seconds to whatever the day brings."

As a certified millennial, I can't imagine a kitchen without an oven. But, then again, I quite like the sound of an AI chef. Alexa, whip me up a tasty supper.

Did air fryers kill the oven?

Wickes' survey put a big question to its cohort: "What will a kitchen look like in 50 years?" And of 2,011 UK adults, 1,010 of whom are aged 18-27, it seems that kitchens of 2075 will no longer use kettles, toasters and even ovens.

"For Gen Z, the kitchen of the future is effortless, sustainable and always ready for its close-up," says Ferrari.

Gen Z's answer for its ideal kitchen is instead focused on sustainability, health and digital living – with a particular shift away from bulky, wired appliances.

In fact, 23% of Gen Z predicted these bulky appliances will no longer exist at all, instead replaced by future tech like AI cooking hubs, integrated hydroponic walls and zero-waste systems.

All this points to a big reason why air fryers have become so popular and why they're such an appealing option, especially for Gen Z chefs. Essentially, they're smaller, cheaper and faster ovens, but is this the end of the oven?

John Davies, Head of Marketing at Smeg, suggests that it doesn't have to be quite so linear and that ovens are "evolving to meet their [younger generations] needs."

He adds: "While an air fryer is convenient and easy to use for those getting started on their cooking journey, today's ovens are increasingly multi-functional – so it's less about choosing one or the other and more about finding an oven that can do it all."

So, maybe it's less about putting ovens on the 'endangered list' and more about finding ways to make ovens act a little more like air fryers. After all, our Homes editor, Millie, swears by her smart oven with an air fryer setting.

What else does Gen Z have in store?

With ovens, microwaves and kettles on the Gen Z hit list, it's hard to imagine what you'd use instead. Air fryers are an obvious choice, but when it comes to 2075, the survey results envision much more – and there's a clear focus on futuristic tech.

Yes, in 2025, we already have fridges with AI and WiFi-enabled pressure cookers (like the Instant Pot Plus), but this vision leaps far beyond this.

In Wickes' study, Gen Z predict holographic AI chefs, hydroponic gardens that grow your herbs and greens in a soil-free system, a waste-to-energy chute system, hidden multi-use appliances in an in-built 'garage', mood-responsive lighting, and even a content creation zone for filming recipes and hosting live streams.

Now, I can certainly get on board with an AI chef holding my hand through a recipe or a zero-waste solution turning my leftovers into house-powering energy, but you've lost me at social media setups and lighting that'll match my cooking mood.

I don't doubt the kitchens of 2075 will look a little different, though. As Professor Deborah Sugg Ryan, design historian and author, puts it: "The kitchen has always been a mirror of the times – from the post-war prefab kitchen to today's open-plan living spaces.

"By 2075, the kitchen will be a multifunctional hub that reflects Gen Z's values: sustainability, wellness and digital connectivity. Expect seamless integration of AI, eco-innovation, and spaces designed as much for broadcasting as for cooking."

As long as I can still cook my dinner in it in 50 years, without requiring lessons from my grandchildren, sign me up.

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Ninja's new air fryer toaster oven features a brand-new design: French doors. Brands such as Gourmia and Midea have sold French door air fryers for years, but according to Ninja, its new French Door Premier Air Fryer, $279 at SharkNinja, is the largest on the market. And it sounds like it could replace my entire oven.

Ninja's new French Door Premier can pre-heat in just 90-seconds, which is significantly speedier than many of the best air fryers on the market. It also claims to deliver up to 60% faster results than conventional ovens, and its internal coating is made without PFAS.

Another major claim is that this toaster oven has a larger air frying capacity than any french door model on the market. Its 5-quart air fry basket can fit up to 5 pounds of french fries, which is ideal for game days and easy entertaining.

Here's what's new

French door air fryers have been around for a little while, but this is the first version that Ninja has released. The term 'French door' refers to its design, which (like a French door refrigerator) has two vertical doors which open to the side, as opposed to a traditional toaster oven, which has a door that pulls towards you and down.

The outward-opening doors are attractive, but also create more space inside your oven. And according to Ninja, its new French Door Premier Air Fryer has the largest air frying capacity of any french door toaster oven on the market.

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I test a lot of the best air fryers, and I like to think I have a close connection with the distinguished kitchen appliance. I know what to look for when I'm reviewing them: even cooking, straightforward cleaning, fast heating time, and reliability.

But even if an air fryer ticks all those boxes, there's still one major factor that is, arguably, the most important of all. Price.

If an air fryer performs all its cooking roles admirably, then it should be at least a 4-star product, right? Wrong. Value is one of the most important parts of product evaluation, and if something isn't good value, then I struggle to recommend it. The Kismile Roasti is one of those.

What is the Ninja Crispi?

The Ninja Crispi is a glass air fryer. It's the first of its kind: a completely transparent air frying bowl. Yes, you can watch every crevice of your chicken or fries or tater tots crisp up in real time.

As someone who's very guilty of sitting in front of the oven while watching baked goods rise (yes, I'm lame), this is like hitting the motherlode. You're telling me I can park up and watch my food cook like a hawk watches a mouse? Yes, please.

We gave the Ninja Crispi 4.5 stars in our review. Our Homes Editor Millie reviewed the product and wrote, "This gadget re-invents the traditional air fryers I've tested in the past, but can rival them all in terms of cooking quality and ease of use."

Millie even made a pasta bake in the Ninja Crispi. I've made pasta bakes and brownies in my Philips 2000 Series air fryer, but Millie made a pasta bake in the Ninja Crispi. As in, in the air fryer basket. No separate baking dish required.

This feature is so unique, and definitely one of the main reasons why I was desperate to test out the Kismile Roasti. When I first found about about it, I couldn't wait to get testing the Roasti. I had really, really high hopes.

As the Ninja Crispi is quite expensive — $179, eek — I was excited to get my hands on a more affordable alternative.

Unfortunately, the Kismile Roasti is not a more affordable alternative.

The Roasti is a pricing blunder

I suppose one could argue that the Kismile Roasti isn't a Ninja Crispi dupe — it's its own product, capable of being discussed without the big-name version rearing its ugly head.

In my opinion, however, that would be wrong. The Roasti is the Crispi. The two products are intimately bound, now and forever. Everything from the design, to the functions, to the controls, to the name is the same. Come on — Crispi/Roasti. It's the same product.

I feel like that Office meme with Pam saying "They're the same picture."

The picture above is the Roasti, not the Crispi, by the way. As I said — identical.

Now what you're all here for: the Roasti's fatal flaw. I spoke about this briefly above, but I'll go into detail now.

The Ninja Crispi is available for $179 on Amazon. The Kismile Roasti is available for $179 on Amazon.

No, that's not a typo. Both of these products have the same MSRP. I don't know about you, but to me, that's just baffling.

If I'm spending almost $200 on an air fryer — which is expensive already, by the way, my air fryer is $99 and works just as well if not better than the Crispi — then I'm going to put my faith in the bigger-name brand.

I don't think I'm alone in this, either. If there are two near-identical products at the exact same price, what would you do? Would you buy the big-name brand, safe in the knowledge that this brand has an established reputation for quality, or would you take the risk with the smaller-name product?

I would always go for the Ninja. Not because it performs better, but because Ninja has established itself as a high-quality manufacturer. Why would I risk it with something no one has ever heard of? In this economy, I simply don't have money to burn.

If Kismile had priced the the Roasti a bit lower — a max of $149, for example — then I would be more inclined to praise it. I would confidently say it's a cheaper version of the Crispi, perfect if you're on a tighter budget.

But, alas, that is not the case, and I cannot wholeheartedly recommend it as a fantastic Crispi dupe.

The Crispi is a better air fryer than the Roasti, so, as a result, I'd still recommend the big dog here.

Help! What do I do?

If you really want a glass air fryer, I think you have to go for the Ninja Crispi. Seeing as it's the same MSRP as the Kismile Roasti, it's a no brainer.

Even though it's discounted to $159 right now, the Ninja Crispi still doesn't come cheap. Those who know me in real life know that I'm really stingy, so I want to spend as little money as possible.

Unless you're dead set on getting a glass air fryer, I would always recommend the best-value product. In that case, my best-value air fryer is the near-perfect Philips 2000 Series, which is the air fryer I use at home. And the best part? It's got a window, so you can still sit and watch your food cook.

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It’s no secret that the Kismile Roasti is a Ninja Crispi dupe, even down to the “i” at the end of its name. The Roasti has the same portable glass container and air fryer lid. But, strangely enough, the two battling air fryers are exactly the same price. This is a little bizarre, as I’d assume most customers would opt for the big-name Crispi over the more niche Roasti, but let’s see how well the Roasti performs. Could it be one of the best air fryers?

Yes and no. The Roasti cooks most types of food evenly, preheats quickly, and is easy to clean. However, it doesn’t fare well with things prone to soggy bottoms like pastries, and if you’re cooking for more than a few people, you might be sorely disappointed. I would only recommend the Roasti for small households — people who live alone, or couples at a push.

My only main issue with the Roasti is the price. If it were a little cheaper, it'd be a great Crispi duep. But, if you’re interested in finding out how well this Crispi dupe works, then keep reading this Kismile Roasti review.

Kismile Roasti: Cheat sheet

• Who is it for? Small households
• What does it do well? It cooks really well and is easy to store and clean
• What are its weaknesses? It’s weirdly expensive
• What should you use it for? Cooking for one or two people

Kismile Roasti: Specs

Kismile Roasti review: Price & availability

The Kismile Roasti is available for $179 on Amazon U.S., although it’s often on sale for around $120. This is the same price as competitor Ninja Crispi, which is also $179 on Amazon U.S.. As I’ve mentioned before, I think it’s a bit bizarre that the Kismile Roasti has been priced the same as the Ninja Crispi.

At an identical price point, I feel most customers are more likely to go for a big-name brand (i.e., Ninja) over a smaller-name brand (i.e., Kismile). Kismile could have undercut Ninja with a price of $120-$150 and taken some of the less-loyal customer base.

If you can grab the Roasti at a discount, then it’s a better deal. However, there are much better air fryers out there for cheaper. My favorite air fryer in the world is the Philips 2000 Series, which is just $99. Unless you seriously want an all-glass air fryer, I will always recommend the Philips 2000 Series over any pricier competition.

Kismile Roasti review: Design

I’ll start by establishing that this is not just a Kismile Roasti qualm, it’s a Ninja Crispi qualm, too. One of the main marketing points of the Crispi — and, consequently, the Roasti — is the “portability”. However, it’s not portable in an off-the-grid sort of way — it’s portable in that you can technically plug it in anywhere and get air frying.

But… you can also technically plug in any air fryer anywhere and get air frying. I could take my Philips 2000 Series on vacation and it would be “portable”.

I suppose the Roasti (and the Crispi) are smaller than the average air fryer, but not small enough to be classed as a “portable” air fryer.

Anyway, I suppose if you want to take your Roasti (or Crispi) on trips, then be my guest. I would never take mine on vacation, but that’s just me.

In terms of aesthetics, the Roasti is a lovely air fryer. As I’ve mentioned many times already, it looks basically identical to the Ninja Crispi.

The Roasti works a little differently than other air fryers: the air frying component is the lid (heating pod). You plug in the lid, secure it to the glass cooking container, and then input temperature and time settings from the touch controls on the lid itself.

I found the touch controls mostly reliable, but there were a few times when I had to tap the screen more than once. I prefer the standard controls you’d find on air fryers like the Ultenic K10 and the Laura Ashley Air Fryer, but the Roasti is still very usable.

What isn’t very usable is the glass containers. There are two glass containers, each with a grill insert. The larger glass container is 4.7 quarts and the smaller one is 2.6 quarts. Even though 4.7 quarts sounds like a decently well-sized container, it’s still a bit tricky to cook enough for more than a few people. As the containers are deep rather than wide, getting food crispy is a bit of a challenge. When I made sausage rolls, the bottom of the pastry was soggy.

As a result, I only used the larger container for baking muffins, as I found the smaller container better for air frying and roasting food.

I wish the containers were wider rather than deeper, but perhaps Kismile can make a wide “Roasti XL” or something for bigger families.

Kismile Roasti review: Cooking performance

The Roasti operates at just 50dB, which is the quietest air fryer I’ve tested thus far. It beats the Laura Ashley Air Fryer (51dB) and the Philips 2000 Series (67dB). If you need an ultra-quiet air fryer, the Roasti is a great option.

The Roasti has two cooking modes: auto and DIY. DIY mode is where you can manually select temperature and time; auto mode is where the machine selects temperature for you (well, you choose ‘Air fry’, ‘Roast’ ‘Bake’ etc) and you adjust the time.

Pastries & tater tots

I made a British classic using the Roasti: sausage rolls. I bought pre-made rolls from the grocery store and cooked using the ‘Air fry’ mode for 30 minutes, as advised on the package. Here’s a photo of the cooked pastries. The first photo is the top, and the second photo is the bottom.

As you can see, the pastries are beautifully golden-brown on the top, but soggy on the bottom. This was majorly disappointing, as I used the crisper grill and hoped that the air would circulate to the bottom of the pastries.

As a result, I wouldn’t recommend using the Roasti for pastry.

Next, I cooked tater tots using ‘Air fry’. These were delicious, crispy, and evenly cooked — much better than the disappointing sausage rolls.

You can see how even the crisp is, and that’s without shaking halfway through. It’s quite difficult to shake in the cooking container, so I’d recommend just mixing with a spatula, but you may not even need to shake.

These tater tots were delicious and got eaten in about 0.3 seconds in the office.

Vegetables

After the pastries, I cooked Mediterranean vegetables according to package instructions. I cooked for 20 minutes, then mixed, and added sauce. I then cooked for an additional 10 minutes at a lower temperature in DIY mode.

As you can see, the onions are very crispy, and the zucchini are pleasantly moist. There were no overly charred pieces and no undercooked vegetables. This was much more successful than the pastries.

Pizza

After all the oh-so healthy food, I decided to make my colleagues some pizza. I used frozen deep dish cheese pizza.

I was only able to fit one mini pizza in the Roasti at one time, which would be a little annoying if you’re cooking for more than a few people at once. I think I’d just recommend using the normal oven at that point.

Even so, the Roasti cooked the pizzas evenly, including the base. This pizza was cooked in a preheated air fryer, so I’d recommend you preheat for at least five minutes or so before cooking.

As you can see, the top is golden brown and oozing with cheese. The base is equally as well-cooked, with no sogginess or dry areas. My colleagues reported that this pizza was utterly delicious.

Cupcakes

Usually, I love making cupcakes in air fryers.

However, not with the Kismile Roasti. This was the worst cupcakes-in-an-air-fryer experience I’ve ever had, and I wanted to love it so much.

The prevailing issue with the Roasti is that the circulation is quite poor. As with the sausage rolls I made earlier, the heat just doesn’t get to the bottom of the air fryer. As a result, the cupcakes took 51 minutes to bake.

Here’s a photo of the cupcakes when they were done after 51 minutes.

Don’t mind that they’re all a little ugly — this is expected when making cupcakes in an air fryer. I’ve never made a pretty cupcake in an air fryer, as they all slump in the basket like melted butter. Funny, that, seeing as they are mostly melted better.

They tasted great, but are obviously a bit ugly. They cooked from the top down, kind of like a grill, and the bottom is much too soggy. They’re basically cooked on the outside and a little raw on the inside.

Meat

Although I usually cook a whole chicken in an air fryer, the Roasti is too small (unless you’ve got a really, really tiny chicken). As a result, I just got a chicken cut from the grocery store. The package instructions read 375°F for 55 minutes, but the Roasti’s max temperature is 365°F, so I had no choice but to disregard the package instructions. I’m rebellious by nature, clearly.

The top temperature being 365°F is very off-piste — most air fryers can reach at least 390°F, if not more. This is one of my biggest cons with the Roasti, but it’s not unprecedented. The Ninja Crispi tops out at 365°F, too, so it’s clearly just a “portable” glass air fryer issue, not a Roasti issue.

Anyway, back to the actual cooking. This actually finished cooking in 35 minutes, so I didn’t need the package temperature anyway.

I flipped the chicken halfway through. Even though the chicken fit within the container when it was raw, as it cooked, it rose so that it ended up touching the heating element. Cleaning this was really annoying as the heating element has a plug attached, but I managed.

The chicken wasn’t that juicy, but it was cooked evenly and the skin was crispy. My colleagues reported that it was delicious, so I’ll take that as a win.

Overall, the cooking performance is good. I wouldn’t recommend it for baking, but cooking meat and frozen food was good. One of my colleagues has a Ninja Crispi and told me that the Crispi doesn’t suffer from the same issue — it’s capable of circulating air around the bottom of the air fryer. As a result, I’m inclined to say that the Ninja Crispi might be better than the equally priced Kismile Roasti.

Kismile Roasti review: Storage & maintenance

The Roasti’s glass containers are dishwasher safe, as are the lids (not the heating pod lid, the non-electric bog-standard container lid for storing cooked food post-air frying) and the grills. However, obviously the heating pod lid is not dishwasher safe.

I washed everything by hand as I’m not a huge fan of putting anything but crockery and cutlery in the dishwasher, and it was very easy to clean.

As I’ve mentioned before, this air fryer is ideal for smaller households. It’s just 11.6 inches wide, which is an inch smaller than the Philips 2000 Series and about 0.3 of an inch smaller than the Ninja Crispi. Due to its small size, you can’t actually cook enough for large families in the Roasti anyway.

I’ll end on a nice positive note: as standard, Kismile offers a 1-year warranty, which is the same as Ninja’s standard warranty.

Kismile Roasti review: Verdict

If it was $30-50 cheaper, the Kismile Roasti would be a fantastic Ninja Crispi dupe that I would recommend with my whole chest. However, it is not $149-$129 — it’s $179, and in that case I can only compare it to the $179 Ninja Crispi.

The Roasti is not as good as the Crispi. It doesn’t circulate as well and it feels less secure during cooking. However, that doesn’t mean the Roasti is a bad air fryer. It’s actually a really good air fryer, but it’s not priced competitively enough to be a 4-star product.

If you can find the Roasti on sale, though, it’s definitely a great air fryer that can rival the Crispi. Although personally I would just go for a standard air fryer (I’m thinking the Philips 2000 Series that has a window!), the Roasti would be a great Crispi alternative if it was cheaper.

Ninja dubbed its Crispi air fryer a "portable cooking system" when it was released last year. Released today, the Ninja Crispi Pro keeps the glass, modular appeal, but adds an XL cooking capacity that can cater to up to 10 people.

According to Ninja, the Crispi Pro can cook an entire eight-pound chicken, with vegetables, for 10 people. It's now got an XL eight-quart capacity, but still works with the 2.5 and four-quart containers included with the original, meaning it's able to expand on your existing modular setup. So while it loses the portability claim of its predecessor, it now offers an excellent meal prep setup for larger households.

But that's not all. The Crispi Pro also offers precise temperature controls, making it a serious contender against the best air fryers on the market. It retails for $279 at SharkNinja, which is $100 more than the original.

Here's what's new

The Crispi is one of the most interesting air fryers I've ever seen, but one of my biggest complaints about the original was its lack of precise temperature controls. Users can choose between Max Crisp, Bake, Air Fry and Recrisp settings, but there's no onboard indication of what temperature your food is cooking at.

The Crispi Pro addresses this, introducing two additional settings (Roast and Dehydrate) along with precision digital temperature control. Its display is also front-facing, with a real-time monitor of the cooking temperature that should give a bit of extra precision.

Instead of featuring a removable lid, the Crispi Pro appears to have an adjustable stand that lets you lift your glass container up to the heating element. This makes the whole thing feel a bit more permanent, giving your lid a permanent home on your countertops.

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How many boring, black air fryers do you see? Pretty much all of them, right? Well, I guess the Laura Ashley Air Fryer is trying to change that. I mean, just look at it. It’s like a work of art.

I don’t think looks alone is enough to make it one of the best air fryers, though. Obviously an air fryer needs to cook food well, otherwise what’s the point? Thankfully, the Laura Ashley Air Fryer isn’t style over substance. Everything I made in the air fryer was evenly cooked and delicious.

So is it good enough to earn its place in your kitchen? The Laura Ashley Air Fryer would definitely be the focal piece on any countertop: I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ll discuss everything in detail in this Laura Ashley Air Fryer review.

Laura Ashley Air Fryer: Cheat sheet

• Who is it for? If you’re desperately in need of a beautiful air fryer to liven up your kitchen, and you’ve got a small family
• What does it do well? Well, it looks unique, that’s for sure. Oh, it also cooks food really well
• What are its weaknesses? For the size and 1500W power, it’s pretty expensive
• What should you use it for? Everything from frozen meat to fresh veggies and even baking

Laura Ashley Air Fryer: Specs

Laura Ashley Air Fryer review: Price & availability

The Laura Ashley Air Fryer is $149 from Amazon U.S. and £129 from Amazon U.K., although it’s often been on sale for under £100.

This price puts it in the middle range of air fryers: the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 ($129) is our best air fryer, you’ll pay around $200 for a dual-zone like the Philips 300 Series, and $350 for our best smart air fryer, the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Air Fryer.

My personal favorite air fryer — and the one I use every day at home — is the $99 Philips 2000 Series Air Fryer, and has the same maximum temperature as the Laura Ashley model. I definitely think you’re paying $50 extra for the design, but if you want a pretty air fryer, there aren’t really any other options.

Laura Ashley Air Fryer review: Design

As you might’ve read from the headline, the Laura Ashley Air Fryer is… a sight to behold, let’s just put it that way.

Heck, you might think it’s gorgeous. I do like the style; the dark blue flowers are pleasantly designed and objectively pretty. The print is hi-res, clear, and expertly applied, and doesn’t show any signs of bubbling or distortion. It’s a well-made piece of tech.

But is the design for me, personally? No. I would never pick this up in a store, purely because it’d mean I’d have to match the rest of my kitchen appliances to it. Laura Ashley makes a whole range of kitchen gadgets in the same print: there’s an $89 toaster, a $79 stovetop kettle, a $71 slow cooker, and an $199 stand mixer. I suppose if you’re dedicated to the vibe, then you might as well get the entire range.

Whether you like the design is up to you, of course. Different strokes for different folks and all that.

In terms of functionality, the Laura Ashley Air Fryer combines elegance and usability quite admirably. The control panel is a black touchscreen on the top of the product, so it doesn’t disrupt the pattern.

I actually love the touchscreen. It’s bright, responsive, and the icons are clear. It is a little annoying that you can’t skip from 20 minutes to 60 minutes quickly, but this was relatively easy to deal with. The numbers do skip if you hold them down, but it takes a few seconds to activate the long press.

Another great design feature is the basket: it’s nearly invisible. I’m not a huge fan of the plasticky silver handle, but I’ve been trying to think of an alternative color for it and, so far, have no ideas.

Thankfully, the Laura Ashley Air Fryer has no app, which is a breath of fresh air in the world of smart home everything. My phone can finally relax and enjoy the show (of me eating an ungodly amount of potato fries).

