Air fryers generally produce less smoke than deep fryers. This is primarily due to the cooking method each appliance uses. Air fryers cook food by circulating hot air around it, which significantly reduces the amount of oil required. Less oil means there is less chance for oil to heat to the point of smoking. On the other hand, deep fryers submerge food in hot oil, and this oil can reach high temperatures that can lead to the production of smoke, especially if the oil burns or if there are food particles that scorch. Additionally, air fryers are designed with mechanisms to manage airflow and temperature more effectively, further minimizing the likelihood of smoke. This makes air fryers not only a potentially healthier option by reducing oil consumption but also a cleaner choice in terms of smoke production in the kitchen.
Best Air Fryers of February 2025
1
Rating is 5 out of 5
Emeril Lagasse Extra Large French Door Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo, 25 Cooking Functions and Digital Controls, 7 Accessories Included, Stainless Steel Finish, 26QT Capacity
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A VERSATILE AIR FRYER AND MULTI-COOKER COMBO: Elevates practically any meal, from air frying quick after-school snacks to roasting for large gatherings.
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25 COOKING PRE-SETS: Provide a variety of cooking methods: Ribs, Defrost, Bake, Toast, Chicken, Pizza, Pastry, Slow Cook, Roast, Reheat, and Keep Warm.
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DUAL-SPEED FAN: Golden fried crisping at it's finest with 360º superheated air circulation for your homemade cooking.
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26-QUART CAPACITY: This Extra-large 26-quart capacity countertop toaster is suitable for preparing food for 4–6 people with capacity to rotisserie a 6-lb chicken, bake a 12” pizza.
2
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
Ninja Flip Toaster Oven&Air Fryer, 8-in-1 Functionality, Flip Up&Away Capability for Storage Space, LargeCapacity, Air Fry Basket, SheetPan, Wire Rack&Removable Crumb Tray, Stainless,1800 watts, SP151
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RECLAIM YOUR COUNTER SPACE: Takes up 50% less space when you flip it up and away to store against your backsplash.
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OVENCRISP TECHNOLOGY: Infrared heating and rapid circulating air combine for edge-to-edge even cooking.
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8-in-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Air fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Pizza, Toast, Bagel, Dehydrate.
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QUICK FAMILY MEALS: Family-sized meals that feed up to 4 people in as little as 20 minutes.
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ENERGY EFFICIENT: 80% more energy efficient than a traditional full-size oven.
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WIDE TEMPERATURE RANGE: 6 infrared heating elements enable a temperature range of 85-450F.
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FASTER COOKING: Rapid hot air circulates all around your food at different speeds for 50% faster cooking and crisping vs a traditional oven.
3
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer with 2 Independent Frying Baskets, Match Cook & Smart Finish to Roast, Broil, Dehydrate & More for Quick, Easy Meals, Grey
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2 INDEPENDENT BASKETS: The original Air Fryer with 2 independent baskets, the XL air fryer lets you cook 2 foods, 2 ways, at the same time, eliminating back-to-back cooking like a traditional single-basket air fryer.
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6-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Includes 6 versatile cooking programs: Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate. The baskets can be washed in the dishwasher or by hand.
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XL CAPACITY: The 8-quart air fryer capacity lets you fit mains and sides at the same time for making quick family meals, or up to 4 lbs. of French fries or chicken wings.
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SEPARATE HEATING ZONES: 2 independent 4-quart zones have their own cooking baskets, cyclonic fans, and rapid heaters.
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EASY CLEANING: Easy-to-clean baskets and dishwasher-safe crisper plates.
4
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
CHEFMAN Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer+ Rotisserie, Dehydrator, Convection Oven, 17 Touch Screen Presets Fry, Roast, Dehydrate, Bake, XL 10L Family Size, Auto Shutoff, Large Easy-View Window, Black
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Versatile countertop cooking: Air fry, bake, dehydrate, rotisserie, or roast to crispy perfection in one convenient appliance
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Healthy cooking made easy: Make healthy meals using 98% less oil than traditional fryers
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Simplified set-up: Anyone can cook perfect meals in minutes with 17 preset options and an easy-to-use capacitive touch control screen
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All-inclusive: Includes three air flow racks, stainless steel rotisserie oven spit with retrieval tool, and a drip tray
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Monitor cooking progress: The interior lights and extra-large air fryer oven window allow you to check your food's cooking progress
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Minimal clean-up: The removable drip tray and dishwasher-safe parts keep cleanup fast and simple
5
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact & Large 6-Qt, Fast Turbo Modes, 90°–450°F Even Results With Precise Temperature Control, Up to 95% Less Oil*, Roast, Bake, Dry, Reheat, Frozen, Broil, Proof, Grey
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𝙏𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚: Innovative TurboBlaze Technology delivers a powerful 3600 rpm fan speed and temperatures up to 450℉, achieving beyond-crispy, juicy perfection in every main dish
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𝙏𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚: Advanced airflow and precise temperature control deliver evenly cooked side dishes with perfectly balanced texture in every bite
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𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚: Innovative TurboBlaze Technology helps speed up cooking to save time and deliver perfectly crispy family meals, even on busy weekdays
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𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚: The 6-quart square basket offers a wider, deeper design for large family meals in one go while saving kitchen counter and storage space
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𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚: Enjoy a quieter and more comfortable kitchen environment as it operates at less than 53 dB even on high fan speed, delivering whisper-quiet performance
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𝟗𝟓% 𝙇𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙊𝙞𝙡: Enjoy the same crispy textures as traditional deep frying with up to 95% less oil*. Enjoy all your favorite fried foods without the guilt
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𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙄𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙙: Air Fryer, 6-quart nonstick basket and crisper plate, chef-created 30-recipe cookbook with pictures, cooking charts
6
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 with 5 QT Capacity, Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate, Air Crisp Technology with 400F for hot, crispy results in just minutes, Nonstick Basket & Crisper Plate, Grey, AF141
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AIR CRISP TECHNOLOGY: 400℉ superheated air surrounds food for hot, crispy results with little to no oil.
