The best air fryers can fry, roast, crisp, bake, reheat and even dehydrate food in a fraction of the time of a conventional oven, while using less energy. Whether cooking for one or a family, there is a model to suit every kitchen, budget and cooking style.
Air fryers work by circulating hot air at high speed around food, mimicking deep-fat frying without the oil. The result is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They also preheat rapidly, making them a practical choice for quick meals.
Clare Andrews, author of The Ultimate Air Fryer, says: “Air fryers have completely changed the way people cook at home. They’re quick, energy-efficient, and take a lot of the guesswork out of everyday meals.”
After extensive testing, the Ninja Crispi Pro takes the top spot. It is compact yet versatile, with a modular design featuring glass bowls in 5.7l and 2.3l sizes. The glass bowls are dishwasher-friendly and allow you to see food cooking, but get very hot in use. The control panel is easy to use, and it excels at most dishes, though toad in the hole did not cook evenly.
The Russell Hobbs Satisfry is the best budget option, ideal for small spaces with a 4l capacity. It has seven cooking functions, heats up quickly, and cooks food evenly. The non-stick coating makes cleanup easy, though it is a little noisy.
For larger portions, the Cuisinart Clearview Air Fryer offers an 8.5l capacity and a wide 27cm cooking surface, allowing food to cook evenly in generous quantities.