Laura Ashley Air Fryer review: Cooking performance

To test the Laura Ashley Air Fryer, I tested out its cooking modes with a variety of fresh and frozen food, and baked goods. The cooking volume is just 51dB; noticeably quieter than the Philips 2000 Series and Ultenic K10.

One of my biggest qualms with air fryers thus far is that each cooking ‘preset’ does little to actually change the cooking style, and this is true on the Laura Ashley model too. All it does is adjust heat and time. You can achieve the same results by simply manually altering the heat and time or following package instructions.

Fries

Fries are kind of the air fryer control test — I always associate air fryers with potato fries in my head. I’ve also made fries on every air fryer I’ve tested, so I like to think they’re the pinnacle of air fryer delicacies.

I made fries and cooked frozen fries. First, I made homemade fries. I cut potatoes into ½ inch strips, then coated with oil, salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Then I put them in for the default ‘fries’ setting, which was 20 minutes at 390°F. By default, there’s a ‘shake’ reminder, but bizarrely, this occurred at 14 minutes in.

Here’s a photo of the fries after 20 minutes, and then the fries after a total of one hour.

As you can see from the photo, the fries were not done after 20 minutes. I put them back in for another 40 minutes for a total of one hour, which you can see in the second picture. I shook three times during cooking. These fries were cooked to perfection, with crispy exteriors and fluffy insides.

After, I made frozen fries. I chose to go for the package instructions this time as opposed to the air fryer’s attempt at mind-reading (guessing temperature and cooking time).

I put the fries in for 12 minutes at 390°F. Here’s a photo of them after cooking.

As you can see, the fries are evenly browned, and there are no burned sides. The fries were greasy and fluffy inside with a crispy exterior. In my opinion? Perfect fries. 10/10, no notes. I devoured these.

Roast chicken

Initially, I selected the ‘meat’ cooking mode. However, this mode only ran for twenty minutes, so I knew I needed to up the cooking time. This goes back to what I was saying earlier about air fryer cooking modes being a bit useless. You should just input your intended heat and time manually.

I roasted/air fried a 3-pound chicken. At first, I wasn’t sure the chicken would fit, as the Laura Ashley Air Fryer is on the smaller side. However the chicken fit diagonally in the air fryer basket, and didn’t burn during cooking.

The chicken package claimed it would take one hour and five minutes to roast in the oven, but after 59 minutes in the air fryer, the chicken had reached the ideal internal temperature of 165°F.

The chicken was cooked evenly, and the small wings didn’t burn despite me not wrapping them in foil. The skin was crisp, albeit a little dry in places, but overall, I was impressed with the cooking process.

Here’s a photo of the cooked chicken.

As you can see, the skin is crisp and there’s a decent amount of juice. The chicken wasn’t as juicy as I’d like, but it was still delicious and quick in the air fryer.

Vegetables

I also cooked Mediterranean vegetables in the air fryer. I followed the package instructions, which told me to air fry at 375°F for ten minutes, then pour on the sauce, and air fry for a further two minutes.

As you can see, the vegetables are a little on the anemic side. I would probably cook them for an extra seven minutes or so. Even so, they are cooked evenly and there are no burned or charred areas.

Cooking the vegetables was as easy as you’d expect from an air fryer, though, and was much quieter and cheaper than turning on my oven.

Fish

I cooked a frozen white fish fillet in the Laura Ashley Air Fryer on the ‘Fish’ setting. I didn’t adjust the setting manually this time, as I wanted to see what the air fryer thought I should do.

This is after 16 minutes at 375°.

As I wanted to see the doneness, I didn’t season the fish before cooking. As you can see from the photo, the fish is cooked evenly, but it’s a little dry at the smaller end of the fillet. I would recommend not using the ‘fish’ preset, and instead manually selecting the time and cooking to 145°F, the internal temperature of cooked fish.

Cupcakes

I made some box cupcakes to test the ‘bake’ setting. By default, the ‘bake’ setting runs at 340°F for seventeen minutes, but the cupcake box advised fifteen minutes at 375°F. I decided to let the air fryer run the show and used the 340°F/seventeen minutes setting.

As you can see, the cupcakes are a little malformed, but not burned on top. Inside, the cupcakes were moist and fluffy, and directly comparable to oven-baked cupcakes. I’d say this was a major win — much fluffier than when I made them in the Ultenic K10.

Bacon

Lastly, I used the ‘meat’ mode to cook bacon. The package instructions advised me to pan fry for six minutes, so I set the air fryer at 390°F for six minutes. However, it wasn’t crispy enough, so I let it cook for another four minutes, to a total of ten.

As you can see, the bacon is juicy and a little crispy on the fatty sections, but evenly cooked overall. This is an easy way to cook bacon, but the basket is quite small, so I couldn’t cook enough for two servings in one go.

While I wouldn’t trust the cooking presets (and this is true of any air fryer), the Laura Ashley Air Fryer performed extremely well with every food test and would be a great addition to any floral-themed kitchen. Some cooking times took a little longer than expected, but that’s due to the 1500W power. My personal air fryer, Philips 2000 Series, has a 1700W so cooks faster.

Laura Ashley Air Fryer review: Storage & maintenance

The Laura Ashley Air Fryer is quite compact; it’s just 14 inches wide. This means it’d be a great option for compact kitchens. I was able to fit it perfectly on my countertop next to my spice rack and Nutribullet Pro 900W.

You’ll be pleased to know that the basket is dishwasher safe, which makes cleanup easier. However, I don’t have a dishwasher, and I can confidently say that hand-washing was easy, too. The basket has a nice non-stick surface so grease and grime came off with just a little hot soapy water.

Laura Ashley Air Fryer review: Verdict

All in all, the Laura Ashley Air Fryer is a great air fryer. It cooks food evenly, heats up quickly, and is really quiet during cooking. While it’s probably not big enough for large families and the design is a bit of an acquired taste, it performs its job as an air fryer extremely well.

As I’ve said before, I’d skip the food presets — but this is more of an air fryer problem than a this air fryer problem — and trust your package instructions or instincts. Thankfully, adjusting the temperature and timings is super easy thanks to the responsive and bright touchscreen.

The price is the only reason why this air fryer didn’t get a higher rating. While $149 is quite pricey for this specific air fryer due to the lower wattage and size, if you’ve got a floral-themed kitchen or other Laura Ashley kitchen appliances, then it’s really a no brainer. This would be the perfect air fryer for you.

As the Tom's Guide reviews editor, my team of expert reviewers and I put tech through its paces to figure out whether it's worth your money. Naturally, a big factor in our analysis is pricing, so I'm always having to check the prices of products and monitor cost changes over time. That means I've permanently got a Chrome tab open for Amazon.

As I was checking prices for some camera gear, I couldn't help but notice that quite a few of my favorite budget products are on sale.

For instance, the EarFun Air Pro 3 are currently on sale for just $47 at Amazon, and these are some of the best wireless earbuds around if you're on a budget. Looking for a new Bluetooth speaker? The JBL Go 4 is now only $43 at Amazon — I reviewed this speaker personally and loved it! And if you're a gamer, check out one of our favorite budget gaming keyboards, the Lemokey X1, which is just $22 at Amazon.

And there's more where that came from. To help you guys save money, I rounded up my favorite sub-$50 deals here. And don't miss out on these Amazon promo codes.

Quick list

• Redragon M916 8K wireless gaming mouse: was $39 now $18 w/ Prime
• Lemokey X1 gaming keyboard: was $36 now $22 at Amazon
• Anker Nano II multi-charger: was $39 now $25 at Amazon
• Gamakay TK75 mechanical keyboard: was $49 now $34 at Amazon
• Amazfit Band 7 fitness tracker: was $47 now $37 at Amazon
• JBL Go 4 Bluetooth speaker: was $49 now $43 at Amazon
• GameSir G7 SE gaming controller: was $49 now $44 at Amazon
• EarFun Air Pro 3 wireless earbuds: was $65 now $47 at Amazon
• Cosori Mini Air Fryer: was $59 now $49 at Amazon

Editor-approved deals under $50

I've reviewed loads of the best air fryers now, and the Philips 2000 Series air fryer is the one I want to take to the grave. It's compact, pretty, it works, and my favorite part? It's got a window!

Sometimes I find myself leaning on my kitchen countertop just watching my food cook, because, well, why not? It's low-key better than Netflix or TikTok.

Now the Philips 2000 Series air fryer is $20 off at Williams Sonoma, and for U.K. readers, it's a whopping 50% off at Amazon! This is the one air fryer I recommend for small households. If you're tight on space or only cooking for a couple of people, then this is the top air fryer for you.

Why I love it

Oh, where do I start? This air fryer is just chef's kiss. It's worth noting that if you've got a large family or want to make tons of food in the air fryer, you might be better off getting a dual basket like the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone (my parents have this air fryer and won't stop telling me about how good it is).

However, seeing as I'm just cooking for myself and one other person, the Philips 2000 Series is perfect for me. Last week I made a full basket of fries and they were so crispy on the outside and soft on the inside — in just 24 minutes!

I've also roasted a whole chicken in 52 minutes (yes, I checked its internal temp with one of the best meat thermometers) and baked lasagnes in the air fryer to save $$$ on electricity bills. The basket can fit an 8-inch baking dish, which is perfect for me.

While this is more anecdotal than anything else, I also find that my Philips 2000 Series air fryer is way cheaper than turning my oven on. This obviously depends on where you live and your energy supplier, but my air fryer is literally a fraction of the cost of my oven, according to my electricity meter. It might not be the same for you, but that's my personal experience.

And now that it's just $79? This is a severely competitive price for such an adept air fryer. I would run on over to Williams Sonoma and snap this up before the deal ends.

The Philips 1000 Series FlexDrawer Air Fryer is unlike any air fryer I have tried before. The draw is one large tray that can be converted into a dual basket fryer. Sounds good on paper, but this setup didn’t suit me.

The air fryer is easy to use and has presets, like most of the best air fryers, to make setting up cooking times that much faster. And it is fast since it uses RapidAir Plus Technology which forces the air to circulate around the fryer.

However, I found the large tray awkward to use when split in two as I couldn’t give the food a quick shake without disturbing the other side. The contents at the top of the basket also cooks faster when the tray is split in two.

You can find out more about how I got on in my full Philips 1000 Series FlexDrawer Air Fryer review.

Philips 1000 Series FlexDrawer Air Fryer review: Specs

Philips 1000 Series FlexDrawer Air Fryer review: Price & availability

Unfortunately, for any Americans looking to upgrade their trusty air fryer, the Philips 1000 Series FlexDrawer Air Fryer is currently only available for purchase in the U.K..

The air fryer is priced at £159 on Amazon U.K., but can also be purchased directly from the Philips online store for £133. If you would rather have an air fryer with two fixed drawers, the Philips 3000 Dual Zone air fryer is priced at £179/$199 and also has the rapid air technology but has two fixed trays.

It is currently unclear whether the FlexDrawer style air fryer will become available in the U.S. but we will update this page when we find out more.

Philips 1000 Series FlexDrawer Air Fryer review: Design & setup

The Philips 1000 Series FlexDrawer Air Fryer has more of a basic design when compared to other models like the Philips Air Fryer 3000 Series and the Philips 3000 Dual Zone — but the FlexDrawer is designed to be a cheaper offering.

The air fryer has a plain matte black finish with a glass finish on top for the touch screen controls. It has a cooking temperature range of 104 - 392ºF, so it is perfect for a range of cooking needs. It has six preset cooking modes, including frozen potato snacks, steak, chicken, muffins, vegetables, and reheat. I was most impressed with the muffin preset, as it gave a perfect bake.

The FlexDrawer means that the air fryer can be turned into one large tray or two compartments, with the addition of a divider in the middle. However, the two compartments are conjoined, and I found this to be really inconvenient.

Usually when making tater tots I would take the tray out and give them a shake to make sure they were cooked evenly. But since I was using the other compartment to cook pizza at the time I couldn’t do that, and the tots ended up being crispier on top.

When the large tray is split into two sections, the temperature and cooking time can be altered independently for each, and they can be synced or matched. To switch between the single or dual zone settings is easy with a click of the ‘XXL’ basket button.

The two compartments are far smaller than a normal air fryer drawer. The total capacity is 7.5 quarts, so each tray is about 3.75 quarts. This is about the same as the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer, which also splits one large tray in two. However the 1000 Series has less cooking room than the dual basket fryer I’m used to, like the Ninja Dual Zone Air Fryer.

The large tray has two handles on either side of the drawer, and while this was easy to pull out, it was a little awkward to maneuver compared to the usual pull out drawers with the handle on the front.

That being said, for cooking larger things like fish or a whole chicken, the option for a larger tray is perfect to cater to both needs.

The cord at the back of the Philips 1000 Series FlexDrawer Air Fryer is very short at about two feet, so the unit has to sit next to a power outlet. There is storage on the back of the fryer to wrap the cord if you need to store the fryer elsewhere though.

Philips 1000 Series FlexDrawer Air Fryer review: Cooking performance

The Philips 1000 Series FlexDrawer Air Fryer did a great job at evenly cooking my food, but I still prefer the results I got from the Philips Air Fryer 3000 Series (which is available for purchase in the U.S.) as I felt the RapidAir Technology worked better in a single basket setting.

Both air fryers use RapidAir Plus Technology. This means the base of the air fryer basket has a star shape with peaks and troughs that aid the circulation of air through the tray. The FlexDrawer Air Fryer has two of these star shapes to cover both compartments.

Pastries

I cooked some frozen sausage rolls, and each one was evenly cooked on the top and bottom without the need to flip them over thanks to the RapidAir Technology. This is the most even cook I have achieved when testing out air fryers.

I was also impressed at the puff from the pastry — further testament to how even the cook was.

Tater tots

I cooked some frozen tater tots to test the frozen potato snacks preset on the air fryer. They were finished cooking in just 12 minutes and were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

I did notice that the tots on top of the basket were slightly more browned, but I couldn’t combat this since the basket is hard to shake anyway because of how large it is, and I had a small pizza in the other half of the basket.

Pizza

The cheese on top of the pizza was pretty well done, but still tasted fine. Despite this, the air fryer was able to cook the pizza base all the way through.

The Philips 3000 Series was able to cook the pizza without burning the cheese so I think the FlexiDrawer may have let in some heat from where the tots were cooking. The cooking zones are described as independent by Philips, but since the zones are conjoined, there is bound to be some heat transfer.

Halloumi sticks

The air fryer was able to perfectly cook halloumi sticks in just six minutes at 320ºF using the timer and temperature control for the independent zone.

The air fryer is incredibly quick and works well for cooking party food for big groups of people when you need to keep up with demand. Needless to say, everyone in the office loved these.

Vegetables

To see how the air fryer worked with hard vegetables I cooked some butternut squash and zucchini croquettes.

The veggies became really tender and stayed juicy. The outside crisped up nicely to hold it all together. These only took 12 minutes to be perfectly cooked.

Muffins

Let me start by saying, these turned out to be the ugliest muffins ever… but they were so good!

Now that we are past their looks, I’ll tell you that they were perfectly cooked with a slight crunch on top and moist in the middle while using the muffin preset on the air fryer. Despite appearances, they lasted all of three minutes in the office and had glowing reviews!

Philips 1000 Series FlexDrawer Air Fryer review: Storage & maintenance

Clean-up with the Philips 1000 Series FlexDrawer Air Fryer is very easy. The whole tray is dishwasher safe so you can save on washing up by hand.

I decided to wash it by hand as I think the entire tray of the FlexDrawer is far too big to justify taking up space in the dishwasher. The fryer has a non-stick coating so with a little dish soap and a wipe it was sparkling again — no scrubbing required.

The cord wraps around the back of the air fryer for easy storage and at only 5.8kg it is light enough to pick up and move when not in use.

Philips 1000 Series FlexDrawer Air Fryer review: Verdict

While the Philips 1000 Series FlexDrawer Air Fryer is easy to set up and operate, I don’t think the flex drawer is for me. While it is a great space saver as you get a large tray and two smaller baskets in one, it is just awkward to use.

The basket is hard to shake since it is so large anyway, but you also can’t check how one side of the dual tray is doing without disturbing the other since they are conjoined.

That being said, the air fryer is fast and the RapidAir Technology works well to evenly cook the contents, but when the tray is split the top of the tray cooks much faster.

It was the novelty of the Crispi that had me excited to try it. A glass air fryer with a removable lid? That sounds a lot like a halogen oven, and I am a halogen oven hater. So I didn't have the highest hopes for how this air fryer would hold up during testing.

And boy did it prove me wrong.

This gadget really shakes up the air fryer market, allowing you to bake dips and pasta dishes directly onto the glass base of the container, use the crisper insert to get an air fried finish, or even double-stack your meals to make the most of this fryer's neat dimensions.

Here's why this nifty little air fryer converted me. And how the Ninja Crispi stacks up compared to the best air fryers on the market.

Ninja Crispi review: Price and availability

The Ninja Crispi costs the same — if not more — than most regular air fryers, which would be a problem if it didn't offer the same level of performance.

The bundle I tested is currently on sale for $179 at Amazon, or in the U.K., it's £179. I tried the 'Stone' colorway which was surprisingly chic and neutral so much so that it looked right at home in Tom's Guide's very glamorous test kitchen. You can also buy it in Sage Green and Blue, which look very classy.

You can spend a bit more and buy extra glass containers to expand the functions of your Crispi, meaning you can use this gadget for meal prep or reheating leftovers.

Ninja Crispi: Design

My first impression of the Ninja Crispi was that it's got a lot of extra items that will all need to find a home in your kitchen. There's a central air frying lid that fits directly onto the smaller container, but can be converted to fit the larger size using the included attachment that clicks into place.

There are also two lids included to allow you to store leftovers from your meal, or take them on the go — although you'll also have to take the hefty air frying lid with you if you want to cook outside the home.

I was pretty surprised to see that there's no temperature adjustments available with this air fryer, just four buttons: Roast, Recrisp, Air Fry, and Keep Warm. In the U.S. those modes are slightly different: Max Crisp, Bake, Air Fry, and Recrisp.

But while these settings don't offer specific temperature adjustments, it's broadly easy to get used to them. According to my handbook, temperatures start at 158°F / 70°F on the lowest setting and go up to 350°F or 180°C, although it does claim that it will give the results of a 400°F oven (possibly due to the small dimensions), which if true makes it comparable to most air fryers.

The timer can be adjusted by minute increments, and you can also add and lower. One thing I found a bit odd is you can't quit your cooking setting early. Once you've lifted off the lid and decided it's done, there's no 'Off' button, so I resorted to switching it off by default.

Ninja Crispi review: Performance

Mozzarella Sticks

I first cooked some mozzarella sticks in the 4QT basket to see just how much the crisper insert can fit, and I was pleasantly surprised that all but 2 of the mozzarella sticks from my pack of 12 slotted into place.

They were well cooked after 15 minutes, although I'd have expected them to be a lot more browned if I'd have cooked them for this long at maximum heat in a regular air fryer.

If anything, the sticks were better than a regular air fryer because they were less obliterated, which is likely a result of me whacking on the highest temperature and leaving virtually everything to cook for 15 minutes.

Chicken Wings

I was really excited to cook some chicken wings in the Ninja Crispi after seeing a lot of people on social media do the same over the Super Bowl weekend. There was also a recipe in the included Ninja Crispi Quick Start guide, so I took inspiration from that and made some buffalo wings.

I used the larger glass container for this and slotted six wings into place, cooking them on the 'air fry' setting for 20 minutes before tossing them in sauce and cooking for another five.

I was totally wowed by how delicious these were. And if you wanted to do a batch, I could totally imagine putting on the lid and shaking some sauce into a more full basket to evenly distribute buffalo coating without adding to your pile of dirty dishes.

Once again, I was struck by the fact this dish wasn't as crispy as the wings I cook in my usual air fryer. I'd be willing to bet that the Crispi simply can't pack the power of a typical air fryer such as the Ninja 4-in-1 into its small cooking lid, but it still does a great job.

Stacked Beans and Chicken

So far, I'd been conscious of the limited capacity of this air fryer. I prefer to cook things in one even layer without stacking to ensure every item is cooked evenly, and I wasn't sure if this air fryer could cook an entire meal for one the way I'd usually do with my Ninja Pro air fryer.

So, I decided to cook some green beans in the air fryer and slot my protein, some breaded chicken, onto the crisp shelf above. I left the Crispi to cook this unattended for 25 minutes on the 'Roast' setting, enjoying how quietly it cooked while I got on with some work.

This machine hit only 68dB in testing, which is really quiet compared to my favorite Ninja Pro 4-in-1, and comparable to the Philips 3000, which I also praised for how quietly it cooks.

The finished result was pretty good. The green beans still had a good bite to them, but the chicken was very well cooked without needing to turn it over.

I expect the beans were shielded from the full heat of the cooking element by the chicken and the air fryer shelf, which is why they were crispy after 25 minutes. I didn't mind that, but it would've been a problem had I cooked potatoes or another starchy side.

Pasta Bake

A lot of the videos I've seen online of the Ninja Crispi showed it being used to bake dips or create a crispy layer of cheese on top of a pasta bake, so I decided to take advantge of the ReCrisp setting and reheat some creamy chicken and bacon pasta.

This is the sort of dish I'd reheat in our office microwaves, so I was interested to see if the Crispi could essentially replace this function. It did take a lot longer than a microwave to reheat the pasta — 15 minutes in total, but I was left with a browned and bubbling dish of pasta that I could happily have eaten straight out of the glass container.

This is one of the main benefits the Crispi offers over a traditional air fryer, because while I cook directly on the base of my air fryer from time to time, it definitely couldn't replace a microwave with its reheating capabilities, and it's best suited to much larger servings.

How does the Ninja Crispi compare?

This is a tricky air fryer to compare, but I've tried a couple of other glass air fryers in my time. The most notable alternative is the significantly larger Fritaire air fryer.

But despite both having a glass construction, they're worlds apart in terms of usability. The Fritaire is not nearly as powerful, and getting food in and out of the large glass bowl is inconvenient at best, and dangerous at worst.

Turning to regular options, the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 is the best air fryer on the market for most people, so long as you're ok with the lack of glass housing and the nonstick interior.

It's got a classic design and a 5QT capacity, with traditional time and temperature controls on the main dial. This is also a drawer-style option that's best suited to families who want an option that can get super hot, crisp up fries and frozen food, and will be easy to clean in the dishwasher.

Plus, unlike the Crispi, there's no extra accessories to store.

Should you buy the Ninja Crispi?

I really wasn't sure if the Crispi would be for me. And while I don't think I'd replace my regular air fryer with this gadget, I do think it offers a completely novel way of air frying. If I had a smaller kitchen, lived in a dorms or apartment, or even wanted an option to take in an RV, this would absolutely be my air fryer of choice.

