Choosing between an air fryer or a deep fryer is a common question for anyone looking to upgrade their kitchen or cook crispy favorites at home. While both appliances are designed to deliver golden, crunchy results, they differ significantly in how they cook food, how much oil they use, and how they impact health, cost, and everyday convenience. An air fryer relies on rapid hot-air circulation to mimic frying with little to no oil, whereas a deep fryer submerges food in hot oil for classic texture and flavor. Understanding the key differences between an air fryer and a deep fryer will help you decide which option best fits your cooking style, dietary goals, and household needs.
- Air fryers use rapid hot-air circulation and minimal oil, delivering crisp results with 70–80% less fat than deep frying.
- Deep fryers produce unmatched texture and richness but greatly increase calories, fat absorption, and safety hazards from hot oil.
- For everyday cooking, air fryers offer superior versatility, easier cleanup, and lower health risks compared to traditional deep fryers.
For a superior balance of well-being and practicality, the modern convection appliance is the definitive recommendation. Devices like the Ninja Foodi DualZone utilize superheated air circulation to mimic crispiness, slashing fat content by 70-80% compared to its conventional counterpart. This method transforms a tablespoon of oil into a cooking force field, delivering a texture satisfyingly close to traditional submersion without the vat of grease, making it a transformative tool for everyday meal preparation.
The classic immersion cooker, exemplified by the T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean, achieves an unmatched texture through direct contact with high-temperature oil. This process, while delivering a specific culinary gold standard, typically increases caloric density by 50% or more. The comparison in nutritional impact is stark: a serving of fries from a convection unit may contain only 3-4 grams of fat, while the same portion from a bath of hot oil can easily surpass 15 grams.
T-fal 3.5L Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket for Home Use, 1700W, Deep Fryer with Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer
Your culinary objectives should guide the choice. The convection model is a versatile countertop champion for health-conscious routines, excelling at reheating leftovers, roasting vegetables, and preparing lighter versions of favorites. For authentic texture and bulk batch cooking where fat content is secondary, the traditional vessel remains unrivaled. Ultimately, the radiant-heat device offers a compelling compromise for consistent, lower-risk meal creation, fundamentally changing the equation for daily home cooking.
Air Fryer vs Deep Fryer: Which Is Healthier & Better for Your Kitchen?
For your kitchen’s daily reality, the countertop convection oven is the superior choice. It requires only a tablespoon of fat to operate, drastically reducing greasy splatter and post-meal cleanup compared to its oil-immersed counterpart.
Consider the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer, which occupies a standard footprint and is simple to wipe down. A traditional deep-fat appliance, like the T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean, demands careful storage of large volumes of used cooking liquid and generates lingering odors.
Ninja | Air Fryer | 4 QT Capacity | 4-in1 Roast, Crisp, Roast, Reheats, & Dehydrates | Dishwasher Safe Parts | Includes 20 Easy & Healthy Recipes | Compact |...
Safety is a major differentiator. The hot-basket system remains cool to the touch on the exterior, while a vat of boiling oil presents a constant burn and spill hazard, especially in homes with children.
From a utility perspective, the modern appliance is more versatile. Models such as the COSORI Pro II can roast vegetables, reheat pizza, and even bake small desserts, functioning as a secondary oven. The classic fryer serves a single, albeit delicious, purpose.
COSORI Air Fryer Pro II 5.8QT that Roast, Bake, Shake Reminder, 8 preset Functions, Cookbook & Online Recipes, Dishwasher-Safe, Black
Ultimately, for a cleaner, safer, and more space-efficient culinary workspace that supports a healthier lifestyle, the convection appliance is the clear recommendation for most household kitchens.
Air Fryer vs Deep Fryer: Key Differences Explained
For most households, the convection-based appliance is the pragmatic champion. Its ability to deliver a crispy exterior using merely a tablespoon of oil addresses core health concerns linked to excessive fat consumption. Models like the Ninja Foodi DualZone offer immense versatility, functioning as a compact oven for roasting vegetables or reheating pizza without the greasy aftermath of a traditional oil bath.
The classic immersion cooker, however, remains unrivaled for specific culinary feats. It achieves a distinctively moist interior and shatteringly crisp coating–think perfect beer-battered fish or carnival-style funnel cakes–that circulating hot air cannot fully replicate. This method demands substantial quantities of oil, like peanut or canola, and introduces greater safety considerations due to handling large volumes of hot liquid.
