keep hearing about the joys of air frying? Providing a faster and healthier way to cook fried foods with little to no oil, a deep fryer has become a kitchen staple. It works like a convection oven to circulate hot air around your food, only it’s more compact and saves more time. Think guilt-free crispy chicken, home fries, and donuts that are not only easy to make, but also easier to clean up compared to using a traditional deep fryer.
With smaller heating capacity interiors and shorter preheat times, an air fryer can also be a faster way to cook than your standard oven, which could save you money on your energy bills if used wisely. (Just make sure it’s big enough to cook what you need, otherwise you’ll be using it multiple times, defeating its energy-saving purpose.) With a multifunctional design, some deep fryers come loaded with preset cooking modes for bake, broil, dehydrate, broil, and reheat. They can tackle a variety of meats, fish and vegetables effectively, as well as sweets – think steak and fries, homemade apple fries and a warm banana bread. Here are WIRED’s top picks to fit a variety of ingredients and price points.
Check out more of WIRED’s best guides to kitchen tech and accessories, including the best electric kettles, the best latte and cappuccino machines, the best chef’s knives, and the best gear for small kitchens.
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