Although I was nervous about the lack of specific temperature settings, the Crispi did a good job of cooking everything I threw at it. It's less powerful and speedy than most air fryers, but in some cases, this led to a tastier finished result. It'll also be a lot more difficult to burn food in this air fryer compared to leading drawer models.

If, like me, you've been on the fence about picking up this glass air fryer, I'm confident the Crispi won't disappoint.

More from Tom's Guide

• How to use the Ninja Foodi Max Dual air fryer
• Air fryer dos and don'ts — 7 safety tips I recommend for everyday use
• How to clean your air fryer's heating element

Large families require a lot of feeding — and a dual-zone air fryer like the Cosori Dual Basket could be one of the quickest and easiest ways to accomplish that. The best air fryers cook evenly, quickly, and are easy to use.

The Cosori Dual Basket has two and a half of those things: it cooks evenly and quickly, although it’s quite finicky to use. You’ll need to master the art of trial and error to get the best out of it — in fairness, much like you’d expect on a conventional oven.

Like other air fryers, it has a range of modes: roast, grill, air fry, and dehydrate, alongside the less impressive preheat and reheat. I tested all of these with a wide variety of foods, which I’ll discuss in full below. So, is the supersize Cosori air fryer worth its $169 price tag? Find out in this Cosori Dual Basket air fryer review.

Cosori Dual Basket Air Fryer: Cheat sheet

• Who is it for? Air fryer enthusiasts with a decent chunk of kitchen space free
• What does it do well? It cooks evenly and quickly
• What are its weaknesses? It takes a little more trial and error than other air fryers I’ve used
• What should you use it for? Everything — it can replace your conventional oven, no problems

Cosori Dual Basket Air Fryer: Specs

Cosori Dual Basket Air Fryer review: Price & availability

The Cosori Dual Basket air fryer is $169 at Amazon U.S. and £199 at Amazon U.K.. This is pretty pricey for an air fryer — the Ninja Foodi DualZone is $179 and has a removable divider, so isn’t restricted to two baskets like the Cosori.

My personal air fryer, the Philips 2000 Series, is just $99. This air fryer has a capacity of 6.6QT in one basket compared to the Cosori Dual Basket’s 4.5QT per basket. While the Cosori has an overall capacity of 9QT, its individual baskets aren’t big enough to roast a whole chicken, unlike the Philips.

The Instant Pot Vortex Plus is a dual basket air fryer with an overall 8QT capacity, and will set you back $219 — but its controls are more intuitive than the Cosori Dual Basket. The Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket air fryer is $199, which appears to be one of the priciest dual basket air fryers.

Cosori Dual Basket Air Fryer review: Design & setup

The Cosori Dual Basket air fryer looks like a treat. It’s smooth and sleek, with a monochromatic black finish, and two windows. I’ve said before that I’ll only buy air fryers with windows from now on — and it’s still so true. I love a window.

It’s quite large, at 17 inches long, so I wouldn’t recommend it for small kitchens, but it would be a great option for larger family homes.

Unlike the Ninja Foodi DualZone, the Cosori Dual Basket has two separate baskets. There’s no removable divider, so you can’t transform this air fryer into one large basket. While this makes it a little more restrictive than the Ninja Foodi DualZone, each basket is still quite large, at 4.5QT compared to the Ninja’s 3.5QT.

What I found most disappointing about the Cosori Dual Basket air fryer are its counter-intuitive controls. Often, once I’d set up both sides, I couldn’t then alter settings afterwards. I had to turn the air fryer off and back on again to reset the settings.

This was quite frustrating to use, and would be difficult to maneuver in a busy household. The ‘Sync Cook’ and ‘Sync Finish’ settings often didn’t work. When I pressed ‘Sync Cook’, if I decided I wanted to change the settings, I had to do the aforementioned reset.

While controlling the individual baskets was a little frustrating, I enjoyed how easy it was to rifle through modes. To change presets, you simply press the touch controls. The air fryer responds relatively instantaneously, but it’s not as intuitive or responsive as my Philips 2000 Series, or even the beginner-friendly Ultenic K10 ($79).

As with cooking, which I’ll discuss in the ‘Cooking performance’ section below, mastering the controls and setup requires some trial and error. The Cosori Dual Basket air fryer wouldn’t be my first recommendation for a beginner-friendly air fryer — that title would also go to the Philips 2000 Series, or Ultenic K10.

Cosori Dual Basket Air Fryer review: Cooking performance

Given that the Cosori Dual Basket Air Fryer has a range of different cooking modes, I tested a variety of food that kept me and my colleagues full all day long.

Air fry

As the Cosori Dual Basket air fryer is too small to roast a whole chicken as per our usual testing, I cooked a crown of chicken instead.

The package instructions recommended 430°F for 55 minutes, but I cooked at 350°F for 35 minutes and it was a little too done. However, the inside of the chicken was still moist and juicy, and the air fryer basket drained a decent amount of grease.

Next, I cooked curly fries. I filled the basket to the maximum capacity. The package advised 22 minutes at 380°F, but I had to cook them for 35 minutes with three shakes throughout. They were a little too hard, so I’d recommend cooking for less time, or keeping a better eye than me.

Lastly, I air fried sausage rolls. I did a little experiment here: one basket I cooked at 350°F for 15 minutes, and the other at 400°F for 15 minutes.

The 350°F rolls were delicious and not too crispy on top, whereas the 400°F rolls were a little crispier, so the Cosori can cook for everyone’s preferences.

Bake

To test the ‘bake’ setting, I cooked pain au chocolats and red velvet cupcakes. I bought frozen pain au chocolats, which recommended cooking for 10-15 minutes at 350°F. I put them in the air fryer at 350°F, but in 7 minutes they had almost burnt on top, so I took them out.

They were still delicious, don’t get me wrong, but the insides were semi-raw/doughy and the top was veering towards charcoal city. I would definitely recommend practice runs with the Cosori Dual Basket before prepping family dinners for the first time.

After the burnt-and-raw-but-still-yummy pain au chocolats, I decided to make red velvet cupcakes. I prepared the cupcakes according to the package instructions and put them in at 320°F for 10 minutes, instead of the recommended 350°F for 15 minutes.

The lack of muffin tray meant that a few of the cupcakes were oddly-shaped, but they tasted delicious. They weren’t too crispy on top, and they were still a little moist in the middle. They were a little drier than I’d normally expect from cupcakes, but by no means were they bad. Again, you’d need to experiment to get the best texture, as with any conventional oven.

Roast

To give the ‘roast’ setting a good test, I cooked stuffed peppers. The package recommended 25 minutes, but they were done in just 15. The top was crispy and gooey, with the melted cheese and tomato mixture grilled to perfection.

There was no dryness or char to any part of the pepper. These peppers were probably the highlight of my testing.

Dehydrate

To test the dehydrate setting, I chopped up two apples into rounds and put them on the default temperature and time, which was 130°F for 6 hours. After a painstaking 6 hours, I opened the basket to reveal deliciously dehydrated apple rounds. This is a great setting to have to make healthy snacks for kids, like fruit leather.

Volume

I used DecibelX to measure the volume: at just 61dB, the Cosori Dual Basket is one of the quietest air fryers I’ve used. However, it’s worth noting that it’s not whisper-quiet, it’s just quieter than the Philips 2000 Series’ 67dB.

Cosori Dual Basket Air Fryer review: Storage & maintenance

As the Dual Basket air fryer is pretty large: 17 x 15 inches wide and high respectively, this makes it pretty impossible to fit in cramped kitchens, so I’d only recommend it for large family-sized kitchens.

The dual basket design means it would be good for large meals, too, as you could theoretically cook protein in one side and veggies or carbs in the other.

Cosori asserts that the baskets and provided grills are all dishwasher safe, which makes for an easy cleanup. I washed everything by hand and was pretty impressed with the nonstick coating, which enabled me to clean up in seconds.

Cosori Dual Basket Air Fryer review: Verdict

While mastering the finicky controls can feel a little frustrating, it’s worth it to push through. Like many kitchen gadgets, the Dual Basket seems to have a mind of its own sometimes, but this doesn’t get annoying enough to detract from the overall experience.

I was able to cook a literal feast of freezer and ready meal delights in the dual basket — simultaneously. I roasted chicken and fries at the same time, and made a load of cupcakes in one go.

For convenience, the Cosori air fryer is fantastic. Just bear in mind that learning the controls might make you a little irritated… but hopefully the chicken nuggets and fries you’re cooking will make it all better.

I’ve tested dozens of air fryers over the last few years, so I thought I had seen it all when it comes to these popular countertop appliances. However, the new Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold Digital Air Fryer offers not one, but two unique features that I had never encountered before!

What makes this new model stand out from the crowd? First, this air fryer has a “folding” design that nests inside itself for more compact storage, which is handy for anyone short on space. Second, it has a glass basket and inner light that let you monitor your food while it's cooking—it’s much easier than peering into a tiny tinted window.

While it definitely has some interesting features, we wanted to know if this air fryer can compete with the other top-rated models we’ve tested in terms of cooking performance, too. I put the Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold Digital Air Fryer through its paces in my kitchen for a few weeks, and while it’s a solid mid-priced option, it does have a few downsides you’ll want to know about before you buy.

Gourmia Fry 'N Fold review: Price and availability

The Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold Digital Air Fryer is exclusive to Target and retails for $79.99. This price point is middle-of-the-road compared to today’s best air fryers, which can cost anywhere from $40 to $200.

Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold review: First impressions

The 7-quart Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold Digital Air Fryer is made up of three different sections. The top piece, which is the most substantial, contains the control panel, power cord, and heating element, and it sits on top of the base, which is U-shaped and doesn’t contain any electronic components. When these two pieces are slotted together, you can slide the glass cooking basket into the middle. I was a bit surprised at the weight of the basket—it’s much heavier than expected, likely because its walls are made from thick glass.

As you may have guessed, the air’s fryer’s multi-part design makes it easier to store. When the unit is off (and cooled down), the top piece can be flipped upside down and nested inside the basket. This reduces the unit’s size by around half, making it much more manageable to stash in a cupboard or cabinet. It’s a handy option if you want a large-capacity air fryer but are short on space.

The other unique feature on this air fryer is its cooking basket, which is made from glass and allows you to easily see inside while it’s cooking. It’s much easier to monitor the doneness of your food compared to other air fryers that just have small windows. However, if you’re specifically looking at this air fryer because of its glass basket, it’s important to note that the cooking area isn’t fully glass—something that’s not clear if you’re looking at the product photos. The bottom of the basket is covered with a mirrored material that seems to be glued into place, and the crisping tray (which is necessary for proper air circulation) is metal with a PFOA-free nonstick finish.

Beyond these key features, the Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold is straightforward to use. It has a digital control panel with 10 one-touch cooking functions for foods like French fries and bacon, and you can also adjust its time and temperature to suit your own recipes. The control panel is very intuitive, and it also includes an optional pre-heat cycle to warm up the appliance and/or a mid-cycle alarm that lets you know when food needs to be flipped.

Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold review: Performance

To see how the Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold compares to other air fryers that I’ve tested, I tried it out in my kitchen for two weeks. Between my partner and I, we generally use the air fryer every day to whip up a quick lunch, make a side dish for dinner, or reheat leftovers, so the Gourmia had its work cut out for it. Here are some of the foods we cooked in the air fryer and how it performed.

Cooking frozen food

In my house, we frequently use the air fryer to cook frozen foods, including things like French fries, chicken, taquitos, and pizza rolls. One of the first foods I cooked in the Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold Air Fryer was a batch of premade chicken tenders. The product says to air fry them at 350 for 6 minutes, but I’ve found that’s generally not enough time for them to crisp up. Instead, I programmed the unit to air fry at 350 for 10 minutes, and I turned on both the pre-heat and mid-cycle alarm options.

The air fryer took three or four minutes to heat up, after which it beeps and displays “Add food” on its digital screen. It beeps again halfway through the cycle, prompting you to turn your food, and the noise is loud enough that I can easily hear it from the next room. After 10 minutes, the chicken tenders weren’t quite as browned as I like, so I put them back in for an additional two minutes. When the timer went off again, the chicken was perfectly cooked with a beautifully crispy exterior.

Over the course of testing, my partner and I used this air fryer to make a variety of other frozen foods, and we found that it often needed a few extra minutes to properly cook them. We quickly learned to just tack on a few extra minutes when cooking frozen foods.

Baking biscuits

The Gourmia has a designated bake setting, and I used it to make some biscuits for dinner one night. I followed the directions on the package, setting the air fryer to 400 degrees and allowing it to come up to temperature before inserting the dough. I was able to fit five biscuits in the basket with lots of room to spare—I would guess that you could cook around eight to 10 biscuits comfortably, which is nice if you have a bigger household.

This was an occasion when I was glad the air fryer has a see-through basket. The package said to cook the dough for six to 11 minutes, so I set the timer to eight minutes. However, I glanced over after just five minutes of cooking, and the biscuits were almost done! They only needed another minute before they were nicely puffed up and golden brown, and if I had left them in for the full eight minutes, I think they would have burned. Based on this experience, I’d recommend opting for a shorter cook time if you’re using the appliance for baking.

Making french fries

I love making homemade French fries with leftover potatoes, and an air fryer is, by far, the easiest way to cook them up to perfection. To see how the Gourmia would fare with this classic cooking task, I sliced up two white potatoes and tossed them with some oil and seasoning. The unit has a designated French fry setting that defaults to 400 degrees and 15 minutes, and it automatically turns on the mid-cycle shake setting, too.

The Gourmia’s basket is just the right size to hold two servings of French fries without too much overlap, but if you’re cooking for a crowd, you’ll have to work in batches. Halfway through the cooking cycle, my fries were just beginning to turn crisp up. I did find that the basket is a bit hard to shake—because it’s heavy and the glass gets very hot while cooking, I had to use two hands to carefully jiggle the basket to agitate the fries so they would cook evenly.

By the end of the 15 minutes, my fries were lightly browned around the edges, but I prefer them to be a bit cripsier. I put them back in for two additional minutes, after which they were perfectly cooked and tasted great.

Cooking bacon

I’m a big proponent of cooking bacon in the air fryer, so I whipped up a batch one day for breakfast using the Gourmia. I was able to fit five strips in the basket with minimal overlap, but the strips were a tiny bit too long and had to fold over on themselves a bit. The air fryer has a one-touch bacon option that automatically sets the unit to six minutes at 375 degrees. This seemed short to me, and I was surprised to find that it doesn’t include a preheat cycle or mid-cycle flip. However, I decided to just use the pre-programmed settings to see how the bacon turned out.

As I suspected might happen, the bacon wasn’t even close to being cooked after just six minutes. I flipped the strips, then put them back in for six more minutes. When the timer went off again, the bacon was well cooked and crispy, though they might be too well-done for some people. Next time, I'll probably start the bacon at around 10 minutes and go from there.

Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold review: Cleaning

While this air fryer’s glass basket makes it easy to monitor food as it cooks, it’s also quite the hassle to keep clean. Only the crisper tray is dishwasher safe, so the basket has to be hand-washed. The see-through walls let you see all the crumbs and grease inside, and the mirrored bottom actually reflects the gunk, making it even more visible. I always felt like I needed to clean it right away after use, and I found the glass requires more effort to get clean than a classic nonstick basket. On more than one occasion, I washed out the basket, only to realize the walls still had some unsightly grease streaks. If you’re someone who likes your appliances to look immaculate, just know that you’ll have your work cut out for you with this air fryer.

I also noticed that some grease and gunk tends to accumulate around the edges of the bottom mirrored plate, and it’s tricky to get out. The best option I found is to go in with a wet paper towel to clean around the edges, as a normal sponge generally can’t get into the tight area.

Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold review: How does it compare?

If you have a small kitchen, the best compact air fryer we’ve tested is the Instant Vortex Slim, which has a small overall footprint but still boasts a 6-quart capacity. We love that it has intuitive controls, and it’s much easier to keep clean than the Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold, thanks to its nonstick finish. However, it’s a bit more expensive than the Gourmia, retailing for around $120, and it doesn’t break down into a smaller form for storage.

The new T-Fal Infrared Air Fryer, which costs $130, is another compact option for your kitchen. We love that it’s small and lightweight, making it easy to move around as needed, and its infrared cooking abilities aced all our tests. The only downsides of this model are that its basket is only suited for one or two servings at a time and there’s no mid-cycle shake alarm.

Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold review: Verdict

In the ever-expanding lineup of air fryers available today, the Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold Digital Air Fryer definitely stands out thanks to a few interesting features. Its foldable design is quite handy if you’re short on space, and its glass basket is unbeatable if you want to monitor your food as it cooks. It also performed well in all of our cooking tests, though a few of its one-touch settings did miss the mark.

Our biggest complaint about this air fryer is that it’s hard to keep clean. The glass walls often get splattered with grease, and the mirrored bottom reflects crumbs and other gunk. If you like things to look pristine or just don’t like hand-washing appliances, this might not be the best appliance for your kitchen.

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Some of today’s best air fryers are quite large, taking up a big chunk of real estate on your kitchen counter. However, if you have limited room, you may want something a bit smaller, and the new T-fal Infrared Air Fryer definitely fits the bill.

While it has a decently large 6.3-quart capacity, this air fryer’s footprint is only 14 x 15 inches, so it’s easy to tuck into a corner of your kitchen. It’s also surprisingly powerful for its size, boasting 1550 watts of power and an infrared heating element that can reach high temperatures in less than a minute.

To see if this new, compact air fryer is worth adding to your kitchen lineup, I tested it out for several weeks, using it to cook everything from chicken tenders to Frozen french fries and bacon, and while it's on the smaller side, it aced every cooking test. Here’s what I liked about the T-fal Infrared Air Fryer, as well as a few caveats to know before you buy.

T-Fal Infrared Air Fryer review: Price and availability

The T-fal Infrared Air Fryer was released a few months ago, and it has an MSRP of $129.99, which is fairly average for an air fryer of its size. You can purchase the model directly from the brand’s website, and it’s also available from major retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

T-Fal Infrared Air Fryer review: First impressions

When I first unboxed the new T-fal Infrared Air Fryer, I was quite surprised at how small and lightweight it is. It’s several inches smaller than my existing air fryer, and at under 10 pounds, it’s very easy to pick up and carry around.

The unit has a touchscreen display across the top with seven cook settings, including air fry, broil, roast, bake, toast, and reheat. It also has buttons that turn on its “Crispy Finish” setting, as well as the unit’s inner light. I noticed that, with the help of the light, the window on the front of the basket is much easier to see into than other air fryers, which makes it easy to monitor your food as it cooks. The light also stays on throughout the duration of the cooking process.

While this air fryer technically has a capacity over 6 quarts, its cooking basket is fairly small but quite deep. This isn’t great for cooking large quantities of food, as it needs to be arranged in a single layer for even cooking, though you might be able to fit larger items like a whole chicken inside. Because its cooking space is limited, I think this model is best suited for one- or two-person households.

One of the big marketing points of this air fryer is its “infrared heating,” and I wanted to see what makes it different from other air fryers. The brand explains that the air fryer has a carbon fiber heater that can reach temperatures as high as 750 degrees in just 45 seconds, and as such, you don’t need to preheat the air fryer before use. Beyond that, there’s really no information on what infrared heating actually does.

T-Fal Infrared Air Fryer review: Performance

To see how the T-fal Infrared Air Fryer performed while cooking different foods, I used it in my kitchen for a few weeks. My partner and I used the appliance to make a variety of foods, including both frozen and fresh options, and overall, I was impressed by how much power is packed into the small air fryer.

Cooking frozen fries

When testing air fryers, I always start out by cooking frozen French fries—this time, I opted for cute smiley face ones! Based on the directions on the bag, I cooked them for 12 minutes at 400 degrees, flipping halfway through the cooking process. This air fryer doesn’t have a mid-cycle shake reminder, which is inconvenient, as you have to keep an eye on the timer. The brand says that you don’t have to flip or shake food, but I found that the tops of the fries were browning much faster than the bottoms, so a flip was definitely needed for even cooking.

I was in the next room when the air fryer finished cooking, and I didn’t hear its end-of-cycle beep at all—I only realized it was done because the low hum of the air fryer had stopped. On subsequent uses, I paid closer attention, and while the appliance does beep a few times, it’s fairly quiet and easy to miss if you’re not listening for it.

Despite this one small hangup, I have to admit that I was impressed by the air fryer’s performance. The fries were perfectly cooked on the inside and nicely golden brown on the exterior. I probably could have taken them out a minute or two earlier, but I like my fries extra crispy.

Air frying chicken tenders

I used the T-fal Air Fryer to cook homemade chicken tenders two times. The first time, I breaded them with a mixture of bread crumbs and shredded coconut, and the second time, I used just panko crumbs. I could only fit four or five average-sized chicken tenderloins in the air fryer’s basket, so you’d have to cook in batches if you’re feeding more than two people.

I cooked the chicken on the air fry setting at 375 for 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking cycle. (Again, I think the flip was necessary, as the bottoms weren’t nearly as browned as the tops.) When the cycle was finished, the tenders were perfectly cooked and the bread coating was nicely browned. I was impressed that they were fully cooked in such a short time.

With the second batch of tenders, I also tried out the air fryer’s “crisp finish” option, which adds on an extra two minutes of cook time and cranks the temperature to 425. The brand claims it helps to crisp up food even more, but honestly, I didn’t notice any difference from the first batch.

Baking cinnamon rolls

To try out the air fryer’s bake setting, I purchased a package of premade cinnamon rolls (which were more like cinnamon biscuits, truthfully). For the first batch, I followed the directions on the package, which said to bake for 12 minutes on 320 degrees, flipping halfway. However, the dough sagged into the crisper plate, leaving funny patterns on top of the rolls, and I also ended up taking them out two minutes early because they were extremely brown and bordering on burning.

I cooked the rest of the package the next day, and I opted not to flip them this time. This worked much better, helping the rolls to maintain their shape, and again, they only needed 10 minutes of cook time. It was a quick and easy way to cook these pre-made treats, and I loved that I didn’t have to wait for the oven to preheat.

Roasting potatoes

I used the air fryer to roast some sweet potatoes as a side dish for dinner one night, cooking the cubed potatoes for 12 minutes at 400 degrees on the roast setting. I did need to toss them halfway through the cook cycle—another instance where I wished the air fryer had a mid-cycle alarm.

At the end of cooking, the potatoes were nicely crisp on the outside and perfectly tender inside, and it was much faster than cooking them in the oven.

Cooking bacon

For my final test, I wanted to cook up some bacon in the T-fal air fryer—it’s one of the easiest (and least messy) ways to cook bacon, if you ask me. I was able to fit five strips in the basket, but they had to be slightly folded over at the ends, as the basket isn’t quite long enough for them to lay completely flat. I cooked them at 400 degrees for 10 minutes and flipped them halfway through the cooking cycle.

When the air fryer was finished cooking, the bacon was nicely crisp, further cementing the gadget’s solid cooking abilities. If you like your bacon super crispy, I’d say to add on another minute of cooking time, but otherwise, it’s a pretty foolproof way to whip up some bacon for breakfast.

