People always ask me what the best kind of air fryer is. There’s no simple answer because it depends on a variety of things when you’re trying to choose an air fryer. Here are the different types of air fryers and things to consider before choosing the right air fryer for you.
Why You Should Trust My Tips On How To Choose An Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Cookbooks: I have two best-selling air fryer cookbooks, Every Day Easy Air Fryer and Air Fryer Revolution , so you can feel confident in knowing that I use air fryers on a regular basis, I’m quite familiar with how they work and I know what makes a good air fryer.
- Experienced Reviewer : I’ve done various air fryer reviews in the past, so I have a wealth of knowledge about air fryers and what makes one better than another.
- Gadget geek! : I’m a self-proclaimed food tech enthusiast and have been known to purchase (and review ) just about any kitchen appliance I can get my hands on.
Imporant Factors In Choosing An Air Fryer:
- Air Fryer Shape
- Capacity
- Functions
- Footprint
- Ease Of Cleaning
- Price
1. Air Fryer Shape
There are a variety of different shapes of air fryers. This is often directly tied to how much the air fryer can hold and how large of a footprint they have on your kitchen counter. Here are a few examples of different shaped air fryers and brands you can purchase:
Egg Shaped Varieties
- Gourmia
- GoWise
- Ninja Foodi
Square Shaped Varieties
- Cosori
- Instant Vortex
Small Toaster Oven Varieties
- Cuisinart
- Black and Decker
Large Multicapacity Ovens
- Cosori Oven Air Fryer Combo
- Breville Smart Oven Air
Crisp Lid
- Mealthy Crisplid
- Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
- Ninja Foodi
2. Capacity
Capacity can be a little misleading because, with an air fryer, you will not want to fill the entire basket with food and get good results.
In order for your food to cook evenly or crisp on the outside, you will need it to be mostly in one single layer. Here are a few of the different capacities offered:
- 2.4 quart - Great for making side dishes and desserts.
- 3.5 quart - Great for cooking for smaller families or for side items.
- 5.8 quart - Great for larger families or if you like leftovers.
What is truly important to consider with capacity is how wide the basket is. The wider the basket, the more food you can cook at once with good results.
3. Functions
Something that people will need to consider when they’re purchasing an air fryer is the presets it may or may not come with. Here are a few different kinds:
- Presets - When the air fryer comes with buttons that have a predetermined time and temperature attached to them.
- No Presets - The air fryer simply has time and temperature buttons that can be adjusted up and down depending on the recipe.
- Customizable presets - When you can adjust which time and temperatures that are tied to the preset buttons so you can reuse the settings for commonly used foods.
Another thing to consider is the cooking functions they claim to offer. Here are some of the different cooking functions some air fryers offer:
- Bake
- Broil
- Grill
- Air Fry
- Dehydrate
While they may boast that they can do all of these things, some of these functions should be taken with a grain of salt, as they don’t perform these functions in a traditional manner.
If you’re wanting an air fryer that can also bake, broil, and grill well, you will want to purchase a toaster oven-type air fryer because they have two heating elements. The other styles of air fryers only offer one heating element so your food is only cooking from the top and not from multiple heat sources.
4. Footprint
A selling point for some people in how to choose an air fryer is how much space an air fryer takes up and how portable it is. Here are the different types of air fryers listed in order from how little of a footprint they have to how large of a footprint they have:
- CrispLid or other air fryer lid.
- Egg Shaped air fryer
- Square Shaped air fryer
- Small toaster oven air fryer
- Multi capacity toaster oven air fryer
If you have a large kitchen, aren’t worried about tucking it away when not in use, or use your air fryer every day for cooking, you would likely be happy with a larger toaster oven style air fryer. However, if you are short on space, need it to be portable, or don’t use your air fryer that often, you would likely prefer an air fryer lid or a smaller freestanding air fryer.
5. How To Clean Your Air Fryer
How difficult an air fryer is to clean can be a breaking point for a lot of people when they’re trying to decide how to choose an air fryer. If it’s hard to clean, you simply won’t use it. This is where footprint also comes into play. If the footprint is smaller, the amount of air fryer you have to clean is also smaller.
