The air fryer is renowned for replicating the crisp texture of deep-fried foods using a fraction of the oil. This amped-up benchtop convection oven works by pushing hot air around food; the rapid circulation of air in the confined space helps to make food crisp, just like deep-frying but with much less oil. For example, air-fried hot chips contain 4–6g fat versus 17g for the deep-fried equivalent.
The different types of air fryers
There are many different sizes and shapes of air fryers available, from compact spaceship looking styles, which sit upright and have a deep pull-out drawer, to double drawer air fryers to air fryers that look like a mini oven. The latter are also designed to sit on a benchtop, but they are less compact and more comparable in size to a microwave oven.
Basket air fryers
These compact versions range in capacity from 3–4 litres to 6–7 litres. With this style, the base of the handled basket is perforated and slightly elevated from the base of the pan, which collects oil drippings and cooking juices. While they are nifty, they do not allow for large volumes of food and you may not be able to cook an entire family meal in them. A recent innovation in this space is the tw-drawer air fryer. Read our review of the Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone here.
Oven air fryers
These larger versions of air fryers open like an oven with a door. They offer the convenience of a compact oven with the benefits of an air fryer, and for a single person or couple, could even suffice as their solo cooking medium. These appliances come equipped with two or three wire racks for shelves, which allow for a variety of foods to be cooked at the same time.
Air fryer safety
Before starting any recipe, read the manufacturer’s instructions for your appliance. Air fryers can get hot, so allow sufficient space on the benchtop around it. The vent at the back extracts steam, and with it grease, so you will find that you will need to wipe down the surface behind your air fryer. Once the basket is pulled out of the appliance, treat it like it has come out of the oven – it will be hot!
Take care when adding and removing items from the air fryer basket. It is also important to clean your appliance after every use, both the inner basket and outer pan, to remove grease, or the appliance will smoke and any small trapped pieces of food will burn.
Frying
Air fryers excel at crisping dry ingredients, but where they don’t work well is for foods with wet batters to be fried – these will simply stick rather than get crispy. It is also not just a question of popping food into the air fryer instead of into hot oil in a pan. The cooking method needs to be adapted to create a comparable result.
Air frying and more
The air fryer is far more than a single-use appliance for making crunchy, crispy chips. For starters, it helps to think past the name, which is a bit of a misnomer. The appliance is not a deep fryer at all and actually offers many benefits that an oven does.
Its major limitation is its interior capacity; be sure that the dish or dishes you plan to use in your air fryer are both heatproof and will fit in the appliance, with room for air to circulate.
Avoid anything that is too tall and will come in contact with the top element of the appliance, otherwise it will burn.
If you are using the appliance to bake, avoid very light textured or liquidy batters, as the vortex created by the appliance is strong enough to make the batter spit or create a volcanic-looking top on your baked item.
Keep an eye on sugary mixtures, as browning these in an air fryer will be accelerated.
The best air fryers to shop in Australia 2024
01
Ninja Foodi dual zone air fryer
$228 at Amazon
A sleek addition to your benchtop, this Ninja air fryer has two cooking baskets for easy and efficient air frying and offers six customisable programs, guaranteeing perfect results with every use.
“This is the best buy – so quick and easy – cooks to perfection every time,” wrote a five-star reviewer. “My kids’ dinner time has been cut in half and I can have a hot dinner on the table in under 15minutes. So easy to use and clean!”
Key features:
- Max crisp, air fry, air roast, reheat, dehydrate and bake cooking modes
- Digital control
- Dual zone technology
- One-year manufacturer warranty
Also available at:
- $249.99 at Ninja Kitchen
- $227 at The Good Guys
- $279 (usually $449) at Myer
- $299 (usually $399) at David Jones
02
Philips Essential air fryer with Rapid Air Technology
now $189(down from $299) at Amazon
Forgo the woes of under or overcooking your food with this simple and reliable model. You’ll enjoy healthier food that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, thanks to Rapid Air Technology.