Consider your countertop real estate and cleaning routine. A device like the Cosori Pro LE is relatively lightweight, easy to stow, and features dishwasher-safe baskets. Its traditional counterpart, such as the T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean, requires cooling, filtering, and storage of used oil, a messier and more involved process.
COSORI Air Fryer Pro LE 5-Qt Airfryer, With 20PCS paper liners, 10 Functions that Dry, Bake, Roast &Preheat, Shake Reminder, Up to 450℉, 85% Oil less,...
Ultimately, if your priority is healthier daily cooking with minimal cleanup, the convection oven is your clear choice. Reserve the traditional oil immersion method for occasional, deliberate indulgences where its unique textural results are non-negotiable.
Health and Nutrition: Breaking Down the Oil Factor
He can reduce fat content by 70% to 80% when using a circulating hot air appliance like the Ninja Foodi DualZone compared to traditional submersion methods.
This significant cut comes from needing only a tablespoon of oil, such as avocado or olive oil spray, to achieve crispiness, versus quarts required for a full pot.
The type of fat matters greatly; oils with high smoke points, like peanut oil used in a T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean, degrade less during submersion cooking, but the sheer volume absorbed into food, often adding hundreds of extra calories, remains the core issue.
For cardiovascular health, minimizing acrylamide formation is key. The rapid air circulation in a device like the Cosori Pro II creates a Maillard reaction with far less oil, substantially lowering this potentially harmful compound compared to the high-heat oil bath of a classic Cuisinart Compact Deep Fryer.
Cuisinart Deep Fryer, 1.1 Quart, CDF-100NAS
Ultimately, for managing calorie intake and reducing consumption of oxidized fats, the appliance requiring minimal oil delivers a superior nutritional profile without sacrificing texture.
How much oil does an air fryer actually use?
An air fryer typically requires just one tablespoon or less of oil to achieve a crispy texture, a stark contrast to the liters needed to fill a deepfryer.
This minimal usage is due to its cooking mechanism: a high-speed fan circulates superheated air around the food, causing the small amount of applied oil to create a browning and crisping effect. For many foods, you can use an oil sprayer, like the Evo Oil Sprayer, for an even, thin coating. Some models, such as the Ninja Foodi DualZone, even include specialized racks to crisp food while letting excess fat drip away.
| Food Item | Recommended Oil Amount (Air Fryer) | Approximate Oil Absorption (Deep Fryer) |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen French Fries | 1/2 Tablespoon (sprayed) | ~3 Tablespoons per serving |
| Chicken Wings (1 lb) | 1 Tablespoon (tossed) | ~2-4 Tablespoons absorbed |
| Vegetables (e.g., Broccoli) | 1 Teaspoon (sprayed) | Not typically deep-fried |
| Homemade Falafel | Light spray on basket | ~2 Tablespoons absorbed per serving |
For optimal results, toss food in a bowl with your measured oil before cooking to ensure an even coat. Avoid aerosol sprays with lecithin or propellants, as they can damage the appliance’s non-stick basket over time; opt for pump-action sprayers filled with your chosen oil. This direct comparison highlights the core efficiency of this convection-based cooking method, fundamentally changing the fat economics of preparing crispy foods.
What happens to fat and calories in a deep fryer?
Food acts as a sponge, absorbing a significant portion of the hot oil it is submerged in. A single tablespoon of cooking fat contains approximately 120 calories and 14 grams of lipid, directly adding to the meal’s final nutritional tally.
The immersion process in a conventional appliance creates a rapid moisture-to-steam exchange, leaving behind microscopic pores that lipid readily fills. Studies indicate that battered items, like fish from a Philips Premium Airfryer XXL comparison, can absorb up to 25% of their weight in oil, drastically increasing calorie density.
Philips Premium Airfryer XXL, Fat Removal Technology, 3lb/7qt, Rapid Air Technology, Digital Display, Keep Warm Mode, 5 Cooking Presets, HomeID App, Family...
While proper technique at the ideal 350-375°F (175-190°C) temperature, as seen with the T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean, can minimize saturation, it cannot eliminate it. The result is a product where a substantial portion of its composition–and its health impact–comes from external fat added during the convection process.
For a tangible metric, consider that a traditionally prepared serving of french fries can contain over three times the calories and twenty times the fat of a similar portion cooked in a countertop convection device using just a one-calorie cooking spray.
Are there concerns about acrylamide with both methods?