To Scrub Or Not To Scrub
A lot of people tell me that their air fryers are so hard to clean and they have to scrub and scrub to get the food off of them. Want to know my secret?
Stop scrubbing. Seriously. You’re working way too hard, and you’re scrubbing away the nonstick coating on the inside of your air fryer.
What I like to do with my air fryers with baskets is:
- Fill with water.
- Add a little dish soap.
- Let it soak.
- Wipe it out.
- Rinse clean or pop the whole air fryer basket in the dishwasher.
It’s that easy. With a little help from dish soap and a little patience, your air fryer will be a breeze to clean.
I must admit, I rarely clean the heating element of my air fryers. I think the heat does a good job of keeping it clean. If you notice yours needs cleaned, this is what you should do:
- Unplug your air fryer.
- Turn it upside down.
- While the heating element is still warm (not hot) you will take a damp rag and wipe down the heating element.
If you’re cleaning a toaster oven style air fryer, it’s a little more complicated. But to reduce the amount of space you need to wipe out after use, you can always cover the bottom of the air fryer with aluminum foil, a silicone mold, or use a pan that covers a large portion of the base of the air fryer.
6. Price
Price honestly isn’t a good indicator for which air fryer you should purchase. You can get a reputable air fryer that costs anywhere between $80 and $400.
The most important thing to remember is that if you’re using it to air fry only, a cheaper model is probably satisfactory.
However, if you’re wanting to use it for a wider variety of functions, you’ll want to splurge on one of the larger toaster oven air fryers or square-shaped air fryers. The functionality, the amount you’ll use it, and the energy costs are worth the extra money spent on a larger model.
Still Not Sure How To Choose An Air Fryer?
Still not sure which air fryer to choose? Let me break it down for you:
Choose An Egg Shaped Air Fryer If:
- If you cook small amounts of food at one time.
- Have limited space in your kitchen.
- Want something easy to clean.
- Are on a budget.
Choose A Square Shaped Air Fryer If:
- You want to cook for a larger family of 4 or more.
- Want something portable with a medium-sized footprint.
- Want something easy to clean.
- Are looking for an affordable option.
Chose An Air Fryer Lid If:
- You have a pressure cooker that you can attach your lid to.
- Are short on space or want something portable.
- Need something very easy to clean.
- Want something cheaper than a full air frying appliance.
Choose A Small Toaster Oven Air Fryer If:
- You’re cooking larger items or for a larger family.
- Have countertop space but still want something that can be easily moved.
- Aren’t bothered by a little difficulty cleaning it.
- Can afford a slightly more expensive air fryer model.
Choose A Multi Capacity Toaster Air Fryer If:
- You want something that can replace most of your oven functions.
- Aren’t limited on space.
- Are comfortable with a little extra effort to clean it.
- Have a higher budget, as these are generally the most expensive.
Air Fryer Reviews I’ve Done
If you want to know how well I like specific air fryers I mentioned in this post, check out some of the reviews I’ve done.
- Mealthy CrispLid
- Ninja Foodi
- Go Wise Air Fryer Review
- Ninja Air Fryer Review
- Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer Review
- Cosori Digital Oven Air Fryer Review
- Cosori Air Fryer Review
- Gormia Air Fryer Review
If you found this article on how to choose the right air fryer helpful, please share it with your friends on Facebook so they can choose the right air fryer too.
And don’t forget to check out my air fryer cookbooks! Every day easy air fryer , and Air Fryer Revolution .
People always ask me what the best kind of air fryer is. There’s no simple answer because it depends on a variety of things when you’re trying to choose an air fryer. Here are the different types of air fryers and things to consider before choosing the right air fryer for you.
Why You Should Trust My Tips On How To Choose An Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Cookbooks: I have two best-selling air fryer cookbooks, Every Day Easy Air Fryer and Air Fryer Revolution , so you can feel confident in knowing that I use air fryers on a regular basis, I’m quite familiar with how they work and I know what makes a good air fryer.
- Experienced Reviewer : I’ve done various air fryer reviews in the past, so I have a wealth of knowledge about air fryers and what makes one better than another.
