You probably love fried food. Who doesn’t? When you’re settling down in front of the TV, nothing but chips will do. (And a beer, of course.) Unfortunately, if you eat too much fried food over the course of a series, you might start to find it hard to escape the confines of your sofa.
Fear not, because there’s a solution. An air fryer is an affordable, efficient way to satiate your craving with a much lower fat content - so you can nibble to your heart’s content.
Air fryers work by convection: they circulate hot air around your food. You simply need to spray a little oil onto on whatever you’re cooking before switching on the appliance. A clever chemical reaction called the Maillard effect creates the delicious texture and flavour of a deep-fried meal, with approximately 75% less fat.
Air fryers generally operate at about 200°C, although different models vary quite a bit. They might not produce exactly the same results as your favourite high-street chicken shop – but the best models do come close. Read on for our buyer’s guide, and our pick of the five best air fryers on the market.
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How to choose the best air fryer for you
How much should I spend?
Good news: you can get a decent air fryer for around £80. This should do the basic job of frying food with a minimum of fat, but cooking times might be slow compared to pricier models. Style is a factor, as is a machine’s capabilities – some air fryers can also grill or bake – while load capacity is also a consideration. For a large, fast air fryer you’re looking in the region of £150.
What are the standard functions?
Convection frying is the standard job of the air fryer; look out for a temperature control, so you can adjust the heat to suit whatever you’re cooking. All models come with dishwasher-safe removable parts, with a pull-out loading tray that slots into the machine. Some air fryers come with a recipe booklet for some culinary inspiration.
Extra accessories
There aren’t a whole lot of extras with air fryers. However, aside from the standard loading tray, high-end products will take non-stick grill pans, baking trays and multi-layer racks to cook food over variable time periods.
What else should I look out for?
Air fryers are a relatively new innovation, and the technology is improving rapidly. Older models might take a while to get going, and can require more oil than newer designs. You can also look for secondary functions: some air fryers can cook without any fat at all, or even make toast.
The best air fryers money can buy
1. Breville Halo Plus Health Fryer VDF105: A reliable, affordable air fryer
Price when reviewed:£80
The Breville Halo Plus isn’t the most stylish-looking appliance, but it’s durable and is widely praised by those looking to cut down on saturated fat, as it needs about half a tablespoon of oil per fry.
According to Breville, the current model (launched July 2016) cooks 28% faster than the previous design, and features a dual heat function to cook more than one thing at once. Inside you’ll find a non-stick rotating bowl and tilt mechanism too, which allows you to really steer the ship. Overall, it’s a great entry-level fryer, which will help you cut down on fat with no fuss.
Key specs: 1,400 watts; 1.2kg capacity; tilt function; digital timer
2. Tower T17005 Healthier Oil Free Rapid Air Fryer: A great value, good-sized fryer
Price when reviewed:£51
This low-cost air fryer is unassuming, but sturdy and easy to use. It also produces great quality fried foods: it’s equipped to crisp up everything from chicken goujons to chips (which are made better still by parboiling first).
Price isn’t the Tower’s only attraction: it’s a solid contender for family use, as it has a large capacity, and is on the healthier side of the spectrum too, reportedly cutting down on fat by 80%.
Key specs: 1,350 watts; 3.2-litre capacity; dishwasher-safe; three-year guarantee
3. GoWISE USA 8-in-1 Electric Air Fryer: A distinctive fryer for those with an unlimited budget
Price when reviewed:£235
The GoWISE USA is large enough to feed couples or small families, and comes with seven automated cooking presets, which makes it effortless to cook chicken, fish, veg or anything else.
The touchscreen control makes it easy to adjust settings, although some may find the wealth of buttons offputting. The egg-shaped design might not be to everyone’s tastes either.
Key specs: 1,500 watts; 3.6-litre capacity; 7 cooking modes; in-built timer
4. Big Boss 9063: The best big air fryer
Price when reviewed:£60
This is a monster of a machine. It holds 18 litres, so is ideal for big families or gatherings. And despite its size, the Big Boss is energy-efficient, making use of a triple heating power system.
Its versatility is favourable too, utilising convection, halogen, and infrared power to fully cook whatever you stick inside it. It produces browned, roasted skin, and includes two cooking trays if you’re not going the whole hog.
The size and flexibility of the Big Boss make it great value. The only caveat is that, because of its size, it inevitably takes up a lot of space, so it’s not ideal for smaller kitchens.
Key specs: 1,300 watts; 18-litre capacity; multi-function; cooks evenly thanks to a triple heating system
5. Philips Avance Collection Airfryer XL HD9240/30: The most stylish air fryer
Price when reviewed:£405
The Philips HD9230 is an attractive new fryer. It has a digital display and features two racks, a timer, and an adjustable temperature up to 390°C. The convex design supposedly helps circulate the air to give an even, crispy cook on everything from samosas to sweetcorn fritters. It’s got options, and doesn’t sacrifice quality.
There’s no escaping the fact that the Philips is expensive. Moreover, it’s quite heavy and takes up a lot of room without actually having a large capacity. Still, we’re fans of the digital display and eye-catching looks.
Key specs: 2,100 watts; three-litre capacity; multi-settings; high-quality cook