Yes, acrylamide formation is a potential health concern with both appliances, as it is a chemical that can form in starchy foods during high-heat cooking processes like frying, baking, or roasting.
The primary difference lies in risk level. The traditional immersion cooker, by submerging food in hot oil, creates an environment where acrylamide can form readily on the food’s surface. The countertop convection oven significantly reduces this risk because it uses little to no oil, but it does not eliminate it. The Maillard reaction (which creates browning and crispiness) still occurs with hot air, and acrylamide can form if cooking is excessive.
To minimize acrylamide in your cooking, regardless of your appliance choice:
- Avoid overcooking. Aim for a golden-yellow color rather than a dark brown or burnt finish on items like fries, potato wedges, or toast.
- Soak raw potato strips in water for 15-30 minutes before cooking to wash away some surface sugars that contribute to formation.
- Follow recommended times and temperatures. Don’t exceed 175°C (347°F) when possible. Models like the Ninja Foodi or Instant Vortex offer precise digital controls for this.
- Store potatoes in a cool, dark place, not in the refrigerator, as cold storage can increase sugar content.
In a direct comparison, the countertop convection method presents a lower risk profile for acrylamide exposure simply because it typically uses less oil and can offer more controlled, even heating, reducing the chance of hot spots that burn food.
Comparing the final fat content: A look at French fries
For a direct comparison, consider this: a standard serving of traditional deep-fried fries can contain 17-20 grams of fat, while an airfryer version typically uses just 1 tablespoon (≈14g) of oil for the entire batch, slashing final fat by up to 75%.
The Philips Premium Airfryer XXL uses Rapid Air technology to achieve a crispy exterior with minimal oil, directly reducing saturated fat intake–a key health benefit for cardiovascular wellness. In contrast, the Presto DualDaddy ProFry immerses food, leading to significant oil absorption; a single small potato can soak up over a tablespoon of fat during cooking.
Presto 05450 DualDaddy Electric Deep Fryer, Black
To maximize crispiness with minimal fat in your appliance, toss raw, soaked potatoes in a mere half-tablespoon of high-smoke-point avocado oil. This method, effective in models like the Ninja Foodi DualZone, ensures a golden result without the greasy residue that a classic deepfryer like the T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean leaves behind.
Ultimately, choosing the countertop device that prioritizes lower fat content without sacrificing texture can significantly impact your long-term dietary patterns. The data clearly favors the modern air circulation method for managing fat intake.
Question-Answer:
Does an air fryer actually fry food, or is it just a small oven?
An air fryer doesn’t fry food in the traditional sense. It’s a compact convection oven. It works by circulating very hot air around the food at high speed. This rapid air circulation creates a Maillard reaction—the same chemical process that browns and crisps food during deep-frying—by quickly removing surface moisture. So, while the texture can be remarkably similar to deep-fried food, achieving a crispy exterior and tender interior, the method is fundamentally different. No food is submerged in oil. The “frying” effect comes from the intense, focused heat and air movement, not from a bath of hot oil.
How much less oil do you really use with an air fryer?
The difference in oil usage is significant. A traditional deep fryer may require 4 to 8 cups of oil for a single cooking session, and some of this oil is absorbed into the food. An air fryer typically needs only about 1 tablespoon of oil, or sometimes none at all for foods like frozen fries or chicken wings that already contain fat. You achieve this by lightly spraying or tossing the food in a minimal amount of oil before cooking. This results in finished food with 70% to 80% less fat content compared to deep-fried versions, which is the primary reason for its health perception.
I love the taste of real deep-fried food. Will an air fryer disappoint me?
It depends on your expectations. An air fryer produces excellent, crispy results that satisfy many cravings, but the texture and taste are not identical. Deep frying surrounds food with oil, creating a distinct richness, a specific type of all-over crunch, and that classic indulgent flavor. Air-fried food can be very crispy, but the crust is often drier and can lack the same uniform richness. For foods with a wet batter (like fish and chips or funnel cake), a deep fryer is far superior; the air fryer can make batter messy. However, for items like frozen snacks, roasted vegetables, chicken drumsticks, or even reheated pizza, an air fryer creates a texture much closer to frying than a regular oven would, often without the greasy feel.
Which appliance is safer and easier to clean?
