10 Best Air Fryers for Crunchy Fries & Creamy Pasta (Yes, Really)

Sometimes I wonder what I did before I had my beloved air fryer. It comes in clutch when I want crunchy fries, veggies, chicken wings, and even croquettes when I’m feeling fancy. And in an unexpected twist, it also makes creamy plates of pasta, which is music to my carb-loving heart. Plus, nothing else can crisp day-old leftovers like I just made it. Is anyone else getting hungry yet?

The magical countertop-friendly appliance rapidly circulates hot air down and around food, which cooks and crisps food in an absolute flash. But not all air fryers are the same—some are more small-space friendly while others can feed a family of four, and others yet have multiple functions like pressure cooking or dehydrating. The two things all air fryers have in common though is that you’re guaranteed a plate of crunchy, crispy, delicious goodness and that you won’t be able to quit using it.

As someone who’s already experienced this, the search for the best air fryer is long and arduous, leaving the only thing fried being… your brain. We’re simply not here for that, so we did the research to find the 10 best air fryers from budget-friendly picks and compact models to ones that can make a single-serving or for a whole family.

1. For the best value: Chefman TurboFry Air Fryer, $64.33

When I first researched air fryers, I realized that a decent one under $100 was hard to come by, so to find the Chefman TurboFry was like hitting the jackpot. You'd get so much use out of this budget-friendly appliance—baking, roasting, frying, reheating takeout, whipping up a days-old cookie back into its just-baked shape, just to name a few—all without running the risk of drying or burning things to a crisp. My favorite feature? The super-flat interior basket means it can hold more food than one with curved sides.

2. For a party of one: Dash Compact Air Fryer, $54.99

If you primarily cook for yourself, the Dash cooker is perfect. The two-quart basket capacity is small, but mighty enough to cook up a pair of katsu cutlets or a small roast dinner. Plus, it comes in five adorable colors from clean white to cherry red and minty aqua, so take your pick.

3. For a family of four: Instant Vortex Plus 4-in-1 Basket Air Fryer, $99.99

To no one’s surprise, the brains behind the Instant Pot deliver on yet another handy appliance to feed a hungry household. Even the most novice cook will think it’s really easy to use, thanks to the straightforward pre-programmed settings. The 6-quart basket capacity can hold a 2-pound bag of fries or 4 pounds of butterflied chicken, which I take as a hint that a big dinner can be made at the speed of light.

4. For the multitasker: Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 2-Basket Air Fryer, $159

Surely there will be times when you’ll want to roast a bundle of carrots and crisp up a few salmon filets all in one go. With the Ninja's "unique dual focus technology," you’re able to cook two separate dishes, two separate ways. But the kicker? All the food will finish cooking at the same time. My friend recently used this at a dinner party and there was no waiting for the second dish to be done before digging in.

5. For endless functionality: COSORI Air Fryer Max XL, $119.99 $107.94

With 13 presets and the ability to customize settings, it’s no wonder this air fryer is so popular. It can fry fish, sear steaks, defrost (and cook) frozen meals, keep bread super warm, and a whole lot more. With the all-round heat circulation, you won’t have to worry about flipping it halfway through for full-on browning—even with thick cuts of meat. What stands out the most is the built-in “shake-it-up” reminder, which translates to well-seasoned fries or mozzarella sticks without clumping or sticking.

6. For crunchy toasts and flaky pastries: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer, $349.95

I can always count on Breville to deliver on quality, so even given a higher price, I’m still willing to invest in its kitchenware. This air fryer-meets-toaster oven hybrid is no exception and shows incredible range and smart capabilities so I don't have to guess the temperature or move food around for them to cook evenly—it basically does that all for you. It can also air fry with temps getting as high as 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and toast up to six slices of bread at a time—perfect for chile-cheese toast and for cutting down on small appliances in my teeny-tiny kitchen.

7. For literally a whole chicken: Instant Vortex Plus 7-in-1 Air Fryer, $109.95

Yes, you can and absolutely should cook an entire rotisserie chicken with this air fryer-oven hybrid. It comes with all the works: a ton of space, a spin basket, forks, and a drip tray. If meat isn’t in your wheelhouse, vegetables can still receive the rotisserie-style treatment to get all tender inside and crackly outside. In any case, the flavor and texture will be out of this world.

8. For small spaces: Maxi-Matic Elite Gourmet Personal Space Electric Hot Air Fryer, $37.99 $43.99

The standard air fryer doesn’t occupy too much space, maybe a small corner of the countertop. But in a shoebox apartment where counter space is close to non-existent, something compact and easily moveable is prime. If the Little Engine that Could was an air fryer, it would be this 700-wattage guy from Maxi-Matic. The powerful one-quart machine is not only super small and lightweight, but the rectangular shape means there won't be any awkward unused spots on your counter.

9. For hands-free control: COSORI Smart WiFi Air Fryer, $119.99 $107.98

You can just say “Alexa, set air fryer to 375” and the Cosori Smart Wifi will automatically respond to your voice commands. With it also comes the option to use 11 presets or the air fryer’s corresponding app on your phone to monitor and adjust your dish’s cooking progress. So basically, you’re acquiring the best sous chef ever.

10. For vintage vibes: Nostalgia Classic Retro 7-Quart Air Fryer, $99.99

The name couldn’t be more on point. The vintage feel plus the retro blue color equates to an air fryer so adorable, it’ll be a statement piece in your kitchen. The simple yet beautiful functionality of the timer knob and temperature gauge (with a big range from 140 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit) are a refreshing departure from digital presets, while the large 7-quart basket is perfect for prepping tons of gochujang wings.

Have you used an air fryer before? Let us know your fav dish below!

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