Air Fryer Buying Guide: How to Select the Best Air Fryer for your Kitchen?
We all drool over the sight of fried food as they are scrumptious and tickle our taste buds like no other. However, fried food contains a high amount of oil and is considered harmful to health. This is where air fryers promise to let you enjoy fried food without oil. You will find a wide variety of air fryers in the market making you spoilt for choice. Air fryers can be used to cook food items that you would normally deep or shallow fry.
If you are tempted to buy an air fryer and cook fried food the healthy way then this air fryer buying guide will provide the necessary help.
How do Air Fryers Work?
Just like the name suggests, air fryers use hot and dry air to cook food. Air fryers are like mini convection ovens that circulate air through a small chamber and cook food faster.
In an air fryer, you require a significantly less amount of oil, and thus fat is reduced by about 75%. Though the use of oil is limited, you can still enjoy food that is delicious and crispy just like traditional frying.
Air fryers are very versatile as many of them allow you to cook using several cooking methods like roasting, grilling, and even baking.
Types of Air Fryers
There are 2 main types of air fryers that you will find in the market. Let us see how they differ from each other and how they function.
Air fryers with a basket/drawer kind of designs are the original form of this appliance. This type of air fryer has a basket where food can be placed. The basket also contains a handle that locks the drawer while the food is cooking. However, such air fryers do not allow you to check the progress of the food cooked without pulling out the basket.
This type of air fryer comes with a rack/mesh tray. In this type of air fryer, food cooks in a flat receptacle like a countertop toaster oven. A big advantage with a tray air fryer is that it allows you to monitor the food while it cooks. You also get fryers with multiple racks which allow you to cook more food at a time.
With paddle-type air fryers, you can rest assured that your food will be cooked evenly. You are saved from the hassle of stirring the food as the fryer consists of a paddle that moves through the basket and lets the air circulate easily.
What to look in an Air Fryer? – Buiying Guide
Choosing the right air fryer can be a daunting task as there are several models out there, each boasting different features. But if you know what exactly you want then making a choice is easier.
One of the most basic features that you must look out for in an air fryer is its capacity. You will find fryers with varying capacities like 0.5L-2L, 2L-4L, and 4L-6L. Depending upon your family size and the number of dishes you will cook you can choose the desired capacity.
| Capacity | Family Size/Requirement |
|---|---|
| 2 liters | 4-5 people |
| 3-6 liters | 7-8 people |
| 5 liters or more | Cook or roast a whole chicken |
You also need to keep in mind the counter space that is available to place the fryer. The larger capacity you choose the more space you will need. Thus, if you have a large counter and spacious kitchen you can generously choose a higher capacity if needed.
Fryers come with 2 types of controls; dial and digital. While dial control is easy to operate it is very basic. With digital controls, the timer, temperature, and such settings are more accurate. Fryers with digital control also come with pre-programmed settings which can let you cook a variety of foods without having to manually set the temperature, timer, etc.
While searching for an air fryer, look for an appliance that can be cleaned easily by removing the parts. You can also opt for dishwasher safe parts as this will make cleaning easier.
Cleaning an air fryer is the most important thing to do if you want to prolong the life of your appliance. It is necessary to clean the parts after each use or at least after a few uses.
How to clean an Air Fryer?
You can clean the tray, basket, and the pan after using the air fryer with soap, warm water, and a microfiber cloth or sponge. Alternatively, you can also put the parts in a dishwasher (if they are dishwasher safe).
It is also recommended to clean the exterior of the appliance with a damp cloth to keep it sparkling. The heating coil should also be checked for oil and residue. In case you notice some residue, let the machine cool down and then wipe the coil with a damp cloth.
Modern-day air fryers come with multiple cooking functions. For instance, you can grill, roast, bake, and even fry in a single appliance. This will save you space by cutting down the number of appliances and you can cook a variety of foods on a single device.
Some air fryers allow you to take the control of the temperature at which the food will cook. You can set the temperature from as low as 80 degrees right up to 400 degrees and more. An air fryer with temperature control gives you the freedom to cook variety of food that need varying temperatures.
Cooking food at higher temperature saves time as food gets cooked quickly. Another advantage of temperature control feature is that baked foods and batter coated foods won’t absorb too much oil as the cooking time is short when the temperature is high.
Generally, air fryers come with a warranty of 1 year. However, some products have a longer warranty period depending upon the manufacturer. A product that is covered under warranty is always a good deal as you can rest assured that if anything goes wrong with the product a warranty can save you.
Another feature to look forward to is the customer service. Give preference to a company that is prompt in addressing customer grievances and solving product issues efficiently.