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LARGE CAPACITY: The 5-QT nonstick basket and crisper plate fit up to 4 lbs of French fries or 5 lbs of chicken wings.
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4-in-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate.
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GUILT-FREE FRIED FOODS: Up to 75% less fat than traditional air frying methods. Tested against hand-cut, deep-fried French fries.
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FROZEN TO CRISPY: Cook frozen foods in just minutes for an extra-crispy finish.
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EASY TO CLEAN: The basket and crisper plate are both nonstick for easy cleaning.
7
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
Ninja Air Fryer, Roast, Bake, Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Reheats, & Dehydrates, 4-in-1, Fries, Frozen Food, Veggies, and Juicy Meat, Less Oil, Easy Meals, Healthy Meals, Compact, 4 QT, Grey, AF101
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LESS FAT: Now enjoy guilt-free food. Air fry with up to 75% less fat than traditional frying methods. Tested against hand-cut, deep-fried French fries.
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WIDE TEMPERATURE RANGE: 105°F-400°F allows you to gently remove moisture from foods or quickly cook and crisp foods with convection heat.
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FAMILY-SIZED CAPACITY: 4-quart ceramic-coated nonstick basket and crisper plate fit 2 lbs of French fries.
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4-IN-1 VERSATILITY: Includes 4 versatile cooking programs: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate.
8
Rating is 4.2 out of 5
COSORI Air Fryer, Shocking, Won’t Believe It. The Secret to Cooking Everything with One Appliance Is... Pro LE All-In-One Airfryer. Millions Can’t Be Wrong – Click for the Full Scoop.
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𝟱-𝙌𝙩 𝙇𝙖𝙧𝙜𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙈𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙨: Easily prepare 2-3 servings at once with the spacious square basket, perfect for feeding the whole family in one go.
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𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣: Save counter space for food prep and easily store the air fryer in an overhead space without compromising on performance.
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𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙮 𝙈𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙈𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝟴𝟱% 𝙇𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙊𝙞𝙡: Enjoy crispy textures in your favorite meats with up to 85% less oil than traditional frying. Indulge in delicious, guilt-free meat dishes.
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𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧-𝙎𝙖𝙛𝙚: Enjoy effortless cleanup with the non-stick cooking basket and detachable components. Spend less time scrubbing and more time savoring your delicious meals.
What is the best way to store a deep fryer?
Storing a deep fryer properly is important to maintain its functionality, longevity, and cleanliness. Here are some steps and tips for storing a deep fryer:
- Clean Thoroughly: Before storing your deep fryer, ensure it is thoroughly cleaned. This includes removing used oil, wiping down the interior and exterior, and washing any detachable parts like the basket or lid according to the manufacturer's instructions. Ensure all parts are completely dry before storing to prevent mold or rust.
- Remove Oil: If you still have oil in the fryer that you plan to reuse, strain it to remove food particles, place it in a clean, airtight container, and store it in a cool, dark place. If not reusing, dispose of the oil properly according to local regulations.
- Disassemble: If your deep fryer has detachable components such as heating elements, baskets, or lids, disassemble them for easier storage and to protect them from damage.
- Use Original Packaging: If possible, store the deep fryer in its original box and packaging. This will offer protection from dust and impacts while it's stored. If the original packaging is not available, wrap the fryer in a soft cloth or bubble wrap.
- Select the Right Location: Store the deep fryer in a cool, dry place. Ideally, it should be kept in a cupboard or pantry away from moisture, extreme temperatures, or direct sunlight, which can damage electrical components or the outer surface.
- Avoid Stacking Heavy Items on Top: When storing the fryer, be cautious not to place heavy items on top of it, as this can damage the fryer, especially if it has plastic components or fragile parts.
- Keep Cords Secure: Ensure the power cord is neatly coiled or wrapped to prevent damage or tangling.
- Regular Maintenance: Even while in storage, check your fryer periodically for any signs of wear or problems, such as fraying wires or rust, to catch potential issues early.
By following these steps, you can store your deep fryer safely and keep it ready for the next use.
What is a common cooking mistake with air fryers?
A common cooking mistake with air fryers is overcrowding the basket. When too much food is placed in the air fryer at once, it can prevent proper air circulation, leading to uneven cooking. The food may not crisp up well, which is one of the main benefits of using an air fryer. To achieve the best results, it's important to cook in batches if necessary, ensuring there is enough space around each piece of food for the hot air to circulate properly.
What is the ideal temperature for air frying?
The ideal temperature for air frying typically ranges from 350°F to 400°F (about 175°C to 200°C). Most recipes will specify a temperature within this range depending on the type of food and the desired level of crispiness. For instance, foods like chicken wings or fries often require a temperature of around 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 200°C) to achieve a crispy exterior. It's important to follow the recipe or guidelines specific to what you're cooking, as different foods may require slight adjustments to the temperature for the best results.
What is an air fryer?
An air fryer is a kitchen appliance designed to cook food by circulating hot air around it, using the convection mechanism. It typically consists of a heating element and a powerful fan that distributes the hot air at high speed, which helps produce a crispy layer on the food, similar to frying. This method allows users to achieve a similar texture and taste to deep frying but usually requires significantly less oil, making it a healthier alternative for cooking dishes like french fries, chicken wings, and many other fried foods. The appliance often includes a basket or tray to hold the food and sometimes offers adjustable temperature and timer settings for precise cooking.
