Air fryers have made a huge splash in the market with sales increasing by 76% over the last few years according to the NPD. This handy equipment has been a staple in most households ever since the pandemic because of the convenience it can bring in meal preparation. And if you saw one of these at your local store, you’re probably curious about the whole air fryer thing; chances are, you have a lot of questions brewing in your mind.

Are you thinking about joining the air fryer club? Well, before purchasing an air fryer; you should first consider whether it will be a good addition to your household. And as someone who has the opportunity to try one of the most trending appliances, we at DaDongNY will provide you with a breakdown of all you need to know about air fryers, including different models, price ranges, and so much more!

What Is An Air Fryer?

An air fryer, which was patented in 2010 by a well-known electric company, Philips, is a smaller version of a convection oven that can fit onto your kitchen countertop. It can cook practically anything that can be cooked in an oven, with the exception that it needs very little oil. An air fryer can make fries, wings, and veggies crispier than you could ever imagine, especially if you don’t have a deep fryer.

How Does It Work?

Similar to a convection oven, an air fryer microwave oven combo includes a heating element and fan that cooks food to an exceptionally crisp level. The heating element and fan are both placed on top, and they both blow super-heated air all over the food in the basket. The basket, on the other hand, ensures that the swiftly moving hot air is always in touch with the food and is not hindered by a pan or tray, as in an oven.

Here’s how to use an air fryer:

Warm Up The Air Fryer

An air fryer, like your old friend the oven, requires time to preheat before it can begin cooking. Most air fryers require at least five minutes to heat up before they are ready to use.

Make Sure Your Food Is Dry

Before placing your food in the fryer, make sure to pat it down with a kitchen towel, especially if it is marinated. This is because the drier your food is when it goes in, the crispier it will be when it comes out. Furthermore, excess moisture might cause splattering and burning, so pat your food down before placing it in the basket.

Place Your Food In The Basket And Drizzle With A Small Amount Of Oil

While we wish it were possible to fry without oil, air fryers require a little amount of oil to achieve a particular level of crispness on your food. Before placing your food in the air fryer, spritz it with a little oil to coat it evenly. You can use the Misto oil sprayer with a healthy oil, such as avocado, to ensure that everything cooks crispy and evenly, and doesn’t overcrowd the basket.

Are Air Fryers Safe?

The taste and texture achieved from an air fryer are akin to those produced by a deep fryer: crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. However, you will just need a little to no oil.

So to put it simply, yes, an air fryer is definitely a healthier alternative. If you commit to using a small amount of oil, you can avoid risk of chronic disease and prolong your health.

Here are a few of the health benefits of using an air fryer:

Consumes substantially less oil
reduces calorie intake by 80%
Reduces acrylamide compound by 90%
Preserves certain nutrients such as Vitamin C and Polyphenols during the cooking process

Pros and Cons Of Using An Air Fryer

Pros

Easy To Use

Using an air fryer is as easy as a pie, and once you’ve tried one, there’s no looking back. You may even adore preparing frozen food and reheating yesterday night’s leftovers in an instant.

Safe To Use

If you are concerned about the possible risks of using an air fryer, keep in mind that, unlike microwave ovens, an air fryer does not emit radiation. This equipment also shields users against heat and oil splatters. In addition, to prevent burning, an air fryer automatically shuts off when the cooking time is up.

Easy To Clean

In contrast to deep fryers, cleaning an air fryer requires little effort because most models feature dishwasher-safe components. Furthermore, the minimal amount of oil required for air frying is easy to clean with a soft bristle brush, dishwashing soap, and running water.

Here’s how to clean an air fryer:

Clean the air fryer immediately after use
Wipe the basket and pan with water and soap
Soak or the basket and pan for sticky messes
Clean the bottom chamber
Clean the heating element
Allow to dry before reassembling

Healthier

An air fryer is not only handy, but it also allows you to prepare a myriad of healthy foods because it uses little to no oil. That means less calories and fat!

Compact

No matter how large an air fryer is, it will not take up much counter space. Most air fryer units are around the size of a small oven or coffee maker. These are tiny enough to be left on the counter and will complement your kitchen.

Cons

Expensive

There are several air fryer options available today, with multifunctional and visually pleasing ones costing well over $400. The Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone Air Fryer AF400, which generally costs roughly $228, has a big 10-quart capacity, two removable baskets for cooking different dishes at the same time, and several cooking modes such as roast, dehydrate, break, air fry, and reheat. Is it worth getting an air fryer? It may depend on how much money you are willing to spend and how frequently you will use it.

Too Small

Air fryers are typically small in size, depending on their capacity. If you have a large family, you should stick to the traditional pots and pans or the NuWave Oven. There are, however, medium-sized air fryers that can prepare dinners for families of four.

