Air fryers have become a staple in households, providing a quick and healthy way to cook meals. They are capable of producing crispy and delicious results without the use of added oil, making them a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. Additionally, these energy-efficient appliances can save money on energy bills by eliminating the need to use the oven or stove for everyday cooking.
With a variety of shapes and sizes, and numerous features, choosing the best air fryer can be overwhelming. While many models excel at air frying, some also offer additional functionalities like baking, roasting, reheating, and dehydrating. With so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which model is best suited for your needs.
However, based on customer reviews and ratings, here are the top 5 air fryers in the UAE as of January 2023:
TOP 7 Air Fryers:
Best Overall: Instant Vortex 6-Quart Air Fryer
Another Top Pick: Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer
Best Value: Cosori Pro Air Fryer Oven Combo
Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer
Best Dual Basket Air Fryer: Ninja Foodi DualZone Air Fryer
Best Mid-Size Air Fryer: Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer
Best Small Air Fryer: Dash Compact Electric Air Fryer
1. Philips HD9650/91 Air Fryer XXL
Philips HD9650/91 Air Fryer XXL
This is a large-capacity air fryer with a digital touchscreen display and multiple cooking functions. It has a 7-liter capacity and can cook up to six servings of food at once.
The Philips Airfryer XXL HD9650/99 is an ideal choice for those in need of an air fryer with a large 7.3-quart / 7-liter capacity that can feed several people. During testing, we found that the air fryer produced a satisfying crunch to everything we cooked, including fries, frozen steak-cut chips, and chicken wings. The additional insert, placed between the frying basket and air fryer drawer, separates and traps fat secreted by the food during cooking, ensuring a healthier meal. However, as the air fryer uses more oil than most, with the recipe booklet suggesting 1 tablespoon of oil for 1.1lb / 500g of potatoes when making homemade fries and the same quantity for six chicken wings, the fat trapping feature is worth having. Note that this appliance is bulky, so if you’re short on countertop space, storage in a cupboard may be necessary.
2. Tefal Actifry Genius XL
This air fryer has a large 1.7kg capacity and 9 automatic programs to cook a variety of dishes. It features a stirring paddle that ensures even cooking and has a digital display with a timer and temperature controls.
The Tefal ActiFry Genius XL 2-in-1 is ideal for large families or those who want to cook full meals (main + side) in one go. If you prioritize “wet” cooking (like stir-fries) and hate shaking baskets, this is one of the best options on the market. However, if you have a small kitchen or just want to make basic snacks, a standard drawer-style air fryer might be more practical.
3. Kenwood Multi Pro Air Fryer
This model is a “Combi” microwave, meaning it can heat food quickly like a standard microwave but also features a heating element to brown or crisp food like an oven or grill. It’s a solid mid-sized option suitable for families or individuals who need a multi-purpose machine for a variety of cooking tasks.
The Kenwood 25L Microwave with Grill is an excellent choice if you have limited kitchen space and want one appliance to handle both reheating and light grilling. It is a reliable, high-performance upgrade over a basic microwave and offers great value for those who frequently cook frozen meals, pizzas, or small portions of meat.
4. Black & Decker Digital Air Fryer
If you are looking for an air fryer that can handle a whole chicken or a mountain of fries for a group, this is a top-tier contender. It moves away from the “compact” trend and leans fully into capacity and power.
The BLACK+DECKER 8L Air Fryer is a “workhorse” appliance. It’s perfect if you do a lot of meal prepping on the weekends or frequently host friends. It trades portability for pure performance and volume. If you’re only cooking for one or two people daily, this might be overkill—but for a busy household, it’s a game-changer.
5. Russell Hobbs Air Fry Crisp and Bake
The SatisFry Large is a 5-liter air fryer that strikes a balance between countertop footprint and cooking volume. It’s built for households of 2–4 people who want a versatile machine that can handle everything from crispy fries to a whole roasted chicken.
The Russell Hobbs SatisFry Large is a reliable “all-rounder.” It doesn’t have the massive 8L capacity of industrial-sized fryers, but it is much easier to clean and faster to heat up. It’s a perfect choice if you want a sleek, modern-looking appliance that handles the “staples”—chicken, potatoes, and roasted veggies—with zero fuss.
Use of Air Fryers in Daily Life
Air fryers can be a convenient and versatile addition to your daily life. Here are some ways you can use air fryers in your daily routine:
- Cooking quick and healthy meals: Air fryers are a great way to cook meals quickly without using a lot of oil, making them a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. You can use an air fryer to cook a wide variety of foods, including chicken, fish, vegetables, and even baked goods.
- Reheating leftovers: An air fryer can be a great way to reheat leftovers, especially if you want to avoid using a microwave. Simply put your leftovers in the air fryer basket and heat them up for a few minutes until they’re crispy and warm.
