Air fryer: what it is, how to choose it and the best ones

There air fryer It's not quite the fast metabolism we've always dreamed of, but it's pretty close. It is not for nothing that it has become one of the most desired household appliances of recent years as well as having represented a great innovation and a small revolution in the kitchen within everyone's reach, especially by following the right recipes. Unlike other objects of desire that everyone likes, but which few can have, the fair strapping machine it can definitely come at a cost accessible in the face of interesting functions to say the least.

Thanks to the great success it has had, it crowds the shelves of stores and e-commerce sites with hundreds of attractive offers, which however confuse us a little. Which one should you focus on to avoid making mistakes? Which is best for my needs? How much do I have to spend to bring home an air fryer that works well? Here's a little one guide it's a selection of air fryers that leave no room for error.

How the air fryer works

You will surely have heard this phrase repeated by all those know-it-alls who can't wait to surprise you with a wow effect. But here, there are few surprises. In fact, anyone who has had an air fryer in their hands has immediately understood its true nature: it is a small ventilated oven equipped with one or two heating elements and an air circulation system designed to give maximum crunchiness to all the fried foods it can accommodate.

But then is it like buying a toaster oven? Of course not. Small dimensions, power, size and position of the resistors and a particular air circulation system make it one machine with unique performances, capable of returning extra crunchy foods to the outside without drying out the core. The air fryer is therefore not an oven. It's an air fryer.

How to choose the right appliance

• look at the capacity: let's go from 2 litres with which you prepare a single portion to reach the 12 litres fryers that prepare up to 8 portions, but above all allow you to cook larger foods (such as a whole chicken);
• check the programs: some air fryers are equipped with pre-set programs that can be selected from a quick menu, others only provide cooking in manual mode while still others can be controlled intelligently via a dedicated app;
• think about what you want to “fry”: if you will use the air fryer mainly for chips, nuggets, fried fish and other small delicacies, choose a basic model with a single basket. For larger portions, including cakes, opt for a model with a front opening, equipped with a rotisserie and basket;
• schedule storage: Where will you keep your air fryer? Measure the space you will dedicate to it and check the dimensions of the gadget before purchasing.

Our favourites

The windowed model

It would be a classic air fryer with 4 liter basket if it weren't for the very clever one glass front which transforms it into a hybrid between closed models and those with a transparent door that resemble a toaster oven. Ideal for those who are too curious and would continue to open to check the cooking – obviously letting out all the heat and losing the much desired crunchiness of fried foods.

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Cooks on multiple levels (chicken and chips included)

With this air fryer you can really do anything. Cook different types of food on various levels, prepare fragrant chips in the basket and poultry meat in the rotisserie. More bulky and expensive than the basic models, it is suitable for those who want to create a real rotisserie corner – healthy – in your own kitchen.

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The basic air fryer

Small, compact and very light. This air fryer is perfect for prepare single portion fried foods, be placed in the kitchen cupboards and have some experience with this cooking system. Unlike others, in fact, it only works in manual mode, a more than acceptable feature at this price.

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With double basket

Here they prepare fish & chipschicken and chips and assorted fried foods without difficulty since it is possible to divide the food into two separate baskets and activate two cooking functions at the same time, as well as use only one to reduce energy consumption. A flexible and extra large solution with its 8.3 liters in total.

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The model with many programs

It is not easy to find such an advanced gadget in this price range pre-set functions. Here we find 8 dedicated to very specific foods such as steaks, chicken legs, shrimp, fish, chips, ribs, vegetables and cakes. Obviously it can also be used in manual mode.

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Use two resistors

Each air fryer uses a particular method to guarantee maximum crunchiness and in this case it is the provision of two heating elements. In this way the fried food is extra dry even when the basket is full. The only flaw to take into consideration is consumption: when it goes to maximum it absorbs 2200 w.

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The connected model

This proposal is absolutely contemporary since it focuses on two current themes to say the least. On the one hand there is energy saving (reaches 200°C with 1500 w), on the other, the ability to communicate with the smartphone via app to start cooking remotely, monitor them and discover many recipes that update automatically.

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With basket and grill

This air fryer looks like a small oven and makes good use of its capacity of 10 litres with a large basket and a grill (although there are two available) perfect for hosting different dishes at the same time. There grill it is very convenient for cooking vegetables as well as meat and fish, while the basket easily accommodates all the classic fried foods.

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The super efficient

Mount one of the more effective systems for air circulation this small appliance designed down to the smallest detail and decidedly efficient. Select them from the beautiful touch display 7 pre-set programs, but it is very reliable even in manual mode. For those looking for the best.

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To also make pizza

Who says air fryers only make chips? This model is perfect for those who want to experiment and knead to bake very crunchy pizzas using the silicone pan, the pre-set cooking and recipes on the app. Also included is a cake pan, also in silicone, a brush and a spatula.