Air Fryers: A Comprehensive Guide for 2025

Air fryers are rapidly becoming a staple in many kitchens, thanks to their speed, convenience, and affordability. With recent technological advancements, many models can now cook, bake, sauté, dehydrate, and even pressure cook. If you're considering investing in an air fryer, now is the perfect time. Whether you want to roast a whole chicken, prepare a family meal, or try your hand at air-fried muffins, there's an air fryer to suit everyone.

What Does an Air Fryer Do?

Let's clarify one thing: air fryers don't actually fry food. They function more like smaller convection ovens, often pod-shaped. Most models combine a heating element and a fan, which circulates hot air to crisp the outside of food more effectively than other methods. They often reach higher temperatures than toaster ovens, which is part of their appeal. While a thin layer of oil (usually sprayed) can help replicate the fried look and feel, the result won't be exactly the same as deep frying or pan frying. However, air fryers combine the best aspects of other cooking processes into an energy-efficient way to cook dinner, breakfast, or lunch.

Best Air Fryers for 2025

Buying Guide for Air Fryers

Air fryers generally fall into two categories, each with its own pros and cons.

• Convection Ovens: These are ovens with air fryer functions. They often have higher temperature settings for crisper results and more versatile cooking options. They are typically larger than dedicated air fryers, but can handle larger quantities of food like roasts, whole chickens, and tray bakes. They also allow you to use traditional oven accessories.
• Pod-Shaped Air Fryers: These are the classic air fryer design, resembling a kettle but smaller than a toaster oven. They typically use a drawer with a mesh sheet or non-stick tray with holes for air circulation. Most require you to open the drawer during cooking to flip or shake the food for even cooking. They often lack a window for monitoring progress, requiring you to check frequently.

Air Fryer Pros and Cons

Air fryers are easy to use from the start, with most models including a cooking time booklet for common foods. They offer a healthier alternative to deep frying, using less fat and allowing excess oil to drain away. However, they may require some experimentation to adjust cooking times and temperatures.

Best Air Fryer Accessories

Enhance your air frying experience with these accessories:

• Silicone-tipped tools: Tongs and spatuas prevent sticking and scratching.
• Silicone mats: Place these on the wire rack to prevent food from sticking.
• Silicone trivet: Rest cooked food on these while finishing the meal.
• Oil mister: Decant vegetable oil into a reusable mister for even distribution.

How to Clean an Air Fryer

Cleaning is simple:

1. Unplug the device and let it cool completely.
2. Remove the trays, baskets, and other removable components.
3. Wash the parts in a dishwasher (if dishwasher-safe) or by hand with warm soapy water.
4. Use a soft-brisled brush to remove any stuck-on food.
5. Wipe down the exterior with a microfiber cloth.
6. For stubborn stains, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to the stain, and wipe clean.

How to Find Air Fryer Recipes

• Instruction manuals: Many air fryers include recipe suggestions.
• Online recipe sites: Explore sites like Delish, BBC Good Food, and NYT Cooking.
• Cookbooks: Find dedicated air fryer cookbooks at your local bookstore.

How We Test Air Fryers

We put each air fryer through rigorous testing by cooking a variety of foods, including raw proteins, vegetables, and frozen snacks. We utilize all pre-programmed cooking methods and follow recipes from the included booklet. We also assess the ease of cleaning, noise level, and exterior temperature.