Use a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe down the fixed parts of the interior as well as the outside of the machine. Dry well before plugging in and using again. Air fryers have become a hot commodity, and for good reason. They take up less space and cook food to a delicious crisp in less time than conventional ovens. Plus, they're easy to use for meal prepping to save you time in the long run. While some air fryers are quite basic in cooking methods, more advanced models provide multiple styles of cooking, such as roast, reheat, dehydrate, bake, and more. Many of the options on our list of favorites take the guesswork out of cooking, with preprogrammed settings that allow you to get dinner on the table with just the push of a button. Since air fryers are all about streamlining your cooking routine, you’ll want to pay special attention to selecting a model that makes your life easier, not more complicated. Look for intuitive digital displays, time settings, and just enough bells and whistles for your needs. We started our testing with a classic air fryer dish: frozen french fries…we were slightly disappointed with the outcome, however.

Air Fryers of 2023, Tested by Cooking Experts 7 Best Air Fryers of 2023, Tested by Cooking Experts

I’m no stranger to testing air fryers, and at this point, I have it down to a science. Here’s what I look for when I’m evaluating these countertop appliances: The overall performance of this Ninja air fryer is what sold us at the end of the day. The Brussels sprouts, french fries, and wings we made in it were perfectly crisp and fully cooked through. When we tested this air fryer, we were pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to shake the food with the basket handle (which never got hot, so our hands were safe). Though it seems like a small feature, the handle made it easy to get all of the french fries fully cooked. Light: It’s important to know when the compact air fryer is operating. The most basic models have a light that lets you know when the power is on. Air fryer toaster ovens can perform multiple cooking functions — like toasting, baking, roasting, broiling and sometimes even rotisserie — in addition to air frying.Air fryers come in different models and designs, and each may feature different capabilities. The classic air fryer model has a “drawer,” which contains a basket that sits on a heating plate. Alternatively, some air fryers are designed to mimic ovens in style and have a pull-down door and trays that slide in like a conventional oven. Safety: Air fryers get quite hot during operation, so you shouldn’t leave them unattended during use. Good safety features are also a must-have for these appliances. I like to look at whether the outside of the appliance and basket handle is comfortable to touch during use, if the appliance automatically pauses when the basket is removed, and overall, whether it feels safe to operate.

Air Fryers | Compact 2 Quart Air Fryer | Dash

If you preheat the appliance before use, food will cook faster. To preheat, select desired temperature (see section “Temperature and Time Chart”) and turn the Timer Dial to 3 minutes; do not put any food in the Crisper Drawer. Wait until the Heating Light goes off (after approximately 3 minutes). Then fill the Crisper Drawer and turn the Timer Dial to the desired preparation time.

Features

Pressure cookers with air frying capability can also provide a slew of cooking functions beyond air frying and pressure cooking, including rice, slow cook, sauté and even yogurt or dehydrate. It can be worth getting an air fryer if you’re cooking for one or two people, don’t already have a convection oven, and have extra space for another small appliance. It can also be worth getting an air fryer if you don’t have a convection oven or microwave and have room to store a small appliance,” says Bri Bell, RD, of Frugal Minimalist Kitchen. “Even though they’re called “small” appliances, they still can take up quite a bit of cupboard space. Always consider where you will put something before you bring it into your home to avoid intentionally cluttering your home.” Unplug the fryer and let it cool. Before attempting to clean the fryer, the first step is to unplug it and let it cool for a minimum of 30 minutes. We have not scored based on baked goods like cake because cake and most other desserts benefit from an even distribution of gentle heat, and most air fryers don't have heating elements on the bottom in addition to on the top (though fruit crumbles and air fryer donuts come out great!).

Dash Compact Air Fryer Review - The Spruce Eats

When also loved that this air fryer has preset options for different categories of food, so you can cook your meals with a single button push. If presets aren't your thing, however, we noticed it takes a bit of trial and error to find the right time and temperature to get food cooked to the perfect level of crispness.Soak fresh potatoes in water for 30 minutes, then add a small amount of oil for a crispier result. Fry your potatoes in the air fryer within a few minutes of adding the oil. Compact air fryers are small — some are as tiny as 10 inches tall — and offer a unique and fast way of cooking limited portions of food that are incredibly satisfying. As if that isn't enough, when used properly, an air fryer can help set an individual on the path to making healthier food choices.