Your kitchen should have the right tools.
As tempting as it might be to buy the first one you see on sale, resist.
Theres likely a better match for you out there.
Air fryers will put in many hours of good work for you, so consider these tips when committing.
Youll be crisping up meals together for a while.
These whipping winds cook food faster than a conventional oven.
(Read herefor more details on how air fryers work.)
Do you want an air fryer because you heard it can produce deep-fried results with much less oil?
Maybe youre trying to explore dehydration recipes.
Will you use it to bake viennoiserie or primarily for indoor grilling?
Then again, maybe youre bulking and youve got a freezer full of turkeys waiting.
So break out the measuring tape and check that you know your dimensions, minimums, and maximums.
The top portion of this model contains the controls, the heating element, and the fan.
Pull on the handle and the lower section will slide out.
This is the basket where food gets loaded.
The pros
Multipurpose
This deep basket makes this style of air fryer a great all-purpose cooking machine.
Common options for the average basket model are: air fry, bake, or roast.
Other models might include functions like dehydrate, reheat, keep warm, or various food presets.
The difference between these options is temperature and fan speed.
Small footprint
Basket models are the best air fryers for smaller spaces.
The cons
The basket shape is limiting
The basket model does have some drawbacks.
In models that arent multi-basket, you’re free to only make one thing at a time.
Additionally, the basket shape requires that you lower items down into it.
Where the basket style air fryer is tall, the oven model is wide.
Its oven style for a reason.
Just like your big conventional oven, this punch in is often designed to fit multiple racks at once.
Theres simply no downside to this door.
The view
The door of an oven air fryer is almost always a window.
And Im very much like the contestants onThe Great British Bake Offalways staring into the oven.
An extra minute can make a big difference.
Its easier to walk by your food, take a quick peak and decide, thats almost done!
or I need to add more time.
Its true that some basket models have windows now, but theres always a big handle in the way.
I dont have it.
The distance between the food and the heating element can create a different effect.
The indoor grill is new to the air fryer party, so there arent as many brands exploring it.
However, there are still plenty to choose from.
This version is wider and flatter compared to the other two styles.
The door is hinged, but opens on the top like a suitcase.
Some models come with multiple griddle bases or baskets to swap out.
Easy accessibility
You know I love a hinge door.
Its not a grill
Just to be clear, a grill-style air fryer is not a real grill.
One-zone cooking
Similarly to the basket model, the grill model provides one-zone cooking with one temperature setting.
Closer heating element
This feature is a pro and con at the same time.
The high heat can easily burn items, so keep a close eye on the things you put inside.
Once you finally settle on the perfect air fryer for you,try one of these recipesto start.
