Fried Foods Made Healthy with the Best Air Fryer
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Yedi Total Package Air Fryer -
COSORI Max XL Air Fryer -
GoWISE USA 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer -
Dash Compact Air Fryer -
Ultrean Air Fryer -
Buyer's Guide
A growing number of people are interested in healthier, cleaner diets to reduce their risk of diseases, maintain a healthy weight, and increase their lifespan. Fried food may be delicious, but it’s high in fat and linked to diabetes and heart disease. Fortunately, you don’t have to cut out favorites like French fries or fried chicken wings with an air fryer. The Best Air fryers in 2022 allow you to make healthier versions of popular food items without the guilt. If you want to find a reliable, sturdy air fryer to use, there are a few top choices to consider because of how well they work.
Yedi Total Package Air Fryer
- Programmed settings for various types of food
- Creates a crispier texture when cooking the food
- Enhances the flavor of various foods
- Large size makes it more challenging to store in small kitchens
- Basket isn’t dishwasher safe
COSORI Max XL Air Fryer
- Looks upscale enough to leave out on the counter
- Larger baskets than other brands to cook more food at once
- Features a convenient shake alarm to prevent the food from burning
- May emit a burning plastic smell at times
- Drawer has difficulty closing all the way
GoWISE USA 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer
- Comes with detailed instructions
- Dried batter comes off the basket easily
- Reheating food comes out better than in the microwave
- Finish can flake off the body
- Only four small screws hold the handle in place
Dash Compact Air Fryer
- Easy to set up and use
- Cooks a potato faster than the oven
- Makes it easy to prepare grilled cheese
- Comes with a plastic smell when you first use it
- Finish on the basket tray can come off over time
Ultrean Air Fryer
- Makes food taste delicious and locks in the flavor
- Makes food come out crispy when you use flour and eggs instead of oil
- Doesn’t cause anything to splash
- Emits a chemical smell the first few uses
- Small capacity
Best Air Fryer of 2022 Reviewed in Detail
Yedi Total Package Air Fryer - Best Air Fryer Overall
This air fryer cooks food faster and with less fat than a conventional oven. The perforated steaming papers make the parts easy to clean up after each use. The Yedi air fryer uses an LED digital touch display for convenient use. It includes a deluxe accessory kit to complete a variety of cooking tasks.
- Programmed settings for various types of food
- Creates a crispier texture when cooking the food
- Enhances the flavor of various foods
- Large size makes it more challenging to store in small kitchens
- Basket isn’t dishwasher safe
COSORI Max XL Air Fryer - Runner Up
The COSORI air fryer comes with 11 presets and allows you to make 100 recipes. It has a touch digital screen with an award-winning design and makes food with less fat. The cooking time is also faster than a conventional oven. The COSORI air fryer comes with dishwasher-safe parts, making it easier to clean than many other air fryers on the market.
- Looks upscale enough to leave out on the counter
- Larger baskets than other brands to cook more food at once
- Features a convenient shake alarm to prevent the food from burning
- May emit a burning plastic smell at times
- Drawer has difficulty closing all the way
GoWISE USA 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer - Honorable Mention
This air fryer has a built-in touchscreen menu and allows you to bake, roast, fry, and grill with little to no oil. It has a start/stop button and reminds you to shake your food periodically. The GoWISE air fryer feeds up to four people thanks to a generous 5.8-quart capacity. It has a wide temperature range from 180 to 400 degrees.
- Comes with detailed instructions
- Dried batter comes off the basket easily
- Reheating food comes out better than in the microwave
- Finish can flake off the body
- Only four small screws hold the handle in place
Dash Compact Air Fryer - Consider
This air fryer comes with an auto-shutoff feature and has a non-stick frying basket. It includes a recipe guide and only weighs 5.7 pounds. The compact size makes it portable. This Dash air fryer is perfect for large families and picky eaters. It fries one pound of fries, one dozen chicken wings, and even baked goods in minutes.
- Easy to set up and use
- Cooks a potato faster than the oven
- Makes it easy to prepare grilled cheese
- Comes with a plastic smell when you first use it
- Finish on the basket tray can come off over time
Ultrean Air Fryer - Best Features
This air fryer has a 30-minute timer, a 4.2-quart capacity, and a heat-resistant handle. It comes in three colors and is easy to clean with a non-stick pan. The Ultrean air fryer features advanced rapid air technology and easy controls with an LCD display. It has a scratch-free modern design and continues to look new over time.