Air fryers generally win on both safety and cleaning. Deep fryers involve handling large amounts of dangerously hot oil, which poses burn risks and potential for spills or splatters. The used oil must be carefully stored or disposed of. Cleaning means dealing with a vat of greasy oil and often a greasy filter. Air fryers eliminate the hot oil hazard. Their parts—typically a non-stick basket and a drawer—are usually dishwasher safe. Since little to no oil is used, cleaning often involves just wiping out crumbs and washing the basket. The main caution with air fryers is that the food and the interior get extremely hot, and the basket can be very sharp, so care is still needed during handling.
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A great air fryer. After much consideration and online research, we bought this Philips Air Fryer. My husband wanted a large capacity, I wanted something that would let him eat the fried foods he loves and me not suffer from grease-induced heartburn woes. This air fryer is all we could have wished for, and more. It is a bit difficult to get grease off the burner element at the top of the air fryer after a bacon-frying session, but otherwise easy to use and keep clean. My first try at using it was to make blackberry hand pies, a treat I remembered from my youth. I found a recipe online, made it up, and the results were terrific. So easy to do, the results outside-crispy, inside-moist, and absolutely delicious. We find ourselves using this air fryer several times a week, and not a single thing we’ve made has been less than delicious. Fried chicken came out amazing, battered halibut filets were better even than deep-fat fried, chicken-fried steaks were stupendous. And not a hint of heartburn, either!The size is workable for keeping on a counter top, we just push it against the back wall when not in use, pull it forward 5″ or so when we’re cooking with it. The top is flat, the black surface is easily kept clean and looks great with my other black kitchen appliances. The basket is very large, and you can get quite a bit of food in it at once. It says you can cook a 5.5 lb whole chicken in it, though we haven’t tested that out yet. It has a pause feature that lets you open the unit, shake the contents around or turn pieces, then resume cooking as before without having to re-set everything. The basket assembly easily comes apart for cleaning, and it all goes in the dishwasher just fine. The fryer is amazingly quiet when running, and the controls on the front panel are easy to learn to use. My one and only complaint is that the cooking temperature is adjustable only in 25 degree increments. Most recipes call for much finer-tuning of temperature, and we’ve had to learn to make adjustments for that each time we work with a new recipe. Having the ability to adjust temperature from 350 to 360, for instance, would eliminate having to keep detailed notes and trial-and-error runs to get cooking times just right for greatly differing temperatures than the recipe calls for.We chose the Philips brand because all of the serious online reviews (from America’s Test Kitchen, for instance) rated the Philips at the top of their lists, as reliable, durable, and easy to use. It was more pricey than other brands, true, but we figured that we would be using it for a long time to come and would be glad we paid the extra for the quality that Philips delivers. This air fryer has added a welcome and delicious new dimension to our culinary world.
Superior to the pressurized bottles, well made. I have tried a few of the pressurized oil spray bottles, looking to replace the cans of spray cooking oil I have to buy every month or two. Spray oil is an essential tool in my kitchen: it cuts down on the amount of fat in my cooking (by not pouring in oil or melting butter) and helps cook everything evenly. But the amount of waste generated in the form of a semi-recyclable can, combined with the pressurizing agent, leads me to look for a reusable alternative.The pressurized bottles (such as the Misto and its imitators) all function more or less the same way: you fill it with oil and, using a pump of some kind, pressurize it with air to spray it. The problems manifest after a few months. Sometimes the nozzles clog easily. Sometimes the head is poorly made and breaks or doesn’t fit well. Many of the bottles don’t achieve good enough pressure to really spray the oil evenly. Others never had a good spray pattern to begin with. In every case I went back to buying a disposable can of spray oil, which reliably coated my pans every night for dinner.The Evo Oil Sprayer fixes every one of these problems, and looks good doing it. Instead of pressurizing the bottle to spray beforehand, it has a long-throw trigger that compresses the oil on the spot. This seemingly minor design difference is huge. The bottle is much simpler, with fewer moving parts, fewer gaskets, and fewer stress points that can suffer breakage. The bottle is sturdy stainless steel instead of plastic that’s likely to get brittle over time in a kitchen near the stove, which is a huge plus. The nozzle is large and reasonably easy to clean, though you might need to get a skewer or toothpick to really clean it out from time to time. From the first moment I used it, I knew this bottle was going to be superior to the Misto-style bottles.The Evo is also superior to a typical plastic spray bottle that was designed for water or cleaner or what have you. These bottles weren’t designed for a thicker liquid like soybean oil, and it shows: the spray pattern is often uneven, and they simply don’t get enough pressure behind the oil to distribute it well on the pan or the food. The Evo was built specifically for this purpose in the handle, the head, and the nozzle, and for a few dollars more than a generic plastic bottle that you’d find under your sink, you get a purpose-built device that performs far better.The one trick to the Evo is that it sprays in a fan-line pattern, not in a circle. That is to say, when you spray it, you need to draw it from top to bottom or side to side to get coverage of your pan or your food. It differs in this way from a can of spray oil. It only takes a few tries to figure out how this works, but there is a touch of a learning curve with it. Still, it’s worth noting in a review.Overall I am very pleased with the Evo bottle, and it is a welcome addition to my kitchen. I have only had it for a little while, but I anticipate that I can finally stop buying those cans of spray oil at long last.Update June 2021: The Evo bottle is still working very well and I have no complaints. However, I can say that there are a few circumstances where it can’t replace the disposable spray oil. In a situation that needs a very fine mist – such as lightly coating popcorn to hold a seasoning – the Evo bottle isn’t as useful as disposable spray oil. But for everyday use when cooking, it’s great. The durability, ease of clean-up, and powerful spray action are all still in evidence eight months later.
