All About the Air Fryer: Types, Tips, and Tricks

Air fryers are a convenient and effective way to crisp up food at home without all of the calories and fat of deep frying. If you are looking to buy an air fryer for the first time, then you may not be aware that there are actually two main types of air fryers–the convection oven air fryer and the basket air fryer. Here is everything you need to know about these air fryer types, as well as some of our picks for best air fryers on the market.

The Two Types of Air Fryers: Convection Oven and Basket

While both basket style and oven style air fryers use the same basic technology to cook your food, they differ in their designs, capacities, and available functionalities. Here is the breakdown of their differences, how they work, and what to look for in each type of air fryer.

Basket Air Fryers

Basket style air fryers are the most popular type of air fryer. They mimic traditional deep fryers by having a basket in which you place all of the food. This basket is usually on the smaller side, so basket fryers are best for those who want a smaller appliance and who are usually only cooking for one or two people.

This small size does come with some surprising benefits. The manageable size and basket style design ensures easy, even cooking. All you have to do is shake the basket to turn the food. This is quick and easy compared to rotating or flipping the food on a tray as with convection oven air fryers.

Convection Oven Air Fryers

These air fryers have more room, and some even have multiple levels, giving them a greater capacity. Additionally, convection oven air fryers can come with other features, like toasting, baking, broiling, and roasting.

The downside to convection oven air fryers is that they tend to take up a larger footprint in your kitchen than a basket fryer. They also lean towards being more expensive, and they are not as easy to use. Unlike basket fryers which allow you to easily toss whatever it is you are cooking, you will likely need to keep a closer eye on your food while it is in a convection oven. You will need to manually turn the food to ensure even cooking.

What Makes a Good Air Fryer?

Now that you know more about the different types of air fryers out there, here is what you need to know about what makes a good air fryer.

Value

First, you will want to make sure that the air fryer you choose is a good value. These appliances can get expensive, so it is important to balance the price to fit your needs. If you are planning to air fry a lot, then investing in a more expensive fryer may be worth it, compared to someone just looking to try air frying occasionally.

Size

How often you plan to use your fryer should also impact your choice of fryer in other ways. You will want to be sure that the fryer does not take up too much room. If you are not going to be using it frequently, it is a good idea to look for a lightweight plastic option that can be tucked away somewhere. But if you plan to keep it out at all times, then investing in a heavy, stainless steel appliance might be best.

Additionally, if you plan to cook for a family or for large groups, then a larger convection oven is the way to go. If you are only going to be cooking for yourself, then a basket fryer may be the better choice.

Multifunctionality

Finally, you want to make sure the air fryer that you choose does its most important functions well. A good air fryer should cook food quickly without causing a big mess. All you need to do is put whatever food you would like into the fryer and set the temperature. Then, the fryer will quickly raise to high temperatures using a built-in fan that circulates the hot air around all sides of the food.

When looking at what air fryer to purchase, think about what core functions you want it to perform. Do you plan to just use it as an air fryer? Or do you want it to replace other appliances as well? Many high quality air fryers these days also serve as toasters, dehydrators, and even proving drawers. Do your research to make sure that the fryer you purchase meets your requirements.

The Best Basket Air Fryers

Now that you know more about what makes a good air fryer, let’s get into our picks for best basket fryers on the market.

Ninja Air Fryer Max XL

The Ninja Air Fryer Max XL is a 5.5 quart basket fryer that comes with 7 functions: Max crisp, air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate. The oven can reach up to 450 degrees fahrenheit, ensuring evenly cooked, crispy food every time. Cleaning up is easy since the basket is dishwasher safe.

This appliance comes in at the reasonable price of $120, but there is a cheaper option from Ninja for those who want to try air frying for less. The Ninja Mini Air Fryer has a 2 quart capacity, making it great for those who want a fryer with a smaller footprint. Unlike the Max XL, the Ninja Mini does not come with multiple functions–it cooks everything at a stable 400 degrees fahrenheit. It costs $72.

COSORI Pro II

The Cosori Pro II Air Fryer is another large basket fryer, with a 5.8 quart capacity and a sleek, black design. It costs $130.

It comes with a variety of unique features that make it extra appealing to home chefs who value convenience and ease. The Cosori Pro II has 12 one touch functions, such as steak, chicken, fish, toast, french fries, vegetables, and more. You can also adjust these presets, customizing them to match your preferred cooking style.

The Cosori Pro II also has a convenient shake reminder that will let you know when it is time to toss your food. If that sounds unnecessary to you, then you can cancel the reminders as you please. With the Pro II, almost everything is customizable.

The Best Convection Oven Air Fryers

Convection oven air fryers tend to have more features and a larger capacity than basket fryers. Here are our picks for the best oven-style air fryers.

Cuisinart Convection Toaster Oven Air Fryer

The Cuisinart Convection Toaster Oven is a multifunctional air fryer with a large capacity and a variety of functions, including air fry, toast, bake, broil, grill, and warm. It comes with an oven light, oven rack, and air fry basket, all of which can be removed and washed for easy clean-up.

At $230, it is reasonably priced as far as convection oven style air fryers go. This is a great mid-end option for those who want a well rounded oven that can handle large batches of food cooked in a variety of styles.

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer

The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer is one of the best air fryers on the market for serious cooks who want to get the most out of their appliance. With its sleek, stainless steel design, large capacity, and powerful hardware, this fryer can do it all and look good doing it.

It comes with 11 functions, including air fry, toast, bake, bagel, broil, warm, roast, pizza, reheat, cookies, and slow cook. It also has an oven light so that you can watch your food while it cooks. The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer costs $349, so it is a bit more of an investment than other fryers on this list. However, those who have it tend to think it’s worth every penny.

Hamilton Beach Sure-Crisp Air Fry Toaster Oven

For a more budget friendly option, consider the Hamilton Beach Sure-Crisp Air Fry Toaster Oven. This convection style air fryer gives you the capacity of our other picks on this list, but without all of the bells and whistles. This saves you money, while also simplifying the cooking process.

This is a great fryer for those who cook for multiple people, but who do not want to invest in expensive appliances. It can perform 4 functions–frying, baking, broiling, and toasting. The Hamilton Beach Sure-Crisp Fry Toaster Oven costs $90.

Learn More About the Best Kitchen Appliances for NYC Apartments

Keep reading NewDevRev to learn more about the best kitchen appliances for New York City apartments. We will keep you up to date on the best new home technology popular in NYC, from air fryers, to the best pet cameras and hot home gym technology!