T-Fal Infrared Air Fryer review: Cleaning

When it comes to cleaning out the T-fal air fryer, the basket itself needs to be washed out by hand. It has a nonstick finish, so most crumbs just fall off. I only ever needed to give it a quick scrub with soapy water and a sponge to get the interior clean, and I paid special attention to the interior of the window, which tends to get a bit grimey if it's not washed regularly. The removable crisper basket is technically dishwasher safe (you have to take its rubber feet off first), but I usually just scrubbed it down while I was cleaning the basket.

T-Fal Infrared Air Fryer review: How does it compare?

If you want a compact air fryer, another option to consider is the Ninja Pro 4-in-1, which has a similar capacity of 5 quarts and is one of the best air fryers we’ve tested. Its basket is wider and shallower than the T-fal’s, giving you more space to arrange food. It’s easy to operate, and it retails for a similar price of $120.

The Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer is another solid option that’s a bit more budget-friendly, retailing for around $90. It has more cooking modes, including proofing bread and dehydrating, as well as a customizable preheat program. This air fryer also has a 6-quart capacity, and many of its components are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. However, it’s worth noting that neither of these models have a window on the cooking basket, so you aren’t able to monitor your food as it cooks.

T-Fal Infrared Air Fryer review: Verdict

The new T-fal Infrared Air Fryer is compact and lightweight, yet still powerful enough to cook just about any food. It aced all my cooking tests, yielding well-cooked French fries, chicken, and baked goods, and I loved that it didn’t take up too much space on my counter. It also has a handy window and inner light that lets you monitor the doneness of your food without opening the basket. The only major downside is the machine’s limited capacity—you can really only cook two servings at a time within its basket, so it may not be the most practical option for larger households.

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If you're one of those people who uses more than one temperature on your oven, the Philips 3000 is the air fryer for you. Some of the best air fryers I've tested will turbo blast everything from veggies to bacon, no matter how low I set the temperature. The Philips 3000 Dual Zone though? This is an air fryer designed by people who cook more than just nuggets. I've tested Philips air fryers before, and always found that they put in a premium performance that won't dry out chicken or burn potatoes. This Dual Zone is no exception.

One of its most interesting features is its unevenly-divided cooking sections. The smaller drawer fits around 3 quarts, and the second 6 quarts, making it comparable in size to many standalone fryers. This interesting design is ideal for cooking smaller items without having to heat up a full, large fryer, and won't make you feel like you're losing out on a large cooking space when you want to roast a big batch of vegetables.

I've been testing the Philips 3000 Dual Zone in my kitchen for well over a month, and while there are a few quirks, there's no denying that this is a quality air fryer that's perfect for couples. Here's my verdict.

Philips 3000 Dual Zone review: Price and availability

I think you do well for your money with Philips air fryers. They're some of the sturdiest I've tried, and they cost around the same as Ninja and Instant. With that said, they're a premium price compared to the likes of Bella and Dash. The Philips 3000 Dual Zone retails for $199 at Amazon, although it's currently down to $149.

In the UK, where I tested, you'll pay £179 for the Philips 3000 Dual Zone. Again though, it's down to £149 at Amazon right now.

Philips 3000 Dual Zone review: First impressions

The Philips 3000 Dual Zone looks modern without being garish. I really like the design of the handles, and the control panel offers the convenience of touchscreen without feeling too plasticky or flimsy. As you can see in the photo above though, I found that my greasy fingerprints marked the plastic exterior of this machine relatively easily.

All Philips air fryers feature a patented starfish-shaped groove on the base of their baskets. This is designed to increase airflow in the basket, and in my experience, it's always worked quite well. However, it does make cleaning trickier, and it also means you can't take out the basket insert and cook straight onto the base, like you can with air fryers that have a flat bottom.

The larger removable basket has a high-sided insert that will take up a bit more space in your dishwasher, but I do like how well it stays put inside the basket thanks to its rubberized grips. Interestingly, the smaller basket has a plate-like insert that's more akin to the inserts you'll find with Ninja and Instant air fryers. This does leave you with more cooking space, which is handy for such a small cooking compartment.

The Philips 3000 has a max temperature of 400°F, or 200°C. That's pretty standard for most air fryers. There's also the option to sync the cooking times across the baskets to cook two elements of a meal with the same finished cooking time. You can also copy across your temperature and time settings from one basket to another, which is good for when you're cooking a big batch of something and want to use both baskets for one type of food.

This air fryer comes with pre-set cooking modes for fish, frozen food, chicken, etc. It's well-documented in just about every air fryer review I've ever written that I find these a bit useless, because not all frozen food will take the same amount of time to cook, or require the same temperature. The same is true for fish, and chicken, and all of the other pre-sets on this (or any) fryer. Luckily though, they're quite discreet on the control panel, and they didn't get in the way or become annoying like I found with the Cosori TurboBlaze 6-quart.

Philips 3000 Dual Zone review: Performance

Roasting vegetables

One of the first things I cooked in the Philips 3000 was some cubed butternut squash. That's right, I cook vegetables in my air fryer, and you should too! These came out well caramelized, and despite forgetting to shake them halfway through cooking (the air fryer does remind you, so that's on me) they still came out caramelized and evenly-cooked, although not as crispy as I expected. I was able to fit an entire squash inside the larger basket, which was pretty impressive.

I've also used this air fryer to roast broccoli, and while I've found it easy to scorch the stems in other air fryers I've tested, the Philips 3000 did a good job of cooking the broccoli on a lower temperature without burning it to a crisp. If you like cooking at lower temperatures, you can feel confident with this air fryer that it's actually adjusting its heat levels accurately.

Air frying frozen food

It wouldn't be an air fryer review without some oven fries. I set the oven at its maxiumum temperature of 400°F and left it running for 20 minutes, which would usually be more than enough time in my Ninja Pro 4-in-1. After the 20 minutes was up though, I actually thought the fries could be a bit crispier, so I put them in for a bit longer.

If you want to blast your food with heat for the crispiest finish in the fastest time, I'll cut to the chase and tell you to look elsewhere. This air fryer cooks very evenly, and it's also quite quiet, but there are air fryers that go hotter and cook faster on the market. I didn't mind the extra wait though, and the fries were some of the tastiest I've made in an air fryer. They were fluffy on the inside and crispy outside.

I also cooked some frozen chicken tenders in the smaller drawer, and was impressed at how much actually fits inside. My chicken came out well-cooked and juicy in 20 minutes. I suspect that it took less time to cook than the fries because the basket is smaller.

Cooking bacon

Last time I tested a Philips air fryer, I was impressed (and a bit shocked) at how much oil would always fall underneath the basket inserts. This air fryer renders fat much better than other air fryers I've tried. Again though. when air frying bacon, I was surprised at how long it took. I'm used to air fryers crisping up a few slices of bacon in 6 minutes, but I ended up cooking this bacon for 10 minutes at 350°F.

The result was worth the extra few minutes though. The bacon wasn't overcooked, but because the fat had rendered from it, it had a lovely crispy texture.

Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket review: How does it compare?

Dual Zone air fryers are great, and if you're interested by the fact that this one comes with one larger drawer and one smaller one, there aren't many alternatives like it. But if you're more interested in dual zone fryers more generally, the Ninja Foodi DualZone is worth considering. It has a removable insert that can turn its huge 9-quart basket into two 4.5-quart sections, making it more versatile than the Philips 3000.

The Philips cooks very well, and if you're interested in something that can be trusted with everything from fries to steak, the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer is definitely worth considering. It's smaller than the Philips 3000, but has an in-built temperature probe that allows you to monitor food as it cooks.

Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket review: Verdict

I'd trust this air fryer with more than just frozen food. From reheating leftovers to frying salmon, it's got well-controlled heat settings and a smart design that's ideal for couples who tend to cook their entire dinner in the air fryer.

I frequently found myself cooking meat in one drawer and veggies in the other, and when working from home alone I would often throw chicken strips or fishcakes into the smaller drawer for a lunch-for-one. For lack of a better word, this air fryer cooks sensitively. I'd have enjoyed a higher max temperature, and found that food typically took a little longer to cook than I'd expect in your typical air fryer, but the results were definitely worth the wait.

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Our lives are becoming increasingly tech-focused by the day. We're expanding beyond laptops and smartphones – on which you can easily install protective tech like the best VPNs – to a plethora of new smart technologies. From air fryers to audio systems, doorbells to dishwashers, almost everything in your home can be a "smart device." However, research from consumer group Which? has found evidence that even devices with no apparent need to collect data are nosier than you expect.

This surveillance ranges from air fryers demanding permission to listen in on conversations and sharing data with TikTok to TVs wanting to know your exact location at all times. Which? rated products across four categories and gave them overall privacy scores for factors including consent and what data access they want. Perhaps unsurprisingly, researchers found data collection often went well beyond what was necessary for the functionality of the product.

All smart devices were tested using Android apps, and "risky" permissions are defined as those giving invasive access to parts of someone's smartphone, such as the ability to record audio, see someone's precise location when using the phone, access to stored files, and seeing what other apps they have installed. All the products tested required consent to work properly and not consenting meant smart features were unable to be utilised. As well as this, all devices wanted to know the user's precise location.

The guilty parties

Three of the best air fryers were tested from Aigostar, Xiaomi, and Cosori. All three wanted permission to record audio on the user's phone – for no specified reason. The Xiaomi app connected to trackers from Facebook, Pangle (the ad network of TikTok for Business), and Chinese tech giant Tencent.

The Aigostar air fryer wanted to know gender and date of birth when setting up an account, again for no clear reason, although this was optional. The Aigostar and Xiaomi both sent people's personal data to servers in China, although this was disclosed in the privacy notice.

Some of the best smartwatches were analyzed too, with the Huawei Ultimate watch requesting nine "risky" phone permissions – the most of all devices tested. Huawei claims these all had a justified need and that no user data is used for marketing or advertising purposes. Which? found some trackers active on the watch, but Huawei said they are only active in certain regions.

The Kuzil and WeurGhy smart watches were also tested because they are bestsellers on Amazon. Both require consent and if declined, will only operate as a regular watch. Neither watch appeared to use trackers, but there was none of the legally required information on how long the watches would be supported with security updates.

Top smart TVs from Samsung, LG, and Hisense were tested, and their menus were littered with ads and thirsty for user data. The Hisense and Samsung TVs tested required a postcode at set up, which, in testing, appeared mandatory. The LG asked for a postcode but providing it was not mandatory. Samsung's TV app requested eight "risky" phone permissions and linked to trackers, including Facebook and Google. The LG also linked to trackers, but the Hisense did not.

Smart speakers are a common feature of many homes, and leading products the Amazon Echo Pop and Google Nest Mini, alongside the Bose Portable Home Speaker were tested. The Bose took the fewest upfront phone permissions but was stuffed with trackers, including Facebook, Google, and digital marketing firm Urbanairship. It also fared poorly on how it secured customer consent for data tracking.

In contrast, the Amazon Echo gives useful options to skip various requests to share data. For the Echo and Nest, users needed an Amazon or Google account and used trackers linking back to Google and Amazon respectively, and you can't selectively opt out.

Which?'s research highlights how manufacturers and their products are able to collect excessive data from consumers, often with little transparency about what it's being used for. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is due to publish new guidance for smart device manufacturers in Spring 2025 and Which? has called for clear advice on how consumer data can be used and the transparency required of businesses.

"Our research shows how smart tech manufacturers and the firms they work with are currently able to collect data from consumers, seemingly with reckless abandon, and this is often done with little or no transparency" said Harry Rose, Which? magazine editor. "Which? has been calling for proper guidelines outlining what is expected of smart product manufacturers and the ICO has confirmed a code is being introduced in Spring 2025 – this must be backed by effective enforcement, including against companies that operate abroad."

What do cybersecurity experts say?

Which? are not the only organisation researching the privacy threat posed by smart devices. Surfshark, a leading VPN, and the fastest VPN in our testing, has researched what data is collected by smart device apps through its Smart Home Privacy Checker. According to Surfshark, Amazon's Alexa collects 28 out of a possible 32 data points, over three times more than the average device. The data is linked to individual user profiles and includes precise location, contact information, and health data.

Google gathers a little less than Amazon, collecting 22 out of 32 possible data points, but is still nearly triple the typical amount collected. Like Amazon, Google links all collected data to the user. These include address, precise location, photos or videos, audio data, browsing, and search history.

Outdoor security cameras were found to collect the most user data among smart home devices. The Deep Sentinel and Lorex apps were the most invasive in this category.

"It is important to understand that this issue extends beyond just data collection," says Goda Sukackaitė, Privacy Counsel at Surfshark. "It encroaches upon the intimate aspects of users’ lives, which, if mismanaged, could lead to data theft, security breaches, and the unsanctioned, uncontrolled dissemination of personal information to third parties. Users must be made aware and given the means to reclaim their digital privacy."

"After gathering data, apps may track you to show targeted ads or share your information with third parties and data broker companies," added Sukackaitė. "Thus, you might end up paying twice for using these apps – once for the device and again with your data."

How can you protect yourself?

Clearly it is more important than ever to take steps to protect your data and privacy, especially if you have smart devices in your home. It isn't all doom and gloom, though – there are ways you can protect yourself and your smart devices.

The first step is to make sure you're always aware of what you're sharing and consenting. Granted you have to consent to certain data collections to make smart devices work, but you certainly don't have to consent to all. Always opt-out of any optional or non-essential data collection – only share what you're comfortable with.

Read the app's privacy notice and identify what data they're collecting and where it's going and check the app's permissions. This can be done before downloading on iOS and Android and in your settings, you can usually review what each app has access to. It is also possible to deny or limit access to data in phone settings, such as location and contacts, although, in some cases, it may limit the smart device's features.

Where possible, and as long as it doesn't affect functionality, you can disable unnecessary microphones and cameras on smart devices and evaluate if the app asking to use your microphone or camera really needs it to perform its function.

You can actually delete recordings stored on a smart device. Using the Alexa and Google Assistant settings, you can set your voice recordings to be deleted automatically rather than stored after a period of time – think, deny, disable, delete.

If you are worried about where your data is and who has it, then you can use a data removal service like DeleteMe or Incogni. These monitor the web for your data, identify which data brokers and third-parties have access to it, and send removal requests for its deletion on your behalf. Some VPN companies, such as Surfshark and ExpressVPN, also include data removal services in premium plans.

"Everyone can take simple but powerful steps like disabling microphones and cameras when they’re not in use, deleting voice data regularly, and always using strong, unique passwords. These measures, while basic, help you stay one step ahead of having your personal information fall into the wrong hands," said Lauren Hendry Parsons, Director of Communications & Advocacy at ExpressVPN.

"If you suspect someone is spying on you via your devices, don’t wait – take action. Reset your phone to factory settings, secure your home Wi-Fi, and encrypt your communications. Regaining control over your devices and network can restore your privacy and peace of mind."

Can VPNs protect smart devices?

VPNs are an excellent tool for protecting your privacy and data online, when using your phone or computer. They can't directly protect your smart devices, but there is another option – setting up a router VPN. These are very useful for protecting devices you can't directly download a VPN on to but use Wi-Fi, such as smart devices.

Essentially, a router VPN is a VPN that is installed on a router, allowing you to secure your Wi-Fi connection at its source. Most VPNs can be installed on a compatible router, and they work exactly like a standard VPN for your device, except all your protection, such as IP address spoofing and online traffic encryption, is done at the source. This means all devices connected to the router are protected, rather than just the singular devices your regular VPN is installed on.

Installing a VPN on a router can be tricky, but the best router VPN, ExpressVPN, offers its own custom router firmware, which is compatible with a number of compatible routers. ExpressVPN also offers its own Aircove router. It's preloaded with ExpressVPN software and ready to use in five minutes.

Of course, VPNs can't stop devices collecting data, but they can help secure your connection and avoid additional surveillance undertaken by your internet provider. Most importantly, you have to stay vigilant when it comes to personal data. Be mindful of the smart devices you buy and what you share with them. Purchase smart devices that collect small amounts of data (if any at all) and use VPN tools where possible to give you the best protection possible.

Air fryers have been everywhere for the last few years. If you’re looking for something that can help you cook quick, painless, and nutritious meals, an air fryer is a great option. But how do you sift through the hundreds of appliances out there to find the best air fryer?

When I found the Ultenic K10, I was impressed by its sleek appearance, range of presets, and its budget price. The air fryer looks just as modern and stylish as a Cosori or a Ninja and will cost you less. It comes with a companion Ultenic app and can connect to your home Wi-Fi network over 2.4Ghz, but this feature didn’t work in testing. I used the air fryer just fine without Wi-Fi, but this might be a major issue if you wanted to sync it up with your Echo or Google Nest.

I cooked fries, fish, chicken nuggets, sausages, and — cue gasp — cupcakes in the Ultenic K10 air fryer. While the K10 blew me away with how juicy and crispy the fish and nuggets were, it left me a bit befuddled by its cupcake setting, which I’ll get into more later. Find out how this budget, family-sized air fryer holds up in this Ultenic K10 Air Fryer review.  

Ultenic K10 Air Fryer review: Cheat sheet

• Who is it for? This is a budget airfryer from Ultenic with a big enough basket to cook for a small family.
• What does it do well? It comes with loads of presets and looks good on your kitchen counter.
• What are its weaknesses? The touchscreen is unforgiving for dust and the cupcake preset can dry out your bakes.
• What should you use it for? It’s great for preparing party food like nuggets and chips. 

Ultenic K10 Air Fryer review: Specs

Ultenic K10 Air Fryer review: Price & availability

As with other Ultenic products, this air fryer is available from the Ultenic website for $79 and is only priced in USD — but U.K. and E.U. customers can still purchase with free shipping. It’s available on Amazon for $119 / £59. It’s priced similarly to Cosori air fryers, which share the same sleek black design and touchscreen display panel.  

Ultenic K10 Air Fryer review: Design & setup

When I unboxed this air fryer, the first thing I noticed was how sleek and stylish it was. The shiny black finish and touchscreen give it an uber-modern, luxury feel, and the rose gold embellishments are right on trend. While it’s not my personal style, I’m more a fan of retro and rustic vibes, this is objectively an attractive device, and looks great on my kitchen counter. It’s quite big, at 11 x 12 inches, but it wouldn’t be a family-size air fryer if it was 6 x 7 inches, would it? It looks just as good as the pricier Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 ($119), with the same clean black exterior and metallic handle. Be warned, though — the touchscreen gets dusty instantly, so you’ll be wiping it down at least daily. 

Upon plugging in the device, I was enamored by the touchscreen on top of the lid. I marveled at the range of presets, from your bog-standard chips and chicken wings, to shrimp and cupcakes! I knew I had to try out the cupcake preset, and I did — but you’ll have to wait for the ‘cooking’ section to find out what happened.

While you don’t need the app to use the device, Ultenic’s instruction manual comes with app directions. To give the air fryer a full overview, I downloaded the Ultenic app, selected my device, but the K10 wouldn’t connect via Wi-Fi, even though I followed the instructions in the manual and other smart home products have connected to my Wi-Fi before. After repeat tries, I was forced to give up, but if the connection had worked, it would have linked to my smart home devices and I would have been able to start cooking using voice commands. So if this is a really important feature for you, maybe the K10 is worth a pass. 

If the K10 isn’t connected to your phone, you can still use the Ultenic app for recipes. There are well-labeled sections like ‘vegetables’ and ‘seafood’ and you can save recipes that catch your eye. There are also some really unusual — bordering on amusing — recipes in the app. For example, “witch’s cauldron”, which calls for an entire bag of poppy seeds and a can of tomato soup. It’s essentially a Halloween-themed bread bowl, with black (from poppy seeds) bread and orange innards. I would recommend reading through recipes carefully before favoriting them, which is easy to do with the heart icon in the top corner. For this review, I followed the ‘fish nuggets’ recipe, and I was pleasantly surprised. The recipe was super-simple (great if you want to do some cooking practice with your child!) and came out juicy, flavorful, and paired perfectly with the fries I’d made just before. 

Although it’s useful and a welcome addition to the device, the app isn’t perfect, by any means. Some recipes are in imperial measures, and some recipes are in metric — so there’ll be a lot of “Hey Google, what’s 300 grams in ounces?”. On top of this, some recipes accidentally say things like “Put the fries in your Proscenic air fryer”, which is another brand under Ultenic’s parent company. The recipes also don’t have servings and don’t give you an overall time, so use them with a pinch of salt (but is that in grams or ounces?). 

Setting up the device was straightforward after I realized the Wi-Fi connection didn’t work, and after a gentle clean with a sponge and hot soapy water, I was ready to start cooking. 

Ultenic K10 Air Fryer review: Cooking

For the first recipe, I decided to start with something foolproof: fries. I cut 3 potatoes into chunky wedges and laid them flat in the K10’s large basket before selecting the ‘fries’ preset. I was delighted when the air fryer beeped and told me to shake halfway through, as I usually forget that step. While cooking, my Decibel X app read 60dB, which is at the higher end of average for an air fryer, but it’s not ear-splitting by any means. 

The K10’s max temperature is 400F/205C. This is about average for an air fryer. It matches the Instant Vortex 4-in-1 ($99) and the Dash Compact Air Fryer ($49), but falls short of Ninja’s Foodi Dual Zone ($179), which goes up to 460°F/240°C. The fries cooked for 20 minutes at 380°F/195°C, but I would recommend an extra five minutes. The potatoes were cooked through, but some outer parts were a bit pale for my liking, and overall, they weren’t crunchy or crispy. Disappointing in comparison to the  Dash Compact, which cooked fries to a perfect crisp (but can’t fit a whole chicken, unlike the K10). 

The K10 can cook up to 2 pounds of fries at a time, which is great if you’re feeding a family of hungry kids, or having a few friends over. The K10 really excels with heating frozen food, ideal for busy parents and party food. It cooked my frozen potato waffles at 390F/200C for 5 minutes on each side. They were crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Much better than cooking them in the toaster, which I’m guilty of doing. I cooked Quorn chicken nuggets for 20 minutes (shaking halfway, as reminded by the K10) at 360°F/180°C and ohmygosh. I don’t think I can ever have them cooked another way. They tasted exactly like McNuggets. Finally, I cooked halloumi fries (I know, jealous much?). As instructed by the bag, I laid four fries flat on the basket and set the timer for eight minutes at 360/180. I shook them halfway as reminded, but when they finished, I thought they needed a little longer. I put them back in for four minutes at 380°F/200°C, which could just be my preference — if I’m eating greasy food, it has to be super crispy. They were delicious. 

When I’d had enough of beige delights, I decided to test it with a basketful of peppers, zucchini, and tinned chickpeas, for an easy and nutritious meal. This meal was beautifully crisp, juicy, and a wonderful surprise. 