The sprayer nozzle is defective. Not just on my purchase. Please read other negative reviews. Let me say upfront. I strongly recommend that you “do not buy” this bottle. Please note. Other reviewers such a myself (verified purchasers) are commenting on the same negative thing. Yes, the sprayer looks nice & sprays as advertised. But, there is a major major major “10 X major flaw.” The sprayer nozzle will not stay on. Read again. The sprayer nozzle will not stay on. It popped off on and the bottle and oil fell all over the floor. I thought it was a fluke. I cleaned up the oil mess. Now, I used the sprayer again and the same thing happened! The nozzle popped off and the bottle fell to the floor. Yes, more oil on the floor. The threads are stripped on the “sprayer nozzle” so the sprayer nozzle won’t stay on. To test my theory about the sprayer nozzle being stripped, I tried to screw it on another same size the bottle. Again m, the same thing the nozzle will not attach and pops off. It pops off when you squeeze the handle to spray. If you read other negative reviews, you will see similar comments. This product is defective. Period. I DO NOT recommend that you buy this sprayer. It’s not just me, this sprayer bottle is defective, by manufacturer.
Excellent Deep Fryer – Does Everything It Is Advertised To Do – I’m An Expert – Read Why. I’m a Senior. I use to own a Snack Food Manufacturing Company. I made Potato Chips and Fried Pork Rinds just for 2 items. As a teenager (so many years ago) I worked for several major Fast Food restaurants who made fries and learned the best way to make them. Therefore with this experience I know exactly how to make good fried foods. Fries, Fried Chicken, Shrimp Fritters, Fried Shrimp, Fried Okra, Fried Zucchini, etc.This Fryer works great. What I mean is that it holds the proper temperature during frying. When any food is to be fried and goes in either frozen or at room temperature.. it will immediately drop the temperature of the oil. This fryer has a fast recovery. That means it’s thermostat is excellent and as it sees a drop in temperature it immediately turns on the element(s) to keep the temperature where it should be.I also like the method T-Fal has invented to clean the fryer. It’s easy to drain and strain the oil and clean the frying bowl. The fry basket is large and I can get two potatoes worth of fries in one basket. For these reasons I highly recommend this fryer. Below is some info for a novice in the proper way to fry fries and other items.Fries:» Use a high quality potato slicer which you can purchase here on Amazon. Otherwise cut your peeled potatoes 1/4″ thick. Wash them in cold water and agitate the slices until you see the water turn milky. This is taking the potato starch out of them.» Dry the fries on a baking sheet lined with paper towels. I actually have a small fan that I use just like we did in the fast food restaurants in the old days. This reduces FOAMING and even loss of oil. When wet products are placed into the hot oil you’ll see foaming as oil and water don’t mix. In fact, as the water turns to steam it drops the temperature of the oil which means a longer frying time and makes the fryer work harder to keep the temperature up to the correct frying temperature. Note also as the water turns to steam tiny (micro) drops of oil cling to it and you’ll have a 1% or 2% drop of oil each time. And where does that oil go? Into the atmosphere and it will cling to your filter or wall or anything else. Dry your fries as much as possible.» Fries should be fried twice. Bring your oil up to 350f for the 1st frying. Place a basket full of dried fries into the oil for 3 to 5 minutes. Your NOT going to cook them all the way through. This is a BLANCHING method. This will drive most of the moisture out of the fries and make them crispy for the 2nd frying.» After blanching for a few minutes bring the fries up out of the oil and let them cool down to room temperature. I spread mine on a bakers rack which sits on a big baking sheet (found here on Amazon).» Bring the oil up