Test Drive: Air Fryers
Fried food is awesome. The fat and the fuss? Not so much. That’s why you need an air fryer, which gets your food crispy using hot air, no oil required.
For Feeding a Crowd
Courtesy of Philips
The Philips Air Fryer XXL ($350) is big! How big? Big enough to handle three pounds of crispy fries. It’s pricey, but this model turned out food that was nearly identical to deep-fried. The crackling crust on the chicken was so good that no one would have guessed it wasn’t cooked in a vat of oil.
For Multitaskers
Courtesy of Black & Decker
The Black & Decker Extra Wide Crisp ’n Bake Air Fry Toaster Oven ($80) is a triple threat: It can air-fry, toast, and bake. There’s not much info on air-frying in the manual, so you’ll have to research about times and techniques. But that’s what the Internet is for, right?
For Small Spaces
Courtesy of Dash
Great for apartment dwellers with limited counter space, the Dash Compact Air Fryer ($65) is perfect for making chicken nuggets for the kids or indulging your hankering for onion rings. Just be sure not to load it with more than one layer of fries or they won’t crisp up evenly.