As the K10’s ‘cupcake’ setting had caught my eye, I knew I had to test it out. To eradicate the possibility of human baking-related errors, I bought a premix packet and added water, oil, and eggs, as per the packet instructions. I poured the mix into six cupcake liners, which is the maximum the K10 can fit in its basket. I selected ‘cupcake’ and was immediately skeptical. The K10 read ‘30 minutes, 300°F/150°C’ for cupcakes. Usually cupcakes bake at 360°F/180°C for 15 minutes, so I was apprehensive of the K10’s settings. But I persevered and put them on to cook.

I should have trusted my gut, because when I took them out and let them cool, I was utterly heartbroken. These cupcakes probably needed 25 minutes, at a push. Possibly even 22 minutes. The tops, sides, and bottoms were crispy and dry — not what you want from chocolate chip cupcakes. While the centers were a little fluffier, I was hugely disappointed with how these treats turned out. As with all air fryers, you’ll need to embark on a bit of trial and error to find your perfect setting. As helpful as 11 presets are, the air fryer has no way of knowing how big your chicken breast is or how you like your steak cooked. So, do your due diligence and keep your eye on your food the first few times you use the air fryer. 

To take my own advice, I remade the cupcakes and baked them for 14 minutes at 350°F/170°C. I was delighted to see the cupcakes fluffy, moist, and delicious, and promptly devoured them (yes, all six). 

The K10 impressed me overall, considering it’s only $79. It lacks the roast, air fry, dehydrate, and reheat cooking modes seen on Ninja models like the AF101 Air Fryer ($89), but you do save yourself $10 with the K10. I wish it had a proof setting for bread like the Cosori Toaster Oven CS130 ($169), or a dehydration setting like the Chefman Multifunction Digital Air Fryer ($99). But this is still a great little air fryer for stress-free essential family cooking. 

Ultenic K10 Air Fryer review: Storage & maintenance

While the basket is not clearly advertised as dishwasher safe like the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 ($119), I checked with Ultenic’s representatives and confirmed that the K10 can indeed go through the dishwasher. Besides, there is a removable grill inside the basket, so you can get in the nooks and crannies with a sponge if needed. This air fryer is super easy to clean with a damp sponge or cloth, and spillages lift off the basket without a massive amount of elbow grease.

The K10 is a large machine, so it’ll take up a lot of counter space unless you have a decently-sized cupboard in which to hide it. I left this out on my counter for the duration of testing, where it managed to attract every mote of dust in my entire kitchen, but with a regular wipe-down, it’s no problem. 

Ultenic K10 Air Fryer review: Verdict

The Ultenic K10 is an attractive, modern device with a wide range of presets and a large 5.3 quart capacity. While its price and design are attractive, it’s missing a few features found on premium or “big name” rivals, including multiple cooking types and a proof mode. 

That said, it does the basics right, so if you want a budget, stylish air fryer that looks good in your kitchen and can hack cooking for a family, this is a great option. I was impressed with its large basket and capability to cook entire meals in under thirty minutes. While it doesn’t have the features of the Chefman Multifunctional or the Ninja Pro 4-in-1, it’s a nifty air fryer, perfect for a first-time user. 

A quick browse of the Dreo website will tell you this brand is best known for making fans, air conditioners and humidifiers. So the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer is a bit of a side step into kitchen appliances. The question is, can a new brand create one of the best air fryers straight off the bat?

The Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer is way more than a simple air fryer, it’s a totally new take on a classic air fryer. Its Chef Mode utilizes a cooking probe as well as steam and dry heat in combination with a smart algorithm. It’s said to replicate the techniques of a chef, so I couldn’t wait to give it a go and see if it really works.

Having reviewed countless air fryers in my career, it can take a lot to impress me. And when I set the Dreo up in my kitchen at home and started using it for my regular meals, I didn’t expect to be wowed. But the chef mode programs really do work, which is great news if you’re not confident in the kitchen.

Price and availability

The Dreo Chefmaker Combi Fryer sits at the premium end of the market. It’ll set you back $359/ £299.99 which is significantly more than a lot of similar sized air fryers. However the price is justified by the chef mode automatic cooking programs, an upgraded feature that sets the Dreo apart from its competitors.

It’s available in the US, Canada, and the UK either directly via the Dreo website or through resellers such as Amazon.

Design

The Dreo Chefmaker Combi Fryer arrived encased in two huge chunks of styrofoam, which is my most hated form of packaging since it’s so hard to recycle. Nevertheless, once I’d got over this, I was somewhat surprised that given what it claims to be capable of, its size is no bigger than a lot of other similar capacity air fryers.

There are a few accessories in the box that immediately set it apart from its competitors. Firstly the cooking probe; this attaches to the inside of the cooking basket, when required. There’s also a grilling rack, and on the top of the main air fryer body, there’s a small square water container.

It comes with the standard pull out basket and removable cooking tray. The basket features a large window, coupled with a bright interior light that makes it easy to keep an eye on your food without opening it too frequently.

The large touchscreen is very easy to navigate. The first mode displayed when you switch it on is chef mode. Within this mode there’s a menu of food types; beef, pork, lamb, poultry, seafood, and vegetables. Then within each of these categories are multiple individual food options to choose from.

Or you can choose classic cook mode. And in this mode you can choose between, air fry, defrost, reheat, broil, roast, toast, bake, and dehydrate. Each of these cooking modes offers adjustable time and temperature settings.

Alternatively you can choose probe cook mode, which cooks by you selecting the target temperature for the probe to reach. This mode is probably best suited to the more experienced cook.

There’s also a Dreo app which I’d recommend connecting to. It includes some recipes for inspiration, as well as offering all the same controls as the control panel, but on your phone. It even sends you a notification when your food is cooked.

What I love about the design is that despite offering an unrivaled level of functionality, the control panel remains effortlessly simple to use. And in chef mode it walks you through the steps, such as making sure you’ve added water to the water tank, or inserted the probe. So you really can’t go wrong.

I noticed quite quickly that there’s no preheat stage for any of the cooking modes. And being able to start cooking immediately is certainly a time saver.

Chef Mode

To cook four chicken thighs using the Chef Mode, the screen prompted me to both fill the water tank, and insert the probe into the thickest part of one of the thighs. After I pressed start it spent four minutes calculating the cook time. Then the timer came on and displayed 31 minutes, which I must admit, was longer than I expected.

I left it alone and at the end of cooking the thighs were thoroughly cooked through. The meat had a succulent texture and the skin was golden and well crisped. Considering all I did was put them in and press start, it’s pretty impressive. And for novice cooks, potentially a game changer.

Next time I used the Chef Mode it was to cook two ribeye steaks. After I selected medium rare from the options, it prompted me to cook them in the grilling rack, and to add water to the water container. Then I switched it on, and after four minutes calculating, the timer came on, displaying 16 minutes. 

However, the time must have changed during cooking, because they were ready in 15 minutes (including the 4 minute calculating stage). One steak was slightly thicker than the other, which did mean that the thicker one containing the probe was perfectly medium rare, while the slightly thinner one was cooked a little more. But to be honest, that’s what I expected to happen.

They were both nicely cooked, though I noticed the browning was better on the top than the bottom of the steaks, not that this affected the flavor. My only real grumble is that with the cook time being a bit uncertain, it can be tricky to get your side dishes cooked at the right time to plate up the entire meal. Though I’m sure this becomes easier the more you use it as you get to know the rough timings for your favorite foods.

Within the Chef Mode vegetables section, there are several types of vegetable to choose from. I selected broccoli and cut up a whole head of broccoli into large florets that I lightly coated in oil. 

Once started, the program counted down from 10 minutes, but it doesn’t display the cooking temperature. The finished broccoli was nicely roasted, though I’d prefer the stalks a little less firm, so I’d probably just cut it into smaller pieces next time. 

Air fry

For my first try on the Air Fry setting I cooked up homemade thick cut fries that I spritzed with oil. I put them in at 400F/200C and set the timer for 20 minutes. With a couple of good shakes during cooking, the fries cooked brilliantly. They were golden and crisp, and the flavor and texture was as good as some of the best air fried fries I’ve made, which is quite an accolade.

On a separate occasion I air fried some frozen breadcrumbed fish fillets. I set it to air fry at 375F/190C for 15 minutes and the result was perfect. The crumb was crisp and crunchy, while the fish inside was tender and succulent.

Reheat 

The reheat mode worked well when I wanted to warm and refresh a take-out Indian naan bread that had been sitting around for a couple of days. I sprinkled the bread with water and then put it into the drawer at 250F/120C. 

I set the timer for 6 minutes and after 4 minutes opened it up and brushed the top of the bread with butter. At the end of the cook time, the bread was perfectly soft and fluffy, with some lightly crisped patches.

Roast

With so many other options for cooking meat using the temperature probe and chef mode, I decided instead to roast some baby tomatoes and onions. I removed all accessories and lined the base of the drawer with baking paper.

Once I’d squeezed in as many cut baby tomatoes as possible alongside chunks of red onion, I set the temperature to 375F/190C.  I set the timer to 15 minutes which turned out to be the perfect amount of time for the tomatoes and onions to roast and develop a light charring on the edges. Perfect for me to whizz up into a pizza sauce.

Toast

The default settings are  350F/ 175C for 5 minutes. I popped in two slices of frozen sourdough bread, fully aware that the five minute timer may need increasing thanks to the bread coming straight from the freezer.

The viewing window came in handy, allowing me to keep an eye on the color of the toast. When there was 30 seconds left on the timer, I turned the bread over and added another 3 minutes. The finished toast was good, if a little harder and dryer than I’d like.

I think next time it would benefit from an increased temperature so that it toasts faster without drying out. The temperature on toast mode can be adjusted up as high as 400F/205C.

Bake

The app offers several recipes for inspiration, so I thought I'd try out the banana bread. Once I’d mixed up the cake batter, I found a cake tin that would fit in the Dreo. Then I made use of a feature in the app that’ll send the correct cooking time and temperature directly to the air fryer, so you don’t have to set it.

The cake cooked on the bake mode at 350F/175C for 45 minutes. But with around 15 minutes still left on the timer, I could see through the window that the top of the cake was looking quite dark, so I decided to open it up and have a look. Good thing I did because the cake was cooked and the top had started to go a bit hard, so I stopped it there.

Once it had cooled, the cake was nicely cooked and tasty, though if I made it again, I’d probably reduce the cooking time as well as the temperature slightly to stop it overcooking on top.

I also used the bake mode to bake up a batch of my homemade granola. For this I removed the cooking tray and placed it directly into the bottom of the basket. I baked it at 330F/165C and gave it a couple of stirs during the bake. After just 15 minutes it was cooked and crisped.

Cleaning

All of the removable parts, with the exception of the cook probe can be cleaned in the dishwasher. But the non-stick coatings are very effective, so often, a quick rinse with hot water and dish soap is all that’s needed.

The shiny touch control panel shows greasy fingerprints, so I found I needed to wipe this regularly to keep it look clean.

Comparison

If you’re a pro in the kitchen then the Chef Mode could be a redundant feature. In that case the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer might be the one for you. It’s spacious enough to cook for a family, and the central divider can be removed, giving you the choice to cook in two smaller zones or one bigger one. Plus, you still get six cooking modes to choose from in an easy-to-use format.

Alternatively the Cosori Smart Wifi Air Fryer offers both app connectivity and preset cooking programs. So while it doesn’t give you the chef mode automatic cooking, it still offers a bit of a helping hand and more connectivity than most air fryers. Moreover, it’s a top performing air fryer loved by Tom's Guide.

Verdict 

All in all, from what I’ve experienced, the chef mode really does allow you to prepare lots of common foods without necessarily having the knowledge or skills to understand how they’re best cooked. That said, I’d argue it’s aimed at meat lovers. The bulk of the chef mode programs are for meat and fish, so if you’re a vegetarian, a lot of the food options aren’t relevant to you.

All of the classic cook modes that I tried, worked exceptionally well. Sometimes cooking was fiercer than I expected, but you quickly get used to it and learn to turn down the temperature when needed. 

Yes it is expensive, but if you want a premium appliance that’s capable of taking the thinking, and to a certain degree, some of the skill, out of preparing delicious meals, then it’s an investment that’ll be worth making.

I've been desperate to jump on the air fryer trend for a number of years, but my husband has other ideas. I was given the ultimatum: if you get an air fryer, the bread machine has to go. 

Although air fryers offer the amazing benefits of low-fat, speedy meals, not everyone had the counter space to commit to one of these mini ovens, so I'd resigned myself to heating my friends (and colleagues) raving about the joys about air fryers without ever trying one for myself. However, in response to the air fryer trend of recent years, oven manufacturers have started to incorporate air fry features into many of the best gas ranges and best electric ranges. On a recent trip to SMEG HQ, I got to take a look at one of these air fryer ovens for myself. 

You may be thinking: aren't air fryers just tiny ovens, anyway? Well, sort of. Air fryers replicate the airflow of a convection oven, using a fan to circulate the hot air around your food while it cooks which results in a crispier and often faster finished meal. However, air fryers have the added benefit of slatted cooking trays that allow every angle of your chicken breast or roasted vegetable to be cooked at once, and this also allows fat to drip away from your food while it renders, resulting in a crispier and less oily meal. To replicate this effect in the conventional range, manufacturers have started to introduce dedicated air fry settings, as well as air fry accessories to achieve that crispy, low-fat finish.

How does the air frying function work in an oven?

"In 2019, more than 4 million stand-alone air fryers were sold over a 12-month period, making it the fastest-growing small appliance segment in the United States, said Amelia Hensley, director of cooking systems for GE. “Consumers loved the feature so much that in 2021, we pushed air fry mode over-the-air as a software update to more than 60 models and 200,000 consumers who purchased GE Appliances’ ranges in the last four years.”

The free software update was available to all customers who purchased a range with Wi-Fi capabilities, allowing them to benefit from the No-Preheat Air Fry function. 

What was optional has become standard. “Now a lot of our products come with it built in as another button on the control panel,” said Hensley. 

Meanwhile, Smeg launched its AirFry tray accessory in 2020, part of a wider collection, including a BBQ plate and pizza stone, allowing customers to get more out of its ovens. “At the time of launch, the trend for air fry cooking was growing, and people were striving to reduce fat consumption but still wanted to achieve the crisping of food,” said Alice Snow, senior home economist at Smeg. 

With Smeg’s AirFry accessory, whether you’re using a stand-alone air fryer or cooking food in an oven, the principle remains the same. “The AirFry accessory allows maximum airflow to circulate around the food. Minimal fat needs to be applied as the intense heat and airflow creates a fast, crisp and healthier result,” explained Snow. 

Can it replace my air fryer? 

The air fry function in GE Appliances’ ovens is based on a custom algorithm that delivers heat quickly to food. "Our ovens utilize multiple heaters as well as the convection fan," Hensley explained. "The oven’s heater and fan behavior are optimized to produce crispy results while cooking foods thoroughly following package and recipe times. We also match the air fry cycle to each oven system so it is customized to that model for optimal and consistent performance across our portfolio.”

All Smeg ovens come with a function called Circulaire. “It’s incredibly effective at moving the air around the food to create fast, even cooking results without cross transference of flavors,” said Snow. “This is ideal for air fry cooking as it is an intense, moving air environment that the food needs to crisp rapidly and evenly. Combined with the AirFry tray, which ensures air flows around every part of the food, the result would be as crisp as if you had deep fried the food.”

Some of Smeg’s ovens come with a dedicated Air fry function. “This uses the best function and temperature, by default, without the customer needing to adapt a recipe or cooking instructions,” says Snow. 

However, Smeg advices that you do need to use its AirFry tray accessory when using the air fry function.

Should you buy an oven with a built-in air fryer? 

As consumers, we like choice, but I was interested in discovering the manufacturers’ take on whether they think they’ll be a move away from countertop air fryers. GE offers both standalone air fryers, as well as other appliances, such as ovens, with air fryer functionality built in.

“Air fry continues to be a popular feature, and we now offer toaster ovens with air fry built-in in addition to our wall ovens and ranges, said Hensley, “We think we’ll continue to see air fry as a feature, especially built into products like our ovens and countertop ovens that have other cooking modes to save on countertop clutter.”

It may seem an unusual route, but Smeg hasn’t jumped on the bandwagon to offer countertop air fryers. “Smeg is about design, and where possible, keeping the countertop free,” said Snow.  “Admittedly, there are many small appliances in the range, all of which you want to keep on display.”

However, similar to my own experience, Snow acknowledged that “there is only so much space” on the countertop. She also sees a potential capacity issue when using a countertop air fryer, which may make it difficult to cook an entire family meal. With the Smeg Air Fry option, additional racks can be added to the oven, making it cost-effective when cooking larger meals. And the bonus: “There’s no cross-transference of flavors and smells - the user can put a mixture of sweet and savory or delicate and strong flavors together.” 

As to the differences between these appliances, it goes without saying that people will enjoy a lot more cooking space when they opt for an oven with an in-built air fry setting, but they also won't have the benefits of extra-fast pre-heating and supplementary cooking space that you'll get with an air fryer. 

Will this change the game? 

There will still be a big demand for countertop air fryers. Still, as people gradually replace their ranges, they will consider the extra functionality that an air fryer option will offer. Some of it will come down to cost and which option is most cost-efficient and energy-saving, while convenience is also key. It also depends on how you want to use the air frying function. 

A countertop air fryer may be more convenient if you tend to reheat food, or making a small meal. If you want to cook larger meals, an air fryer function in an oven will give you greater capacity. Whatever your needs, you're not lacking for options.

More from Tom's Guide

• Discover 5 reasons why I'm switching to a dual basket air fryer 
• And air fryer versus oven  —  which is cheaper to use? 
• Plus, are air fryers a healthy option? Here's what you need to know

The brand Our Place is somewhat of a social media sensation, having achieved a cult following for its cookware, in particular the Always Pan. And more recently it has launched the Perfect Power Pot. The brand has recently begun dipping its toe into the world of electrical appliances, including the launch of the Wonder Oven.

The Our Place Wonder Oven is a 6-in-1 countertop air fryer toaster oven that’s available in four colors. As someone who almost exclusively reviews kitchen appliances for a living, I’ve reviewed my fair share of the best toaster ovens and air fryers. And I’m wondering, is this just an appliance that’s designed to look cute on social media, or does it actually work?

So when I got my hands on a sample, I set it up in my own kitchen and used it for my everyday meals to see how it performed when cooking for two for a week. I’ve got mixed feelings about its air frying performance, but it's a brilliant toaster and great for baking. 

Our Place Wonder Oven review: Price and availability

The Our Place Wonder Oven is available in four colors for $195/ £195. It’s available primarily on the Our Place website, but also through some selected retailers such as Amazon.

You can also buy an extra set of accessories (air fryer basket and bake pan) for the oven for an additional $50/ £45

Our Place Wonder Oven review: Design

The Our Place Wonder Oven arrived beautifully packaged in easily recyclable cardboard packaging. My first impression upon delivery was that the box was small, so when I unboxed the incredibly compact little oven, I was slightly less taken aback by its stature.

It is surprisingly compact though, and add to that the three analogue dial controls, and it does look a bit like a toy oven that you might have played with as a child. The controls are very simple, the left dial controls the temperature and the one on the right is for the timer. The central dial allows you to switch between the various cooking modes.

There are no other controls to master so it really is very straightforward, however, dials like these are not super accurate, which can be frustrating. For example, the instructions say to preheat it for 2 ½ minutes before cooking, but it’s virtually impossible to be this specific with the timer dial.

There isn’t a start/ stop button, twisting the timer dial starts the oven. It switches off when the timer runs out, with a ‘ding’ sound that reminds me of an old fashioned microwave. Or, if you want to switch it off earlier, you have to manually force the timer back round to zero, which does feel a bit like you’re breaking it.

It comes in a choice of four colors and I was sent the salt blue version, the other options are a gray/ brown, beige, and a peach color. The accessories include a wire rack, bake pan and an air fryer basket. There’s also a removable crumb tray that slides in below the bottom element, to make cleaning easier.

Speaking of cleaning, I was disappointed when I read in the manual that all of the accessories have to be hand washed. They’re the perfect size to fit comfortably into a dishwasher, so not having this option is a shame

The small drop down door doesn’t sit flat against the counter when open, because the handle gets in the way. But it has a large viewing window for checking your food as it cooks. Plus there’s a really bright internal light that stays on while cooking.

On the top of the oven a small water inlet allows you to add up to two teaspoons of water for a steam infusion, which is supposed to stop foods like bread from drying out, although I’m skeptical that such a small amount of water will have a very big impact.

Our Place Wonder Oven review: Performance

Every time I used the oven, I tended to set a timer on my phone, as it’s not easy to be very accurate with the dial timer. Similarly, I found it tricky to select temperatures in-between those marked, with any accuracy, so there’s a bit of guesswork involved there too.

Toast

There’s space to fit two cut bagels on the rack to toast, which surprised me. Unlike with the other cooking modes, I didn’t bother with the 2 ½ minute preheat. Instead, I put my bagel on the rack and started toasting on the highest temperature setting.

The viewing window meant I could easily keep an eye on the color of the bagel. And it was perfectly toasted after just 3 ½ minutes. Because there are heating elements above and below, both sides get toasted so there’s no need to turn it.

I also used it to toast some sourdough bread that I put in direct from the freezer. The four slices toasted evenly in just 6 minutes, which isn’t bad given that they were frozen and I didn’t preheat it first.

Bake

I used the bake mode a couple of times, both times I followed the directions to preheat the oven first for 2 ½ minutes. First I baked a batch of falafel and despite the compact size of the tray, 16 falafel balls fit on it comfortably. I set the temperature to 365F/ 185C and after 18 minutes the falafel balls were evenly baked. They were nicely crisped on the outside and still moist and fluffy on the inside.

Chocolate chip cookies were next on the agenda, but to give them enough space, I could only bake four at a time on the tray. The first batch at 365F/ 185C were burnt on the bottom, so I cooked the next batch at 340F/ 170C and they cooked beautifully in 8 minutes. Moreover, they didn’t stick to the tray and baking in small batches across a whole weekend meant I got to enjoy warm, freshly baked cookies on multiple occasions.

Air Fry

Frozen breadcrumbed fish filets are an air fryer staple in my house. I preheated the air fryer to 375F/ 190C and then placed the frozen fish filets in the basket, on the upper shelf. And to avoid any problematic fishy mess on the lower heating element, I placed the bake pan in the lower shelf position. 

Normally I’d expect these fish filets to take somewhere in the region of 10-15 minutes depending on the air fryer, but they were cooking for 20 minutes before they were hot enough inside. And the crumb, though crunchy, didn’t become as crisp and crunchy as it would in my usual air fryer.

To further assess the air fryer, I cut up 1 lb/ 500g chunky fries and soaked them in cold water for 30 minutes before drying and lightly coating in oil. This time I preheated the air fryer to 400F/ 200C. I put the fries in the basket and kept an eye on them.

The bright internal light coupled with the viewing window makes it easy to see how your food is cooking and stopped me from continually having to open the door and check the color of the fries. I gave them a couple of good shakes, but they were slow to cook.

I removed them after 34 minutes, which is easily 10 minutes longer than I’d expect them to take in an air fryer. Moreover, they were nowhere near as crisped as I’d like, which coupled with the extended cook time, was disappointing.