to 375f for the 2nd frying and fry them for 2 or 3 minutes until they turn golden brown. They will be nice and crispy.» There are 2 Secret Ingredients that makes my fries taste so good… Lawry’s Seasoned Salt! Yes, it’s much better than plain salt and can be found here on Amazon. The 2nd ingredient is TALLOW. Lard is rendered pig fat. Tallow is rendered Beef fat. It has no smell and is pure white. It almost lasts forever! You can purchase it here on Amazon in buckets. For the average fryer you’ll need 2.5 lbs to 3 lbs. It’s pricey but for a reason. It’s EXCELLENT and it’s healthy. And here’s a secret from the old days. That restaurant with the Golden Arches.. you know the ones.. Before the mid-80’s – they use to fry their fries in TALLOW and 7% Peanut Oil. I do too! You need the peanut oil to just cover the heating elements at the bottom of the pan. Why? Tallow is kind of like lard in that it is soft white but not an oil UNTIL it gets hot. So if it’s directly on the heating elements it will smoke! Don’t do it! Put in the Peanut Oil first then put in the Tallow until the oil rises up to the Max line inside the frying bowl. For several years I’ve been purchasing the Peanut Oil in 1 Gallon containers from Amazon. It’s an excellent product and arrives fast. This is what made our Fries so tasty back in the day. If you study Tallow many doctors will even tell you how healthy it is. There are video’s about it on the internet.How about frying Shrimp, Okra and Zucchini or Chicken? Here’s a great product also found here on Amazon. It’s called Louisiana Shrimp Fry. Actually the Louisiana Chicken Fry also seems to be the same ingredients.. just a change in the package labeling.» Take 5 tablespoons of the Louisiana Shrimp or Chicken Fry and mix with 1/2 cup of water. Place your Shrimp or Okra or Zucchini or piece of Chicken into this mixture.» Next place the rest of the dry ingredients (Shrimp or Chicken Fry) into a breading bowl or 1-gallon plastic bag. Remove your whatever you’re going to fry from the liquid mixture and place into the breading bowl or bag and shake vigorously to coat the item.» Bring the temperature of your oil up to 350f. Fry the shrimp for 2.5 minutes (not to exceed 3 minutes) and 3 minutes for Okra or Zucchini till golden brown. For chicken it will take longer depending on what part of the bird you’re cooking. Use an instant read thermometer.This will give you some of the best Southern style food you’ve ever tried.
it’s an upgrade from the smaller version. I love it, been using it a few weeks now, I LOVED my smaller version of this one they stopped making it, and some reviews made me think this one isn’t made as well, but I don’t agree, the little one lasted me 4 years but I abused the heck out of it, slopping BBQ sauce on chicken etc, it got so loud from muck stuck to the fan, however I gave it to a friend who can clean anything, he took a thin utensil wrapped some paper on it and managed to slip it between the burners coils and get a lot of muck off, he says it works great now, no noise, but I love this one more so everyone wins, I LOVE the pause feature I need to pause a lot and check the food, this one is easier to clean and I have no idea why but it is, it’s not as big as the measuements on this site, I those might be the box measurements cause it does fit under the upper cabinets, I love the track it slides out on, makes it easier to use, and of course it makes excellent fried/BBQ chicken, I love a rare filet so I mix saucy balsamic with salt free spike to make a paste that turns to semi-crust when the meat is still really rare, it’s so good, and salmon I make a lot, coated with chipotle mayo, sooo delish, I cook everything at 400 and after air frying for so long I forgot I’m not really a good cook but I am with the air fryer not sure why but others agree, oh yea like asparagus, I can char it but it’s still really moist, air fryers, at least the Philips ones, seem to lock in the flavors as it cooks, people I know who complain about air fryers just got the wrong brand, I’m convinced of that.