- Gadget geek! : I’m a self-proclaimed food tech enthusiast and have been known to purchase (and review ) just about any kitchen appliance I can get my hands on.
Imporant Factors In Choosing An Air Fryer:
- Air Fryer Shape
- Capacity
- Functions
- Footprint
- Ease Of Cleaning
- Price
1. Air Fryer Shape
There are a variety of different shapes of air fryers. This is often directly tied to how much the air fryer can hold and how large of a footprint they have on your kitchen counter. Here are a few examples of different shaped air fryers and brands you can purchase:
Egg Shaped Varieties
- Gourmia
- GoWise
- Ninja Foodi
Square Shaped Varieties
- Cosori
- Instant Vortex
Small Toaster Oven Varieties
- Cuisinart
- Black and Decker
Large Multicapacity Ovens
- Cosori Oven Air Fryer Combo
- Breville Smart Oven Air
Crisp Lid
- Mealthy Crisplid
- Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
- Ninja Foodi
2. Capacity
Capacity can be a little misleading because, with an air fryer, you will not want to fill the entire basket with food and get good results.
In order for your food to cook evenly or crisp on the outside, you will need it to be mostly in one single layer. Here are a few of the different capacities offered:
- 2.4 quart - Great for making side dishes and desserts.
- 3.5 quart - Great for cooking for smaller families or for side items.
- 5.8 quart - Great for larger families or if you like leftovers.
What is truly important to consider with capacity is how wide the basket is. The wider the basket, the more food you can cook at once with good results.
3. Functions
Something that people will need to consider when they’re purchasing an air fryer is the presets it may or may not come with. Here are a few different kinds:
- Presets - When the air fryer comes with buttons that have a predetermined time and temperature attached to them.
- No Presets - The air fryer simply has time and temperature buttons that can be adjusted up and down depending on the recipe.
- Customizable presets - When you can adjust which time and temperatures that are tied to the preset buttons so you can reuse the settings for commonly used foods.
Another thing to consider is the cooking functions they claim to offer. Here are some of the different cooking functions some air fryers offer:
- Bake
- Broil
- Grill
- Air Fry
- Dehydrate
While they may boast that they can do all of these things, some of these functions should be taken with a grain of salt, as they don’t perform these functions in a traditional manner.
If you’re wanting an air fryer that can also bake, broil, and grill well, you will want to purchase a toaster oven-type air fryer because they have two heating elements. The other styles of air fryers only offer one heating element so your food is only cooking from the top and not from multiple heat sources.
4. Footprint
A selling point for some people in how to choose an air fryer is how much space an air fryer takes up and how portable it is. Here are the different types of air fryers listed in order from how little of a footprint they have to how large of a footprint they have:
- CrispLid or other air fryer lid.
- Egg Shaped air fryer
- Square Shaped air fryer
- Small toaster oven air fryer
- Multi capacity toaster oven air fryer
If you have a large kitchen, aren’t worried about tucking it away when not in use, or use your air fryer every day for cooking, you would likely be happy with a larger toaster oven style air fryer. However, if you are short on space, need it to be portable, or don’t use your air fryer that often, you would likely prefer an air fryer lid or a smaller freestanding air fryer.
5. How To Clean Your Air Fryer
How difficult an air fryer is to clean can be a breaking point for a lot of people when they’re trying to decide how to choose an air fryer. If it’s hard to clean, you simply won’t use it. This is where footprint also comes into play. If the footprint is smaller, the amount of air fryer you have to clean is also smaller.
To Scrub Or Not To Scrub
A lot of people tell me that their air fryers are so hard to clean and they have to scrub and scrub to get the food off of them. Want to know my secret?
Stop scrubbing. Seriously. You’re working way too hard, and you’re scrubbing away the nonstick coating on the inside of your air fryer.
What I like to do with my air fryers with baskets is:
- Fill with water.
- Add a little dish soap.
- Let it soak.
- Wipe it out.
- Rinse clean or pop the whole air fryer basket in the dishwasher.