Broil

When I wanted the brown the cheesy topping on an otherwise cooked pasta bake, I put the broil/ grill on the highest temperature setting (450F/ 230C).After the 2 ½ minute preheat it took just 10 minutes for the cheese to melt and turn a delicious golden brown.

Reheat

To warm and refresh a couple of day old, slightly hard and stale croissants, I preheated it on reheat mode to 280F/ 140C. This time I decided to do a bit of an experiment, warming the first croissant for five minutes without steam. And then adding a teaspoon of water to the inlet for the second, which I also heated for five minutes.

The results were good, both croissants tasted crisp and fresh again. If I’m honest there wasn’t a huge amount of difference between the one with steam and the one without. But the one with steam was a little fluffier and slightly less crunchy on the outer pastry.

Roast

I roasted up a tray of chopped vegetables using the roast mode. On the bake tray, I squeezed a small red onion, half a green bell pepper, a whole red bell pepper and a couple of portobello mushrooms.

After the initial 2 ½ minute preheat I roasted them at 400F/ 200C for 25 minutes giving them a good stir halfway through. The result was exactly what I was looking for, nicely roasted vegetables, with some charred edges on the peppers and onions.

Later I roasted some halved baby tomatoes that I sprinkled with salt and pepper as well as a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. They took just 20 minutes to roast at 400F/ 200C.

The noise level is pretty consistent regardless of the cooking mode and it averaged around 65dB, which isn’t offensive. I should also point out that the exterior became warm but not too hot to touch. And the handle and controls were always cool to touch.

Cleaning

Overall I didn’t struggle with cleaning any of the accessories and the bake pan has an efficient non-stick coating. But I’d have preferred to be able to put them in the dishwasher. The inside of the oven wipes clean pretty easily, though I expect over time it’ll become a bit more caked in greasy residues that are hard to remove. 

How does the Our Place Wonder Oven compare?

The Our Place Wonder Oven is compact, so if you're looking for an alternative with the capacity to cook for a crowd, I’d highly recommend the Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 XL Pro Air Fry Oven DT201 or Smeg's Countertop Air Fry Oven with Steam. It is a bit more expensive, but with accurate digital controls plus ten cooking functions and a huge capacity, it’s a great choice for families.

Alternatively, if your main priority is having something that’s super compact. It’s also worth considering the Instant Vortex Mini 4-in-1 Air Fryer from our best air fryer guide. It’s more compact and also cheaper than the Our Place Wonder Oven. It’s a much better air fryer, plus it still offers roast, bake, and reheat modes. But you’ll have to go without the toast and broil settings. 

Should you buy the Our Place Wonder Oven

If your kitchen is small and you want a super compact multifunctional toaster oven that also looks cute, then Our Place Wonder Oven will certainly tick those boxes. But you’ll have to be okay with the compromises, like the analogue time and temperature dials that make it hard to be accurate with the settings.

The capacity is ideal for 1-2 person households, and most of the cooking modes are quick and efficient. However the air fry mode doesn’t perform as well as a standalone air fryer. And it’s annoying that the small accessories can’t be cleaned in the dishwasher.   

The best air fryers can raise your cooking game, allowing you to make crispy, healthy foods in record time. Whether it’s a reheated chicken nugget or a gourmet chickpea, an air fryer offers a whole world of cooking possibilities. While cooking on an oven or stove can take hours of arduous labor, the ingenious design of an air fryer allows you to get everything done in record time.

Using fans to circulate heat around the inside area, an air fryer cooks food quickly while keeping it crispy and warm. There are multiple types of air fryers, but they mostly boil down to having a basket or swinging doors in front. They are one of the easiest cooking devices to understand and pick up, but there are still quite a few dangers when working with them. From melted plastic to potential house fires, here are seven dangerous habits to avoid when using an air fryer.

1. Burning food 

When using an air fryer, you need to know how long it will take for your food to cook. Leaving it in for just a bit too long can cause it to start to get a bit too crispy or even burn. When your food burns, it can catch on fire especially if you are using a piece of parchment paper underneath. That chicken wing you left in for an extra 15 minutes can turn into a huge blaze very quickly, so it’s important to keep an eye on how long you’ve left your food in the air fryer.

Every food is different, and you should test out different recipes to find the perfect time for your specific model. But unless you are cooking a baked potato or chicken thighs, there’s no reason to leave any type of food in an air fryer for longer than 25 minutes. Even then, you should pause just to reorient your food in the tray by mixing it around. 

2. Leaving on the plastic 

Air fryers are perfect for reheating a frozen meal you bought at the local grocery store. But in a rush, you might end up leaving it in the plastic container or with the packaging still on.  Unlike microwave or some oven foods, this is an absolute no-no and should never be done in an air fryer. 

For one thing, plastic can seep into your food and lead to health problems down the road. But in a more immediate problem, plastic can easily burn or catch fire, ruining your meal or burning down your home.

When cooking pre-packaged meals in an air fryer, you should always take it out of the packaging unless it’s been designed to go in. That small step can end up saving you a lot of time or even your life. 

3. Overcrowding the basket 

When cooking in an air fryer, you want to make sure that the heat rotating inside can touch all of the areas of your food. It’s why you want to rotate your meal every once in a while while in the air fryer. But you should also make sure that you aren’t overcrowding the pan since it will keep anything you cook from reaching peak crispiness.

Each air fryer is different, but a good rule of thumb is to make sure that your pieces aren’t stacked on top of each other or clumped together. You might end up with fewer chicken nuggets or french fries in a single round, but those foods will taste a lot better when they aren’t soggy or drenched in oil from being overcrowded. 

4. Cleaning the basket 

When you use a pot or pan, it’s common practice to wash it after each use to get all of the gunk and bacteria off. An air fryer should also be cleaned after every use, even if you don’t think it's necessary. Small crumbs can burn, become baked onto your food or catch fire. So when cooking with your air fryer, get into the habit of cleaning it, no matter what you are cooking.

To clean an air fryer, you should unplug it, take out all of the removable parts, and wash it with warm water and dish soap. Make sure to not use any material that’s too abrasive as it could end up taking off the non-stick coat. If there’s stuck-on or burnt food you can’t get off no matter how much you scrub, try leaving baking soda on the problematic areas and let it sit for 20 minutes. Just remember not to completely submerge the air fryer’s mechanical components in water as it will most likely not turn on again afterward. 

For more tips, here's how to clean an air fryer and get rid of baked-on grease.

5.You forget to preheat

An air fryer might be a modern technological marvel but it still has a lot of the same hurdles a traditional oven has. No matter how fancy or expensive it is, your air fryer still needs time to heat up before you can put the food in the basket. Many models come with temperature gauges or displays so you’ll know when it’s hot enough to put food inside.

If you don’t wait for the device to heat up before you put your food in, you are at severe risk of ruining it or yourself. Food placed in while it’s heating up won’t cook properly, leaving it cold, uneven, or just plain gross. There can even be some potential health risks if food like chicken or steak is undercooked you can get very sick. So remember that patience is important in every facet of cooking. You don’t want to chop too fast or you might lose a finger and you don’t want to undercook your food or it could be worse. 

6. Not allowing space to vent 

Most air fryers use fans to spread heat around in a confined cooking space. But once that heat has done its job it needs to go somewhere which is why most models have vents. They can be located on the side, the back, or even the top and should never be completely closed off. 

To stop your air fryer from overheating, you need to give your air fryer some space away from a wall or other appliances.  If you don't, your air fryer can overheat and either stop working or at an extreme, catch on fire. 

7. Leaving your air fryer unattended 

Like most kitchen appliances, an air fryer shouldn't be left unattended while turned on. Though it might seem easy to go to the other room or watch some television while your air fryer is cooking, your device could potentially malfunction or break leading to at best burnt food or at worse a burnt-down home. 

With children or pets around, that danger grows immensely since they can accidentally throw your air fryer on the ground or break it. 

More from Tom's Guide

• Check out I've had my air fryer for years — but I only use it for one thing
• Plus, here are 9 things you should never put in an air fryer
• While you're at it, make sure you're not making any of these air fryer mistakes  
  

The best air fryers make cooking easier and healthier—just drop your ingredients in a basket and press a button to start cooking with little to no oil. Some of the latest air fryers are larger with two separate baskets. You can adjust the temperature and sear settings for these two individual zones. This makes it possible to cook two different dishes simultaneously while targeting different levels of doneness.

If you've used a single basket fryer as long as I have, you know that an extra basket is a game changer. As it stands, I have to cook my protein first, let it rest on a plate, and then start cooking my side in the same basket. Not only does this cost me time I don't have to waste after a busy day at work, but I'm also stuck transferring flavors between foods. Below you'll find the five advantages of a dual-basket air fryer that finally made me pull the trigger on ordering one over the holidays.

Reduce cook times

While cooking one component of a meal first and then replacing it with a second may not sound time-consuming, it adds up quick. Even if I cook a protein, plate it, and swiftly throw in a side, I'm still waiting at minimum an extra five minutes on the rest of my food to cook. With a dual-basket air-fryer, I can cook both dishes simultaneously and from one place. Not only does this make it easier to keep an eye on the food, but I can sync them up to finish together so everything is hot and fresh at the same time. 

Avoid cross contamination between foods

Whether it's dietary preferences or restrictions, you can keep your ingredients separated. In a single-basket air fryer, the oils and juices can throw off the flavor of your dishes. While steak-flavored fries are considered a happy accident in my household, it can be the end of the world if any kind of fish touches a side. With a second basket, I can make salmon for myself and still have a free basket to make carrots or asparagus free from fish oil. This is also extremely helpful for serving guests with food allergies. 

Larger cooking capacity

Dual-basket air fryers run larger than standard air fryers which means they can cook more food at once. With two baskets you can cook more food types as well; I can see myself using this to belt out sides like baked potatoes and other vegetables. As someone who uses a single 4-quart basket, an 8-quart dual-basket model would effectively double my output. 

Keep a spare clean basket at hand

Just because you have two baskets doesn't mean you have to use both for every meal. My 4-quart air fryer currently gets the job done fine. However, it's not uncommon for me to want to cook a second dish shortly after using the air fryer. It's a pain to have to wait for the basket to cool and then wash it. If I use just a single basket I can have a clean basket on standby at all times.

Advanced features

Since dual-basket air fryers are newer, you'll find standout features. For example, the Instant Vortex Plus XL ($160, Amazon) has two see-through windows that let you see your food cook without opening the basket. Ninja's DZ550 ($199, Amazon) comes with a smart probe that stops cooking proteins at their target doneness. And the T-fal Actifry Genius+ features a paddle that automatically rotates throughout the cook so there's no need to flip your food over or shake the basket—you can set it and forget it with even heating and crispness.

The air fryer has quickly become a must-have kitchen gadget for anyone who likes to cook. Using just a heating element and a fan, the best air fryers use intense dry heat to cook foods at high temperatures in relatively short periods. While a traditional oven spreads heat slowly inside its cooking chamber, an air fryer uses a fan to blast that heat across the food in a much shorter time. 

When we first brought an air fryer into our kitchen, I was apprehensive and confused. The single basket, multiple settings and unfamiliar cooking speed made me apprehensive to push the limits of what it could do. But after spending time with it and even concocting a few recipes, I’ve come to realize just how practical it can be. So here are a few tips for new air fryer owners to get the most out of their machines. 

1. Not an oil fryer

An air fryer works quite differently from your traditional oil fryer and gives you a wildly different result. A traditional fryer drenches your food in oil and saturated fats, creating a crispier but less nutritious end product, while an air fryer only uses a small fraction of that oil just on the surface. 

No matter how much you cook, you’ll never be able to get the same results from an air fryer that you would from a grease trap and you’ll have to adjust your recipes accordingly. Additionally, due to the inherent nature of an air fryer you can't use a wet batter to coat your food like you can in an oil fryer. The batter just ends up on the bottom of your basket. This is one of the 9 things you should never put in an air fryer.

2. It can’t make a good Bloomin' Onion 

When I first got my hands on our air fryer, my mind immediately went to the Outback Steakhouse classic Bloomin’ Onion. The idea of getting a crispy, delicious breaded onion snack that used less oil was immediately appealing and just made sense on paper. But after hours of experimentation, setting adjustments and wasted onions, I finally realized that it just doesn’t work. 

The final product is absolutely edible but an outback dupe it is not. The air fryer is great at reheating pre-frozen foods or crisping up small bites, but it just doesn’t have the power needed to make a restaurant-quality prop food. I wasn’t the only one who came to that conclusion, YouTuber Pro Home Cooks also gave it a shot to the same disappointing results. 

3. You might need a larger basket

Some air fryers, like our best air fryer winner from Cosori, use a basket that you can place your food into for cooking. That basket is perfect for small meals for one or two people, but past that, it can be difficult to manage. 

I use a single-basket air fryer and find myself having to cook larger meals in batches, which can be a hassle. For families, you may need to cook in multiple batches if the air fryer is all you have. If you see yourself needing larger amounts, it’s best to get one of the best toaster ovens with an air fryer function, like the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven, or two baskets, like the Ninja Foodi 2 Basket Air Fryer, which gives you more room to cook with.  

4. Cleaning is a must

When we first started using our air fryer, we didn’t clean it after each use, which we quickly learned wasn’t smart. A basket air fryer can collect food residue and grime fairly quickly, which can easily turn into a health hazard. 

So it's important after every use to clean your equipment, even if it doesn’t look dirty, with soap and warm water. Larger convection oven options don’t need a full scrub down, but the trays you use should receive washes fairly often. Here's how to clean an air fryer and how to get rid of the odor if it smells during the cooking process.

5. Super simple to use

An air fryer is an amazing kitchen tool because of how utterly simple it is. All you have to do is place what you want cooked inside, maybe flip it halfway through, and let the machine do the work. 

I’ve found it’s utterly amazing with frozen foods like chicken nuggets or French fries, giving them a nice golden crisp without a ton of effort. When using your air fryer with your favorite frozen meals, test out the settings and temperatures to give you your favorite result. Just try not to overcomplicate things and let the fryer do most of the heavy lifting. 

6. Extreme versatility 

With some trial and error, you can come up with absolutely immaculate recipes that would impress even your most culinary-inclined friends. From eggs to cookies, the air fryer can cook almost anything. 

I managed to cook a pork belly, which is notoriously difficult to do, keeping the skin super crispy while still moist on the inside.  Getting that perfect balance in a traditional oven requires more steps and takes much longer. 

For more inspiration, we've found 7 foods you never knew you could cook in an air fryer.

7. Slow down there

While cooking in an air fryer is faster than other methods since it does heat up quickly, it might still be slower than you think. 

When I first got a hold of my air fryer, I thought I’d be making chicken wings from scratch in five minutes, but the cooking process quickly humbled me. Our wings, for instance, ended up taking 20 minutes to cook, needing a flip halfway through.  

8. They need space 

My air fryer takes up more counter space than my four-slice toaster, which has become a problem in my already cramped city apartment. An air fryer isn’t just a monetary investment, it also needs space to use.  

Unless you have the counter space and plan on using your air fryer quite often, it might be best to invest in a smaller model, like the Dash Compact Air Fryer. But a smaller air fryer will have a smaller capacity, meaning you’ll have less room to cook.  

9. Have fun with it

The air fryer was at first daunting and seemed like a complicated piece of kitchen wizardry I’d never get a hold of. But after days of practice and learning what the optimal amount of oil was, we started having some real fun. 

Like most ways to cook, creativity trumps all and you’ll need to have fun with your air fryer to get the most out of it. Just like a normal oven, an air fryer may run slightly hotter or cooler than other models, so you’ll have to do some testing of your own to perfect your technique. It also helps having a cheat sheet to guide you along your culinary journey, like this Air Fryer Magnetic Cheat Sheet Set ($7, Amazon). That way you’re not stuck with just following recipes. Cooking can be a fun experience, so try not to get too lost in the details and you’ll have way more fun.  

More from Tom's Guide

• 5 pros — and 5 cons — of cooking with an air fryer
• 9 things to think about when buying an air fryer
• I've had my air fryer for years — but I only use it for one thing

This year's Black Friday deals are well and truly underway, even though there are still a few days until the day itself. We're seeing some awesome sales on home and kitchen appliances, including massive discounts on the best air fryers.

Luckily for my partner and I, right now the Ninja Foodi dual basket air fryer is £70 off at John Lewis. That's almost a third off and very nearly as cheap as we've ever seen this awesome air fryer. 

I've been keeping my eye on this air fryer for a while, as its dual baskets will settle some domestic culinary disagreements in my house — I snapped it up at this price. If you've been waiting for a great air fryer deal on Black Friday, especially if you want or need a dual basket fryer, this is the deal for you too!

While my partner and I have a huge amount in common, eating habits aren't included. She's a vegetarian; I am not. Any couple who has ever been in a similar situation know this can get a little tricky, especially if the meat-eating side of the equation isn't partial to many vegetarian foods. I, for example, really don't like the taste of meat alternatives that use pea protein — the smell just goes right through me. 

While we've got by like this for several years now, disagreements started to arise when our oven recently broke and we decided to invest in an air fryer. Who would use the air fryer? How would we avoid cross contamination? Headaches ensued.

Well, heads don't have to ache, as the people who make air fryers — like Ninja — have thought about this already. Dual zone air fryers like the Ninja Foodi dual basket have (you guessed it) more than one cooking zone, which means my partner and I can cook our food at the same time, completely separately.

In our Ninja Foodi 2 basket review, which is a similar model, we praised this air fryer's dishwasher safe baskets that make cleaning a doddle. We also loved that you can programme separate cooking times for each of the baskets so each one is ready at the same time.

At £70 off, this air fryer is very nearly as cheap as it's ever been, so it's well worth snapping up this deal if you've been eyeing up this or similar air fryers.

If you’re a lover of fried foods or simply after convenience, the best air fryers have become a firm ‘must-have’ appliance in many households. From tasty chicken wings and veggies to cookies, there are plenty of tasty recipes that you can rustle up. So what makes air fryers so popular? 

Essentially, these countertop appliances are mini convection ovens that circulate hot air at high speeds. As a result, this process can brown and crisp foods in no time, using little or no oil. And while there is much debate about whether air fryers are actually healthy, I’ve found other uses for mine — that doesn’t actually involve cooking foods from scratch.

After purchasing and using my small air fryer for a number of years, I’ve certainly learned all sorts of pros and cons when cooking with an air fryer along the way. My main takeaways have been that air fryers are incredibly versatile in preparing foods, heat up fast, cook quicker than an oven, and are much safer to use, rather than deep frying or handling a frying pan of hot oil. But, while it can handle those crispy wonders, there’s only one thing I use it for — reheating leftovers.

One of my pet peeves is lukewarm or cold food — especially when it comes to my fried favorites. Previously, I would reheat foods in one of the best microwaves, but would notice that dishes would lose their crispy texture and taste.

Since air fryers are known to heat up fast, and warm foods quickly, I simply pop my leftovers or takeouts in the air fryer and heat for one minute. Not only do they come out with that delicious crispiness and texture, but also have a fresh taste that you can only get from deep frying . Of course, you can change the temperature and time to suit the types of food that you’re reheating. The good thing about air fryers is that you can open the basket during the process without worrying about losing heat. After all, you don’t want to overcook it, and make it inedible.

In addition, opting for a compact air fryer doesn't mean sacrificing quality. It’s the ideal size if you simply want to reheat single portions each time, without wasting energy.

My personal favourites to reheat are French fries, which are so much more crispier and tastier than oven baked, crispy pork and breaded seafood. 

So, the next time your fried foods have gone stone cold, or you want to eat last night’s leftovers, give the trusted air fryer a try — it’ll make all the difference!

If you want to learn more, check out I test appliances for a living — here are my top 5 air fryer tips. And if your air fryer has seen better days, you’ll need to know how to clean an air fryer and get rid of baked-on grease. And what about how to make homemade bread in an air fryer.

More from Tom's Guide

• Check out these 5 best air fryer recipes for restaurant-quality food
• Avoid these 9 things you should never put in an air fryer for peace of mind
• While you're at it, make sure you're not making any of these air fryer mistakes

Today's best air fryers can cook a variety of dishes from crispy fries to gooey cheesecakes. They use far less oil than a traditional fryer and are as easy to use as a microwave. I’ve been using an air fryer as my primary appliance since the category exploded in popularity back 2017. Since then I’ve become a seasoned enthusiast who has used a variety of these gadgets to make everything from moist salmon to tender wagyu steaks. 

Over the years I’ve learned how to get the most out of any air fryer. Although each model cooks at different power levels and layouts can vary, the tips below are universal. Read on to see how you can achieve delicious results and cut down on cleanup times. 

Avoid using aerosol sprays

Air frying requires much less oil than traditional frying. If you need to apply a coating, then a light spritz or brush directly onto the food itself is the way to properly achieve crispy textures. Aerosol sprays degrade non-stick surfaces over time because they burn at lower temperatures and damage the coating. Avoid them if you want your air fryer to last for the long haul.

Use a smart meat thermometer

When cooking raw proteins such as steak, I probe the thickest cut of meat with this Govee meat thermometer ($25, Amazon) and then drop it into the basket. This thermometer’s wire is thin enough to allow the air fryer door to close and sends live updates to my phone. I set my target temperature to five degrees below my desired doneness level to compensate for carryover cooking once I take the meat out. There are so many variables to account for in each meal from differences in meat size to the range of energy an air fryer can output. A thermometer ensures the perfect doneness every time so there’s no guesswork on whether or not I'm going to under or overcook the dish. Check out our picks for the best meat thermometers for other options. 

Keep a journal to dial in your dishes

I keep an active note going on my iPhone to record cook times, temperatures, and overall results of recipes that I follow on my air fryer. You can fine-tune your timing and ingredients if you feel like the dish is missing something. And if you’re happy with how something came out you can simply write down the steps to replicate it for next time. Not all air fryers emit the same power levels, so you'll need to adjust recipe cook times to suit your specific model.

Don't overcrowd the basket

It can be tempting to stuff multiple chicken wings or filets into your air fryer’s basket to cook more food in a shorter amount of time. Don’t do this. Your proteins and sides need enough space to circulate hot air around them for an even and thorough cook. Clog up the basket and you’ll run into issues with color and crispness. Instead, arrange your food in a single layer, and cook it in batches. 

Keep it clean

When you finish cooking it is important to regularly clean your air fryer for hygienic and performance purposes. Simply wipe it down with a damp cloth once it cools and remember to check corners and the top of the fryer where oils tend to splash and gum up. Before you start cooking you can lay down aluminum foil to capture crumbed or sticky food residues to make cleanup much easier down the line. Just be careful not to cover the element or fan as this will affect airflow. Check out our air fryer cleaning tips to make sure yours continues to work as well as the day you bought it.

More from Tom's Guide

• I've owned an air fryer for one month — here's what I've learned
• My air fryer is tiny — here's how I get the most out of it
• Air fryer versus oven — how much can you save?