Burnt And Died Food

Because most air fryer models have many settings and functionalities, the food you cook may come out burnt, dried, or even inedible. It is all about experimenting with these presets and features on various dishes when using an air fryer.

Power Cable Is Too Short

One of the downsides of an air fryer is its short power cable. However, it will not pose a headache if the power outlet is near the equipment, otherwise, you’ll be needing a power strip.

Too Many Choices

We are pampered with a plethora of air fryer choices out there, and if you are having trouble picking one that is suited for your kitchen, read our breakdown on the best of the best here: 7 excellent air fryer toaster oven combos for 2023. This might help you with your difficulty!

Types Of Air Fryers

While there are several air fryer variations, they typically fall into four categories: basket air fryers, paddle air fryers, cylindrical basket air fryers, and oven air fryers. Let’s take a closer look at how they differ from one another!

Basket Air Fryers

Basket air fryers are the most common type of air fryer. They often have single or twin baskets that are easy to fill, insert, and remove. Its basket has small openings that let hot air enter and cook the food evenly. The basket air fryer is perfectly designed to keep your food from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Sample: COSORI Pro II Air Fryer

Specifications

Dimensions: 11.78” x 13.87” x 12”
Color: Black
Material: Aluminum, Plastic, Metal
Capacity: 5.48 liters
Output Wattage: 1700-watts
Special Feature: Custom shake reminders, Customizable presets
Included Components: Detachable air fryer basket
Manufacturer: COSORI

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Paddle Air Fryers

A paddle air fryer is one that has a paddle that allows you to mix food without shaking or stirring it. Despite not being a game changer, paddle air fryers are simple and provide a convenient method for cooking foods such as fries, curries, risotto, mixed veggies, and many more.

Sample: De’Longhi 607647-FH1363

Specifications

Dimensions: 15.6” x 12.8 x 10.6”
Color: Black
Material: Plastic
Capacity: 1.72 liters
Output Wattage: 1200-watts
Special Feature: Programmable
Included Components:
Air fryer basket,
Mixing paddle
Manufacturer: De’Longhi

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Oven Air Fryers

An oven air fryer, similar to a convection oven, has strong heating elements that can achieve temperatures of 450-500 °F. They also include cooking settings that allow you to air fry, bake, broil, toast, and grill. An oven air fryer can hold up to 23.65 liters of food, which is larger than other types of air fryers.

Sample: Panasonic Homechef 4-In-1 Microwave Oven With Air Fryer

Specifications

Dimensions: 14.97” x 15.36” x 9”
Color: Silver
Material: Stainless steel
Capacity: 33.98 liters
Output Wattage: 1000-watts
Special Feature: Programmable
Included Components:
Air fryer basket,
Wire rack,
Cooking tray
Manufacturer: Panasonic

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Cylindrical Basket Air Fryers

Cylindrical basket air fryers frequently have detachable baskets through which hot air flows. They are specifically designed to take up minimal space in your kitchen and cook for larger groups of people since cylindrical basket air fryers can hold more than 1.72 liters of food.

Sample: T-fal Easy Fry XXL Air Fryer & Grill

Specifications

Dimensions: 10.94” x 13.31” x 13.11”
Color: Black
Material: Stainless steel
Capacity: 5.58 liters
Output Wattage: 1700-watts
Special Feature: Programmable
Included Components:
Air fryer basket,
Grilling pan
Manufacturer: T-fal

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Different Air Fryer Sizes

Size	Difference	Sample
Small Air Fryer (1-3 quarts)	Somewhere between 1-2 quarts. Suitable for one or two people, with a basket capable of cooking chicken breast on one side and a couple of potatoes as side dish on the other. The largest size for small air fryers are those measures to have a 2-3 quart cooking capacity. This can cook 4-6 chicken wings at once and provides enough space for a couple of two. However, an air fryer above 3 quarts is more suitable for couple who plans on using an air fryer regularly	Philips Avance Airfryer with TurboStar BELLA Electric Hot Air Fryer
Medium Air Fryer (3-6 quarts)	These air fryers are best suited for households of three or more. 3-4 quart ranging fryers will not be able to cook whole chicken; instead, you may have to chop it down to fit it in the basket. Furthermore, these air fryers are large enough to cook fries. Air fryers slightly larger than 5 quarts can cook 4-5 chicken breasts or enough fries for 5-7 people.	Philips Essential Digital Airfryer-Compact with Rapid Air Technology Chefman TurboFry Air Fryer
Large Air Fryer (6 quarts and above)	Air fryers with capacities of 6 quarts and above offer a large compartment that allows you to cook anything you prefer, including pastries! This equipment is ideal for large families, celebrations, and many more.	COSORI Pro Air Fryer Oven Combo, Max Xl Large Cooker

Things You Can Cook In An Air Fryer

There are plenty of things you can cook in an airfryer such as 23 of our simple and tasty air fryer recipes.