It’s that easy. With a little help from dish soap and a little patience, your air fryer will be a breeze to clean.
I must admit, I rarely clean the heating element of my air fryers. I think the heat does a good job of keeping it clean. If you notice yours needs cleaned, this is what you should do:
- Unplug your air fryer.
- Turn it upside down.
- While the heating element is still warm (not hot) you will take a damp rag and wipe down the heating element.
If you’re cleaning a toaster oven style air fryer, it’s a little more complicated. But to reduce the amount of space you need to wipe out after use, you can always cover the bottom of the air fryer with aluminum foil, a silicone mold, or use a pan that covers a large portion of the base of the air fryer.
6. Price
Price honestly isn’t a good indicator for which air fryer you should purchase. You can get a reputable air fryer that costs anywhere between $80 and $400.
The most important thing to remember is that if you’re using it to air fry only, a cheaper model is probably satisfactory.
However, if you’re wanting to use it for a wider variety of functions, you’ll want to splurge on one of the larger toaster oven air fryers or square-shaped air fryers. The functionality, the amount you’ll use it, and the energy costs are worth the extra money spent on a larger model.
Still Not Sure How To Choose An Air Fryer?
Still not sure which air fryer to choose? Let me break it down for you:
Choose An Egg Shaped Air Fryer If:
- If you cook small amounts of food at one time.
- Have limited space in your kitchen.
- Want something easy to clean.
- Are on a budget.
Choose A Square Shaped Air Fryer If:
- You want to cook for a larger family of 4 or more.
- Want something portable with a medium-sized footprint.
- Want something easy to clean.
- Are looking for an affordable option.
Chose An Air Fryer Lid If:
- You have a pressure cooker that you can attach your lid to.
- Are short on space or want something portable.
- Need something very easy to clean.
- Want something cheaper than a full air frying appliance.
Choose A Small Toaster Oven Air Fryer If:
- You’re cooking larger items or for a larger family.
- Have countertop space but still want something that can be easily moved.
- Aren’t bothered by a little difficulty cleaning it.
- Can afford a slightly more expensive air fryer model.
Choose A Multi Capacity Toaster Air Fryer If:
- You want something that can replace most of your oven functions.
- Aren’t limited on space.
- Are comfortable with a little extra effort to clean it.
- Have a higher budget, as these are generally the most expensive.
Air Fryer Reviews I’ve Done
If you want to know how well I like specific air fryers I mentioned in this post, check out some of the reviews I’ve done.
- Mealthy CrispLid
- Ninja Foodi
- Go Wise Air Fryer Review
- Ninja Air Fryer Review
- Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer Review
- Cosori Digital Oven Air Fryer Review
- Cosori Air Fryer Review
- Gormia Air Fryer Review
If you found this article on how to choose the right air fryer helpful, please share it with your friends on Facebook so they can choose the right air fryer too.
And don’t forget to check out my air fryer cookbooks! Every day easy air fryer , and Air Fryer Revolution .
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Looking for the perfect air fryer to add to your kitchen? Confused by all of the different brands and styles of air fryers on the market? Read my complete Ninja Air Fryer review to see if it’s the right air fryer for you.
Buy One
Ninja Air Fryer Review | Unbiased Review Of The Ninja Air Fryer + Video
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer, 4 Qt, Black/gray
Watch The Ninja Air Fryer Review Video
Why You Should Trust My Ninja Air Fryer Review
- Air Fryer Cookbooks: I have two best-selling air fryer cookbooks, Every Day Easy Air Fryer and Air Fryer Revolution , so you can feel confident in knowing that I use air fryers on a regular basis, I’m quite familiar with how they work and I know what makes a good air fryer.
- Experienced Reviewer : I’ve done various air fryer reviews in the past, so I have a wealth of knowledge about air fryers and what makes one better than another.
- Gadget geek! : I’m a self-proclaimed food tech enthusiast and have been known to purchase (and review ) just about any kitchen appliance I can get my hands on.
1. Footprint
In the case of footprint for this Ninja Air Fryer , it isn’t actually just the amount of space the air fryer takes up on your kitchen counter. I’m also taking into consideration how tall it is and if it will fit under your kitchen counters.