“Use it almost daily now, for a household of three (two adults, one small child),” said a reviewer who left five stars. “Fits in two large schnitzels side by side. I stacked four and just flipped them over halfway and works well. Handy for frying up little extras e.g. spring rolls, nuggets, party pies…I use it without an oil spray and it works just as well.”
Key features:
- Over 400 five-star reviews on the Myer website
- Fry, roast, grill and bake capabilities
- 30-minute timer with auto shut-off
- Patented Rapid Air technology
- Two-year warranty
Also available at:
- $189 at Bing Lee
- $198 at The Good Guys
03
Tefal Easy Fry Classic air fryer
$89 at The Good Guys
Craving crispy, golden chips without the guilt? This sleek air fryer uses rapid air circulation technology to fry, grill, roast and bake a variety of delicious dishes – all with up to 80 per cent less fat compared to traditional deep frying.
Key features:
- Fry, grill, roast and bake a variety of foods
- Precise control from 80°C to 200°C
- Dishwasher-safe removable parts
- 60-minute timer with auto shut-off
- Cooks enough for three to four people
Also available at:
- $130 (usually $219) at Myer
- $167 (usually $220) at Appliances Online
04
Instant Pot Vortex Plus ClearCook
$258 (usually $329) at Amazon
An affordable yet reliable air fryer with a clear drawer to check on your progress, the Instant Pot Vortex is an excellent choice when it comes to cooking a range of dishes or snacks like crispy fries, chicken breast, onion rings, cupcakes and cinnamon rolls.
Customers like the quality, clear window and ease of use, with one writing: “Air fryers are the bomb, this one also has a glass viewing screen and light. Setting temperature and time is easy. Device has multiple functions, YouTube advertises that this device is one of the best air fryers and I would agree. It saves time, and is good value too.”
Material: stainless steel
Key features:
- Compact, bench-friendly design
- EvenCrisp technology for crisp, tender results every time
- Four smart cooking programs
Also available at:
- $329 at Myer
05
Breville smart oven air fryer
$498 (usually $629) at Appliances Online
Want the best of an oven and an air fryer in the one appliance? The Smart Oven air fryer from Breville does just that with its intense heat and maximised air flow.
Material: brushed stainless steel
Key features:
- 10 cooking modes and heat settings
- LCD display
- Element IQ cooking technology
- Clear convenient glass door design
Also available at:
- $498 (usually $629) at Amazon
- $499 at The Good Guys
- $589 (usually $629) at Myer
- $579 at Breville
06
Nutribullet XXL 7 litre digital air fryer
$149 at Amazon
Do you want delicious, healthier versions of your favourite food? This powerhouse appliance uses revolutionary 360-degree Vortex Convection Technology to cook crispy, golden fried delights with up to 75 per cent less fat compared to traditional frying.
Key features:
- XXL large 7 litre capacity to cook for the whole family
- Fries, roasts, bakes and dehydrates – all in one
- Cooks food in 15 minutes with less fat
- Pre-programmed settings or customise your cooking
- Non-stick basket and crisping tray are dishwasher safe
Also available at:
What are the advantages of air fryers?
Air fryers offer several advantages that make them a staple appliance for families, couples and singles:
Healthier cooking
They use hot air circulation to cook food, resulting in significantly less oil needed compared to deep frying.
Crispy results
Despite using less oil, air fryers can achieve a crispy, golden brown finish on your food, mimicking the texture of deep-frying.
Versatility
Air fryers can cook a whole variety of dishes beyond just hot chips and wedges. Think roasted vegetables, chicken wings, frozen snacks and even reheating leftovers with a satisfying crunch.
Faster cooking times
Compared to traditional ovens, air fryers usually cook food quicker due to their efficient heat circulation.
Convenience and safety
These appliances are generally compact and easy to clean, making them ideal for smaller kitchens or busy lifestyles. Plus, they eliminate the risks associated with hot oil splatters common in deep frying.
Related articles:
- Ditch the store-bought bubbles with these 6 sparkling water makers
- Entertain in style and keep drinks ice cold with the best fridges with ice makers
- 5 premium coffee machines for every kind of java drinker