- Makes food taste delicious and locks in the flavor
- Makes food come out crispy when you use flour and eggs instead of oil
- Doesn’t cause anything to splash
- Emits a chemical smell the first few uses
- Small capacity
Buyer's Guide
Air fryers have become one of the most popular cooking appliances in recent years. But why is it so popular, and should you jump in on the trend? Here’s a rundown on what exactly air fryers are, and what you should look out for if you do decide on getting one.
What is an air fryer?
Air fryers are specialized appliances that cook food in a manner similar to oil frying. The fryer heats up the air inside and uses a fan to blow the hot air onto the food inside. This allows the food to cook rapidly, and results in a texture that is akin to fried food. As such, many foods that can be oil-fried, such as chicken, can be air-fried as well.
Why do you need an air fryer?
There are a few reasons why many people have decided to purchase air friers recently.
They fry without oil
Arguably the most appealing thing about air fryers is that they can give you the crisp and crunch of fried food without worrying about the oil that is used to create the texture. Many of us already know the harmful effects of oil, as it can lead to heart problems, weight gain, and more. Air fryers solve this problem by giving you fresh, fried chicken and other great fried meals without needing a drop of oil. Your fat and cholesterol levels can be kept in check thanks to this.
They are easy to use
Anybody who’s oil-fried before knows how annoying it can be to have little bits of sizzling oil fly off the pan and onto their hand or arm. You also need to do quite a few things to prepare your pan for frying, such as preheating and applying oil. Then, there’s heat management that you have to worry about. Basically, oil frying requires a lot of work.
Air fryers allow you to be completely hands-free throughout the cooking process. All you have to do is set a few values, throw in the food, and wait for the fryer to do its magic. You can even prepare other food or do something else while waiting for the fryer to finish. This hands-free approach can be very appealing for people with busy schedules.
Things to consider when buying an air fryer
Most air fryers are similar to one another, but there are a few things to remember before you buy one yourself.
Wattage
The last thing you’d want is for your air fryer to come home, only for it to be incompatible with the wattage of your home. Some air fryers are incredibly energy-efficient, and you won’t need more than 1000 watts for them. However, some air fryers are more heavy-duty and will require upwards of 1800 watts to function properly.
The reason why air fryers require so many watts is because of how it fries your food. Heavy-duty air fryers need more power as they are able to heat up the food and oil inside much quicker, which can result in a crispier texture. Luckily, you only really use your air fryer during cooking, so it won’t amount to too much in energy expenses.
Size and Capacity
Depending on how many people you live with, you may either want a small, lightweight air fryer or a larger, family-size model. The smallest air fryers can fit at least one liter’s worth of volume, so you can easily cook yourself a solo meal with it. Larger air fryers can fit up to 2.5 liters, which can be good for a small family or a shared house. The largest of air fryers can hold a whopping 5 liters or more and are best used for really large families or commercial establishments such as restaurants.
Aside from the capacity, you also need to account for the size of the fryer itself. There’s only so much space on a kitchen countertop, and it’s possible that the fryer that you plan on buying may not be able to fit. If you plan on shelving your fryer every now and then, try finding an air fryer that can fit inside a cabinet or cupboard. That way, you can give yourself more space when you’re cooking but don’t need the fryer.
Safety
Air fryers use up quite a bit of electricity, which means that they use up a good amount of energy. Be sure to find air fryers with the right safety mechanisms to ensure you aren’t injured while using the device. Look for safety grips and locking mechanisms so you know the food gets cooked safely without any tampering.
Air Fryers price range
Despite being a relatively new type of kitchen appliance, air fryers are surprisingly affordable. You can get yourself a brand-new air fryer for home use for as little as $30. These air fryers don’t have much capacity to cook with, but they’re perfect for small homes and apartments.
Larger air fryers can set you back $100 or more, but they aren’t just bigger than their cheaper counterparts. These units boast a wider array of features, including a digital interface, touch controls, and more. These features may be a bit too luxurious for some, but those who love the added convenience may find the features to be well worth the price.
How we choose the best Air Fryers
Air fryers are chosen based on the size of the fryer, customer reviews, and the brand’s own history.
Air Fryer FAQs
Q: Is air frying safer than oil frying?
Studies have shown that air-fried food is much healthier for consumption than oil-fried food. This is due to the fact that you don’t need oil to air fry, which is a contributor to calories and cholesterol.
Do you need oil to air fry food?
Oil is not necessary to air fry food. However, you can apply oil to the food before air frying to achieve as similar of a flavor and texture to oil frying as possible.
What can you not cook in an air fryer?
While air fryers can cook a wide variety of foods, they are not able to cook food with wet batter.
