Air Fryers

Air fryers, or countertop fryers, are appliances that can help you cut down on traditional stove and oven use. They're an excellent tool for crisping up chicken wings, air frying French fries, or reheating pizza. Many air fryers are more like toaster ovens or countertop convection ovens instead of large deep fryers. They use little or no oil to cook your food, so they're a healthy alternative to deep frying with a large amount of cooking oil. Air fryers use circulating hot air to get your food crispy instead. Some models even offer an air fryer with rotisserie.

Types of Air Fryers: There are two basic types of air fryers, rectangular or rounded ones. The box-shaped air fryers are enhanced countertop convection ovens or toaster ovens with an extra fan and a wire air fryer tray to air fry food. Other air fryers are cylinder-shaped countertop appliances with a deep bowl for oil and a wire basket that fits inside the bowl.

Within those two types, you'll find a variety of sizes, colors, and functions in air fryers. Small air fryers tend to have fewer features, but they're easier on the wallet than bigger ones. Choose from stainless steel air fryers to match a silvery kitchen, or add color with red air fryers, white air fryers, or even purple or blue ones. As far as functions go, there's an array of settings and features, including built-in timers, non-stick interiors, and various cooking settings.

• Countertop fryers use less oil than deep fryers do, so your food is healthier.
• You'll save energy by heating up a smaller space than a conventional oven.
• Preset options let you easily crisp up specific meals like air fryer chicken wings or pizzas.
• Air fryers cook quickly and efficiently. Sometimes they're quicker than a conventional oven, so watch your food carefully.
• Many air fryer models have an auto-shutoff safety feature. The added benefit is it cooks your food for as long as the timer is set and no more, so don't worry about overcooking.
• Several air fryers have dishwasher-safe components for ease of cleaning.
• Air fryers often have a broil option as well, so you can enjoy extra-crispy food fast.
• If you've got an air fryer with a bake setting, bake cookies and other goodies too.

• Many air fryers are noisy. The convection fans that circulate the hot air are loud, but you can find select air fryers that are marked as quieter. None of them will be silent though.
• You'll have another appliance taking up space on the countertop. A 10-quart air fryer might only take up a space of roughly 16" x 16", but bigger air fryers often take up more room than that.
• If you're cooking a sizeable volume of food, there might not be enough room in the air fryer. Big families should consider large air fryers, as some hold up to 36 quarts.
• Oil spatters may be difficult to clean, and fully removing residual oil from the frying trays or bowl might be challenging without running the dishwasher. It can be tough to get the components squeaky clean by hand.

Now that you have some basics on the pros and cons of air fryers, it's time to start shopping. Consider your kitchen decor, family size, and budget when deciding on the best air fryer for your household. We've got plenty of countertop fryers to choose from. Shop online now with The Home Depot mobile app and get it delivered to your home or your local store.