From healthful nibbles like sweet potatoes to more decadent indulgences like bacon or frozen pizza; an air fryer can handle all of that! It all boils down to personal choice when it comes to great meals. However, we gathered top suggestions for what to cook next in an air fryer.

Ravioli

The crispy coating on ravioli will surely take you to the Mediterranean coastline! With an air fryer, this will certainly up the taste to a new level that you and your family will enjoy.

Pumpkin Seeds

Tired of waiting? An air fryer will certainly be your new best friend once you try pumpkin seeds cooked to crispy perfection in this equipment.

Pastries

Prepare to have your mind blown because an air fryer can also be used to make wonderful and fresh baked goods! From sugar cookies to coffee oatmeal cookies to lava cakes, the sky’s the limit with this one.

Chicken

Go ahead, air fry and enjoy all chicken recipes, including frozen chicken nuggets and chicken tenders!

Homemade Chips

The days of unhealthy junk food chips are over; now you can enjoy a healthy crunch while making homemade chips with far less oil using an air fryer.

French Fries

Admit it: you love french fries. Then an air fryer is unquestionably the right piece of equipment for you. An air fryer will crisp and bake your favorite snack to perfection.

Egg Rolls

Whether you’re making this delicious asian dish as an appetizer or dessert, an air fryer is your go-to guy. This equipment will cook your egg roll while achieving the ideal ratio between crispy shell and precisely cooked filling.

Hard-Boiled Eggs

Surprisingly, you can cook hard-boiled eggs in an air fryer. All you have to do is place them on the basket, air fry them, and then peel them to serve.

While an air fryer can cook a variety of excellent food dishes, there are several things it cannot cook:

Raw vegetables;
Fresh cheese;
Battered foods;
And loosely seasoned foods

What Oil Should You Use For My Air Fryer?

While an air fryer does not require the use of oil in the same manner that a deep fryer does, you still need to add a little oil to get the best results when frying your favorite snacks. But don’t worry, we’ve already compiled a list of the best cooking oils that we recommend specially just for you!

Oil	Smoking Point
Avocado Oil	570 °F smoke point
Ghee Oil (clarified butter)	485 °F smoke point
Extra Light Olive Oil	468 °F smoke point
Extra Virgin Olive Oil	375 °F smoke point
Soybean Oil	450 °F smoke point
Coconut Oil	450 °F smoke point
Peanut Oil	450 °F smoke point
Vegetable Oil	400 °F smoke point
Butter	200-250 °F smoke point

Must-Have Accessories For Your Air Fryer

Much has been said about air fryers and their health benefits. Now, let’s speak about the kitchen sweetheart, air fryer accessories, which will assist you in creating indulgences of foods you may or may not have thought of air frying.

Perforated silicone mats
Accessory kit for air fryers
Silicone pots or liners
Pizza pans
Cake pans
Silicone muffin or cupcake cups
Deep baking pans
Skewer rack
Oil Sprayer
Silicone trivet
Silicone tongs

FAQs

How Much Does an Air Fryer Cost?

If you’re worried that buying an air fryer will drain your bank account, here’s some good news: it won’t! Air fryers usually range from $50 to $400. Although expensive air fryers aren’t necessary, we believe that the more you spend, the better features and results you will get. If your budget doesn’t stretch that far, you can try the Hamilton Beach 31523 Sure-Crisp Air Fryer Toaster Oven, our best air fryer toaster oven combo on a budget.

What Is The Ideal Size Of An Air Fryer For A Family?

Now that you know how big an air fryer is, it will be easy to pick the proper one for your household. In addition, whether you have small or large family members, consider the following:

Family Size	Capacity
Family of two	Capacity of 2 to 3 quarts
Family of three	Capacity of 3 to 5 quarts
Family of four	Capacity of 5 to 6 quarts
Family of five or more	Capacity of 6 quarts and above

What Does It Mean For Oil To Have A Smoking Point?

A smoking point of an oil is the temperature at which the heat causes the oil to smoke. There are several oils that will start to smoke at different temperatures.

Bottomline

Buying an air fryer is a big decision to make. After all, who wants to spend hundreds of dollars on something they don’t understand and won’t use frequently? But it doesn’t have to be a difficult one because of the information that we provided about this handy kitchen appliance. With this, we hope that we have impressed you, and that you will soon be cooking great meals in an air fryer for your family. We assure that if you invest in an air fryer, you will not be disappointed!

What does the chef think about the air fryer craze? Click here to read the article and learn about what an air fryer accomplishes in a commercial kitchen.

The Ultimate Guide to Air Fryers: Everything You Should Know

Table of Contents Hide

What Is An Air Fryer?

How Does It Work?

Are Air Fryers Safe?

Pros and Cons Of Using An Air Fryer

Pros

Cons