It is most crucial to ensure high safety standards when buying an air fryer. Opt for air fryer with well insulated and cool hand grips that protect your hands while handling the appliance. The base of the machine should have a sturdy grip and must be non-slip so that the machine stays firmly on the counter. Other safety features that you can look out for are locking lid, exterior basket control, etc.
Air fryers are considered an economic appliance and this is one of the biggest benefits that one must consider while buying it. The average watt range of most air fryers ranges from 800 to 2000.
As a matter of fact, we can say that an air fryer with 1500W consumes only a single unit of electricity per day. Even if you use the fryer for 30 minutes a day, it will consume an approximately half a unit of electricity.
Benefits of an Air Fryer
- Health benefits
Using an air fryer instead of a deep fryer to cook your food helps to reduce the oil intake. Thus, you can cut down on the calories and oil from your diet. With an air fryer, you can cook almost everything and thus, you don’t have to miss eating your favorite food too.
- Easy to Use
From cooking appetizers to preparing family meals, an air fryer makes life easy. It is an appliance with no complex functions that prepares yummy food. Air fryers are compact and hence, they don’t take up much space in your kitchen too.
- Fast to cook, Fun to operate
Cooking with an air fryer takes very little time. If you want to cook for a big crowd you need not panic because with an air fryer you can cook meals very quickly and efficiently. Moreover, you can leave the fryer to do its job by setting a timer while you juggle with other chores.
What can you cook in an Air fryer?
Air fryer can handle a wide variety of cooking given its versatility. Here is a list of dishes that you can cook in an air fryer and relish.
- Veggies– You can cook almost any vegetable in an air fryer and enjoy a healthy meal or snack. Some vegetables that you can cook include carrots, zucchini, broccoli, etc.
- Meat- You can grill or roast chicken, meat, or beef in an air fryer.
- Roast- You can roast a wide variety of nuts like peanuts, almonds; walnuts etc. and prepare a quick snack.
- Baked Food- An air fryer can bake dishes like muffins, lasagna, cookie, pies, etc. However, you will have to purchase a non-stick baking dish for making your favorite baked foods.
- Frozen Food- Almost all frozen foods can be cooked in an air fryer. You can prepare chicken nuggets, fries, in 15 minutes.
What not to cook in an Air Fryer?
Though air fryers are a versatile appliance and can cook most of the food it has certain limitations too. The following food items should not be cooked in an air fryer.
- Battered Foods
- Whole roasts
- Fresh Greens like spinach
- Raw grains like rice and pasta
- Cheese
Air Fryer FAQs
1. Which oil can be used in an air fryer?
You can use any oil of your choice for cooking in an air fryer. Make sure to sprinkle oil on the food to prevent it from sticking. You can use olive oil, sunflower oil, groundnut oil, etc. in an air fryer.
2. Do I need to stir the food in an air fryer?
Some air fryers require you to stir the food while it is being cooked. By doing so you can ensure that the food is evenly cooked and crispy from all sides.
4. How long does it take to cook frozen food in an air fryer?
Frozen foods can take maximum 15 minutes to get cooked in an air fryer. However, the time also depends on the air fryer you are using, its size, model, and power. You can cook frozen fries, fish sticks, nuggets, etc. easily in an air fryer.
5. Can ingredients be added to the fryer while the food is being cooked?
Yes, you can add the ingredients and also stir the food while the air fryer is operating.
6. How fast does an air fryer cook?
Air fryers are pretty quick given that they can prepare food in 5-15 minutes at a temperature of 350 to 400 degrees F. They reach high temperatures quickly and the hot circulating air makes cooking even faster.
7. Can I toast bread in an air fryer?
Yes, you can toast bread in an air fryer. Place the bread in the air fryer and set a temperature of 400degeres F. Your bread will toast in 4 minutes approximately.
8. Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer?
Yes, you can put an aluminum foil only in the basket of the air fryer. However, parchment paper is better as it won’t alter or interfere with the cooking.
9. Is glass utensil safe for being used in an air fryer?
Yes, all the utensils that are microwave-safe can also be used for cooking in an air fryer. Materials like metal, silicone, or plastic that can be used in an oven are air fryer-safe too.
10. Can air fryer heat up food?
The answer is yes. Air fryer is a great appliance for heating up the food. You can set the temperature to a lower degree and heat up food instantly.
Top 10 Best Air Fryer in India
Amazon.in 
Wrap Up
Thus, we can conclude that air fryers are here to make your life easy. With their features and functionality, they help you to cook food faster. If you are looking forward to adding an air fryer to your kitchen appliance, then this guide will assist you in finding the right product. Once you know what your requirements are it is easy to find a product that will serve your purpose.