The Ninja Air Fryer has a significant footprint, but does fit nicely under your counter tops so you can easily tuck it away when it’s not in use.
If you’re wondering the exact dimensions of the Ninja Air Fryer , it is:
13.6 x 11 x 13.3 inches
2. Capacity
Capacity is, in my opinion, the most important factor you should consider when you’re buying an air fryer. This Ninja Air Fryer has a 4 quart capacity .
While it says it can hold up to 4 quarts of food inside of the basket, this is deceiving. You will never want to stack food on top of each other to fill the basket completely. Here’s why:
- Food will not crisp.
- Food will not cook evenly.
- It will take a tremendous amount of time for the food to cook .
Since you will ideally only place a single layer of food in the Ninja Air Fryer , the square shape of the basket allows you to cook a large quantity of food at once without overlapping.
This Ninja Air Fryer has many useful features. Here are some of the most noteworthy ones:
Presets
This Ninja Air Fryer comes with 4 cooking presets to make cooking even more simple. The presets it offers are:
- Air Fry
- Roast
- Reheat
- Dehydrate
Unlike a lot of other air fryers with presets, the fan speed actually changes with the presets. The fan speed increases and decreases depending on which setting you select.
What Can You Make In A Ninja Air Fryer
- Gochujang Chicken Wings
- Peanut Butter Banana Toast
- Reheating Pizza
- Char Siu Pork
- Shrimp Scampi
- Baked Potatoes
- Stuffed Peppers
4. Ease Of Use
This Ninja Air fryer is a breeze to use. You can choose between two different cooking methods:
- Manual time and temperature
- Presets
With this amount of freedom, you can cook anything from your go-to meals to anything you can find in your favorite cookbook.
And don’t forget to check out my air fryer cookbooks! Every day easy air fryer , and Air Fryer Revolution .
5. Ease Of Cleaning
Depending on your air fryer, it can be a bit tricky to clean. But if you use my simple cleaning tricks, you’ll never dread cleaning your Ninja Air Fryer again.
When I know I’m going to cook something especially messy or greasy, I prefer to add a layer of aluminum foil or 1/4 cup of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to help make clean up easier.
6. Price
DON’T SCRUB . Seriously. Don’t scrub the basket or the inside of your Gourmia Air Fryer basket. This will remove the nonstick coating and make your food stick even worse in the future. Here’s how I clean mine:
- Fill the basket and inner basket with warm water and dish soap.
- Let sit for 15-20 minutes.
- Take a soft rag and wipe out any residue.
- Wipe down the outside of the air fryer.
Would I Buy This Ninja Air Fryer?
Buy This If
- You’re cooking for a smaller family or are using it primarily for side dishes.
- You want the freedom of adjusting the cooking time and temperature manually.
- You want a quality air fryer that will last.
Pass On This If
- You have a larger family or like to have leftovers.
- You’re on a budget.
- You prefer a larger assortment of presets.
Ninja Air Fryer Pros and Cons
I’ve used this Ninja air fryer more than any of the other air fryers I’ve reviewed. Since I have so much experience cooking with it, let me give you some of the pros and cons to this amazing kitchen gadget.
Pros
- Presets that actually change the fan speed, not just the time and temperature.
- The ability to customize cooking time and temperature without only using presets.
- Smaller footprint for an air fryer with that large of capacity.
- Durable. I’ve used this more times than I can count and it works just as good as the day I bought it.
- Easy to clean.
Cons
- If you are used to an air fryer with multiple presets, you may feel underwhelmed by the variety this Ninja Air Fryer offers.
- The smaller footprint makes it harder to cook a whole meal for a family larger than 2-3 people.
- Expensive. While it is still affordable, there are several air fryers on the market that are less expensive than this if you are on a budget.
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If you found this Ninja Air Fryer review helpful, please share with your friends on Facebook and Pinterest so they can see if this air fryer is right for them too.
Ninja Air Fryer Review | Unbiased Review Of The Ninja Air Fryer + Video
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer, 4 Qt, Black/gray
Originally Published August 21, 2020