If you own a Cosori air fryer, don't use it until you read this.  

Cosori, which makes some of the most popular air fryers sold on Amazon and other online retailers, has issued a recall of around two million of its air fryers sold in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

The recall, which was issued on February 23, 2023, occurred as a result of "205 reports of the air fryers catching fire, burning, melting, overheating and smoking" due to a wire connection that can overheat inside the unit, according to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission.

According to the CPSC, there were 10 reports of minor, superficial burn injuries and 23 reports of minor property damage.

Cosori air fryer recall models

The affected Cosori air fryer models are below and you can find the model name on the bottom of the unit:

The models in question were sold from June 2018 through December 2022 at Best Buy, Target and The Home Depot stores, and online at Amazon.com, Adorama.com, Bedbathandbeyond.com, Cosori.com, eBay.com, Homegoods.com, Kohls.com, Lowes.com, Macys.com, QVC.com, Staples.com, Vesync.com, Walmart.com, Wayfair.com, Wellbots.com and Woot.com.

• CP158-AF
• CP158-AF-R19
• CP158-AF-RXW
• CP158-AF-RXR
• CAF-P581-BUSR
• CAF-P581-AUSR
• CAF-P581-RUSR
• CP137-AF
• CP137-AF-RXB
• CP137-AF-RXR
• CP137-AF-RXW
• CS158-AF
• CS158-AF-RXB
• CS158-AF-R19
• CAF-P581S-BUSR
• CAF-P581S-RUSR
• CAF-P581S-AUSR
• CO137-AF
• CO158-AF
• CO158-AF-RXB
• CP258-AF

How to get a replacement Cosori air fryer

The good news is that Cosori will replace your air fryer free of charge. Simply go to recall.cosori.com, and provide your contact information, and submit photos of the recalled unit with the cord cut off. No receipt is needed to receive a replacement. 

You can also contact Cosori directly at 888-216-5974 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at CosoriRecall@Sedgwick.com or online at www.recall.cosori.com.

If you go to www.cosori.com, click on the “Important Voluntary Safety Recall. Learn More” banner at the bottom of the page.

More from Tom's Guide

• 9 things to think about when buying an air fryer
• The pros and cons of cooking with an air fryer
• 9 things you should never put in an air fryer
• How to clean an air fryer

Air fryers are one of the most popular kitchen appliances to date, and for good reason. These mini-convection ovens can cook and crisp ingredients in a matter of minutes, producing moist and tender results with ease. You can make all kinds of air fryer recipes once you have one, although you’ll want to make sure you have the best air fryer for the job.

These appliances come in all shapes and sizes, and can really range in price as well. So, it’s essential that you know what to look for when you start shopping. It’s also important that you consider how the air fryer is going to fit into your routine at home, and whether it’s going to live up to your expectations. We’ve rounded up 9 things to think about when buying an air fryer, so you can make sure you’re getting the best model for your needs.

1. What size do you want? 

Each air fryer will come with a rated capacity, varying anywhere from 2-10 quarts. This translates to how much you can cook at once. So a single person or couple may only require 2-3 quarts, while a family of four will want 6 quarts plus. Remember, you will only be able to add enough food to cover the base of the basket — food usually can’t be stacked, so you’re somewhat restricted, even if the baskets appear deep.

If you’re regularly serving a particularly large family, even the most sizable of air fryers may prove unsuitable. In such cases, a toaster oven may be a better bet. These generally provide a larger capacity, given in pounds, slices of bread, or cubic feet. The first two refer to the size of bird, or the number of slices of bread it can fit, while the latter shows the actual capacity. You can use this to gauge what size you need, but most should at least suit a small family. Remember that there are often multiple shelf levels which can double the effective space too.

Two basket designs have also been introduced recently for standard air fryers, such as the Ninja Foodi 2 Basket Air Fryer. While you can cook two different things at once, the smaller baskets will limit the size of what you can cook. For instance, you’re unlikely to fit a full-size roast chicken in. Whether you should opt for a dual basket air fryer is worth bearing in mind if you want to use your air fryer for roast dinners.

2. Air fryer or toaster oven?  

If you’re new to the air fryer market, you might have noticed that there are two types available. A smaller countertop design, which features a pull out basket, and a larger oven-like design with a drop down door. The latter is actually a toaster oven, and while it can indeed act as an air fryer, it can do much more too.

Toaster ovens are multifunctional — they can air fry, roast, toast, bake and broil. This makes them the more versatile of the two appliances. However, they’re also much larger, heavier, more costly and the performance of each function can really vary. That’s why finding the best toaster ovens was no easy feat.

To decide between the two, you need to consider which will best suit your circumstances. You need to think about what you need from the appliance, how much you’re happy to spend and whether you would make use of the additional functions on a toaster oven.

If air frying is all you need, we recommend sticking to a dedicated air fryer; these tend to offer a better performance because they’re explicitly designed for the task. However, should capacity and aesthetics mean more than anything, a toaster oven might be what you need. With all those extra settings, you’re really limitless on what you can cook, so long as you make use of them.

3. What settings do you need? 

Whether you opt for an air fryer or a toaster oven, it’s a good idea to consider the settings on offer. The control panels on standard air fryers can vary quite a bit. Basic designs will offer a manual dial to adjust the time and temperature, and nothing else. While others can offer dedicated programs to suit different food types, such as chicken, fish and steak. These one touch programs can save you from trying to calculate the settings yourself, simplifying the process. However, there’s often cooking charts supplied in the manual for guidance should you need.

Some premium air fryers are growing more similar to toaster ovens as well, in that they can roast, bake, broil and dehydrate as well as air fry. Naturally the more functions you get, the steeper the price tag, so only opt for what you’re going to use.

Additional features crop up as well, such as smart connectivity. With this, you can access recipe ideas and program the air fryer or toaster oven remotely, although you usually can’t start it for safety reasons. It’s fun, but not entirely necessary. Some come with meat probes as well. Again, this is useful, but if you already own one of the best meat thermometers, it’s not needed.

You might also want to think about the air fryer accessories you need to make your cooking experience even easier.

4. How easy is it to clean? 

Ease of cleaning may be the last thing on your mind when choosing an air fryer, but it’s an essential factor. If parts and accessories aren’t dishwasher safe, you could be scrubbing by hand on a daily basis. Most air fryers will come with dishwasher safe accessories, however some toaster ovens will not. For instance, the accessories for the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro are recommended to wash by hand. Be sure to check the care and cleaning instructions before you buy, and save yourself some valuable time.

It helps to have a look at both the exterior and interior of the potential air fryer or toaster oven as well. Check for any potential dirt traps or crevices which would be hard to clean. See how easily the exterior marks from fingerprints as well. All of this will contribute to the upkeep of your air fryer. When you need to give your air fryer a full once over, here’s how to clean an air fryer.

5. Could it be a burning hazard?

The external temperature of the appliance should always be considered, especially if you’ve got young children or pets running around. Depending on the design and material, air fryers and toaster ovens can each get very hot in use. In our tests, we saw some models reach as high as 278°F on the surface — that’s a potential burning hazard.

Obviously, it’s hard to tell which models will get hot in use just by looking at them, but you can always look at our results for the best air fryers and best toaster ovens for guidance on those tested. We will also say that, during testing, toaster ovens with metal exteriors and glass doors tended to produce a high surface temperature. Whichever model you opt for, make sure it is supervised while in use at all times, to prevent burns and accidents.

6. How much do you want to spend? 

Air fryers and toaster ovens can cost anywhere from $50 to $400. So you need to consider how much you’re prepared to spend before you start shopping. As our tests have proven, a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean a better performance, so your best bet is to consider what you need from your air fryer and then couple that with your decided budget. Refer to our best air fryers page for recommendations.

Generally speaking, if you’re shopping for a toaster oven, you’re going to spend more than you usually would on an air fryer. Having said that, you will get more functionality, so the value for money depends on whether you make use of the additional settings. Be sure to check the model you’re looking at comes with a warranty as well. Most brands tend to offer a three year warranty.

7. Where will you store it? 

It sounds silly, but before you run out and buy the biggest toaster oven you can find, consider where you’re going to store it. Whether you plan to leave your air fryer out on display or store it in a cupboard, it’s going to require a sufficient amount of space. Check the dimensions and make sure you’re prepared with a close power point. Keep in mind that if kept on display, it’s going to need room to vent as well — refer to the manual for guidance on this. This is one of the ways to make an air fryer last longer.

If you’re going to store the air fryer, make sure it’s in an accessible position, so you can easily get it out when required. Remember, toaster ovens can be particularly heavy as well, so don’t store it somewhere awkward to reach. If it’s inaccessible, you’re unlikely to use it, and will just end up wasting precious storage space.

8. How often will you use it? 

Following on from this, don’t just buy an air fryer or a toaster oven on a whim. These are bulky and often costly appliances, which will take up a lot of space in your kitchen. So, you should only make the investment if you’re prepared to use it. Consider what you’re likely to cook in it and how often you would incorporate it into your meals. If you can see one in action and try the food it cooks, that’s another good way to assess your likelihood of using it.

It also helps if you have a good understanding of how to use an air fryer. That way, you know exactly what you’re getting from this appliance, and can manage your expectations.

9. How much energy could you save? 

With energy prices on the rise, you can save some money by switching from the oven to an air fryer, although this does depend on how much you’re cooking. If you’re comparing cooking a small amount of food in each, an air fryer will naturally cost less, and it will produce results at a faster rate too. This is because it’s smaller and requires less energy to power. However, for large scale batch cooking, the oven is naturally the better choice. Its larger capacity makes for a more efficient cooking space in this case.

The main thing to takeaway is this: an air fryer can save you money on your energy bill, however, it’s by no means a suitable replacement for your oven. Stick to the air fryer for smaller servings.

If you’re new to the world of air frying, check out how to use an air fryer, and avoid these common air fryer mistakes. More importantly, read about how to stop your air fryer from overheating since it could be a potential fire hazard, and here’s why our Homes Editor would buy an air fryer over a toaster oven any day.

As a Homes writer, I’ve tried and tested all kinds of small appliances over the years. From juicers and stand mixers to vacuum cleaners, I’ve reviewed my fair share — but my favorite appliance (so far) has got to be the air fryer.  

Air fryers have become the must-have appliance in recent years, known for rustling up crispy, delicious foods in no time. Not only can air fryers cook crunchy foods quickly using little or no oil, but they are also known to be slightly cheaper to run than a standard oven, saving you money on bills. 

After owning my small one for almost two years, I’ve learned all sorts of pros and cons when cooking with an air fryer. And while they are incredibly versatile in preparing tasty recipes, there are also 9 things you should never put in an air fryer to avoid a culinary disaster! 

So, before you rush out to buy one of the best air fryers for your home, here are my top air fryer tips to get the most out of it.  

Thinking about buying an air fryer? Check out 9 things to think about when buying an air fryer. Plus, our Homes content editor had her air fryer for years — but only use it for one thing.

1. Don’t overfill the basket  

Although it’s tempting to throw everything in at once, don’t overcrowd the basket. Always distribute foods evenly in the base to allow the heat to evenly cook the foods. If your basket is overcrowded, this could block the hot air from circulating around the food properly, resulting in undercooked (or overcooked) foods. What’s more, if you fill it too much, the top of your food could end up pressing against the heating element, which can cause a potential fire hazard. 

Choose an air fryer with a suitable capacity for your needs, or purchase an air fryer with two baskets that will allow you to cook multiple things at once. Air fryers like this Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer ($159, Amazon), are more suitable for big families. 

2. Adjust your recipe temperatures 

Another thing I’ve learned is that air fryers heat up very quickly, and retain their hot temperature longer. Since this often speeds up the cooking process, it can also result in overcooked foods — even at the recommended cooking time on packaging. If you want to avoid dried-out overcooked foods, take note of timings, and adjust your recipe temperatures where necessary. In addition, try not to leave high-heat foods inside the fryer for too long, as this will essentially ‘cook’ your food even more if left for a long period.

Similarly, if you forget to preheat most air fryers, this may result in undercooked foods. In any case, each air fryer model/brand varies, so be sure to read the manual, and stick to what air fryer recipes they have suggested. 

3. Cooking requires less oil 

Air fryers offer a low-fat alternative to deep or shallow frying, and need little to no oil. In fact, one mistake I made when I first bought mine was to use too much oil, which ended up with oily (and inedible) results! 

It’s worth noting that most deep-fried recipes need up to 3 cups (750 mL) of oil, air-fried foods would only need about 1 tablespoon (15 mL) in comparison. I would recommend using a spray bottle like this Oil Sprayer for Cooking ($12, Amazon), making it easier to lightly spray the oil, without oversaturating foods. 

And while there is much debate about whether air fryers are actually healthy, these handy appliances are certainly a ‘healthier’ alternative to deep frying.  

4. Turn your food halfway during cooking 

Another useful tip to remember is to always check your food. Most recipes in an air fryer will need turning halfway through the cooking process to ensure foods are evenly cooked and crispy all over. The good thing about air fryers is that you can open the basket during the process without worrying about losing heat. This is because an air fryer is essentially a mini convection oven, and will heat itself continuously. 

When turning over or removing foods, always use a suitable utensil or heatproof tongs like these 2 Pack Black Kitchen Tongs, ($7, Amazon), as the basket gets very hot.

5. Always clean it after use

Compared to traditional frying, air fryers are a lot easier to clean than a grease-laden pan. Plus, who wants the task of disposing of cooking oil each time? However, it’s always a good idea to clean your air fryer thoroughly after each use. 

This is down to the fact that any oil residue or crumbs that fall through to the bottom of the basket can burn with continuous use. Not only will this affect the overall performance of the appliance, but might create smoke in your kitchen. To prevent this from happening, check out  how to clean an air fryer for best results.   

If you’re new to the world of air frying, check out how to use an air fryer, and avoid these common air fryer mistakes. More importantly, read about how to stop your air fryer from overheating since it could be a potential fire hazard, and here’s why our Homes Editor would buy an air fryer over a toaster oven any day. 

If you’re considering whether to buy one of the best air fryers for your home, you’ll need to know the pros and cons of cooking with an air fryer before you do.

Air fryers have taken off in recent years, popular for their convenience in rustling up crispy, delicious foods in no time. And much like one of the best Instant Pots, these mini convection ovens have become one of the must-have kitchen appliances.

Not only can air fryers cook crunchy foods rapidly using little or no oil, but they are also known to be slightly cheaper to run than a standard oven, saving you money on bills. It’s no surprise that many stores saw a shortage of air fryers as the cost of living crisis affected many households.

After owning my air fryer for two years, I’ve certainly put mine to good use, impressed by its crispier and tasty results — but are air fryers a good match for you? To help you decide, here are 5 pros and cons of cooking with an air fryer.

Plus, our Homes content editor had her air fryer for years — but only uses it for one thing. You might also be interested in reading: I finally caved in and bought an air fryer — 5 reasons why it's worth it. Plus, find out what our Homes staff writer discovered when she tried baking cake in an air fryer, and the air fryer accessories you'll need.

Pros of cooking with an air fryer 

1. They heat up quickly and cook foods fast — Air fryers preheats and cooks food in a fraction of the time, compared to a standard oven or even in one of the best toaster ovens.

Typically, most air fryers can preheat to 400°F in five minutes or less, while gas ovens can take up to 13 minutes, and electric ovens between 17 and 19 minutes to hit the same temperature. This makes it convenient for rustling up quick snacks, or cooking a family feast in no time at all. Of course, preheating times depend on the type of air fryer you own, but they will still heat a lot faster than most ovens.

2. They crisp foods evenly — Since air fryers are mini convection ovens, this circulates hot air to cook foods on all sides. Providing you turn your food over halfway, this results in the perfect crisp and flavor to rival deep-fried recipes. And if you prefer the ideal crunch for your favorites, this makes air fryers perfect for French fries, fish sticks, onion rings, and other popular fried foods. Air fryers are also ideal for reheating fried leftovers, to give it their crunchy texture again.

What’s more, air fryers are versatile, and can cook many different foods including meats, seafood, and vegetables. Some models give you the option to fit accessories like cake pans, racks, pizza pans, and silicone mats to make various recipes. For more inspiration, here are 7 foods you didn’t know you could cook in an air fryer. But bear in mind, there are also some things you should never put in an air fryer for quality control!

3. Cooking requires less oil — Unlike the quantities of oil used for deep or shallow frying, air fryers need little to no oil, making them a lower fat method for cooking foods. In fact, while many deep-fried recipes need up to 3 cups (750 mL) of oil, air-fried foods would only need about 1 tablespoon (15 mL) in comparison. And while there is much debate about whether air fryers are actually healthy, these appliances are certainly a ‘healthier’ alternative to deep frying.

What’s more, this will save you money on grocery bills, especially if you’re looking for new ways on how to cook using less oil.

4. They are safer to use — Typically, air fryers are much safer to use in comparison to handling a vat of oil or a pan. Not only are they designed to cope with high temperatures, but you won’t have the risk of hot oil splashes. This is especially the case if you have young children or pets in the home.

In addition, they are more user-friendly, and you can carry the basket safely from one spot to another, without the risk of accidental oil spillages. One thing to bear in mind however, is that air fryers can get very hot, so always allow foods to cool down for a while before taking out and serving.

5. Less mess to clean up — Compared to traditional frying, air fryers are a breeze to clean after use. After all, who wants to dispose of cooking oil each time? Depending on the model, all removal parts are dishwasher-safe, although you can easily hand-wash the basket in hot, soapy water. For the outside of the air fryer, simply use a damp cloth to wipe away traces of dirt.

What's more, if you want to minimize grease residue, line your fryer basket with a specific liner much like this Air Fryer Disposable Paper Liner ($8, Amazon), before cooking. Then you simply dispose of it after use, without the fuss of cleaning the base each time. Win-win!

In any case, always check the manual that came with your air fryer before learning how to clean an air fryer and get rid of baked-on grease.

Cons of cooking with an air fryer 

1. Not all foods can be cooked in an air fryer — Although air fryers are incredibly versatile, there are some things that simply won’t work in an air fryer. Not only will it affect the overall quality, texture and flavor, but can also be a potential hazard. Certain veggie recipes such as roasted broccoli contain less moisture, so will dry out very quickly, while leafy green vegetables can burn easily. Instead, stick to certain root vegetables such as potatoes or sweet potatoes for a nice crispy texture.

If you want to avoid a disaster at mealtimes, read the 9 things you should never put in an air fryer for peace of mind. And while you're at it, make sure you're not making any of these air fryer mistakes as well.

2. They can overcook foods — Since air fryers heat up very quickly, and retain their hot temperature longer, this often speeds up the cooking process. This can result in overcooked, or worse, inedible foods — even at the recommended cooking time on packaging. If you want to avoid dried-out foods, take note of timings, and try not to leave high-heat foods inside the fryer for too long.

Similarly, if you forget to preheat most air fryers, this might result in undercooked foods. Which means you’ll have to experiment with the settings and timings to achieve your preferred crisp. In any case, each air fryer model/brand varies, so be sure to read the manual, and stick to what air fryer recipes they have suggested.

3. Not ideal for larger households — Typically, air fryers have smaller capacity than a standard oven, so not ideal for cooking regular meals for families. While you can buy XL air fryers, or ones with two baskets to cook separate dishes at once, these are only sufficient for up to four people. If you want to cook hearty meals for a big family however, it makes more sense cooking in an oven. In addition, it’s far more energy-efficient to cook large quantities in a standard oven at just one time than using an air fryer multiple times.

4. You can overfill an air fryer — One of the most common mistakes is to overfill an air fryer. Since air fryers come with a deep basket, it's tempting to fill it to the brim, and assume this will save you time. However, overfilling can block the hot air from circulating around the food properly. This will result in foods being either undercooked or lack that perfect, even crisp. Instead, place your food in a single layer across the basket with space between each item for the air to flow around it.

5. They can take up extra space — Most standard air fryers are bulky appliances, which need space on a kitchen countertop. In addition, air fryers also need sufficient room to vent properly during the cooking process. So if you have a compact kitchen, cluttered cupboards, or limited storage, you’ll have to consider where to place this. If you do have a small household however, or only need it for small treats, you can always opt for a compact, 2-quart capacity air fryer such as this Instant Vortex 4-in-1, 2-QT Mini Air Fryer ($49, Amazon), which is neat and ideal for limited space.

Bottom line: Should you buy an air fryer?

Ultimately, buying an air fryer will all depend on your specific needs. How often will you be using it? Do you have a large household? And how much space do you have? While my small air fryer is a great space-saving appliance that I often use for quick snacks, others would find the compact size limiting. Also, if you want to cook up large quantities, and have plenty of counter space, it's more practical to invest in a bigger model to save on time and energy. Whatever size or model you decide on, nothing beats the sheer convenience, ease of use, and crispy results that an air fryer has to offer.

If you're new to the world of air frying, you’ll need to know how to use an air fryer for best results. For more air fryer tips, tricks and how tos, check out 11 Air fryer mistakes you’re probably making, as well as 9 things you should never put in an air fryer, how to use an air fryer. More importantly, read about how to stop your air fryer from overheating since it could be a potential fire hazard.

Air fryers were one of the most popular gifts over the holidays. They’re in high demand at the moment, not just because of the potential energy savings to be made — see air fryer vs oven for more info on this — but, because of the tender, crispy and delicious results they produce in a short space of time. The trouble is, even the best air fryers can malfunction if not used correctly. And one of the possible outcomes is overheating, which is a potential fire hazard. 

In fact, Cinch Home Services conducted a study which found that air fryers were at the top of everyone’s wish list for the holidays, in terms of small appliances. However, it also found that searches for ‘air fryer accident’ have increased by 600% since October. So people are indeed misusing their new appliances, and it’s clear that more could do with knowing how to use an air fryer the right way. To help out, we’ve listed 7 tips which can help prevent an air fryer from overheating, so you can see what habits to avoid and what changes may need to be made.  

1. Don’t overload the air fryer 

While the box your air fryer came in may show an air fryer basket filled to the brim with French fries, that’s not the reality. In fact, most foods can only be applied in a single layer across the base of the basket, with space between each item for the hot air to flow. This is necessary so that the food can cook evenly. Potatoes can be stacked to an extent when making French fries, but even these have limits, so you should refer to your manual for quantity guidance. 

If you overload your air fryer, the ingredients will not cook evenly for starters. It can also cause your air fryer to work harder than it should, vent less effectively, and ultimately overheat. That’s why you should always check the quantities of what you’re cooking and cook in batches instead if required. If you find you need a larger capacity on a regular basis, it might be worth upgrading to one of the best toaster ovens. 

2. Don’t use too much oil 

Make sure you’re using the correct amount of oil in your air fryer, which may be less than you think. One to two teaspoons applied directly to the food will usually be enough for most recipes — you can apply by brushing or spritzing it on. Applying a thin layer to the food can improve crisping and help seasoning to stick. 

