There are air fryers large enough to cook a Christmas ham, but I find small- and medium-sized models under 5 quarts net the best results. Hazal Ak/Getty You can keep an eye on the cooking time using the app on your phone, and it will let you know once cooking is finished. The most basic of air fryers looks like a small robot. They are generally just a cylindrical base with a basket to hold the food that pulls in and out. These come as small as two quarts and can be as big as six or seven. These models come with digital controls or manual dials. There are also air fryers with dual compartments so you can make two types of food at different temps simultaneously. Ninja makes a particularly good one with two 4-quart cooking baskets (8 quarts overall).

Pre-fried frozen foods: In general, portion-sized frozen foods or ones in bite-size pieces heat up and get appealingly crisp in an air fryer in no time. They could re-name this thing the College Kid/Single Dude Dinner Machine.Place the air fryer on a stable surface away from other objects and appliances and ensure the power cable is not twisted. Mini oven’ types: these models use convection or fan technology to cook food on flat, slide-in trays. As well as roasting, their extra air-frying functions circulate hot air around the food for more efficient crisping. These took up the space of an average-sized microwave. Some may also include rotisserie elements. If you typically only cook for four people or fewer, any of the air fryers we've tested should be big enough. But if you want the option of using the air fryer to cook for more people – or you just have a particularly hungry household – air fryers such as the Tefal Actifry 2 in 1 or Tefal Actifry Express XL can fit almost twice as much (1.5kg). This is a fairly uncommon feature and products with smart capabilities that we've tested have come and gone from the market. But when we come across any more, we'll be sure to flag them. Stirring paddle Fill the basket or tray with food of your choice. Handle it with extreme care as it could be very hot.

Air fryers are pretty new gadgets so it’s no wonder we have questions. If you're intrigued by all the buzz, but want to know more before you part with your cash, you've come to the right place. Read more: Air frying vs. oven baking: Which cooking method is best? Do you need to use oil with an air fryer?Oven-type air fryers come with one or multiple trays to place your food on and slot into the machine for cooking.

All air fryers come with some type of control panel. Often that will be a digital display with a variety of buttons, such as temperature control, on and off button and cooking program buttons. Your air fryer will also come with a basket or a tray to hold the food as it cooks. Food cooks fast, faster than you’re used to! It’s one of the best attributes of the air fryer. Your air fryer’s manual likely has a handy table of cooking times and temperatures for common foods. The less food in the basket, the shorter the cook time will be; the more food, the longer it will be. Unlike deep-fat fryers, which use a large amount of oil to cook your food, air fryers rely on the intense circulation of hot air to produce crispy, perfectly cooked meals. Clean all parts according to the instruction manual. Some removable parts might be dishwasher-safe.

How to use an air fryer

To see how three of the most popular air fryer brands compare, read our Ninja Foodi vs Tower Air fryer vs Tefal Actifry guide. 5. Are air fryers a healthy way to cook food? Whether you want to upgrade to a newer model, or your air-fryer has reached the end of its life, knowing how and where to dispose of your appliance is important to avoid creating more e-waste.