Timers with an audible alert or a fryer that can turn off automatically will add to the appliance’s ease of use. These days, there are so many air fryers on the market that the list of additional features can be overwhelming. Sometimes more features mean the device will be more complicated to use, so be sure to look at the interface and controls before making a decision, especially if you are a beginner. In all, this Ninja and the Cosori Pro SE we named our top pick would both be a welcome addition to your kitchen. The Cosori won for its slightly larger capacity and lower price, but the Ninja has extra cooking modes that the Cosori doesn’t. If you plan to use the machine for more than just air frying, the Ninja might well be worth the extra few bucks.
It makes 4 burgers, 3 or 4 salmon fillets, a basket full of breakfast potatoes, plenty of vegetables, a full basket of chicken wings, etc. These units are basically small convection ovens, using super heated circulating air, and there is actually no frying or deep frying at all. Both the basket and the rack are nonstick and have relatively few crevices, making each easy to wash by hand.
It weighs around 12 pounds – making it not too heavy to move easily but heavy enough that it’s definitely not going anywhere if you nudge it. This thing may be one of the most expensive air fryer/toaster/countertop ovens out there, but it really can replace all three, which might make the price worth it. It’s even available in seven different colors to match your kitchen decor. Brussels sprouts moosoo air fryer were tough, fries were soft, and potatoes didn’t brown after cooking in the time and temperature recommended by the Instant Brands app. With almost every recipe I tried—while results worked well for the single-basket Vortex—we had to increase the cooking time in this machine. We didn’t even have to read the manual to learn how to navigate between cooking mode, time, and temperature settings.
To preheat, select the preset preheat function if your air fryer has one, or just set the cooking temperature and let the air fryer heat for three to five minutes before adding your moosoo air fryer food. Not all air fryers need to be preheated, while others automatically preheat before starting the cooking timer. Instead of oil, air fryers use hot air to crisp and brown foods.
With a large cooking basket and easy-to-understand controls, this is the perfect air fryer for busy families looking to streamline weeknight meals. The basket can fit up to two pounds of fries or even a 4-pound whole chicken. It’s always important not to instant vortex overcrowd a fryer, so the added space helps keep foods separate, ensuring consistent air flow throughout. Another smaller, drawer-style air fryer that could fit easily under cabinets, this analog model had simple controls that were intuitive to set.
It’s big enough to fit four chicken thighs and one pound of wings. I thoroughly test each product I review to assess functionality, versatility, portability, and efficiency. My work can be found in Food & Wine, Foodnetwork.com, Saveur, Real Simple, and more. The air fryer comes with the basket in place, and the removable non-stick air fryer insert at the top of the styrofoam packaging.
The Vortex Plus has the above functions, with the added benefit of being able to dehydrate and broil food. With the slightly angled display, we can at last use the controls without the awkward bend of the knees. Making the Vortex plus the obvious choice for “older” users or those who will be using the unit regularly. We like this because there is less wasted space compared to a circle. Then it tells you when to add the food, and then it starts counting. Preheating is also pretty quick – it typically takes between 2-5 minutes to get up to temperature.
Unlike most pod-style air fryers, you don’t have to open the basket and let heat escape to check if your food is done. On the Instant Vortex Plus, you can just press the light button and look through the window. It combines the visibility of a toaster oven with the efficiency of a pod air fryer. To test the Instant Vortex, I considered factors like portability, versatility, and overall performance. To judge portability, I first assessed the size and weight of the air fryer and the length of the cord (a longer cord will give you more options for where to put a countertop appliance). I looked at how simple and straightforward the machine is to assemble without instructions, and also considered how easy the control panel was to read and use.