Be careful not to add more than this though. If too much oil is applied within the basket, you risk it dripping or leaking over the sides into the internal components when you shake the basket, which can lead to overheating. An excess of oil can also end up burning your ingredients and ultimately overheating your air fryer in general.  

3. Don’t put anything in there you shouldn’t 

Air fryers can be used to cook all kinds of recipes, but there are still some ingredients that shouldn’t go in the basket.  Anything which can melt or drip are definite no-gos, such as cheese or wet batter. These can be very difficult to clean up afterwards if they burn to the base.

Avoid trying to fit a whole roast chicken into your air fryer if your model doesn’t allow it, too. Some brands can accommodate this, while others can’t, so be sure to check beforehand. Otherwise, you could end up overcrowding and consequently overheating your air fryer. See our list of 9 things you should never put in an air fryer for more guidance.   

4. Use the correct settings 

Never second-guess the settings on your air fryer. Your manual should come with cooking charts, and you should always refer to these when required. Most air fryers can function up to 400°F, which means if you use a higher setting than required, your food can easily burn. This can produce some serious smoke and set off your fire alarms. 

Always follow your manufacturer's instructions for cooking guidelines and routinely check on the progress of your food as it cooks. If your air fryer comes with dedicated ingredient settings, make sure you use the appropriate function. 

5. Give the air fryer room to vent 

All air fryers need room to vent and breathe — this helps the appliance control its internal temperature. Make sure your countertop has adequate space surrounding the air fryer while it’s in use. Check that the cable isn’t pressed up against the air fryer either — the exterior surface temperature can cause damage to the wiring if left unchecked. 

Refer to your manual for guidance on how much space is required. If your kitchen is particularly hot, open windows and doors to increase ventilation — this gives your air fryer a helping hand.   

6. Deep clean when required 

While air fryers are quick and simple to clean, with most parts being dishwasher-safe, these appliances still require deep cleaning once in a while. This involves carefully cleaning the actual body of the air fryer to remove any built up grease and oils. This is important because, if left unchecked, this grease can burn and smoke over time, ruining the performance of your air fryer. In extreme situations, an excessively dirty air fryer can also overheat, so this needs to be addressed. 

Deep cleaning an air fryer is only required once a month with regular use. All you need is a couple of household products, including a sponge, microfiber cloths, dish soap and a soft-bristled brush. For full guidance, see how to clean an air fryer. Of course, don’t forget to thoroughly wash your air fryer after each use, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 

7. Don’t leave it unattended  

While air fryers are built with convenience in mind, they should never be left unattended when in use. These appliances cook at very high temperatures and should you notice signs that it’s overheating, such as smoke, it’s essential that you address the matter as soon as possible by unplugging it and leaving it to cool down. 

You also don’t want to risk young children or curious pets running around and potentially burning themselves on an active air fryer, so keep an eye on it and unplug it when not in use.

For more cooking content, check out I’ve owned an air fryer for one month — here’s what I’ve learned, how to clean cast iron stove grates and the best outdoor pizza ovens.

Next: Are air fryers actually healthy? Here's what the experts say.

The best air fryers have soared in popularity in recent years, known for their convenience in rustling up fried foods in less time. Not only can they cook fried foods rapidly using little or no oil, but they are also known to be slightly cheaper to run than a standard oven, saving you money on bills. 

But before you rush out to grab one, buying the right capacity for your cooking needs can make all the difference. Typically, air fryers range from 2-quarts right up to 16-quarts (ideal for large households), so one can easily take up a lot of countertop space. And as a Homes writer, my abundance of kitchen appliances had already taken over our small kitchen. That’s why I opted for a compact air fryer — standing at just 13.3 inches (34cm) tall, it comes with a 2L basket (the right size for my family of three), yet has an impressive 1000W power.  

Also, how often will you be using it? After owning my air fryer for two years, I’ve certainly put it to good use, impressed by its crispier and tasty results. If you’re only intending to use it now and again, small is definitely more cost-effective. However, if you’re looking to cook up a family feast, or have plenty of counter space, I would advise on a bigger model to save on time and energy. In any case, I still wouldn’t trade in my tiny air fryer — here’s why.

Plus, our Homes content editor had her air fryer for years — but only use it for one thing.

1. A smaller air fryer reheats foods in no time 

Going small for your air fryer doesn't mean sacrificing quality. Previously, I would reheat foods in one of the best microwaves, but would always find that fried dishes would lose their crispy texture. Now, I simply pop my leftovers or takeouts in the air fryer and heat for one minute. Not only will it warm foods quickly, but they'll have that delicious crunch and fresh taste that you can only get from deep frying. In addition, a tiny air fryer is ideal if you just want to reheat single portions each time, without wasting energy. 

2. It's ideal for quick party snacks 

Whether I’m hosting a party, or have a few friends over, my tiny air fryer has saved the day for quickly rustling up bite-sized snacks. Tasty treats such as spring rolls, chicken wings, vegetable samosas or any other finger-foods come out crispy and delicious. Best of all, it cooks your food in half the time that oven baking takes, so your guests won’t have to wait too long for their starters. 

3. It cooks French Fries to perfection 

Each time I’d oven-cook frozen fries, they would never have a consistent crunch, and instead have a disappointing soft texture. In which case, I’d crank up the gas and leave it in to cook for a little longer (annoying). But cooking fries in my tiny air fryer offers impressive results each time. Ideal for cooking small portions, fries come out much crispier and with a texture to rival the fast-food restaurants. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out these 5 best air fryer recipes for restaurant-quality food. 

4. Good for quick fry-ups 

If you don’t fancy making bacon in a frying pan, the air fryer will perfectly crisp bacon for you. What’s more, the fat will render off during cooking, which makes this a healthier method than using the stove or pan. It’s also quick to cook a few rashers in just 7 minutes. Of course, you can adjust cooking times according to how crispy you prefer them.

5.  Cleaning is a breeze

More importantly, having a tiny air fryer means it’s easier to clean, and less maintenance. One downside of kitchen appliances is the messy clean up at the end, especially if parts can’t be thrown into the dishwasher. But my air fryer basket is super quick to wash by hand, rather than waiting to load the dishwasher. In addition, it’s easy to store in a cupboard without taking up a huge amount of space. Which is ideal for someone like me who has an appliance for almost everything imaginable!

If you're new to the world of air frying, you’ll need to know how to use an air fryer for best results. For more air fryer tips, tricks and how tos, check out 11 Air fryer mistakes you’re probably making, 9 things you should never put in an air fryer, how to use an air fryer and are air fryers actually healthy? Here’s what you need to know. Also, read about how to stop your air fryer from overheating since it could be a potential fire hazard.

The best air fryers are convenient for rustling up delicious fried foods in less time. And I’m always on the hunt for new recipes that I can experiment with in my small, yet reliable air fryer. 

Air fryers have rocketed in popularity in recent years, and it isn’t any wonder why stocks are running low in many stores. Not only does this mini convection oven cook fried foods rapidly using little or no oil, but they are also known to be slightly cheaper to run than a standard oven, saving you money on bills. 

After owning an air fryer, I’ve certainly put mine to good use, and there’s no doubt that they produce crispier and tastier results than conventional frying. Although it may be too small to cook a festive meal, a viral TikTok potato Christmas tree recipe caught my attention. Not only is it a fun way to present festive, potato snacks, but it’s so simple and quick to make. Win-win! 

The clever idea came from TikTok user @Foodmadesimple who created the potato Christmas tree bakes originally intended for the oven. It has since been adapted to cook in the air fryer, with similar results. 

Posted with the caption, "Christmas made simple," a voiceover then explains, “Here’s a different way to have your roast potatoes on Christmas Day.” We then see sliced potato pieces stacked on top of each other on wooden skewers to form a tree-like shape. After coating with oil and cooking them for 20 minutes, the user sprinkles the potatoes with grated parmesan, salt, chili flakes and parsley. 

The end results were sparkly, potato Christmas tree snacks. It isn’t any wonder why this TikTok hack garnered 155k views, and over 27k shares, with many commenting on what a fun and easy hack this was. It was for this reason that I thought I’d try it out myself. So here’s what happened when I made my air fryer potato Christmas trees.

TikTok air fryer potato Christmas tree hack — 4 steps

1.  First, I preheated my air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. While waiting, I peeled and cut my large potatoes horizontally into chunks, much like fritters, before threading them onto wooden skewers. Ideally, each slice should be about ¼ inch so that they'll cook through evenly.  

2. Stack from the largest size up in ascending order to make a tree-shape, and leave a little gap between each potato when threading. I decided to put five to six slices on each, cutting the skewer to size, so that they can sit flat in the air fryer.  

3. Next, I sprayed a little olive oil around each potato "tree" before putting them into the air fryer to cook for about 12 minutes. While other recipes state 15 to 20 minutes, this will depend on how powerful your air fryer is. My air fryer gets hot very quickly, so it didn't take a lot of time to cook. 

Alternatively, you can take them out once they’re brown and crisp around the edges. Always allow any dish to cool down before taking it out of the air fryer. 

4. Finally, add the finishing touches. I sprinkled sea salt, chili flakes, and dried rosemary onto a small plate before rolling the potato "trees" around in it. I didn’t have parmesan nor parsley, but the aromatic rosemary gave it more flavor. Once covered with the savory "sprinkles," they were ready to eat! 

Verdict 

While my potato Christmas trees didn’t turn out as pretty as I would have liked, they tasted way better than they looked. The texture had a delicious crunch to it, and the seasonings made it more flavorsome. 

You can always swap the finishing touches out to your preference, such as grated mozzarella instead of parmesan, or thyme. The best part is, this potato treat is super easy to make — which is fun for very young festive helpers. What’s more, their bite-sized portions make ideal party treats if you’re hosting festive gatherings. I'll definitely be trying these out over the holiday season. 

If you're new to the world of air frying, you’ll need to know how to use an air fryer for best results. Once you do, check out these 7 foods you never knew you could cook in an air fryer, and of course, there are some things you should never put in an air fryer. Also, find out whether air fryers are actually healthy or whether an air fryer vs halogen oven is cheaper? 

Monday may have gone but the best Cyber Monday deals are still going, and they don't just include TVs or laptops but also some great kitchen gadgets including air fryers. They're one of the most popular kitchen devices, as they let you fry up food using much less oil than a deep fryer. 

As such, these countertop convection ovens are at the top of everyone’s wish list, and if you can save some money on the purchase, then that’s all the better. One of the best deals we've seen so far is for the Instant Pot 8 qt. Black Pro Crisp Air Fryer now just $169 at Home Depot. which is nearly a third off its regular price.

However, before you go jumping at a ‘lowest price ever’ deal, know that the best air fryer will vary from person to person. Depending on your circumstances and preferences, the most appropriate design will differ. 

To help you navigate the sales post Cyber Monday, we've rounded up the best air fryer deals. We've also listed several things to consider before making your purchase, to help you understand what you’re getting from an air fryer as well as what to look for.

Cyber Monday air fryer deals quick links

• Ninja Foodi XL 2-Basket Air Fryer: was $249 now $129 @ Best Buy
• Bella Pro 8-quart fryer: was $109 now $39@ Best Buy
• Instant Vortex 5.7-qt air fryer: was $139 now $79 @ Amazon

Black Friday air fryer deals

Things to consider before buying an air fryer

If you're new to the world of air fryers, then you need to consider a few things. Capacity is one of the main areas; compact units are handy but can't always serve a family. And you may want to check out the cleaning and care regimes of such air fryers, as well as how much space an air fryer will take up. 

But do bear in mind that air fryers are very handy for cooking quick, small dishes. Check our our guide on air fryer vs oven for more information.

If you’re on the hunt for one of the best air fryers, you’ll probably need to know if there are alternatives that are cheaper to run. And with the rising costs of living , knowing how to save energy on energy bills is crucial for many households. 

That said, there’s been recent debate about whether using a halogen oven is  cheaper to use than an air fryer. Air fryers have dominated the market, becoming a popular appliance in many kitchens. These countertop, convection ovens will cook and crisp all kinds of foods to tender and delicious results. What's more, air fryers are a more healthy option to deep frying, as they require little to no oil, lowering fat intake and cutting calories. 

On the other hand, the little-known halogen oven is fast becoming a viable option for air frying, grilling, baking and even defrosting foods. So what exactly is a halogen oven? 

These strange-looking appliances cook foods using a bright halogen bulb that emits heat, which is then circulated around the food. Similar to the air fryer, the halogen oven is also able to cook most things using minimal oil, which is healthier than conventional cooking. What’s more, it’s claimed that halogen ovens are much cheaper to run than both traditional ovens and air fryers. But are they really the cheaper alternative to buying an air fryer?

Here, we take a look at the air fryer vs halogen oven, and how much it will cut down your bills.

Air fryer vs halogen oven — how do they work? 

Essentially, air fryers are mini convection ovens that rapidly circulate hot air at high speeds. This helps to cook food evenly at a much faster rate, providing that brown and crispy texture that you would normally achieve from traditional, frying methods. When air frying, the food goes straight into a tray or basket, before you set the correct temperature and time that you need. Once the food is ready, it will automatically turn off, leaving you with crisp and delicious foods. 

Similarly, a halogen oven will transfer heat around the unit via a fan to evenly cook and crisp foods, such as a roast chicken. The key difference is it uses a powerful halogen lamp emitting infrared energy that passes through food, causing the molecules to vibrate and produce heat. The temperature inside is then controlled by a thermostat that will turn the light off and on where necessary.

Typically, foods are cooked on the low or high cooking rack inside the large glass bowl, and covered with a hinged lid. The clear glass acts as an easy and fast heating conductor, and also a great way to watch your meal cooking in real-time. The appliance can either be controlled by manual rotary dials or digital controls. Like air fryers, halogen ovens are smaller than the conventional oven, but are capable of cooking foods up to 50% faster than most ovens. 

The only caveat is that a full-sized oven can cook large quantities of food at one time, which is more economical and time-efficient than cooking small batches on a regular basis. 

Air fryer vs halogen oven — how much does it cost to use? 

Generally, air fryers are estimated to cost anywhere between $0.20 and $0.80 to run for an hour. But this will all depend on the type of air fryer model you have, and your state’s energy rates/tariff. Smaller air fryers typically use about 1,000-1,200 watts power to run, depending on the size and model, while larger models may use up to 1,700 watts.

In comparison, a standard oven uses around 2,400 watts on an average heat setting, while a halogen oven will run at a much lower level of around 1,300 watts. According to Halogen Ovens, it is estimated that halogen ovens are around 75% cheaper to run than a traditional oven. And while it consumes more energy per hour, its faster cooking times will actually cost you less. In fact, if you run a standard halogen oven (at 1,300 watts) for an hour a day, at the average US rate of 13.19 cents per kWh, this would cost about $65 per year — subject to your state’s tariff.

A useful formula to calculate the running costs of an appliance is to multiply its wattage (kilowatts) by the amount of time it's on, and then by the cost of electricity — depending on your energy provider.) If in doubt, you can find out how many watts of energy your specific air fryer or halogen oven uses by reading the product manual. 

Air fryer vs halogen oven — which are cheaper to buy? 

Generally, basic halogen ovens will be cheaper to buy than air fryers starting from around $30.  However, large-capacity models, or those with advanced features such as a rotisserie function will be a lot more expensive. In addition, halogen ovens can be rather bulky, (and less attractive than air fryers!), so you’d need sufficient countertop or storage space. 

On the other hand, most quality air fryers will start from around $60, and come in different sizes and designs to suit your kitchen. Although you could easily find good deals if you know where to look, these will generally sell out fast. In addition, air fryers tend to be more versatile for crisping foods than halogen ovens, and super handy for quickly warming up fried leftovers — making these a worthwhile investment. 

If you’re looking for a top quality air fryer, we recommend the COSORI Air Fryer ($119, Amazon), which was number one in our best air fryers guide.   

Air fryer vs halogen oven — which is cheaper?: Verdict 

Is an air fryer cheaper than a halogen oven in the long-run? It’s a very close call, but it seems that cooking with halogen lamps is more efficient. Not only does it cut down on your electric bills due to lower running costs, but it also offers a great alternative to the sought-after air fryer. 

Bear in mind that costs will vary based on your lifestyle, the frequency you cook, and energy tariffs. But if you want to save some money on your energy bills, having a halogen oven may well be the answer. 

If you want to save more money, check out air fryer vs oven — which is cheaper to use? Or if you’re new to the world of air frying, check out how to use an air fryer, and 7 foods you never knew you could cook in an air fryer. Bear in mind, there are some things you should never put in an air fryer. Also, read about how to stop your air fryer from overheating since it could be a potential fire hazard and make sure you avoid this TikTok air fryer hack which is currently trending!  

Also, be sure to check out some tasty recipes in our best air fryer recipes. For the record, I also made cookies in an air fryer — and they tasted even better than the oven.  

With Cyber Monday deals in full swing, it's still a good time to buy an air fryer with Black Friday deals left over and new Cyber Monday air fryer deals popping up. 

However, before you go jumping at a ‘lowest price ever’ deal, know that the best air fryer will vary from person to person. Depending on your circumstances and preferences, the most appropriate design will differ. 

Plus, owning one of these convenient appliances might not provide the performance you expect. To help you navigate the sales this Black Friday, we've rounded up the best air fryer deals you can find. We've also listed several things to consider before making your purchase, to help you understand what you’re getting from an air fryer as well as what to look for.

Black Friday air fryer deals

Things to consider before buying an air fryer

If you're new to the world of air fryers, then you need to consider a few things. Capacity is one of the main areas; compact units are handy but can't always serve a family. And you may want to check out the cleaning and care regimes of such air fryers, as well as how much space an air fryer will take up. 

But do bear in mind that air fryers are very handy for cooking quick, small dishes. Check our our guide on air fryer vs oven for more information.

If you’re thinking of investing in one of the best air fryers, you’ll probably want to know if an air fryer is cheaper to use than an oven. And with the rising costs of living, knowing how to save energy on energy bills is crucial for many households. 

So what exactly is an air fryer? These popular, countertop, convection ovens will cook and crisp all kinds of foods to tender and delicious results. What's more, air fryers are a more healthy option to conventional frying, as they require little to no oil, lowers fat and cuts calories. But, does all that 'healthier' eating come at a financial cost?

Here, we take a look at the air fryer vs oven, and how much can you save on energy bills. Knowing when to swap out your oven for your air fryer is one of my 9 oven tips you need to know. But, which is cheaper? Here's the answer.  

Air fryer vs oven: How do they work?

Essentially, air fryers are mini convection ovens that rapidly circulate hot air at high speeds. This helps to cook food quickly and evenly, providing that brown and crispy texture that you would normally achieve from traditional, frying methods.  

When air frying, the food goes straight into a tray or basket, before you set the correct temperature and time. Once the food is cooked, it will automatically turn off, leaving you with crisp and delicious foods. 

Similarly, an electric convection oven will circulate hot air around with a fan to crisp foods. The only difference is an air fryer will be smaller and more energy-efficient than a full-sized oven. However, the oven can cook large quantities of food at one time, which is more economical and time-efficient than air frying batches on a regular basis. 

Air fryer vs oven: How much does it cost to use?

As a general estimate, air fryers cost anywhere between $0.20 and $0.80 to run for an hour. However, this won't be the same for everyone, as it will depend on the type of air fryer model you have, and your state’s energy rates/tariff. Households in the UK are estimated to use about a penny for every five minutes an air fryer is in operation. A useful formula to calculate the running costs of an appliance is to multiply its wattage (kilowatts) by the amount of time it's on, and then by the cost of electricity — depending on your energy provider. 

“The average family can save more than 80% on energy usage and bills related to cooking by making some small switches in the kitchen,” states Caroline Ross, kitchen electricals specialist at Tefal, “The top way to save, backed by our recent research, is moving from oven cooking to an air fryer.”

Smaller air fryers typically use about 1,000-1,200 watts power to run, depending on the size and model, while larger models may use up to 1,700 watts. While ovens tend to use a power of 2,000-5,000 watts,which is more than double the average air fryer. As a result, the conventional oven will use up more electricity than their mini counterparts. 

In any case, you can find out how many watts of energy your specific air fryer uses by reading the product manual.

Air fryers vs ovens: How energy efficient are they? 

When it comes to saving money, air fryers are generally more energy efficient than ovens. First, they are smaller, and take less time to preheat, thus using less energy. In most cases, they cook faster than ovens, and they generally use less electricity when cooking for around the same amount of time as an oven. The only caveat is that air fryers are only more economical if you’re cooking small batches of food. 

If you’re cooking large quantities or have a big household, an oven is far superior, versatile and cost-effective. Plus, if you’re cooking a festive turkey, using an oven will prove more cost-effective as it will fully utilize the space and heat. 

So, is an air fryer cheaper than an oven in the long-run? That all depends on your lifestyle, how much cooking you do and energy rates. While the air fryer is more energy efficient based on its size, and wattage, it’s still nowhere as versatile as the trusted oven, which is economical for cooking large quantities. 

Also check out: Air fryer vs halogen oven — which is cheaper to use.

If you’re new to the world of air frying, check out how to use an air fryer, and 7 foods you never knew you could cook in an air fryer. Bear in mind, there are some things you should never put in an air fryer. Also, read about how to stop your air fryer from overheating since it could be a potential fire hazard and make sure you avoid this TikTok air fryer hack which is currently trending!  

Also, be sure to check out some tasty recipes in our best air fryer recipes. For the record, I also made cookies in an air fryer — and they tasted even better than the oven. 

If you’re after one of the best air fryers on the market, this Ninja AF101 Air Fryer has just dropped to its lowest ever price for the Amazon Prime Early Access Sale.  

Right now, the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer is on offer for $84 at Amazon, saving you nearly $50. Considering everything this air fryer can offer, the Ninja Air Fryer is a bargain. Not only does it air fry delicious and crispy foods, but it can roast, reheat and dehydrate meals — which is why this air fryer is a firm best seller on Amazon. It also comes in a stylish, high gloss finish in black/grey to suit any kitchen.

Air fryers have soared in popularity over recent years, becoming a must-have, appliance. These mini convection ovens essentially circulate hot air to evenly-cook and crisp foods with delicious results.

Best of all, cooking requires little or no oil, making it a more healthier option to traditional deep frying. Unlike pan frying, air fryers are quick, convenient to use, and easy to clean up. So, get cooking with this great Ninja Air Fryer deal before it flies off the shelf. 

If you’re new to the world of air frying, check out our useful guide on how to use an air fryer, so you can master how to cook some of  the best air fryer recipes. Just bear in mind that not everything can be cooked in an air fryer, so try to avoid these things you should never put in an air fryer.  Plus, on top of cooking etiquette, there are other factors that can impact the results — not knowing how to clean an air fryer for instance. 

In any case, this fantastic Ninja Air Fryer deal at just $84 during Prime Day is definitely a bargain that can’t be missed. Be sure to check our Amazon Prime Day live blog for all the best sales this week, and if you manage to miss the deal, check our Ninja promo codes for more savings on the brand's top-tier kitchen appliances.