Easy to use. Easy to clean. Food tastes great. I did a lot of research before buying, including perusing Amazon reviews and having GROK AI do a comparison. I settled on this model, for a few reasons. 1) There were no complaints about the magnetic plug coming out. It does have one as a safety feature, and it sits solidly in the unit with no issues. 2) It’s not digital. Yes, I looked at the super-fancy Breville, but a review from a chef advised that all of its digital presets were not accurate. So we went for a simpler, cheaper setup. 3) It has a great cookbook that tells you what settings to use. So far we’ve tried okra, eggplant and chicken. 4) The oil filtration setup. We did our research and of course said “NO” to using seed oils (seriously, why even suggest that?!). We settled on refined coconut oil, which is solid at room temp. This is very healthy and we’ve had zero issues with smoking, even though we’ve had it at the highest temp. 5) Everything is dishwasher safe. So last night, after making eggplant and chicken for stir fry (yum!), we let the oil cool for several hours and hit the filter setting before heading to bed. This morning, I dropped the oil pan, the lid (which keeps you from making a mess while cooking) and the basket into the dishwasher. Easy peezy. We’re really happy with it so far!
Love it besides it’s flaws. I’ve had this fryer for over a year and I love it. I’ve made a lot of fresh cut French fries and fried chicken (hot wings) through the last 30 years and this is the best fryer I’ve ever had and I’ve had a lot of different ones. When this one goes out I’ll buy another one if they’re still available. There are 3 issues that I think are flaws, the first is that it only has 1 light and it lights up when it’s switched on and then goes out once it gets to temp. It should have 2 lights, red to indicate that its on and a green light to indicate when it’s up to the set temp. Someone can cut it off and then forget they cut it off and hit the switch again cutting it back on. I actually did this once and didn’t realize it until the next day and of course the oil was totally burnt. I unplug it now when I’m not using it. The switch is in an odd place on the side and should be on the top. They need to either have the switch on top so it’s easily visible or have the 2 lights or have both. The last issue is the filter, it doesn’t really have one which is great for cleaning purposes but all that oily steam comes out all over whatever is above it which for me is a cabinet. I was shocked at this when I first used it, I was kinda dumbfounded. Why would they not put a filter on it? I have a lot of replacement filters from other fryers I’ve had so what I do is lay a filters on top of the opening and lay a wet paper towel over top of that and it cuts down the oily steam tremendously. That catches a lot of what would be coating my cabinet. These are some pretty major issues to me but besides that it fries good and is a lot easier to clean and store oil than my past fryers. I read where people were saying it leaks oil when filtering so I place a metal tray under it to catch any spilled oil and I luckily haven’t had that issue unless it’s tilted and the oil container overflows. I have no issues with spillage otherwise. It’s a great fryer and I guess I could leave 4 stars because of the flaws I’ve mentioned but… It’s the best fryer I’ve ever had so I wouldn’t feel right about doing that. Maybe they will see this review and address these issues, that would be great.
Works well. Love this sprayer.
Best air fryer yet. I got this as a “gift” for my wife to upgrade our old failing air fryer. I can’t believe how good this Ninja is at cooking! My prior experience has been fairly mediocre with past air fryers, either they took forever, didn’t hold enough or were never crispy on the outside.Everyone in the family is happier with the way food comes out and tastes. While larger, due to double basket design, it looks nice on the counter still. Cleaning the baskets are generally a quick wipe once done, or will require a slight scrub if you leave it overnight. We were surprised how quiet it runs, basically only hearing the fan blowing air through the unit. It’s seems to not concentrate the exhaust as much as other designs, as we have not had discoloration issues on the tiles behind the unit after running.Overall very satisfied with the quality and how easy it is to cook with, along with the ability to cook each baskets separately in different ways.
Best air fryer. One of the best air fryers I’ve ever bought, easy to use and efficient for my needs… I would definitely buy it again. It still works perfectly almost two years after I bought it.
Perfect Air Fryer. It’s the perfect size, doesn’t take up a lot of counter space and SO easy to clean! I use it to bake, “fry”, toast, reheat… I rarely turn on my oven! Love it!
BUY. We absolutely love this Ninja 6.5 QT Pro XL Air Fryer! The size is perfect for our family, it easily fits enough food for full meals without feeling overcrowded. It heats up quickly, cooks food evenly, and gives everything that perfect crispy texture without needing much oil. We use it constantly for things like chicken, fries, veggies, and quick weeknight dinners, and everything turns out great. It’s very easy to use, the controls are straightforward, and cleanup is simple, which is a huge bonus. Overall, this air fryer has become a staple in our kitchen and we’re extremely happy with the quality and performance. Highly recommend!