- Making snacks and appetizers: Air fryers are great for making snacks and appetizers, such as crispy french fries, onion rings, or mozzarella sticks. You can also use an air fryer to make healthier versions of your favorite snacks, such as baked sweet potato fries or air-fried buffalo cauliflower bites.
- Meal prep: Air fryers can be a great tool for meal prepping, allowing you to cook a large batch of food at once and portion it out for the week ahead. You can use an air fryer to cook chicken breasts, fish fillets, or roasted vegetables, for example.
- Baking: Some air fryers have baking functions, making them a great alternative to a traditional oven. You can use an air fryer to bake muffins, cupcakes, or even a small cake.
Overall, air fryers can be a convenient and versatile tool in your daily life, making cooking and meal prep easier and healthier.
How Do Air Fryers Work?
- Heating element: An electric heating element at the top of the air fryer heats the air.
- Fan: A fan located above the heating element circulates the hot air around the food.
- Cooking chamber: The food is placed in a cooking chamber, usually a basket or tray, which is located at the bottom of the air fryer.
- Crisping plate: Some air fryers have a crisping plate that is located above the cooking chamber. The plate is perforated and allows hot air to circulate around the food, which helps to create a crispy exterior.
- Temperature control: Most air fryers have a temperature control that allows you to set the temperature to the desired level.
- Timer: A timer allows you to set the cooking time for the food.
As the air circulates around the food, it cooks the food evenly, and the hot air creates a crispy exterior, similar to deep-frying. Because air fryers use hot air to cook food, they require very little oil, making them a healthier alternative to deep frying.
Are air fryers worth it?
- Healthier Cooking: Air fryers are often touted as a healthier alternative to deep frying as they require very little oil, making them a good option for those who want to cut back on their oil consumption.
- Convenient: Air fryers can be a convenient way to cook meals as they require little to no preheating time, and the cooking process is usually quicker than traditional ovens. Additionally, many models have pre-programmed settings that make cooking specific foods easier.
- Versatile: Many air fryers also offer additional cooking functions such as baking, grilling, and roasting, making them a versatile appliance that can replace several others in the kitchen.
- Cost: Air fryers can be expensive, and while they may save money in the long run by reducing the need for oil and electricity, the initial cost may not be worth it for everyone.
In summary, if you value healthier cooking, convenience, and versatility in your kitchen, an air fryer may be worth the investment. However, if you don’t cook often or don’t mind traditional frying methods, an air fryer may not be necessary for you. Ultimately, it comes down to individual preferences and cooking habits.
What cannot be prepared in an air fryer?
- Foods that are heavily battered or coated in wet batters may not turn out well in an air fryer. This is because the batter may drip off and create a mess, or it may not cook evenly.
- Foods that require a lot of liquid, such as soups and stews, cannot be prepared in an air fryer. The cooking chamber of an air fryer is not designed to hold liquid, and the hot air circulation may not cook the food evenly.
- Delicate foods that are easily overcooked, such as fish, may not be well-suited for air frying. The high heat of the air fryer may dry out the fish or cause it to become overcooked.
- Foods that are too large to fit in the air fryer basket may not be able to be cooked in the appliance. It is important to check the size of the cooking chamber before purchasing an air fryer to ensure that it can accommodate the foods you want to cook.
In general, it is best to avoid foods that are too delicate, too wet, or too large for the air fryer. However, with a little experimentation, you may be surprised at the variety of foods that can be prepared in an air fryer.
-
What is an air fryer?
An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that uses hot air to cook food. It works by circulating hot air around the food, creating a crispy, fried texture without the need for oil.
-
How does an air fryer work?
An air fryer works by circulating hot air around the food, which creates a crispy texture similar to deep-frying. The air is heated by an electric heating element and a fan circulates the hot air around the food.
-
What are the benefits of using an air fryer?
Using an air fryer has several benefits, including:
- It allows you to cook crispy, fried foods with less oil, which can be healthier.
- It is quicker than traditional oven cooking and can save time.
- It is easy to use and can cook a wide range of foods, including meat, vegetables, and even baked goods.
- It is easy to clean, with most air fryers having removable parts that can be washed in a dishwasher.
-
Can you use an air fryer to cook frozen food?
Yes, an air fryer can be used to cook frozen food, such as frozen fries or chicken nuggets. In fact, many air fryers have pre-programmed settings for cooking frozen foods.
-
What are some popular foods to cook in an air fryer?
Some popular foods to cook in an air fryer include:
- French fries
- Chicken wings
- Chicken tenders
- Fish
- Vegetables, such as broccoli or cauliflower
- Baked goods, such as muffins or cakes.
-
Can you cook more than one thing in an air fryer at the same time?
Yes, you can cook more than one thing in an air fryer at the same time, as long as the food items have similar cooking times and temperatures. However, it’s important to leave enough space between the items to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.
Author: Editor