Cooking made fast and easy. I bought this air fryer for my Mom’s birthday. She had mentioned getting one years ago but never did. She loves cooking and cooking well. This fryer was perfect, excellent quality, delicious food turn out and the whole family loves it! It makes everything (like chicken strips and fries) so hot and crispy.You need to wash the bucket throughly at the end of each use with a soft washcloth, hot water and Dawn soap to really get it clean and not allow grease build up.It’s been used a lot already and we haven’t had an issue. Great product, just love it!
Miracle Machine – just get it, you will not regret. The media could not be loaded. The only thing I regret is not using this sooner! I am not a chef and challenged in the kitchen but this miracle machine has me making yummy, delicious, and healthier dinners for my family. It had boosted my confidence and creativity in the kitchen.I used it everyday for a wide range of dishes, from waffles and toast to baking chicken salmon to vegetables and meatballs. I rarely need to use oil and it still doesn’t stick. It heats up fast, cooks evenly, and handles a wide variety of foods with great results.The controls are easy to use, with intuitive settings that take the mystery out of cooking. Clean up is super easy. We usually just hand clean as it’s so quick but the basket is dishwasher safe! After heavy use, they is some grease buildup on the basket but that is expected.It is a nice size, it’s large enough to cook a meal for the whole family in one go but also still fits on the counter underneath the cabinets. It’s a little heavy but I am on the smaller side and can still easily move it around the kitchen frequently.What really stands out is its versatility and ease of use – it genuinely feels like it can cook almost anything, making weeknight meals quicker and healthier. If you’re looking for a reliable, high-quality air fryer that delivers consistent results, this one is an excellent choice. Highly recommend!
Freaking Happy I Got it. Freaking happy I bought it It’s been very worthwhile. As I learned the things that I could actually do with a good quality air fryer It’s been a big part of my life especially since I work out a lot and work full time It allows for me to quickly make meals while cooking things like meats and other things in the air fryer while I’m cooking vegetables on the stove. I typically don’t cook stuff directly on the grill I used to take a little bit of foil curled up a little on the edges and put food on top of that so that there’s greases and stuff that come from the food like juice from sausages or something like that that I don’t care to have to clean up so I put it in the foil open. Still allowing for the air flow around. Helpful cleaning tip Just remember every once in a while take a sponge and wipe the inside top of the air fryer just to remove any oils/greases. I ended up buying this one because I was watching America’s test kitchen do a comparison of air fryers and this one basically won out. (Price v Functionality v Quality) I love the fact cuz I’m on the go that I can just pop some stuff in there go take a shower or something and by the time I’m finished food is cooked or warmed within about 4 to 16 minutes depending on if you have something that was frozen.
Absolutely the Best Air Fryer. I cannot say enough good things about this fryer! It’s large, has lots of settings, and is easy to use. I particularly like the extra crispy function and I often use that at the last couple minutes on things like fries, chicken, wings, and even sausage and peppers. It’s relatively easy to clean also.It is rather large so you need a big space to store it unless you keep it on your counter. I see such a difference in this fryer versus the generic one. I had so many years, which worked well but nothing compared to this one this is the GOAT of air fryers. And the best thing is I got it on a fantastic deal.!
Awesome Ninja 8 Quart Airfryer. 💖 Ninja 8-Quart — how did I live so long without this?I’m having so much fun trying all the quick, easy, and healthier meals I can make with it. As a single, older person who usually cooks just for one, this air fryer is the perfect size and incredibly convenient. The dual drawers make it simple to prepare different foods at the same time without any hassle.That said, if you’re cooking for a larger family, this size might feel a bit limiting. You may want to consider a bigger model or even two units.For one or two people, though, it’s absolutely perfect, and I couldn’t be happier with it.
i like it. I’ve been using this Ninja DualZone Air Fryer for a while now and overall I’m very happy with it.The dual basket feature is the biggest plus for me. Being able to cook two different foods at the same time — and having them finish together with the Match Cook / Smart Finish functions — makes meal prep much easier, especially on busy days. It heats up quickly, cooks evenly, and the results are consistently crispy without drying the food out.The controls are very intuitive, and cleaning is easy since the baskets are non-stick and dishwasher safe.The only downside for me is that the baskets are slightly smaller than I expected. They’re perfectly fine for everyday meals, but if you’re cooking for a larger family or making bigger portions, you may need to cook in batches.Other than that, it’s a solid, reliable air fryer that delivers great results and saves a lot of time in the kitchen. I would definitely recommend it.